The Warden V2 Optical Compressor Pedal Review

My new favorite

After playing through an Xotic SP and a Keeley, I found I liked the optical style compression more than FET. It sounded a bit more natural to me. So when I started building a second board, instead of getting a second SP, I decided to look into other similar comps and liked what I read and heard from demos of The Warden. After having it a few weeks and playing with different knob… read more combinations, I've finally dialed it in and gotta admit, it sounds amazing! Playing clean is very smooth and glassy, and even improved the sound quality when using overdrives like the TS9. I highly recommend the Warden for those looking for a top-notch optical compressor in pedal form.

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Just What I Needed

I've owned at least 4 other brand name compressors that were okay. But I longed for a pedal that was as adjustable as my rack mounted unit. Alas, in comes the Warden. I can dial in a tad or strangling amounts of compression, make it jump on notes pronto or saunter slowly up to calm down the sonic confusion. I hate otherwise good compression pedals that have one or more functions… read more factory set. This compressor is as adjustable as my rack mounted unit. And it makes all the difference to me. It is solidly constructed and easy to use. Finally, a compressor pedal made for me.

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Finally a compressor I can live with

I purchased the Ego but though a well made pedal, it did not work for me. The issue was that certain notes played on my strat were like 6 dB louder than other notes. If I set the attack to a faster setting than transients were muted. Now this could certainly be me losing patience. Enter the Warden... Though I started to experience the same dilemma, the inclusion of ratio and release… read more control made it easy to find a solution. The Warden is a transparent and milder compressor and versatile do to the many controls... very useful compressor. As always, thank you Aaron for your valued assistance.

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Optical Compression Cures Depression

Feeling down in the mud? Suffering from a lack of clarity? You need THE WARDEN to enforce a little discipline. It's like having a studio compressor at your feet. Hit it hard. Use it to boost your amp. Chords have impact and clarity, and cranking the sustain up, you could go out and have a bite, as a wise man once said. If you write short songs about pickup trucks and small towns,… read more or if you write twenty-minute prog epics, or songs that sound like hellish invokations, this pedal will sing for you and drive your woes away.

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Check Yo Self

I used to worry that maybe I was "just not a compression guy", but then I was delighted to find the Warden. I was intrigued after seeing them on CHON boards one day and then Matt Pike's board the next. I've owned two Egos and an SP, and I've tried plenty of others. You can't beat the studio-style control set and "forgiving" feel of the Warden. The sound is flavorful and somewhat… read more dark, but the tone control sweetens it up nicely, and considering the quality of compression, I'll gladly call it part of my tone. I mean, when you have separate attack, release, and ratio controls, the very trendy idea of a dry blend seems kind of bogus. So whether you need sustain or squash, give this one a try.

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