MXR Dyna Comp Settings Guide
Classic Ross-style compressor. Two knobs, no fuss. The country and funk player's secret weapon.
The best MXR Dyna Comp settings start with: Sensitivity at 6/10, Output at 6/10. Adjust from there based on your amp, guitar, and room volume. For Country: Sensitivity 8/10, Output 6/10.
⚡ Start Here — Recommended Settings
| Control | Starting Position | Range |
|---|---|---|
| Sensitivity | 6/10 | Light → Heavy |
| Output | 6/10 | Quiet → Loud |
These are universal starting points. Adjust based on your amp, guitar, and room. Scroll down for genre-specific settings and artist-documented positions.
What Each Control Does
Recommended Starting Settings
Safe starting positions for any style. Adjust from here based on your amp and room.
All values on a 0–10 scale. These are starting points — fine-tune by ear.
Settings by Genre
Heavy compression for chicken-picking attack. The classic telecaster pop.
High sensitivity, boosted output. Even attack across strings for tight rhythm.
Light compression for sustain boost without killing dynamics.
Artist Settings
Documented settings used by professional guitarists on this unit.
Heavy compression is standard in country. The Dyna Comp adds the characteristic squish.
Tips & Common Mistakes
- Compression is most effective before overdrive pedals — it evens out pick attack going into the drive stage.
- Use Output to compensate for volume loss. The compressed signal can be 3-6dB quieter than dry.
- The Dyna Comp adds a subtle colouration even with Sensitivity at minimum — this is its character.
- Sensitivity above 7 can produce audible pumping/breathing artefacts. Use judiciously.
FAQ
MXR Dyna Comp — Common Questions
Best starting settings for MXR Dyna Comp: Sensitivity at 6/10, Output at 6/10. Adjust from there based on your guitar, room, and playing style.
For Country: Sensitivity 8/10, Output 6/10. Heavy compression for chicken-picking attack. The classic telecaster pop.
For Funk: Sensitivity 7/10, Output 7/10. High sensitivity, boosted output. Even attack across strings for tight rhythm.
Sensitivity: How much the compressor clamps down on peaks. High = more sustain, less dynamics. (Light to Heavy). Output: Makeup gain. Increase to compensate for the volume reduction from compression. (Quiet to Loud)
Compression is most effective before overdrive pedals — it evens out pick attack going into the drive stage. Use Output to compensate for volume loss. The compressed signal can be 3-6dB quieter than dry. The Dyna Comp adds a subtle colouration even with Sensitivity at minimum — this is its character. Sensitivity above 7 can produce audible pumping/breathing artefacts. Use judiciously.
Brad Paisley settings: Sensitivity 8/10, Output 7/10. Heavy compression is standard in country. The Dyna Comp adds the characteristic squish.