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Boss CS-3 Compression Sustainer
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Boss CS-3 Compression Sustainer
Audiofanzine FR Audiofanzine FR
Published on 12/15/08 at 03:24
(Originally written by Marty62100/translated from Audiofanzine FR)
4 knobs:

Tone, Level, Attack, Sustain

9-volt operation.

--- EDIT ---

The pedal has been modified;

UTILIZATION

Quite easy but it's a compressor so you have to get used to the way it works.

SOUND QUALITY

I'm satisfied with it but I think I will test other models. Considering its price, you could even buy it just to get to know what a compressor is.

I find the effect pretty effective especially on the attacks. It's also possible to use soft compression.

It is more effective with a clean sound than with an overdrive. With distortion the effect didn't convince me at all.

But it does enhance clean sounds and balances the overall sound (especially when it comes to level, which is normal for a compressor), and it provides a wonderful color to the attacks. I find the effect excellent for blues and even better if you add a slight modulation. (a chorus for example, although I prefer a hi-band flanger). BTW, Boss even recommends doing this.

With an overdrive, the pedal softens the sound (I have a SD1 which sounds quite dry). With the right setting you can easily get a TS9 tone.

With this pedal I use mainly my guitar's neck pickup so my clean sound becomes rounder and nicer.

------ EDIT --------

I modified it today.

Now it's a killer pedal!! The sound changed radically: less noise, no feedback with high compression ratios. The tone is clean, rich and thick. The compression effect didn't change.

I can now play a clean sound with full compression... With overdrive the sound becomes thicker but not dirty. It's AWESOME!

OVERALL OPINION

I review this small compressor without having tested many others so I'm trying to be objective.

First of all, you have to understand how a compressor works (see forums and other information sources) if you want to make the best use of it.

I give it a 9 because I haven't tested many others.

--- EDIT ---

After I modified it, this pedals does deserve 10/10 or even a 12/10 considering its price and the cost of the modification. It's mind-blowing!!