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Pros:
- Incredibly transparent
- Versatile
- Easy to operate
Cons:
- Takes time to adjust it to your sound
Whether you are into boutique pedals or not, there is no denying the fact that they have the wonderful build quality and overall capabilities. No matter what effect we are talking about, this diverse but smaller corner of the market sports the best representatives. Yes, such stompboxes are more expensive, but more often than not they are worth the money. And those who love to treat themselves will enjoy boutique pedals a great deal. Today’s article will be really helpful for such musicians, but it might also lure those who are loyal to mass-produced units. As you have guessed from the title, we are going to talk about Wampler Ego Compressor.
This bad boy displays all the qualities behind the fame of the brand and performs as transparently as possible. If you have played with this effect before, you will understand what I am talking about (if not, you will at the end of the article). This wonderful pedal is similar to the circuitry of MXR Dyna Comp and Ross Compressor, which means it carries some kick-ass properties. Let’s discuss everything step by step, break down the features, controls, and sound and see if this fella can live up to the expectations!
Features
The feature set of Wampler Ego Compressor is very broad and diverse, which is not surprising considering the past experiences with the brand. This bad boy is an OTA (Operational Transconductance Amplifier) style pedal, which is why it resembles the legendary units I mentioned earlier. This means that it reads and translates the guitar signal perfectly and sweetens your sound profoundly. It is hand-built with high-quality material, which is the main reason behind its price. Wirings, enclosure, and other constituents are extremely durable, which means this pedal will last you through a lifetime.
It takes just a look at the insides to understand just how much effort is put in each and every stompbox. And the fact that it is hand-built makes it even more scrupulous. Ego Compressor has True Bypass switching with an expensive relay, making sure that the click is barely audible and the circuit is 100% true bypass. What is more, this stompbox has an all-encompassing control panel that allows you to shape various parameters and craft your tone according to your preferences.
It can be powered with a single battery or a power supply, which makes its utilization quite convenient. It takes a standard adapter which means powering this fella will never be a problem. Just like all of Wampler’s pedals, Ego Compressor has a picturesque appearance with its metallic blue chassis, white knobs and writings. Whether you play with this pedal or just look at it, you get the feeling that it is put together and collected. Exactly what we require from our units – we want them to make sense, am I right?
Controls
As I have mentioned above, Ego Compressor has an extensive control selection. Its knobs have amazing quality as well and rotate very smoothly on the interface. They are laid out in an intelligent manner, which helps you navigate through all of them easily. If you have performed with a compressor pedal before, you will quickly get the hang of the controls. Don’t you worry if this is your first encounter? I will explain everything below and assist you in the tweaking process.
Let’s start with Volume, which modifies the level of the signal that is output from the unit. It helps you to make the effect quieter or louder than or equal to the rest of the chain. Sustain allows you to extend the lifespan of your notes and keep them as long as you want. Attack modifies the speed at which compression starts to take place. At higher settings, it will clip the signal immediately and deliver completely different sounds. Tone adds sparkle and brightness to your signal as you turn it clockwise.
It underlines the higher frequencies and adds an extra bite. Blend mixes together with your dry and compressed sounds and gives you the ability to retain the original qualities of your guitar. Of course, there is a footswitch that turns the device on or off. It is worth mentioning that the controls are very interactive – the settings of one will impact the outcome of the other.
Wampler EGO COMPRESSOR Sound
The sound is where that boutique origin really starts to show itself off. Wampler Ego Compressor has very expensive tone, which means it is defined and extremely transparent. It does not color anything, it simply takes what you already have and improves it a great deal. This is particularly helpful if you disguise that artificial feel some units tend to add. Its controls allow you to nail every single parameter, which means you can easily change whatever you do not like.
Though it might be a bit hard to find those perfect settings, after some time spent with the unit, it will not be that nerve-wracking anymore. Ego Compressor is noiseless and clean, can sweeten your sound with ease, and make it uniform. You will not even notice it is there, since the effect it applies is basically part of your own tone. The blend helps a lot as it brings out your original characteristics. This baby can work with different instruments and change your game drastically. No matter where you place it in the chain, it will add sustain and maintain the perfect balance of louder and quieter sounds.
Conclusion
In conclusion, sometimes it is worth spending extra buck in order to purchase the unit that you will utilize frequently. Such high-end and well-thought-out devices will stay with you for a long time and will never need any repairing. Wampler Ego Compressor is a great option if you want a reliable tool that will craft your sound from within. You might take some time getting used to the control section and all of its tweakable options, but in the end you will be able to achieve anything your heart desired. Do not stop searching and experimenting and everything will become achievable. Good luck!
Click here to view more from 10 Best Compressor Pedals.
