Photo of Diamond CPR1 Compressor and more gear in a pedalboard, guitar, and amplifier

Photo of Diamond CPR1 Compressor and more gear in a pedalboard, studio, and guitar

Diamond CPR1 Compressor

^# 7

Equipboard's ranking is determined by analyzing factors such as professional artist usage, popularity, user ratings, reviews, and more.

$277.40 Price Tier: High-end

4.5 (27)

1 Critic Review

5 Reviews

This product is Vintage or Discontinued

Find out who is using Diamond CPR1

11 community setups

Featured in

Best Compressor Pedals for Guitar

25 wishlisted

76 saved

Page last updated Jun 07, 2026

Pricing and availability

We compare 600+ stores and found this item at 1 store. Prices updated June 7, 2026.

Store

Reviews

Price

5.0 (49)

$277.40 1 available New

$235.00 6 available Used

View Deal

Average Price: $256

High-end/Boutique

$50

$201+

Price Tier

In the Compressor Effects Pedals category, Diamond CPR1 Compressor is priced in the High-end/Boutique range. This premium gear is built to very high standards and offers premium features.

Budget

Standard

High-end

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Description

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Unleash your musical creativity and enhance your sonic signature with the Diamond CPR1 Compressor, a leading force in the realm of guitar effects pedals. This versatile pedal is equipped with an onboard EQ that rivals the all-in-one preamps found in professional studios, meticulously tuned to meet the unique demands of guitarists. Its distinct casing designs, featuring both black and white options punctuated with silver knobs, add a touch of elegance to your pedalboard. Compact, robust, and easy to use, the Diamond CPR1 Compressor offers a seamless blend of visual appeal and acoustic excellence.

Key Features:

Class-leading guitar effects pedal
Integrated onboard EQ, calibrated for guitar
Variety of casing designs available, including black and white with large silver knobs
Robust build quality for lasting durability
User-friendly design for easy operation.

Product specs

Brand	Diamond
Model	Compressor
Finish	Yellow
Year	2010s
Made In	Canada
Categories	Compressor Pedals

FAQs

What type of compression does the Diamond CPR1 Compressor use?: The Diamond CPR1 Compressor utilizes an analog optical compression circuit, known for its smooth and musical response, making it ideal for enhancing your guitar's sustain and dynamics.
Does the Diamond CPR1 Compressor have true bypass?: Yes, the Diamond CPR1 Compressor features a true bypass design, ensuring that your guitar's original tone remains unaltered when the pedal is not engaged.
What power requirements does the Diamond CPR1 Compressor have?: The Diamond CPR1 Compressor requires a 9-18 V DC power supply and has a current draw of approximately 22 mA, making it compatible with most standard pedalboard power supplies.
Is the Diamond CPR1 Compressor suitable for all music genres?: The Diamond CPR1 Compressor is versatile and can enhance tone and sustain across various genres, but its smooth optical compression is particularly favored by players in rock, blues, and jazz styles.
Can the Diamond CPR1 Compressor be powered by a battery?: Yes, the Diamond CPR1 Compressor can be powered by a 9V battery, offering flexibility for guitarists who prefer battery operation.

Videos

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ProGuitarShopDemos

Diamond CPR-1 Compressor Pedal

ProGuitarShopDemos

Diamond Compressor Jr. vs Diamond Compressor CPR1 Demo

Trevor Dick

Reviews

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PROS

Enhances tone without overwhelming original sound
Serves as an always-on effect, subtly improving tone
Offers clean boost with tube or aural exciter vibes
Features a versatile EQ for tone shaping
Works well with both single coil and humbucker pickups
Provides significant headroom, especially at 18v
Functions effectively as a compressor, EQ, and clean boost
Adds sparkle and character to guitars, especially at lower volumes

CONS

Switch pops loudly when toggling on/off
May not provide enough compression for those seeking a "squashed" sound

Owner Insights

We analyzed real musician discussions from forums and Reddit to find what players love, question, and tweak about Diamond CPR1 Compressor.

Use cases and applications

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The Diamond CPR1 Compressor is praised for enhancing chord shimmer, especially when used with chorus effects on Fender Twin and JC40 amps.
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This compressor is particularly favored for use with single-coil pickups, providing a distinct and pleasing tonal quality.
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The Caline CP-47, despite its build issues, is appreciated for its sustain and lack of noise, making it a viable option for users prioritizing tonal quality over construction.
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It's been used to effectively complement drive pedals, adding smoothness and tonal enhancement without overpowering the original drive character.
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Features and functionality

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The compressor is likened to a subtle sweetener, akin to adding a packet of sugar to tea, highlighting its gentle tonal enhancement.
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The compressor is noted for its low noise floor, providing a smooth and noise-free performance, even at higher gain settings.
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Comparisons

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Owners note that the Diamond Compressor stacks well with King Tons Duelist, Cornerstone Gladio, and Belle Epoch Boost pedals, enhancing overall sound quality.
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The Mooer Yellow Comp is noted to sound nearly identical to the Diamond Comp Jr., with slightly more subtle coloration and compression, making it hard to distinguish in blind tests.
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Build quality

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The inclusion of small gaskets under the knobs is noted, presumably to help maintain settings during use.
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The Caline CP-47 is criticized for its low build quality, with cable jacks requiring precise alignment to function properly, suggesting a finicky design.
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Setup and maintenance

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Owners experience noise and bypass issues due to faulty switches, which can be temporarily fixed with contact cleaner but may require switch replacement for long-term reliability.
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Value and pricing

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Mooer Yellow Comp is highlighted as an affordable alternative at around $40, offering a compelling price point for those seeking a Diamond Compressor clone.
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User experience

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Owners highlight the Diamond CPR1 for its ability to enhance tone presence and fullness, making it a favorite for boosting signal clarity through a mix.
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Other

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A limited edition Seafoam color variant is mentioned, appealing to collectors and those looking for unique pedal aesthetics.
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Critic Reviews

Diamond CPR-1

ovnilab.com

The Diamond CPR-1 Compressor excels in enhancing tone, making it bigger and more present without introducing noise—a standout trait for a compressor pedal. Its optical design with a tilting EQ allows for versatile sound shaping, though it may not satisfy those seeking precise control over signal peaks due to its low fixed compression ratio. Its construction is robust, and while the metering isn't exceptional, it provides enough feedback. A minor drawback is its susceptibility to clipping with high-output instruments, which can be mitigated by using a power supply over 9V. For musicians prioritizing tone enhancement over utility compression, the CPR-1 is a top choice.

positive

Full Review

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4.5 out of 5

Based on 5 Reviews and 27 Ratings

5 star

4 star

3 star

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1 star

ecker1991

almost 4 years ago

Best Optical Compressor Available

It’s truly sad that Diamond is no longer in business, as they made some of the best effects in every genre. The Memory Lane Deluxe was a beautiful analog delay reminiscent of the earlier DMM units, the vibrato was one of the best examples this side of the vb-2, and the Diamond cpr-1 is a compressor that even those that don’t enjoy the effect can likely find some useful sounds.

I especially enjoy the CPR-1 with single coil guitars, especially my Jaguar, as the pickups are lower output, the CPR-1 makes them stand out while bringing out more of the guitars jangly nature.

It’s difficult to put into words why the CPR-1 sounds so great, however in the context which I use the CPR-1, I mainly use it to help push my twin reverb at lower volumes and bringing out more of the amps character while adding a bit more sparkle to the

beardedbleeder

118

3 years ago over 3 years ago

Diamond is actually coming back with new owners stay tuned there will be announcement with in a year

beardedbleeder

118

over 3 years ago

This is my fav comp ever and I have tried a lot!

Made with studio components this compressor is a great always on pedal you don’t really notice it much when it’s on but when it’s off you sure do and miss that great eq and how it balances out your tone I have two the jr and the full-size. You won’t regret this.

Preferred Settings + Usage:

Comp - 2/3 o’clock Volume - 12 o’clock Eq - 1/2 o’clock

matthewkkennedy

319

over 11 years ago

Versatile and Colourful

The isn't one of those "compressors for people who don't like compressors." It colours your tone a bit, but in a way that I find extremely pleasing. It's also surprisingly versatile. It works incredible well as, not only a compressor, but also as an EQ and a Clean Boost.