The world of guitar effects is vast and full of compelling gadgets designed to shape and color your sound. The compressor, in particular, is a fundamental tool for many players, offering sustain, punch, and level control. Today, we’re taking a look at a specific offering: the Electro-Harmonix Corset compressor.
Here’s the takeaway right up front: Don’t buy it.
While EHX has a stellar reputation for groundbreaking effects, the Corset compressor falls disappointingly short of the mark.
The Good (But Limited)
If you’re looking for extremely subtle compression—just a slight, barely-there evening of your signal dynamics—the Corset can manage that. At its very lowest settings, it performs the basic task of a compressor without introducing significant artifacts. For players who truly want an “always-on” pedal that just gently tames peaks, it offers a glimmer of utility. A notable positive is the inclusion of a Mix or Blend control, which allows you to mix in your unaffected dry signal with the compressed signal. This parallel compression feature is a nice touch for retaining natural attack and low-end.
The Bad and the Ugly
The main problem with the Corset arises when you attempt to use it for anything more than the most minimal dynamic control.
Higher settings have a terrible, grinding distortion.
Cranking the compression control past its most conservative range introduces an unpleasant, fizzy, and cheap-sounding distortion. This isn’t a musical, overdrive-style clipping; it’s the sound of a circuit struggling and failing to handle the input signal cleanly. It essentially makes the pedal unusable for the classic, noticeable compression effects—like squishy country cleans or long, sustaining solos—that most guitarists seek in a compressor pedal.
The Verdict
The compressor market is highly competitive, and there are dozens of excellent alternatives available across all price points. A good compressor should be able to offer a range of effects, from subtle leveling to pronounced squash, without disintegrating the core tone into harsh distortion.
The Electro-Harmonix Corset compressor simply fails to deliver on the fundamental promise of the effect. Save your money and invest in a pedal that can provide clean, usable compression across its full range. This is one EHX pedal that should have stayed laced up in the design room.