Diamond Pedals Compressor

The Diamond Compressor is a pedal built for people who want a compressor that has optimum audio quality for the most demanding of players. It features three controls total. There is one for the amount of compression itself, there is an EQ control with a central notch position, and a level to control the overall volume or output coming from the pedal. It is powered by either a 9v battery or you can use a power adaptor. One other cool feature that this pedal has is a pair of dip switches inside that allow the EQ to be bypassed, as well as allowing the pedal to be switched from high impedance to low impedance. This is very helpful for reducing the noise floor if you're using this pedal for heavy compression or higher gain avenues.

UTILIZATION

Setting up this pedal to get sounds is quite simple and effective. I was able to dial it in to SERIOUSLY enhance my clean tones which gave me the sustain and punch that I was looking for. It took my otherwise flat clean tone and gave it some massively needed injections to beef it up! Extreme settings aren't even nesesscary with this pedal - I find myself content with the dials all at noon or close. It isn't a difficult pedal to dial in by any means and I incorporated it into my rig pretty seamlessly. Start with the knobs at noon and tweak to taste and you'll surely find a tone that works.

SOUND QUALITY

I've tried this pedal mostly with my various humbucker loaded guitars. I initially started out only using the pedal for clean tones, but eventually decided to try it with some higher gain applications. It worked very well but on the advice of my music teacher (who owns one himself) I opted to switch the pedal into low impedance. This not only all but wiped out the noise floor issue, but it also thickened up my distorted tones considerably. It has now become a pedal I use nearly all the time, regardless of the tone, simply because it makes things sound clearer, punchier, and just plain superior to my previous tones. It is a definitely awesome tool for any serious player's tonal palate.

OVERALL OPINION

All in all I think the Diamond Compressor is a FANTASTIC unit for anyone looking for something to add some serious fire to their tone. It's very natural sounding and allows the tone of the rest of your rig to remain intact, but it adds a certain perfect brilliance whether playing clean or distorted. At $250 new it isn't a cheap pedal, but is it worth it? Absolutely.

- Controls for volume, tone, and compressor

-Tilt EQ

- True Bypass

- Solid Hammond enclosure

- Quality parts, top notch Diamond Assembly

- Powered by 9v Battery, or standard Boss style 9v(-) adapter.

- Bright yellow, won't get lost

- LED indicates compression level peaking

UTILIZATION

Very straightforward to use. Controls are pretty basic, volume, compression, and tone, just as you'd expect to see in most compressors.

That said, there are some really cool features within that simple setup.

The tone knob isn't the usual dial-in-treble control. It is a tilt-EQ that works somewhat like a see-saw. As you turn the knob, it will dial in treble, but at the same time pull out some bass, and vice-versa. Diamond use it in most of their pedals, and it is awesome.

The LED works like a standard on/off indicator, but at higher compression settings, it will flash red as you dig in, giving you an idea of how much you are actually compressing your attack.

As with all Diamond products, its impeccably built, with all pots and switches offboard.



SOUND QUALITY

It just sounds fantastic. It doesn't squash your signal unless you really ask it to, dialing the compression knob all the way up.

It adds quite a bit of clarity to your playing, bringing your high strings up to where you can really here them. It just makes pretty much any amp sound better, and the sustain is very sweet.

The tone knob really allows you to shape the compression, but can also be used to adjust it so that it is pretty much transparent, identical to your amp.

I kept this compressor over one that was worth over $800 at one point. Yep, it sounds that good.

OVERALL OPINION

This is the compressor to buy. I recommend it to pretty much any guitarist who uses any aspect of compression in his playing. I'm just blown away day by day at how fantastic this one sounds. I've had no regrets with it, and will be keeping it for quite a while.

If you are looking for a compressor that won't completely squish your tone, but add quite a bit more to it, I would definitely recommend the diamond.

The Diamond Pedal Compressor has pretty basic characteristics.  The compressor is designed for electric guitar but is suitable for use with any electric instrument.  The pedal has standard 1/4 inch connections for input and output and is powered by a nine volt power supply.  It is an analog pedal that isn't rack mountable as it is a foot pedal.

UTILIZATION

The make up of the Diamond Pedal Compressor is just about as simple as it gets for a guitar pedal.  You've only got three parameters - compression, EQ (tone), and volume, so even if you have minimal experience working with compressors, I think you'll be able to catch on to everything going on here rather quickly.  Beyond the three major parameters there really isn't anything else to take into consideration, so I don't believe that a manual is necessary unless you are having some sort of technical difficulty.


SOUND QUALITY

While I can't say that the Diamond Pedal Compressor is my favorite compression pedal in the world, it definitely has an overall great tone.  I've used a lot of different compression pedals out there, and this is one of the better models that I've used.  I've only used the pedal with electric guitar - usually a Fender Strat or Jazzmaster and a '76 Fender Twin Reverb, and I find I'm able to get the types of sounds that I want within this configuration.  The compression tone can be described as punchy and clean, although I do wish that I would be able to get more varying types of tones with this pedal...


OVERALL OPINION

For me, the only problem with the Diamond Pedal Compressor is the price.  While it is a very good sounding compressor, I have found some similar sounding compression pedals for half of the price like the MXR Dyna Comp for example.  This isn't to say that this isn't a great sounding compression pedal and that it won't get the job done in most situations, it's just that I wish it was a bit less expensive.  Having said that, if you're looking for a great sounding compression pedal, this one should definitely be in the conversation as not considering the price it is a great pedal.

(Originally written by Doc Plus/translated from Audiofanzine FR)
Opto-compressor

Connections:

- 1/4" TS input and output.

- 9-volt battery (included) or 9 to 24-volt DC PSU (for more headroom) with negative center.

Features:

- true bypass

- 3 controls: compression rate, EQ (post compression) and volume (post EQ)

- Internal on/off switch for the EQ.

- Canadian boutique pedal with high-quality components

UTILIZATION

Comp: Adjusts the compression rate

EQ: Adjusts the frequency response.

Volume: no need for an explanation!

In short: ultra easy to use.

SOUND QUALITY

I tested the Boss CS3 and it was a shock for me!

The Boss has too much compression, it modifies the sound dramatically and it generates too much noise!

With the Diamond the compression can be softer, the tonal character is not modified and there is no noise.

The EQ is great!

OVERALL OPINION

This Diamond has reconciled me with compressors! Unlike many boutique brands, Diamond offers really original products. I also want to test their Fireburst (fuzz effect). They don't stick to making vulgar copies, so take a look at their website and listen to the sound demos on youtube.

Even though I'm really satisfied, I give it 9/10 because of its high price.