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Average Price: $183

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$50

$201+

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Based on price data from 1 merchant for "Vahlbruch Quantum Opto Compressor/Sustainer". Prices shown reflect NEW condition. Tracking began Apr 25, 2026.

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Description

The "Quantum" is a 100% analog compressor / sustainer pedal on studio level with very easy handling. The core is a photocell, which generates a very musical optical compression. The pedal helps your guitar to cut through the mix without losing the instruments transparency. Especially due to the switchable parallel compression, attack and punchyness are fully preserved, only sustain is added without any tone coloration. Via a toggle switch also classic serial compression can be selected. A LED indicates the dynamic processing by its brightness. Internally the "Quantum" can be switched from "true bypass" to "buffered bypass". Used at the beginning of the signal chain the "buffered bypass" mode ensures a clear guitar tone even through long cables and effect chains. Another LED indicates the activated buffer mode as "Bypass Buffer On". Buffer and compressor: "Quantum" is a 2-in-1 pedal! An absolute secret weapon and an "always on" pedal!

The "Quantum" is also perfectly suited for bass and acoustic guitar!

This pedal is equipped with our unique "MagTraB" switching technology:

Inside the button a magnet is integrated which position is measured by a sensor on the circuit board. If the button is now moved, e.g. if it is pressed downwards, the position of the magnet will also change. The sensor measures this change without any mechanical contact to the button and the information is send via a micro-controller to a gold-plated relay, which then does the actual audio signal switching. The advantages of "MagTraB" footswitches:

MapTraB buttons are as good as indestructible! "MagTraB" delivers an almost infinite number of switching cycles - many, many millions! No annoying, mechanical switch clicks! Instead, the "MagTraB" push-buttons switch very smooth and silently!

You can choose if the pedal powers up in "on" or "bypass" state. To change the state: Step 1: Unplug the power supply cable. Step 2: Hold down on/off "MagTraB" button. Step 3: Plug in again the power supply cable. Step 4: Release on/off "MagTraB"" button. DONE! The next time your pedal powers up it will automatically start in the other state.

Specifications:

Unique MagTraB switching technology Optical compression using on photocell Toggle switch to select "Parallel" or classic "Serial" compression mode LED indicates dynamic processing by its brightness Internal switch for "true bypass" or "buffered bypass" LED indicator for "Buffered Bypass On" Absolut linear frequency response Low noise circuit Perfectly suited also for bass and acoustic guitar! Input impedance: 1M Ohms Output impedance: 100 Ohms Current consumption: 40mA This pedal requires an external regulated 9V power supply (not included), polarity: positiv@ring / negative@tip Dimensions: 115mm x 70mm x 48mm Weight: 240g

Handmade in Germany

Product specs

Analog/Digital analog
Power 9V
Bypass true bypass, buffered bypass
Alberto Barrero

Alberto Barrero

Vahlbruch FX QUANTUM - Demo by A. Barrero

Video thumbnail for Vahlbruch FX QUANTUM - Demo by A. Barrero by Alberto Barrero

Vahlbruch FX QUANTUM - Demo by A. Barrero

Alberto Barrero

Alberto Barrero

Video thumbnail for Vahlbruch FX Quantum Compressor Sustainer Pedal with Simon Mcbride by The Renegade Guitar Co.

Vahlbruch FX Quantum Compressor Sustainer Pedal with Simon Mcbride

The Renegade Guitar Co.

The Renegade Guitar Co.

Reviews

3.0 out of 5

Based on 1 Review and 1 Rating

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whereismyyymind

Mixed feelings

The Vahlbruch compressor is a open and smooth sounding optical compressor with useful features such as true bypass/buffered bypass switching and series/parallel compression. The ratio is fixed (likely 3:1 or 4:1) and the knobs give you control over the threshold (compression/sustain) and the output volume. That's quite limiting and I do not understand why this is the case for a lot of compressor pedals, maybe ease of use. What I liked about the Vahlbruch in comparison to it's competitors is the parallel compression for a tight but still airy, very open sounding tone especially with single coils, a wonderful and very dynamic setting. What I did not like and why I sold it is the exceptionally soft attack combined with a high rising noise floor when ringing out. It is the nature of a compression circuit to add some noise but there are plenty of devices that can do this much better. The soft attack could still be used for some jazzy or softly played bass pieces but the noise floor was in no way acceptable for me. Maybe this is negligible in a live setting, but it was a pain when playing fragile und near silent parts in a recording enviroment. Expected more from a product with such a price tag.

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2 alternative and related items for Vahlbruch Quantum Opto Compressor/Sustainer, curated by the Equipboard community.

Okko Coca Compressor MKI

$189.82

Vintage or Discontinued similar sound

The Quantum delivers more features than the Coca but both provide high grade optical compression in a small housing.

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