The CP‑1X is a multiband compressor designed to avoid the obvious pumping and tonal change effects of conventional compressors — the idea being that it can add sustain to your guitar signal in a more transparent way. According to Boss, their intelligent digital MDP (Multi‑Dimensional Processing) analyses the input signal in multiple dimensions as you play, and that enables it to control dynamics without encroaching on your core tone. We’re informed that MDP, which is also used in some other Boss pedals, takes into account various factors including frequency, overtones, dynamics, pickup response and playing characteristics, such as note register, single notes versus chords, note bends and vibrato amount. We’re also told that the pedal’s seemingly straightforward controls adjust numerous interrelated parameters at the same time, and interact with each other to some extent.
While the goings on inside the box may be somewhat arcane, the control set feels pleasingly familiar, with just four knobs to adjust Level, Attack, Ratio and Compression. The knobs themselves have a shiny chrome finish, but while they might look lovely, I didn’t find their position quite as easy to read as the regular Boss plastic knobs. For more studio‑minded users, a horizontal 16‑LED bar‑graph meter shows how much gain reduction is taking place. Inside the pedal, the 9V power is doubled to 18V to provide greater headroom. As the circuitry is digital, the pedal draws a little more current than your typical analogue compressor, so although battery use is supported, using an external PSU is highly recommended.
...while the CP‑1X works on multiple bands internally, it’s adjusted in the same way as pretty much any other compressor.
As far as the user is concerned, then, while the CP‑1X works on multiple bands internally, it’s adjusted in the same way as pretty much any other compressor. It doesn’t have a separate release control, but that doesn’t seem to affects its performance on guitar in any way and I suspect that it automatically adapts in some way. I normally use a Boss CS‑3 analogue compressor and that, at higher settings, does sound a little obvious — although, that said, I still like the way it sounds, so I’m not going to say anything bad about it! By comparison, the CP‑1X can add a huge amount of sustain without any noticeable gain pumping or change in tonality, even at its maximum Compression setting. Its digital circuitry is also very quiet, which is particularly important if putting it before a drive pedal or ‘dirty’ amplifier.
The transparent sustain makes the CP‑1X well‑suited to slide guitar but it also works well for country-style playing, acoustic guitar or any musical style where you just need a more even level or more sustain without incurring obvious side‑effects. It also has enough range to cope with down‑tuned guitars or baritones, and works well placed before a drive pedal, allowing long sustain to be achieved at lower drive settings. If you need the benefits of compression without the give‑away side‑effects, then the CP‑1X is definitely worth a closer look.
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£149 including VAT.
$159.99
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