- Published: 30 April 2022 30 April 2022
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Hello, Effects Fans!
Today we announce our new Python compressor module. The Python compares to the MIJ Boss CS-2 Compression Sustainer pedal. The Boss CS-2 Compression Sustainer pedal is a classic among compressor pedals. The controls are simple and the overall compression and sustain are considered more "natural" or "musical sounding" than many other compressors. The circuit is similar to the older Ross and Dynacomp circuits, but differs in several ways to make it unique. The CS-2 pedals were built from 1981 to 1986. The CS-1 which came before and the CS-3 and others that came later are different. Fans of the CS-2 still seek out the original vintage pedals, which have continued to be used by top artists for decades.
Compressors are sometimes described as the effect you shouldn't be able to hear when they are used correctly. Perhaps compressors would be better described as the effect that makes your playing sound more like you intended it to sound. Of course, guitarists have a variety of experiences and opinions about compression in general, as well as specific compressors. The Boss CS-2 is no exception. Some think it is the best compressor ever, others aren't so impressed. We have a theory that compression is more specific to your setup and playing style than other effects. If you have a relatively quiet rig and relatively smooth picking and strumming technique, a compressor may be more subtle. But if you have a bit of noise, the noise can be made worse. Or if you have a very dynamic picking/strumming style, you may not think the compression is at all subtle. Perhaps the less you need it, the better it works...?
The one thing we know for sure is that the debate will continue. To our ears, and with our setup and playing style, the Python is subtle, adding a very warm, smooth, and pleasant polish to our tone. We can't tell it from our original MIJ CS-2 pedal. It seems like both the highs and lows are very lightly trimmed to help smooth the tone. The Attack, Sustain, and Level controls are all familiar to compressor users. The Attack controls how quickly the compression begins. Sustain controls how long it acts. Level is a basic volume control. If you turn up the Level and/or Sustain to the point where you are boosting the signal, then there is some increased noise. But if you keep Level and Sustain closer to noon, there is little to no added noise. The full range of Attack is reasonably subtle for us, but you may well have a different experience. Also, as with most compressors, if you increase the Level, you may get some clipping distortion. If you like the CS-2, but you find it clips a bit much with your setup, you might want to try our option to run it at 12V for a bit more headroom. Once you try it, It's easy to see why David Gilmour uses the CS-2 to feed some of his amazing, smooth, and sophisticated fuzz and drive tones.
You can see more details about our Python module at: Python. Or look for it in the Compressor Modules section under Products -> Modules -> Modules By Type.