GC-2 Limiting Amplifier Compressor Pedal Review

Best compressor for the money!!!

I really enjoy this compressor/limiter. To fully appreciate it, you truly need to understand the subtle difference between what compression is vs. what limiting is. The GC-2 is a limiter. It is a compressor in a sense, but it is not designed to sustain your notes, but rather to smooth them out and make your sound more pleasing. Yes, you can still get that nice, squishy sound you… read more hear with traditional compressors, but this is also quieter as it focusses more on lowering volume, and not increasing softer notes. I like this so much more than even the Keeley Plus, which is still a great pedal in its own right. My preference is such that I like having fuller dynamic range, especially on my higher strings. You can set the GC-2 to where the threshold only comes on at a certain volume, where for instance hitting the lower strings live. This truly evens out your sound and makes it very pleasant. Want more squish? Simply turn up the ratio! I also have the Keely Compressor Pro, which is this pedal's big brother (on a larger pedal board). This is basically the same pedal as the Pro, but without the Attack and Release knobs, or the soft/hard knee switch. Overall this is a great pedal and I plan on using it for years to come.

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Almost perfect

I love the simplicity of the program-dependent optimal attack and release, so I can focus on how much compression I need for the sound I'm going for/room I am in during setup. Quiet, simple, very effective compression and gain range, so you can use it as a clean boost as well, and for subtle shaping or to squash the **** out of your signal and then some. I have mine right between… read more my harmonic trem and EQ. The only thing it is missing that I think would make it perfect is a "blend" or "mix" knob that would allow you to blend in some of the dry signal for parallel compression. That would make it AMAZING and unbeatable.

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Keely GC-2

A friend has this unit in his stupid huge pedalboard. While he was setting up one time, I asked about it. So he hooked up his acoustic, turned all the other pedals off and handed me his guitar to check it out. I was sold on it in short order. When it arrived I couldn't rip the box open fast enough. I have 9 guitars, acoustics & electrics, all different sounding and just got done… read more playing each through this pedal. I'm a clean sound freak, maybe a touch of reverb, but that's it. My rig is a Roland AC90 & MXR 10 band EQ. Sounds great on it's own but this pedal just knocked my socks off !!! So clean, don't need Windex. Sharp enough to shave with. Some might want being able to adjust Attack & Release as well but I don't see this pedal needing the extra knobs. Keely really put out one hell of a product here and I Love It !!! Highly recommend this, especially if you want it for acoustic. I put it first in the line then EQ & Amp. Homey Like ! Bigtime !!!

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Works in replacement to my old compressor pedal

Lets just say my old compressor pedal with two channels had sustain that would rock anyone's world. Now that I just shipped off that comp pedal for a newer version of which I have to wait up to three weeks, so knowing that I'd be without a comp pedal for 3 weeks, I got this dusty pedal out. You know all I Can say is if you're break up isn't enough and you're drive isn't crunchy… read more or dirty enough just patch this pedal in the f/x chain and turn the gain and threshold up and you will indeed get something akin to a distortion pedal. No its not a "compressor" pedal per say but heck it works great. Seriously, this will do great for that open mic night of which I know I won't see my new "Ross Hybrid" compressor pedal till afterwards, so this little sucker will have to do. Try it out at least. And adjusting the threshold gives you more clean headroom at least from my perspective. This is on a George Alessandro hand wired Fender 68 Deluxe Reverb combo. At least I know when I play my gig in a couple of weeks, I'll have the Limiting Amplifier pedal to get my amp into big time overdrive. In fact you can get rid of your distortion pedals with this baby.

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Keeley GC-2 Is Amazing!!!

I've been through a few compressors in my life. Settled on a great Orange Squeeze clone over the last couple of years. But lately, I've been craving a more transparent compressor. The OS sounds amazing but it only does that one thing. After deciding a Cali76 Compact Deluxe was just too spendy for me, I looked into the Keeley GC-2. Price was right and Keeley makes amazing pedals.… read more I know this first hand. All I can say is, WOW!!! This comp sounds incredible. As transparent as any comp or clean boost I have ever used. But it still has more than enough compression to squash the crap out of your signal if that's what you desire. I have tried a few different ways now and can say that with even moderate levels of compression, this pedal leaves your tone exactly as is. Completely unaffected and true. Also, this is by far the quietest comp I've ever used. This pedal is great for people like me that would die without a great comp. It's also the perfect comp for players that say they hate compressors since it doesn't have to behave like one.

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