Keeley 4-Knob Compressor review

A boutique comper-stomper

  • £215
  • $329
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Level and sustain are similar to a Dyna Comp's, and that clipping knob adjusts the input level

MusicRadar Verdict

Modern boutique version of a respected design with added refinements. Superb!

Pros

  • +

    4-knob setup allows for fine tuning. Excellent compression sounds. Boutique build.

Cons

  • -

    Price.

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One of the most revered vintage compressors was created by Ross, using modified Dyna Comp circuitry. The Keeley 4-Knob Compressor, regarded as one of the best boutique examples, is derived from that.

"It sounds great: a quality compression with adjustments to suit pro players"

Available in two versions, this four-knob unit adds attack and clipping knobs over the original (£165), which instead incorporates them as internal trim pots.

Level and sustain are similar to a Dyna Comp's, and that clipping knob adjusts the input level (with different settings to suit humbuckers and signal coils) so they don't add distortion to the signal.

It sounds great: a quality compression with adjustments to suit pro players.

Trevor Curwen

Trevor Curwen has played guitar for several decades – he's also mimed it on the UK's Top of the Pops. Much of his working life, though, has been spent behind the mixing desk, during which time he has built up a solid collection of the guitars, amps and pedals needed to cover just about any studio session. He writes pedal reviews for Guitarist and has contributed to Total Guitar, MusicRadar and Future Music among others.