McCaffrey Audio releases the Reactor Boost Compressor pedal, designed to work with both humbucker and single-coil equipped guitars.
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Guitar Compressor Pedals
This is a straightforward compressor pedal that has a three-position switch to tune the pedal to work with the type of pickup you’re using, ensuring that the pedal will compress your guitar signal regardless the pickup configuration.
As it is right now, most compressor pedals are usually tuned to work towards a specific type of sound, and as such are limited. There are more versatile compressors but they can be tedious to set up. Knowing this, McCaffrey Audio decided to make a simple compressor pedal that can easily switch its tuning to accommodate various types of pickup configurations.
The company says, “The Reactor Boost Compressor design was born out of frustration with many made for guitar compressors that are, or have been, on the market. Far too many are not distinctly tuned for guitar, while others shine with single coil but “muddy up” when used with humbucker-equipped axes. The Reactor Boost Compressor has three simple design principles: 1) Simplicity and ease of use, 2) Specifically tailored to your rig, 3) Must shine with both humbucker and single-coil-equipped guitars.”
Like conventional compressor pedals, the Reactor Boost comes with just two knobs that control level and compression. Both knobs provide straightforward control over essential settings, the level knob adjusts the output volume, while the compression knob adjusts the amount of compression applied to your guitar signal.
What separates this pedal from the usual is its three-way mode selector switch. By flicking this switch you can “tune” the pedal to your specific guitar type: single coil, the brighter modern humbucker or the darker vintage humbucker. This unique targeted approach to compression simplifies setups and makes the pedal versatile enough to handle various guitars.
Here are the features of the new McCaffrey Reactor Boost Compressor:
- Single dual op-amp effect with J-Fets and a single diode towards the end of the circuit.
- Neutrik jacks used
- Negative center 2.1mm standard 9V power supply.
- Level: Increases/decreases output volume of pedal. Increase the level and notice how the pedal starts to push the front end of your amp and other pedals.
- Fusion: Affects the amount of compression and drive when the level is increased.
- Critical Mass Switch: Three-way switch that adds bass response to the effect. Middle is the stock or “jangle” position. Adds a bit O’ snap to pick’n. Left adds just a bit more bass response. Right adds the most bass response.
McCaffrey Audio concludes: “A well-made, well-voiced, compressor can be the mainstay of a guitar rig; whether you’re looking to get that chicken-pickin’ tonality, smooth your rhythm playing, get endless single note sustain during guitar solos, or just help your guitar sit better in the mix. The new, customizable, and highly versatile Reactor is equally comfortable in a vintage tone rig or a rig designed for modern, full-out, aural assault.“
The new McCaffrey Audio Reactor Boost Compressor is currently retailing for $160. For more information, head over to McCaffrey Audio.
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