MXR Dyna Comp
Encyclopedia
The MXR Dyna Comp is an effects unit
produced by the MXR
company intended for use with electric guitar
. Made since the 1970s, the MXR Dyna Comp, which adds its own coloring to the tone, has become a frequently copied and widely used guitar effect
, even a standard.
. It also provides longer sustain
. Compressors are also used as a booster. Its "thickening" effect is especially appreciated in Nashville
, where many country music
guitar players who use Fender Telecaster
s use it to thicken the otherwise thin sound of the single-coil guitar; besides, the compressor's lessening of the initial attack "gives the effect of a pedal steel player working his volume pedal".
The effect can be used by bass players as well.
The MXR Dyna Comp is not considered tone-neutral; that is, it adds its specific coloring to the sound, which is appreciated by many users.
Effects unit
Effects units are electronic devices that alter how a musical instrument or other audio source sounds. Some effects subtly "color" a sound, while others transform it dramatically. Effects are used during live performances or in the studio, typically with electric guitar, keyboard and bass...
produced by the MXR
MXR
MXR, also known as MXR Innovations, was a manufacturer of guitar effects units, co-founded in 1973 by Keith Barr and Terry Sherwood . MXR was based in the United States in Rochester, New York. MXR Innovations, Inc. was incorporated in 1974...
company intended for use with electric guitar
Electric guitar
An electric guitar is a guitar that uses the principle of direct electromagnetic induction to convert vibrations of its metal strings into electric audio signals. The signal generated by an electric guitar is too weak to drive a loudspeaker, so it is amplified before sending it to a loudspeaker...
. Made since the 1970s, the MXR Dyna Comp, which adds its own coloring to the tone, has become a frequently copied and widely used guitar effect
Effects unit
Effects units are electronic devices that alter how a musical instrument or other audio source sounds. Some effects subtly "color" a sound, while others transform it dramatically. Effects are used during live performances or in the studio, typically with electric guitar, keyboard and bass...
, even a standard.
History
The MXR Dyna Comp was first produced in the 1970s and became "a Nashville standard". It is frequently copied by other builders and hobbyists. MXR also produces a 'vintage' Dyna Comp, with the 1970s "script" logo, and an updated version, the Super Comp, which has an "Attack" control that determines its "bite-/squash ratio".Description
The unit produces a dynamic range compression effect. It has two controls: "Output" controls the output level, and "Sensitivity" determines the amount of compression.Use
The compression effect helps to smooth out differences in volume between notes, such as in quick runs played by chicken pickingChicken picking
Chicken picking is a lead guitar picking style or technique used in country, rock,and metal music where the plucked strings are pulled outward by the fingers of the right hand and the note played immediately dampened by increasing the pressure of the left hand's...
. It also provides longer sustain
Sustain
In music, sustain is a parameter of musical sound over time. As its name implies, it denotes the period of time during which the sound remains before it becomes inaudible, or silent.Additionally, sustain is the third of the four segments in an ADSR envelope...
. Compressors are also used as a booster. Its "thickening" effect is especially appreciated in Nashville
Nashville, Tennessee
Nashville is the capital of the U.S. state of Tennessee and the county seat of Davidson County. It is located on the Cumberland River in Davidson County, in the north-central part of the state. The city is a center for the health care, publishing, banking and transportation industries, and is home...
, where many country music
Country music
Country music is a popular American musical style that began in the rural Southern United States in the 1920s. It takes its roots from Western cowboy and folk music...
guitar players who use Fender Telecaster
Fender Telecaster
The Fender Telecaster, colloquially known as the Tele , is typically a dual-pickup, solid-body electric guitar made by Fender.Its simple yet effective design and revolutionary sound broke ground and set trends in electric guitar manufacturing and popular music...
s use it to thicken the otherwise thin sound of the single-coil guitar; besides, the compressor's lessening of the initial attack "gives the effect of a pedal steel player working his volume pedal".
The effect can be used by bass players as well.
The MXR Dyna Comp is not considered tone-neutral; that is, it adds its specific coloring to the sound, which is appreciated by many users.
Notable users
- Adrian BelewAdrian BelewAdrian Belew is an American guitarist, singer, songwriter, multi-instrumentalist and record producer...
- Lowell GeorgeLowell GeorgeLowell Thomas George was an American singer-songwriter, multi-instrumentalist, and producer, who was the main guitarist and songwriter for the rock band Little Feat.- Early years :...
- David GilmourDavid GilmourDavid Jon Gilmour, CBE, D.M. is an English rock musician and multi-instrumentalist who is best known as the guitarist, one of the lead singers and main songwriters in the progressive rock band Pink Floyd. In addition to his work with Pink Floyd, Gilmour has worked as a producer for a variety of...
- Sonny LandrethSonny LandrethSonny Landreth is an American blues musician from southwest Louisiana who is especially known as a slide guitar player. He was born in Canton, Mississippi, but soon after, his family moved to Jackson, Mississippi, before settling in Lafayette, Louisiana...
- Eddie Van HalenEddie Van HalenEdward Lodewijk "Eddie" Van Halen is a Dutch-American guitarist, keyboardist, songwriter and producer, best known as the lead guitarist and co-founder of the hard rock band Van Halen, inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame...
- Eric JohnsonEric JohnsonEric Johnson is an American guitarist. Though he is best known for his success in the instrumental rock format, Johnson regularly incorporates jazz, fusion, gospel and country and western music into his recordings...