Tech 21 CompTortion
The CompTortion logically, and uniquely, combines two effects: compression and distortion. No other single pedal offers this kind of control over such a range of sounds --from totally clean to light distortion to smooth overdrive, and from zero compression to completely squashed.
Looking to buy the Tech 21 CompTortion? Check for availability.
User Reviews of the Tech 21 CompTortion
- Submitted by Matt from Melbourne (12 points) on Jul 30, 2011
- I've owned quite a few different distortion pedals
over the years, and this is the only one I've kept
because of it's incredibly versatility.
Most distortion pedals color the sound coming
through it, but this pedal differs from most in that
it is completely transparent.
This means that unlike a typical 'death metal'
distortion (where you switch it on and get an
instant 'meaty' sound) this pedal can add insane
amount of compression and distortion but still keep
the tone quality untouched and accurate.
The transparency and quality of the sound that it
lets pass through is perfect for contact mic and
harsh noise applications where the frequency ranges
can get absurdly high and low, and you don't want to
loose any detail in the sound.
The range of the parameters on this pedal is
extremely wide, so it can be hard to 'set and
forget' a particular setting.
I think that the pedal works much better if you play
by ear and tweak it as you play, because the tone is
'see through' enough that you can get away with
doing wild sweeps of the parameters without any
unexpected tonal suprises.
This pedals is good at the end of the chain as a
master brickwall distortion/compressor, so that you
do not need to worry about the volume dynamic
problems inherent in feedback loops or circuit bent
devices.
In fact it's so good at the job that I just realised
I've never used this in a feedback loop, because
it's always been busy at the end of the chain.
The knobs are also just the right size and feel for
tweaking whilst sitting ontop of a deskspace. - Good Points: The pedal is so transparent that you can use it like
a surgical dynamics sculpting tool.
No Tone loss, so it's perfect for Electro-Acoustic
and wide frequency work.
Superb used at the end of the chain as a master
distortion/limiter.
Extremely Durable
They can be found cheap second hand. - Bad Points: Will not magically transform everything into a meaty
raptor sound the way a typical death metal pedal will. - Price Paid: US$100.00
- Purchased At: Second Hand
-
Was this review helpful to you?
- Submitted by burnn_out! from Roseville, MI (74 points) on Jan 17, 2011
- rather unique pedal somewhat of a more aggressive big muff. very noisy. havent tried it in a floop. but generally rocks in a signal chain. sounds sweet on a drum machine. for the price to me its pretty much indespensible.
- Good Points: noisy harsh versitile
- Bad Points: uhh not really
- Price Paid: US$45.00
- Purchased At: da beyz
-
Was this review helpful to you?
- Submitted by jonah from San Francisco, CA (26 points) on Mar 15, 2009
- A pretty over the top compressor/distortion. I've been accused of using a broken pedal with this thing. crackles and sizzles are abundant, excellent feedback pedal. very very organic evolving sound when left to drone. Knob settings also tend to drift so marking your settings is a moot activity.
- Good Points: seriously noisy.
- Bad Points: seriously noisy.
- Price Paid: US$60.00
- Purchased At: marina music, culver city ca
-
Was this review helpful to you?