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MXR M-102 Dyna Comp
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MXR M-102 Two knob compressor/sustainer
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Searched MXR M-102 Dyna Comp in Reviews
The all time classic stomp box compressor 
| Ease Of Use |
Compression is probably one of the most misunderstood and misused effects in the history of music. It is also one of the most subjective in terms of sound. One man's transparent is another man's 'squashed'. Studio compressors can sometimes be a little intimidating with all of those knobs and settings etc. With the popularity of DAW software, compressors give as much of a visual cue as they do an audible cue. In other words, it is really easy to use your eyes as much as your ears. In my opinion that is the worst way to go about using compression. The knobs and setting are just tools for you to get the sound that you want. In compressor land, there aren't many compressors as simple as the MXR Dynacomp. You have your sensitivity control and your output control, it doesn't get much simpler than this pedal. The beauty of the Dynacomp is the fact that you have to use your ears to dial in the compression. It forces you to actually listen and not rely on presets or settings. Compression by nature is always kinda tough to get dialed in because the effect is often pretty subtle. Aside from the nature of compression, this is the easiest compression pedal I have ever used.
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| Sound |
My main rig is an Egnater Mod 50 head with the Bassman and SL2 modules through either a Mesa 4x12 or 2x12 cab. My main guitars are a Gibson Les Paul and a Fender Eric Johnson Strat. I don't use compression at all when I play live because I prefer a really simple signal path without a lot of pedals. But if I am recording with a Strat or another guitar with singles, I love to use compression. The way I use it, it is so subtle that you probably wouldn't appreciate the difference live anyway. Some guys, especially country players, like to really squash the signal so you can hear the compressor working, I really don't like that sound at all. If I can hear the compressor working, than I am setting it wrong. I want the added sustain, thickness, and evenness, not the sound of the compressor circuit opening and closing. The Dynacomp is great for dialing in a nice compressed tone and for the effect to be subtle, but it can get really squishy for those of you who really want to squash their signal. When used subtly, it can add a really nice thickness and quality to your tone. All compressors will add a little noise, especially in guitar, but that is just the nature of the beast. So if you want a versatile, simple compressor, the Dynacomp is your guy. However, I strongly suggest you track down a vintage one, as that I much prefer them to the newer ones.
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| Reliability |
All of my MXR pedals have proven to be very reliable. No problems at all, and they are all made really well. I have some that are 34 years old and they are going strong!
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| Customer Support |
Never had to deal with them
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| Liked about it |
Easy to dial in
Sounds great
Can get nice subtle compression
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| Didn't like |
Older ones sound better than newer ones
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| Overall satisfaction: |
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5.0 |
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The industry standard, and not without good reason
| Ease Of Use |
The unit does exactly what it say on the tin. The unit comes boxed with instructions that whilst aren't comprehensive guide you easily though the use of the unit to gain the tone you require. The output knob controls the amount of compression and the sensitivity controls when the compession cuts in, a big red led tells you when its on so you cant get it wrong! In the box you also get the obligatory mxr neoprene footpad and the dunlop rubber covers that will protect the units knobs from the clumsiest boot laden feet and assist in incresing the diameter of the pedals knobs so you can use your feet to change the effect on the fly. Brilliant! 4 screws support the rear cover containg the 9v battery or alternativly use a 9v supply into the jack plug on the side.
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| Sound |
This unit is great it adds true sustain through the ability to push a tube amp into mild overdrive or when the amps overdriven already increasing the sustain further. Its not a one trick pony though as the unit will also maintaing pick attack through slow release time giving creamy long lasting notes and create a clicky yet fat clean tone, not to mention even the whole sound out as a compessor should do! Even with a heavily compressed setting this unit will give you a natural tone without the overly processed sound. I Also tend to use mine as a boost occasionally to kick my amp into screaming madness for leads along with my distortion pedal. More often than not though a have a little compression to add depth and chunk to my overdriven chords. This pedal is great for all genre's from jazz to metal, its the only one you'll ever need. The unit has buffered bypass and whilst people will always say they suck tone, maybe someone should perhaps tell dave gilmour this as he is a dyna Acomp. I can't hear it when its not in operation and if i can't, i'm certain most others won't as well! This unit is a staple pedal for me.
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| Reliability |
The unit is as robust as they come. A solid on/off switch with a good solid click activates the pedal underfoot. Like i previously mentioned the knobs have nice rubber covers for protection but the reason you only buy mxr once is they are the most solidly built pedal out there which is why so may have survived for so long. The enclosure is cast and nice and weighty giving a solid tank like feel and the paint finish is rugged and thick. All in all a very high quality item.
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| Liked about it |
Solid reliability
Fabulously well constructed
All in one capability suited to all players
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| Didn't like |
Changing the battery can be a pain due to the four screws in the rear cover
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| Overall satisfaction: |
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5.0 |
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Good Price but doesn't match my taste
| Ease Of Use |
easy to use but I couldn't get it to sound how I wanted even after a lot of effort. I tried it with my RG 520 and my G&L Will Ray guitars.
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| Sound |
I had trouble finding that sweet spot, it didn't sound bad it just wasn't for me. I'm picky about compressors and usually go for an opto compressor. It probably doesn't help that I had a Keeley compressor right before I got the MXR. I tried it with my RG 520 and my G&L Will Ray guitars. Used it through my 66 Super reverb and tried it with my marshall Plexi ri..
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| Reliability |
made well, no issue and I've had a lot of MXR stuff and I haven't had any problems with any of it not functioning properly so they must know what they're doing
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| Customer Support |
Dunlop / MXR are always good to deal with
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| Liked about it |
Made very well, great price and functions exactly as expected. Would be a great compressor for a first compressor for someone, easy to use etc.
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| Didn't like |
The tone didn't do it for me, not bad but didn't add something I could really use, I don't care for the cosmetic appearance of most of the MXR stuff especially this one.
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| Overall satisfaction: |
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3.0 |
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The guitarists standard comp
| Ease Of Use |
Well what can you say, it cannot get more easy.
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| Sound |
This unit simply delivers. By the very easy setup you can simply add the rate of compression you like and even mildly boost your amp and sustain. It does not overly add any tone or sound of its own and keeps the character of your guitar and amp in tact.
It also works equally well with twangy Telecasters up to thick vintage Les Pauls.
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| Reliability |
Built like a tank.
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| Customer Support |
Never had any dealings with them.
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| Liked about it |
Sound
Built
Ease of use
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| Didn't like |
Battery compartment
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| Overall satisfaction: |
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5.0 |
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One of the best compressors I've used
| Ease Of Use |
The simplest and easiest compressor unit I've seen. Just two knobs to mess around, so less margin for disaster.
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| Sound |
Tested it using a Fender 50th Anniversary Stratocaster through an Orange combo. Sounds terrific! It's probably one of the best compressors I've ever used. For clean Strat-ish tones, it's great!
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| Reliability |
It's a MXR, built like a tank. The knobs are made of rubber and can be even operated by your foot.
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| Customer Support |
N/A.
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| Liked about it |
- Sounds great
- Adds less noise compared to other compressor units, like the popular Boss CS-3
- Great construction
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| Didn't like |
- Price: I actually didn't buy it after the 2-hour test because it was way more expensive than my current compressor (a Marshall ED-1) and I frankly don't think the tone difference is worth that price gap
- Might be too simple for some (remember, only 2 knobs)
- A/C adapter connector in a very unusual place
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| Overall satisfaction: |
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5.0 |
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A need!
| Ease Of Use |
Ease of use eh?
Now one would need a decent knowledge of what a compressor actually is. I recommend a look-up on the definition of the word "compression" and research the use of compressors.
As a quick definition, a compressor does what it sounds like it does, it levels a signal. For example, think of a pack of precooked noodles; you have it in a big containers and you want to stuff it in a smaller container. So as you put it in a smaller container, you notice that its becoming more difficult to put it in the smaller container and you find yourself forcing/squashing/flatting to noodles so it fits in the container. That's my explanation for compression :D
This compressor is pretty easy to use. I imagine the ratio,attack,release and the knee are at a fixed rate specially set for this pedal.
On the Pedal itself you have an output knob, and a sensitivity knob, you could think of that as the threshold of a compressor.
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| Sound |
Great sound. Here is a song for example http://soundcloud.com/aires/turbulence-intro-track-skydive (only the leads, copy and paste link if it does not automatically work)
Great for the high speed pickers who tend to pick lighter when they increase speeds up to warp speeds, great for playing songs that are mainly powerful with less dynamics, and DEFINATLY A SHREDDERS CHOICE PEDAL!
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| Reliability |
Its surly handy in studio recording and im sure it will be a lifesaver live.
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| Customer Support |
Never had to deal with dunlop
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| Liked about it |
Easy to use
Red in color
Has some weight to it
Built tough
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| Didn't like |
I really Like this pedal, I just with you did not have to always crank the output to hold your lead channel gain : /
I wish they had the toy popout back cover instead of screws.
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| Overall satisfaction: |
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5.0 |
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internal use: spec30 spec619 spec582
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