MXR Dyna Comp

If you could only take one compressor to a desert island it would probably be the original classic by MXR innovations. By the last 70's Keith Barr and Terry Sherwood had turned a basement operation into one of the largest high-end pedal manufacturers in the U.S. The idea of a compressor is simple... it makes the loud notes softer and the soft notes louder. It simply squashes the notes and evens out the sound for a more uniform playing. Soon Nashville session guitars found them ideal for chicken-picking style runs and a staple of their sound. Rock guitar players seeking more sustain for their solos also found them useful like David Gilmore of Pink Floyd. Some people find the grey Ross Compressor the holy grail of effects and Trey Anastasio would agree wholeheartedly. Actually Ross took the Dyna Comp effect and tried to improve it's circuit by adding more dynamics. Since then, many boutique builders are making slight improvements but it's hard to deny the original effect that started it all in this red box. For more info on the reissue cult-classic please visit....http://www.jimdunlop.com/

Visual Sound Route 66

Bob Weil's introduction to the world of pedals began when he wanted to create his own volume pedal with a visual reference that nobody had ever thought of. He then launched his own company in 1994 with a trifecta of pedals that were unique in the fact that you got a two-for-one pairing in each unit. The split personality of the the Route 66 American Overdrive is half compressor and half Tubescreamer. This pairing goes down as smooth as peanut butter and chocolate. The circuitry of the compression is not that dissimilar than the holy grail of effects the MXR Dynacomp and the overdrive is an improvement on the Ibanez Tubescreamer. It's a tweaker's paradise allowing you to boost the bass of the overdrive and cut off the tone on the compressor. It also allows you to run the effects separate or parallel. His effects are mass-produced now due to popularity although they hold their own with smaller boutique vendors. Even The Edge from U2 was spotted recording with one on the All That you Can't Leave Behind album. The cases are bullet-proof and the design/graphics are unique as well. The cases are no longer housed in 5 sided sheet metal and sport a different graphic. For more info on Visual Sound's effects please see.....http://www.visualsound.net/