Pricing and availability

We compare 600+ stores and found this item at 1 store. Prices updated .

Average Price: $64

Standard/Professional

$50

$201+

Price Tier

Budget

Standard

High-end

* Product prices and availability are updated by Equipboard every 24hrs and are subject to change. Equipboard may receive compensation for purchases made at participating retailers linked on this site. This compensation does not affect what products or prices are displayed, or the order of prices listed. For more information, please refer to our affiliate disclosure.

Description

Unleash the full potential of your guitar's dynamic range with the Aphex Punch Factory, a compressor effects pedal that seamlessly enhances your sound with precision and clarity. Designed to provide a smooth, even tone, the Punch Factory ensures that every note you play is both punchy and articulate, whether you're strumming chords or picking intricate solos.

What sets the Aphex Punch Factory apart is its Opto compressor circuitry, which offers a natural compression that preserves the integrity of your instrument's original tone. This pedal is perfect for musicians who demand consistent sound quality, whether in a live setting or recording in the studio. With its intuitive controls, you can easily adjust the sustain and attack to suit your style, providing a wide range of tonal possibilities.

Built for durability, the Punch Factory features a rugged metal chassis that can withstand the rigors of touring and frequent use. Its compact design ensures it fits comfortably on any pedalboard, making it an essential tool for gigging musicians. Plus, the pedal operates with a standard 9V power supply, making it easy to integrate into any existing setup.

Key Features:

  • Opto compressor circuitry for natural sound compression
  • Adjustable sustain and attack controls
  • Rugged metal chassis for durability
  • Compact design, pedalboard friendly
  • Standard 9V power supply compatibility
  • Suitable for both live performance and studio recording

Product specs

Brand Aphex
Model Punch Factory Compressor & D.I.
Finish Orange
Year 2000s
Made In United States
Categories Compressor Pedals

FAQs

What type of compressor is the Aphex Punch Factory?

The Aphex Punch Factory is an optical compressor, known for providing smooth and transparent compression, ideal for both live performances and studio settings.

Can the Aphex Punch Factory be used as a direct input (D.I.) box?

Yes, the Aphex Punch Factory features a built-in D.I. output, allowing it to be used for direct connections to mixers or recording interfaces.

How does the Aphex Punch Factory affect my guitar's tone?

The Aphex Punch Factory is designed to maintain your guitar's natural tone while adding sustain and even dynamics, making it suitable for a variety of musical styles.

Is the Aphex Punch Factory suitable for bass guitar?

Yes, the Aphex Punch Factory works well with bass guitars, providing even compression and maintaining low-end clarity.

What power supply does the Aphex Punch Factory require?

The Aphex Punch Factory typically requires a standard 9V DC power supply, which is common for most pedalboards.

How does the Aphex Punch Factory compare to other compressor pedals?

The Aphex Punch Factory is known for its transparency and ease of use, offering a straightforward approach to compression without altering your instrument's natural sound.

Live2PlayNetwork

Live2PlayNetwork

Aphex Punch Factory Compressor Pedal Review, Part 3: Guitar Demo

Video thumbnail for Aphex Punch Factory Compressor Pedal Review, Part 3: Guitar Demo by Live2PlayNetwork

Aphex Punch Factory Compressor Pedal Review, Part 3: Guitar Demo

Live2PlayNetwork

Live2PlayNetwork

Video thumbnail for Aphex Punch Factory Compressor Pedal Review, Part 1: Features by Live2PlayNetwork

Aphex Punch Factory Compressor Pedal Review, Part 1: Features

Live2PlayNetwork

Live2PlayNetwork

Reviews

PROS

  • Built-in DI feature for direct recording or live performance

  • Maintains instrument's natural tone while compressing

  • Easy to use with intuitive controls

  • Offers fast attack and extended sustain without tone loss

  • Provides subtle to significant volume boost capabilities

  • Can be used on a wide range of instruments beyond guitar and bass

  • Acts as a clean boost, offering additional versatility

  • Enhances sound clarity and adds a pleasing "jangle" to chords

  • Functions well as an "always on" pedal for continuous improvement

CONS

  • High compression settings reduce guitar volume control effectiveness

Owner Insights

We analyzed real musician discussions from forums and Reddit to find what players love, question, and tweak about Aphex Punch Factory.

Features and functionality

  • The Aphex Punch Factory is noted for its transparency, making it ideal for set-and-forget use, though some users desire a more noticeable compression effect.

    Source
  • Owners highlight its versatility in power options, as it can be powered by various sources, adding convenience for different setups.

    Source

Use cases and applications

  • The Punch Factory is praised for its versatility across different instruments, including bass and acoustic guitars.

    Source
  • The Punch Factory is praised for enhancing sustain and maintaining gain levels, making it a preferred choice for users who incorporate medium-to-heavy gain pedals.

    Source
  • The Aphex Punch Factory is appreciated for its vintage optical compressor feel, ideal for those seeking a classic tone without modern complexities.

    Source
  • The built-in line out feature is noted for its utility, especially appealing to bassists who require additional outputs for performance setups.

    Source

Comparisons

  • One user prefers the Punch Factory over other compressors for its transparency, suggesting it may not be the best choice for those seeking a pronounced squish.

    Source
  • The Aphex Punch Factory is described as more subtle compared to the MXR Dyna Comp, which is noted for its pronounced compression effect.

    Source

Build quality

  • The Aphex Punch Factory is considered a "space hog" due to its unusually wide and over-designed casing, which may pose challenges for pedalboard placement.

    Source
Add

4.5 out of 5

Based on 2 Reviews and 11 Ratings

5 star
4 star
3 star
2 star
1 star
M

Great sound

This is a great compressor. It doesn't colour your sound except in a subtle way. i.e. chords get a "jangle" and sustain is significantly improved. Volume control can achieve significant boost so it can be used a s clean boost if required. Volume can in fact overdrive the front end of a valve amp to get a satisfying level of grit although this his not how I use it. Of course the downside of any compressor is that at high levels of compression the volume control on your guitar becomes almost superfluous. This one is no different. Ive tried other compressors and had the Boss CS-3 for quite a while, but because it has a tone control I found that it coloured my basic sound too much. I love the Aphex pedal and it stays switched on almost all the time.

martin_boesvang

Wow

Best bass comp i have tried. I love that the aphex pedals have a di built in

Artist usage

Add artist
See how Tim Commerford uses Aphex Punch Factory

Tim Commerford

Bassist

Rage Against the Machine

...
Verified via eBay

Tim Commerford, known for his secretive approach to his tone, uses the Aphex Punch Factory Model 1404 Optical Compressor as part of his effects setup. This is evidenced by a listing on eBay.

See how Bob Mould uses Aphex Punch Factory

Bob Mould

Singer, Guitarist

Hüsker Dü

...
Verified via Photo

In this photo of Bob Mould's pedalboard, on ACL's website, his Aphex Punch Factory can be seen.

See how Elliot Easton uses Aphex Punch Factory

Elliot Easton

Guitarist

The Cars

...
Verified via YouTube

Seen in the video.

See how James Lomenzo uses Aphex Punch Factory

James Lomenzo

Bassist

Megadeth

...
Verified via YouTube

Watch the Aphex training video from 1:00 to 4:47 for the Punch factory.

See how Gonzalo López uses Aphex Punch Factory

Gonzalo López

Bassist

Los Bunkers

...
Verified via Instagram

Gonzalo López occasionally uses the Aphex Punch Factory pedal in Mexico and Chile, as evidenced by a post on Instagram by distorsion_taller_de_guitarras.

See how Joel Kosche uses Aphex Punch Factory

Joel Kosche

Guitarist

Collective Soul

...
Verified via Facebook

Guitarist Joel Kosche is shown using an Aphex Punch Factory compressor pedal in a photo from his Facebook page.

See how Joel Bruyere uses Aphex Punch Factory

Joel Bruyere

Bassist

Thousand Foot Krutch

...
Verified via YouTube

Joel feels like for a punchy bass sound compression is key, he's tried many comp's but like this pedal for what he was looking for best.

See how Martin Delahaye uses Aphex Punch Factory

Martin Delahaye

Bassist, Music Producer

Panza

...
Verified via Facebook

Top right in this image is the Aphex Punch Factory.

Genre Usage

Based on how artists on Equipboard use this gear, it is most commonly found in the following genres.

Used With

Based on how musicians on Equipboard use Aphex Punch Factory, it is most commonly used with the following gear.

Voodoo Lab Pedal Power ISO-5
Voodoo Lab Pedal Power ISO-5 Effects Pedal Accessories
1
Ampeg SVT-4PRO 1200-Watt
Ampeg SVT-4PRO 1200-Watt Bass Amplifier Heads
1
MXR M104 Distortion+
MXR M104 Distortion+ Distortion Effects Pedals
1
Line 6 DL4 Delay Modeler
Line 6 DL4 Delay Modeler Delay Effects Pedals
1
MXR M135 Smart Gate
MXR M135 Smart Gate Noise Gate Effects Pedals
1
Boss NS-2 Noise Suppressor
Boss NS-2 Noise Suppressor Noise Gate Effects Pedals
1
DigiTech WH-4 Whammy (4th Gen)
DigiTech WH-4 Whammy (4th Gen) Harmonizer & Octave Effects Pedals
1

More Aphex Compressor Effects Pedals

Accessories & Related Items

Community setups

Similar

Gear Guides

  • Added to Equipboard on by

    austinmw
    austinmw

    Gear IQ 5226