Hammerhead Compressor

DIAL IN THE GROOVE. PUSH THE ATTACK.

The Hammerhead Compressor is a powerful VCA-based compressor designed to deliver punchy tones, tight dynamics, and total control. With precise compression, blend functionality, and tone shaping options, it's the ultimate tool to enhance your playing across styles and instruments.

Whether you're looking to smooth out your tone, add sustain, or push your signal into rich, clean boost territory — Hammerhead lets you shape it all with clarity and power.

PRECISION UNDER PRESSURE.

• VCA Compressor with precise control over compression behavior;

• Blend knob for parallel compression or clean boost;

• Attack control for dynamic or snappy response;

• Voice switch: Bright, Normal, or Dark response;

• Filter knob for pre-compression tone shaping;

• Clipping trimpot to adjust signal input and avoid unwanted distortion;

• Works great with guitar, bass, keys, and more!

MEDIA

CONTROLS

• Pressure: Sets the compression intensity. Higher = stronger compression.

• Attack: Sets how fast compression engages. Clockwise = slower response (good for rhythm); counterclockwise = faster (ideal for leads).

• Blend: Mixes clean and compressed signals. Full CCW = only compression. Full CW = clean boost. Noon = 50/50 mix.

• Filter: Adjusts frequencies before compression. CW = brighter; CCW = darker.

• Voice switch: 3 modes:
- UP (Normal): Balanced tone;
- MID (Bright): More treble;
- DOWN (Dark): Warmer sound.

• Level: Output volume control.

• Clipping (internal trimpot): Adjusts signal input. Useful for high-output pickups or other instruments to avoid compression distortion.

➤ HOW DOES A COMPRESSOR WORK?

Compressors attenuate signal peaks, narrowing the dynamic range. When your instrument signal exceeds a set threshold, the compressor reduces its volume, making loud and soft notes more even.

This creates longer sustain, consistent dynamics, and a smoother tone — ideal for funk, pop, fingerstyle, or aggressive picking styles.

Figure 1 - Signal threshold control in a compressor.