People who aren't aware of parallel compression will take that blend knob for granted. But for guitar, turning on max threshold and using the blend knob as the compressor value knob is also brilliant. I bet it's amazing with keyboards as well!
Cheers Andy great well explained product demo. This Airchild compressor sounds really good especially with the benefit of the Tone/EQ control as well as Blend which isn’t on all compressor pedals. To be honest I stopped using a compressor pedal a couple of years ago when playing live, even though I enjoyed the sound it produced and how you change how you attack the strings when playing, but for some reason I just preferred playing without it having a broader dynamic range when playing. In the last 6 months though I’ve started using a multi-effects pedal again (I know people will hate that!) but simply for ease of use and setting up and much less maintenance than when using individual pedals, then adding a new pedal to your rig and it adding unwanted noise/hiss and having to fanny around changing pedal order, leads etc, you know what I mean. Using the multi-effects pedal has made me introduce using a compressor again which definitely helps and adds to your overall tone produced and outputted. The Airchild 660 looks and sounds like a great pedal and would definitely help and benefit anyones rig if they had one. Thanks for your demo. Steve @thedeadxtras
“Playing into a compressor" has its own unique vibe. Mastering the art of allowing a compressor's character to enhance your sound is a skill that takes time to develop. While it may not appeal to everyone, it offers significant advantages in the recording process. It's another tool with a wide range of capabilities to explore. Ultimately, it's about thoroughly understanding your gear. Awesome review and demo! Thanks for sharing! 🙏
Compressors are not only essential to *my* sound, but also the *way* I play. It has nothing to do with genre - I’m a bit sloppy. As Andy said, it’s the *feel* that makes a difference. The blend knob is a big +.
7:18 I fully understand what you mean, brother. I love the way my MXR ‘78 Badass Distortion pedal feels, as well. It changes how you play and opens up more options
Good review, thanks. I noticed no knee, attack, release and ratio knobs, would you know what the built in settings are? Also, is threshold level 10 acting as a limiter?
Drat .. I just bought a Templo 1176 because I loved the compression and tone shaping so much .. Now I need to also buy the Airchild because I love the compression and tone shaping so much
I think I finally understand. It prevents the signal from yellow or red-lining if you're in a studio and therefore distorting in a way you don't want in the recording. It also allows you to be more expressive in your playing in that you can really get into it without creating an ungodly racket. It tempers the sound. Am I on the right track?
I love it that you consider a single pickup goldfoil guitar with no tone knob 'vanilla'. Honestly I really want you to show off the chunky monkey and the mojito sherbet or something... Great demo Andy!
I’m looking for a compressor to do just what you were talking about. I was first interested in the Wampler Ego76, now the Airchild has definitely got my attention. If you were to choose between those two types of compressors for your board, which would you choose? Great video by the way
My first compression sustain pedal was the boss "compression/sustain" pedal. From there I went on to the Philosophers Tone from pigtronix. I love it for country picking and what it does to distorted lead lines. I've often heard distortion described as a type of compression. I'd say don't be afraid to throw a lot more gain at that pedal. The results might be cool. Great video as always although better be careful showing such subtle differences in tone or your boi Glen Fricke will be coming after you! ;) cheers
That is a great gear list. I’d love to throw a bit more at this. But there’s only so much time for fun in a Video. Regarding plan, I’m sure that we could come to an agreement
Soundz awesome, i use ehx platform which has some other features including boost channel limiter and knee and a swell dial... but the variance you're getting out of this is mint. It took me a long time to notice my comp but once you find your sweet spots you can't go back.
Its so hard to explain the way that compression changes the feel of playing but it does. The fact that notes decay slightly slower changes your relationship to time and attack in a way thats tricky to articulate.
I've watched a number of videos on this pedal and your explanations are by far the best. Great job. Also, more guitar TH-camrs need to use the word "pachangs" (7:07).
Very nice pedal, but i'll stick to my Wampler mini Ego for now, ha, does what i need. I have have it as an always on pedal, blend, and sustain, set to 12 oclock, works a treat!
Not any sort of criticism, but NOT the first stompbox compressor to include a blend control. Compressors have a way of seeming to "dull" the tone on initial note attack. That can be *somewhat* , but not fully, addressed by speeding up the gain-recovery time, as many compressors have done (which is what the control labelled "Attack" generally does). But as many designers/makers discovered, by blending in some uncompressed signal with compressed, you get the best of both worlds, the dynamics and bite of the initial pick attack AND the illusion of sustain with the compressed signal. I find that one of the best and most practical uses of a compressor (and I've never been without one on my pedalboard since 1977) is in allowing me to strum rhythm as frantically as I want, without having to pay attention to my volume, since the compressor tends to that for me. If you're attempting to sing AND strum at the same time, whether lead or backup, it is far too easy to lose track of how hard you're picking and accidentally drown out the singer.
"Hey darling, I can't hear the kids. Isn't it nice... Oh shit, I can't hear the kids." When I built my first pedalboard I didn't know I was missing a comp till I got one, now I would nearly never go without. One other thing, I remember several years ago you modded a Squier Bullet Mustang and I also have seen you play you a few Mustangs, I think. For my next project I'm going to use a Sonic Mustang as base. I can't decide if I want the SS or HH version. Would you say the HH version with coil split is close to the SS version?
Do you think a rate is necessary for a compressor pedal. Or set rate is just fine? I am liking bits of this pedal but wonder if fixed rate is a good or bad thing
I think Chandler did a recreation of the full 660. Still about £3000 though... this pedal would fulfil that very specific sound. Does it sound the same... well not quite, but in a mix (or full band) the listener is still going to notice how good the sound is.
I always use compression on slide and occasionally on clean. I dont normally use it with overdrive,but it's great to add 'something' to my ZenDrive. It certainly adds sustain for slide.
I’ve recently decided I’m not happy with my compressor pedal. Even at its lowest settings it’s too snappy. Like the transients are just too much. I would like to find a smoother compressor. I wonder if this would be a good contender.
Thanks for the great tones and explanations 😊 I cannot wait to receive the Airchild today or on monday and put it on my board. It will be a great addition to my Fuchs Fullhouse 50 combo that has an addictive compression in both channels, too but the Airchild will balance the overall sound and playing volume and make it even more addictive to play....my bandmates will not be able to start a single song until I am finally ready 😂 the demonstration with the high e string on the Les Paul was great, too! Best wishes from Germany. Maik
That Lovalet guitar sounds better to me, without the compressor. It’s the way it’s supposed to sound, and it will cut through anything. Just my opinion…
![Beyond The MXR Dyna Comp & Boss CS-3 Compressor [J Rockett Airchild, UA LA-2A, 1176 & Origin Cali76]](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/R3z0dFoPwyc/mqdefault.jpg)
![Beyond The MXR Dyna Comp & Boss CS-3 Compressor [J Rockett Airchild, UA LA-2A, 1176 & Origin Cali76]](/img/tr.png)
![[DRIP] ‘BILLIONAIRE’ PREVIEW](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/m0eXQD0gIeE/mqdefault.jpg)
People who aren't aware of parallel compression will take that blend knob for granted. But for guitar, turning on max threshold and using the blend knob as the compressor value knob is also brilliant. I bet it's amazing with keyboards as well!
I’ve tried it with a Rhodes and it yields great results
Thank you, Andy, for your time and your style is easy to understand and description easy to follow!!
Cheers Andy great well explained product demo. This Airchild compressor sounds really good especially with the benefit of the Tone/EQ control as well as Blend which isn’t on all compressor pedals.
To be honest I stopped using a compressor pedal a couple of years ago when playing live, even though I enjoyed the sound it produced and how you change how you attack the strings when playing, but for some reason I just preferred playing without it having a broader dynamic range when playing. In the last 6 months though I’ve started using a multi-effects pedal again (I know people will hate that!) but simply for ease of use and setting up and much less maintenance than when using individual pedals, then adding a new pedal to your rig and it adding unwanted noise/hiss and having to fanny around changing pedal order, leads etc, you know what I mean.
Using the multi-effects pedal has made me introduce using a compressor again which definitely helps and adds to your overall tone produced and outputted.
The Airchild 660 looks and sounds like a great pedal and would definitely help and benefit anyones rig if they had one. Thanks for your demo. Steve @thedeadxtras
That's a cool pedal. I've never owned a compressor pedal but used them in modeling and effects in DAW.
“Playing into a compressor" has its own unique vibe. Mastering the art of allowing a compressor's character to enhance your sound is a skill that takes time to develop. While it may not appeal to everyone, it offers significant advantages in the recording process. It's another tool with a wide range of capabilities to explore. Ultimately, it's about thoroughly understanding your gear.
Awesome review and demo! Thanks for sharing! 🙏
Compressors are not only essential to *my* sound, but also the *way* I play. It has nothing to do with genre - I’m a bit sloppy. As Andy said, it’s the *feel* that makes a difference. The blend knob is a big +.
7:18 I fully understand what you mean, brother. I love the way my MXR ‘78 Badass Distortion pedal feels, as well. It changes how you play and opens up more options
Great video. I ordered one yesterday morning. They just sound so musical, and therefore, have so much potential for writing beautiful music. ❤
YES!!! Do a video using it for other things!
Andy my guy! Thank you for the best explanation and demonstration of compression I've ever seen! Cheers mate!
You’re very welcome!
I normally find compressors to be useless, but this sounds useful.
I just ordered a Black Finger pedal, which features 2 tubes. I really think it's hard to beat.
Good review, thanks. I noticed no knee, attack, release and ratio knobs, would you know what the built in settings are? Also, is threshold level 10 acting as a limiter?
Up to now I was lucky with my Keeley Compressor. Now I have to try this one. You are an evil man! ;)
Great demo! Really appreciate your insights (especially regarding feel) and the awesome sounds you got. Thank you for sharing!
Thanks and you are very welcome
Drat .. I just bought a Templo 1176 because I loved the compression and tone shaping so much .. Now I need to also buy the Airchild because I love the compression and tone shaping so much
I think I finally understand. It prevents the signal from yellow or red-lining if you're in a studio and therefore distorting in a way you don't want in the recording. It also allows you to be more expressive in your playing in that you can really get into it without creating an ungodly racket. It tempers the sound. Am I on the right track?
That’s pretty much it!
Compressors are hands down the most useful fx, just behind eq. On every recrod, every track, everything, since the beginning of recording time lol.
They ruined modern recording since the mid 90's.
Threshold is the level at where the compression begins to apply.
Nice video Andy, thank you.
That compressor spanked the monkey real good 😂
@7:07 “Pa-CHANGGG!” 😂 I so very much understand! I like to squish the snot out of my signal so I can feel the maximum pa-chang.
I love it that you consider a single pickup goldfoil guitar with no tone knob 'vanilla'. Honestly I really want you to show off the chunky monkey and the mojito sherbet or something... Great demo Andy!
Compressor pedals are almost as important as noise gates. Both pedals work for every style. They are both amazing and everyone should have both.
A good 50's Rock and roll tone
I’m looking for a compressor to do just what you were talking about. I was first interested in the Wampler Ego76, now the Airchild has definitely got my attention. If you were to choose between those two types of compressors for your board, which would you choose? Great video by the way
I have to giggle at the sight of a compressor being run into an amp called Dynamis.
Yeah I find that funny too
It’s about feel! And this comp feels nice.
Do you have one?
@@stockholm1752 no but Ive watched about 15 demos 😂
@@PooNinja Thanks for your honesty.
MY GOD. THAT FENDER STRAT
Oh, I have to get this one.
My first compression sustain pedal was the boss "compression/sustain" pedal. From there I went on to the Philosophers Tone from pigtronix. I love it for country picking and what it does to distorted lead lines. I've often heard distortion described as a type of compression. I'd say don't be afraid to throw a lot more gain at that pedal. The results might be cool. Great video as always although better be careful showing such subtle differences in tone or your boi Glen Fricke will be coming after you! ;) cheers
That is a great gear list. I’d love to throw a bit more at this. But there’s only so much time for fun in a Video. Regarding plan, I’m sure that we could come to an agreement
Soundz awesome, i use ehx platform which has some other features including boost channel limiter and knee and a swell dial... but the variance you're getting out of this is mint. It took me a long time to notice my comp but once you find your sweet spots you can't go back.
Its so hard to explain the way that compression changes the feel of playing but it does. The fact that notes decay slightly slower changes your relationship to time and attack in a way thats tricky to articulate.
I've watched a number of videos on this pedal and your explanations are by far the best. Great job. Also, more guitar TH-camrs need to use the word "pachangs" (7:07).
I just keep tapping the 7:07 over and over again… ever so entertaining!
I was about to order the new Wampler comp pedal and now I'm perplexed.
Excellent demo of a compression pedal, imo
Thank you kindly!
Andy, do you change strings on all the guitars before recording? They all sound very "zingy".
Very nice pedal, but i'll stick to my Wampler mini Ego for now, ha, does what i need. I have have it as an always on pedal, blend, and sustain, set to 12 oclock, works a treat!
Not any sort of criticism, but NOT the first stompbox compressor to include a blend control. Compressors have a way of seeming to "dull" the tone on initial note attack. That can be *somewhat* , but not fully, addressed by speeding up the gain-recovery time, as many compressors have done (which is what the control labelled "Attack" generally does). But as many designers/makers discovered, by blending in some uncompressed signal with compressed, you get the best of both worlds, the dynamics and bite of the initial pick attack AND the illusion of sustain with the compressed signal.
I find that one of the best and most practical uses of a compressor (and I've never been without one on my pedalboard since 1977) is in allowing me to strum rhythm as frantically as I want, without having to pay attention to my volume, since the compressor tends to that for me. If you're attempting to sing AND strum at the same time, whether lead or backup, it is far too easy to lose track of how hard you're picking and accidentally drown out the singer.
"Hey darling, I can't hear the kids. Isn't it nice... Oh shit, I can't hear the kids."
When I built my first pedalboard I didn't know I was missing a comp till I got one, now I would nearly never go without.
One other thing, I remember several years ago you modded a Squier Bullet Mustang and I also have seen you play you a few Mustangs, I think. For my next project I'm going to use a Sonic Mustang as base. I can't decide if I want the SS or HH version.
Would you say the HH version with coil split is close to the SS version?
Do you think a rate is necessary for a compressor pedal. Or set rate is just fine? I am liking bits of this pedal but wonder if fixed rate is a good or bad thing
I like it's simplicity.
Well anything eith marconi knobs is a big win in my book
Ha ha ha. I didn’t want to say that in the video but I totally agree with you.
Andy! This or the Mira?
I think Chandler did a recreation of the full 660. Still about £3000 though... this pedal would fulfil that very specific sound. Does it sound the same... well not quite, but in a mix (or full band) the listener is still going to notice how good the sound is.
I'll wait for the TPS side by side comparison 😂
One of these days....I'll try a compressor...promise.
I always use compression on slide and occasionally on clean. I dont normally use it with overdrive,but it's great to add 'something' to my ZenDrive.
It certainly adds sustain for slide.
You could say it makes a tele tubby.
I’ve recently decided I’m not happy with my compressor pedal. Even at its lowest settings it’s too snappy. Like the transients are just too much. I would like to find a smoother compressor. I wonder if this would be a good contender.
Parallel processing strikes again. Tilt EQ compressed and added to the original signal.
I’m not sure, it sounds good but it has no compression ratio settings?
I'd like to hear this on acoustic guitar...
I got a new compressor about a year ago. It's really good. It was £20 brand new from an independent guitar shop in the UK. Go figure!
Thanks for the great tones and explanations 😊 I cannot wait to receive the Airchild today or on monday and put it on my board. It will be a great addition to my Fuchs Fullhouse 50 combo that has an addictive compression in both channels, too but the Airchild will balance the overall sound and playing volume and make it even more addictive to play....my bandmates will not be able to start a single song until I am finally ready 😂 the demonstration with the high e string on the Les Paul was great, too! Best wishes from Germany. Maik
Hello Maik! I’m so glad you found this useful.
Make sure your band mates wait for you. You’re the guitarist, the most important person in the band 😂😉
This is nothing like a Fairchild compressor. Not even in styling. It’s just using the name.
Thanks alot. Dammit. Now I have another pedal to buy.
😂😂😂
That Lovalet guitar sounds better to me, without the compressor. It’s the way it’s supposed to sound, and it will cut through anything. Just my opinion…
Great! It is definitely too harsh in the room however
Your gear show is the best because you’re broke, like the rest of us. Thanks again for all your content!