Pigtronix Philosopher's Tone Germanium Gold LTD

The special feature of this compressor is to take a germanium overdrive that will saturate the compressed signal.
As with the other Philosopher's tone there is no adjustment of the compression itself, one must be content to add compression to the direct signal with the blend button.
It is rather good for those who, like me, are not too gifted settings. It allows you to stay in the nails.

UTILIZATION

Setup is simple, small notice a page to read the knobs and their role very quickly.
Editing sounds is easy, it quickly from a compression type "red hot chili peppers" lead to a much more sound for solos.

SOUND QUALITY

As overdrive applies only compressed signal with the blend knob set to 12 it feels to play in two amps at once, a clear sound in another crunch. I hastened to test it on a tube amp to see the effect.
I find very musical compression, we feel it is calibrated to the guitar, rhythm mode we hear "pump" the time of the attacks is very nice.
In solo mode, the sustainer gives me the small side "lead" that was missing in my sound. It is very effective, I keep 1/3 of the race and the note is already ralongée several seconds.
The volume button is very powerful and the pedal can be used without harm to boost a guitarist who spend much time in the crunch.

OVERALL OPINION

I use it for 2-3 months.
I have not tried other models before but I spent hours watching demos of different compressors.
I was impressed by the musicality of this pedal, and an effective compression sustainer that does not meet your sound parasites. Even overdrive seems to be a detail is actually very successful with a very sweet sound.
200 € the price / quality ratio is excellent.
Completely satisfied with this purchase, I obviously do it again this choice without hesitation.

see the manufacturer's website, it is detailed. She obviously but compressor and clean boost distortion (germanium). Ability to blend very useful and output volume.
The settings are simple, it is not always easy to find the desired sound quickly because it is super transparent, complies with all of the signal without browning. I could find my happiness quickly bypassing, snapping etc. And it is precisely the bypassing it sorely lacking! After the tastes and colors etc but I do not regret it at all and would not seek to change. It comes with a power supply. Feel free to go on youtube now that I confirm that the videos are representative.

UTILIZATION

Already a little attention before. It comes with an explanation sheet and some suggested settings but when you pedal was used to seek and find. I use it at the beginning of string with the guitar (Vigier Excalibur Original - Marceau 8 string guitars NG) and before a Rockbox Boiling Point OD to enter a Rocktron Hush Super C and in the entrance to a Laney IRT Studio. In the clear (10-20% of my use) it is remarkable, the palette is great and he had "only one" knob on the compression is not at all a drawback. With distortion it is phenomenal. No effect of pump, clean boost is very significant as the blend and volume that allows to combine perfectly. All spring magnified. Once bypassed one feels a severe lack is surprising because in seeking the right adjustments at the beginning I wondered if it contributed, it's subtle but unstoppable!

SOUND QUALITY

The audio quality is excellent. No breath added, no pumping, no alteration of sensation or other disadvantage.

OVERALL OPINION

I use it for one week, on show at the time but it makes me feel like my greatest Rockbox he arrived home it said. The price is more than okay in the end. I knew this kind integrated POD etc or even in VST (among other waves, very good), but no further testing Pedal effect. First try, I'm sure I do it again this choice. I do not yet use the grind (distortion) but the few trials have surprised me especially the blend allows again to expand the possibilities.