Becos FX have announced the launch of the CompIQ Stella Pro Compressor MK2, an updated version of their VCA-based compressor pedal. The new design omits the harmonic saturation circuitry found in the original unit, but gains a number of new features including selectable feed-forward/feed-back modes, a choice of different voicing modes, and a refined side-chain filter design.
The new model is still based around a THAT 4320 Analog Engine VCA, and promises to deliver a musical-sounding response with a comprehensive set of controls. The newly added feed-forward operation utilises a pre-VCA copy of the input signal, emphasising speed and accuracy, and is capable of offering everything from subtle compression to brick-wall limiting depending on the settings applied. Traditional feed-back operation then provides a smoother response that offers a transparent way to even out playing dynamics.
Becos FX CompIQ Stella Pro Compressor MK2 analogue guitar effects pedalDespite its compact footprint, the unit is kitted out with a comprehensive set of controls, and there’s plenty of adjustment on offer. The compression threshold can be set anywhere between -45 and +10 dBu, ratios range from 1:1 up to infinity:1 with a choice of hard and soft knee options, while make-up gain can be set anywhere between -6 and +20 dB. Dynamic auto attack and release times are joined by manual settings that offer 0.12–12 and 1.2–120 ms/dB of gain reduction respectively. There’s also an X-EQ feature that provides a selectable frequency pivot of 330Hz (for bass instruments) or 1KHz (aimed at guitars and other sources).
A choice of four voicing options can be accessed via internal DIP switches, and bring some tonal variety to the table by applying subtle shifts to the pedal’s dynamic frequency processing. A Tight mode slightly attenuates the low-mids, while Punch pushes the low end, offering what the company describe as a tube-like feel, and a Spark setting applies a slight boost to the high-frequency response; the voicing options can also be left off entirely in order to deliver the most transparent processing.
The unit’s side-chain now boasts a variable high-pass filter (±12dB at 90Hz, 12dB/octave) that has been specifically designed to offer some additional control over the compression when using the pedal with bass instruments, with yet more control offered by a low-pass filter (±7dB at 3kHz, 12dB/octave).
The pedal can also be fitted with an optional DITOS board that adds a transformer-coupled balanced output that provides a convenient way to record a direct signal or route a signal to another pedal chain or amplifier.
Pricing & Availability
The CIQ Stella Pro Compressor MK2 is available now, priced at €279, or €325 with the DITOS output option fitted.
becosfx.com/product/compiq-pro-stella-compressor-pedal-for-guitar-bass/
