Multivox SE-3 Big Jam Compressor

The Multivox SE-3 Big Jam Compressor is a pedal designed for use with electric guitar. It can go beyond use with just guitar if you so choose, but I've only used it with guitar so that's what this review will be focusing on. The pedal has 1/4" connections for input and output and can be powered by a nine volt battery. When I used it it was powered by a battery and don't remember if it has a power supply jack or not. This is a foot pedal, so it isn't rack mountable.

UTILIZATION

The make up of the Multivox SE-3 Big Jam Compressor is really quite simple. Even if this is the first compression pedal that you're using for guitar, you should be able to figure out how to use it without spending too much time if you understand what compression is and what the purposes for it are. The pedal has just got two sliders - one for sensitively, which is for the amount of compression you'd like, and one is for level, which is essentially gain make up. These are the two basic parameters for a compressor, so no manual should be needed.

SOUND QUALITY

The sound of the Multivox SE-3 Big Jam Compressor is actually pretty good. It does a nice job for light compression on a clean rhythm guitar, and is okay for getting some sustain for leads as well. I do like it for getting tighter rhythm parts mostly, as I find that this is what it's best at. The two parameters are definitely enough to get you by, but it certainly doesn't make this the most versatile compressor in the world. This will definitely get the job done if you aren't using compression all the time, but if compression is a vital aspect of your sound, I'd recommend something more flexible.

OVERALL OPINION

Not too many people will be finding the Multivox SE-3 Big Jam Compressor out there, as it doesn't seem like they made too many of these. A client brought one of these in at the studio where I work and when I got home I did a little bit of research but really couldn't find much! I know Multivox better for the synthesizers and echo boxes that they make, but they also have a line of guitar pedals. If you stumble across the SE-3 it's worth checking out, but it's probably not worth it to track one down...