Strymon OB.1
Strymon has added to their wonderful stable of pedals by creating a well appointed and highly functional compressor. It is essentially two pedals in one: A two knob compressor with tone shaping options, and a clean boost. This marriage of two ideas in one results in a pedal any horn player would be happy to use.
External Control: None
Cost: $$
HornFX Review
Interface: 3.5/5
The controls are simple to understand. This might be a bit more complicated than many other compression pedals, but the tone shaping capabilities more than make up for that. Although you may enjoy what the eq switch can do for you on the surface, you might enjoy what the internal dip switches do even more. The only problem with those switches is that you must open up the pedal itself to use them.
Noise: 4/5
This is a very quiet pedal.
Complexity: Medium
Live application: 4/5
No only will this pedal manage and potentially shape your sound well, but its clean boost option can give you what can sometimes be a much need bump when the sound guy asks for more signal or in soloing situations.
Product Information
OB.1 combines studio quality, beautifully transparent analog optical compression with a Clean Boost with EQ curves designed to super-charge your favorite amp and reveal its true character. Featuring an all-analog signal path with premium components throughout, a high-impedance input, and very low noise circuitry, OB.1 is perfect for the number one spot in your signal chain. It’s the missing piece you’ve been searching for.
Your Amp—Reborn.
There is a monster trapped inside your low or medium gain amp, and OB.1 can set it free. Bring out your amp’s character in ways you never thought possible. Hear things you never knew your amp could do.
OB.1 provides greater than 20dB of gain-compensated compression, and with the integrated Clean Boost, an extra 10dB of full-frequency, mid or treble boost is available. Use the mid or treble boost together with a bit of transparent compression, and your amp will sound like it was just modified by a world-class boutique amp designer.
Clean Boost With Curves.
The first stage of a high gain amplifier channel doesn’t just boost gain, it also boosts high-end in such a way so that the distorted signal can cut through without getting bogged down by too much low-end. When you use OB.1 first in your signal chain and engage the mid or treble boost, that’s exactly what you’re achieving. Even if you’ve tried boost pedals before, you’ll be surprised by the transformation of your tone. Try the treble boost with humbuckers for biting solos or the mid boost to fatten up single coil pickups. There is also a flat setting for full-frequency Clean Boost.
Clean Up Your Playing.
Arpeggios, sweep-picking, hammer-ons, and other blazing techniques benefit when each note is played at a consistent level. OB.1’s optical compression preserves your attacks while smoothing out the overall signal, bringing out the softer notes. You can also enjoy the sustain of high gain without too much of the fizzy stuff. And OB.1’s extremely quiet analog signal path with its high-quality, low noise op amp and high-impedance input is perfect in front of your high-gain setup.
True Bypass (electromechanical relay switching)
Greater than 20dB of gain compensated compression
Additional 10dB of full frequency, mid, or treble boost with Clean Boost engaged
Treble Boost Frequency: Shelf at about 1.5 kHz or 2 kHz switchable with internal DIP switches
Mid Boost Frequency: Peak around 800 Hz or 1.1kHz switchable with internal DIP switches
High impedance TS mono input
Low impedance TS mono output
9V battery included, can also accept any standard 9V DC center negative power supply (20 mA current draw)
Strong and lightweight anodized orange aluminum chassis
Designed and built in the USA
All product info from the Strymon website.