EarthQuaker Devices The Warden Compressor

The EarthQuaker Devices Warden V2 stands out as an optical compressor, boasting studio-grade features often reserved for professional units. Internally powered by 18v, this pedal packs a punch with abundant gain and sustain. Optical compression, known for its character, is flawlessly embodied by The Warden. Whether you seek a subtle tone enhancement or a conspicuous chicken-pickin' pop and squeeze, this pedal delivers the sonic stranglehold you desire.

Complete control over attack, release, sustain, and ratio enables a broad spectrum of compression styles. You can dial in anything from a heavy squash with a fast attack and release to a barely noticeable, subtle compression. The Warden is designed to add a touch of color to your tone, and the Tone knob allows you to tailor this coloration to your taste.

Level acts as the overall output control, influenced by the sustain and ratio settings. Sustain, being the heart of The Warden, controls the signal's heat, impacting compression dynamics. This feedback-style compressor becomes more active with a hotter signal, resulting in heavier compression, longer sustain, and a livelier attack and release.

Ratio determines how much the gain reduction affects the signal, offering a wide range from full compression to less compression with a boosted signal. Attack manages the compressor's reaction time, from fast and immediate (fully counterclockwise) to a slower response (clockwise). Release determines how long it takes the signal to return to the sustain and ratio-defined level, providing control over the pedal's responsiveness.

Specs:

• Optical compressor

• Enhanced feature set enabling control over parameters typically reserved for studio grade units

• Delivers everything from subtle sparkly studio compression to a tight chicken-pickin’ squash

• True bypass - Silent relay-based switching

• All Analog signal path

• Top-mounted jacks - for effortless pedalboard implementation