2026 Compressor

I've always found compressors to be a bit of a challenge. The ones that I liked often required compromising my tone. OTA style compressors, like the Ross, tended to cut the highs too much for my taste, and while some tried to address this with a clean-blend knob, it felt to me like it defeated the purpose of using a compressor in the first place. Optical compressors offered a more transparent tone due to their slower attack and release times, but they weren't the best choice for more pronounced compression. After two years of experimenting and learning about compression, I’m excited to introduce the 2026 Compressor. The 2026 Compressor is a fully featured, high-performance compressor/limiter powered by Blackmer® VCA. It includes all five standard compression controls: RATIO, THRESHOLD, LEVEL, ATTACK, and RELEASE, along with a KNEE toggle switch. This compressor is completely transparent, meaning it doesn’t alter your tone aside from compressing it, making it suitable for both guitar and bass. I designed the 2026 to be as straightforward or intricate as you want it to be, offering two modes. BLUE is the DYNAMIC mode, allowing you to simply plug in, set your threshold, ratio, and level, while the attack and release adapt to your playing dynamics. RED is the MANUAL mode, where you can control the attack and release using the knobs. In both modes, the LED will illuminate white when compression is occurring, helping you set your threshold effectively.