Pricing and availability
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Price
Average Price: $199
Standard/Professional
$50
$201+
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Budget
Standard
High-end
Price History
Based on price data from 1 merchant for "Carl Martin Compressor/Limiter". Prices shown reflect NEW condition. Tracking began Apr 2, 2026.
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Description
The Carl Martin Compressor/Limiter is your gateway to studio-quality compression in a compact, pedalboard-friendly design. Tailored for discerning guitarists, this pedal captures the essence of high-end rack compressors, offering a seamless blend of precision and musicality. With its intuitive control set, you can effortlessly dial in the perfect amount of compression to enhance your tone without sacrificing clarity. The advanced analog circuitry ensures that your signal remains pristine, while the pedal’s robust build stands up to the rigors of live performance.
Musicians appreciate the pedal’s versatility, whether you’re looking to add sustain to your solos or even out your rhythm playing. The Threshold, Compression, Response, and Gain knobs provide comprehensive control, allowing you to shape your sound with ease. The true bypass function ensures that your tone remains unaffected when the pedal is not engaged, maintaining the integrity of your signal chain.
Perfect for both live performances and studio sessions, the Carl Martin Compressor/Limiter is a must-have for any guitarist seeking to refine their sound with professional-grade compression.
Key Features:
- Compact stompbox design with studio-grade compression
- Controls for Threshold, Compression, Response, and Gain
- Advanced analog circuitry for pristine signal quality
- True bypass ensures no tonal coloration when disengaged
- Rugged construction ideal for live and studio use
Product specs
| Brand | Carl Martin |
| Model | Compressor Limiter |
| Finish | Black |
| Year | 2010s |
| Made In | Denmark |
| Categories | Compressor Pedals |
FAQs
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What kind of power supply does the Carl Martin Compressor/Limiter require?
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The Carl Martin Compressor/Limiter requires a 9V DC power supply. It is important to ensure the power supply is center-negative for optimal performance.
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Can the Carl Martin Compressor/Limiter be used effectively with both electric guitars and bass guitars?
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Yes, the Carl Martin Compressor/Limiter is designed to work well with both electric guitars and bass guitars, providing smooth compression and limiting for a variety of instruments.
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How does the Carl Martin Compressor/Limiter affect the tone of my guitar?
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The Carl Martin Compressor/Limiter provides transparent compression, meaning it maintains the natural tone of your guitar while smoothing out dynamics and controlling peaks effectively.
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Is the Carl Martin Compressor/Limiter suitable for live performances?
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Yes, the Carl Martin Compressor/Limiter is suitable for live performances, offering reliable compression and limiting to maintain consistent sound levels on stage.
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Does the Carl Martin Compressor/Limiter have a true bypass?
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Yes, the Carl Martin Compressor/Limiter features true bypass, ensuring that your signal remains unaltered when the pedal is not engaged.
Videos
Johan Segeborn
Maybe you should get a COMPRESSOR PEDAL rather than ANOTHER GAIN PEDAL?
Reviews
PROS
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Studio-quality compression with excellent sustain
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Natural vintage tone enhances sound quality
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Fine-tunable compression levels for precise control
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High resale value due to robust build
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Gain knob effectively counteracts volume cuts
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Adds unique sparkle to various amps
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Quiet operation, keeping noise minimal
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Durable construction ensures long-lasting use
CONS
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Requires its own AC power, limiting pedalboard compatibility
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Larger size may not fit all pedalboards
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Can be slightly noisy without additional noise suppression
Owner Insights
We analyzed real musician discussions from forums and Reddit to find what players love, question, and tweak about Carl Martin Compressor/Limiter.
Build quality
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The Carl Martin AT compressor, while made in China, is noted for its impeccable construction and durability by experienced users.
Source
Features and functionality
Comparisons
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The Carl Martin compressor is often compared with models from MXR, Xotic, Wampler, Keeley, and Empress, with each offering distinct tonal characteristics.
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The Carl Martin Compressor/Limiter is highlighted as the most transparent compressor compared to other models mentioned in discussions, appreciated for its clean sound.
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Use cases and applications
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The combination of compression and clean boost is a significant feature for fans of Andy Timmons's style, providing flexibility in sound shaping.
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It’s noted that in quiet environments or recording situations, the transparency and low noise level of the Carl Martin Compressor/Limiter can be more distinctly appreciated.
Source
Critic Reviews
5.0 out of 5
Based on 1 Review and 8 Ratings
278
Studio Quality, NO EQUAL
This pedal is pure magic, most natural compression, and best response you can get out of a compressor. I use it to fatten the sound, with impression lowered as much as possible, especially with my Super Reverb. With other amps, it just adds tons of sparkle and makes the guitar shine, you can get a very unique sound out of really cheap generic practice amps if you set it up correctly.
Artist usage
Add artist
A recent photo from Johnny Marr's Facebook page shows his pedalboard, featuring the Carl Martin Compressor/Limiter Pedal.
"We just settled back on the Carl Martin Compressor Limiter. We were kind of doing a big compressor shootout in rehersals and I just called every company out when we were rehearsing and said, 'Send over every compressor pedal you have and let me try them out.' John's had one of these for a long time and we used it in the studio a little bit, and he just really likes it. He likes the way it compresses, he likes the attack on it. It's not hugely overbearing and it just sounds nice to him," says John Petrucci's guitar tech.
As can be seen in the touring rig of 2009 source, Gustavo Cerati used the Carl Martin Compressor/Limiter Pedal.
Can be seen in Steven's "gig rig" at 21:12 into his and Guthrie Govan's rig rundown video. One of the loops in Steven's TC Electronic G-System goes to this pedal.
Guitarist Greg Howe is confirmed to use the Carl Martin Compressor/Limiter pedal, as evidenced by a photograph of his pedalboard taken by Equipboard.com user "Singletrackfun" before his performance on August 2, 2023, at Yoshi's in Oakland, CA, during the Lost and Found North America Tour.
"The first one, loop one starts out with this Carl Martin Compressor Limiter, it's a well known pedal, it's awesome, you know, just put it in the box when you need to" - Joe Hottinger at 33:35.
Jan Borysewicz has been using the Carl Martin Compressor/Limiter Pedal since 2015, specifically a signature model by Andy Timmons. This is detailed in the TopGuitarPL YouTube video "Na czym gra Jan Borysewicz (LADY PANK), czyli gitarowy sprzęt koncertowy."
Can clearly be seen in this tweet from 24 Oct 2016
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 Carl Martin Compressor/Limiter, it is most commonly used with the following gear.
Community setups
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A two preset channel, version of the Carl Martin Compressor/Limiter, created for guitarist Andy Timmons.
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