The latest addition to Origin Effects’ compressor line-up has arrived, packing their popular dual-stage compression into a new, smaller enclosure and introducing some of the upgrades found in the most recent iteration of the Cali76 FET Compressor and Cali76 Bass Compressor. The Cali76 Stacked Compressor will replace the existing Cali76 Stacked Edition, and is said to share a lot in common with the discontinued SlideRIG range.
The Cali76 Stacked Compressor specialises in heavy-handed compression effects thanks to a pair of 1176-style circuits routed in series.While the other models in the Cali76 range focus on subtle tones, the Cali76 Stacked Compressor takes the opposite approach, and is said to be ideal for those looking to push things to the extreme and use compression as a special effect rather than a tool. The company say that it specialises in super-squashed clean tones and endless sustain, and thanks to its similarities to the SlideRIG, will excel when used on slide guitar.
It places two Cali76 circuits in series, each with their own independent controls. Each compressor section features a joint attack and release dial, with anticlockwise movements shortening the attack and lengthening the release, and clockwise movements doing the opposite. A Thru knob sets the level of signal being fed to the second compressor, and so determines how much compression will be applied by the second stage. Given the amount of compression the pedal is capable of applying, Origin Effects have included a Dry control, which allows users to blend the processed signal back with their clean input signal.
Some changes have been made to the pedal’s power circuitry, too. While the previous version required 18V to achieve maximum headroom, this latest offering accepts a typical 9V supply, boosting it to 24V internally. Thanks to the amount of headroom available, the Cali76 Stacked Compressor will accept line-level signals, although Origin Effects say that because the circuitry is primarily designed for guitar signals, it may be necessary for users to lower the input level control to ensure higher signal levels don’t result in excessive compression.
Take a look at the video below to hear the Cali76 Stacked Compressor in action.
Pricing & Availability
The Cali76 Stacked Compressor is available now in silver or black finishes, priced at $419£349 including VAT / €355.
