MXR DynaComp Settings Guide
The MXR DynaComp is the classic OTA compressor — one of the most recognisable guitar effects of the 1970s, used by Jerry Garcia, Dan Fogelberg, and countless session musicians. Its simple two-knob interface (Output and Sensitivity) provides classic vintage compression with the characteristic OTA snap and squash. Not transparent; it colours the tone in a way that many players consider a feature rather than a deficiency.
Used by: Jerry Garcia
The best MXR DynaComp settings start with: Output at 6/10, Sensitivity at 5/10. Adjust from there based on your amp, guitar, and room volume. For Country: Output 6/10, Sensitivity 7/10.
⚡ Start Here — Recommended Settings
| Control | Starting Position | Range |
|---|---|---|
| Output | 6/10 | Off → Loud |
| Sensitivity | 5/10 | Light → Heavy |
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
High Sensitivity for vintage country squash — the DynaComp at Sensitivity 7 produces the classic OTA squash that defines vintage country compression. The tonal colouration adds a slight warmth. Output adjusted to unity gain.
Moderate Sensitivity for less obvious compression — at Sensitivity 4 the DynaComp compresses but doesn't over-colour. Used as a transparent-ish dynamic control for session playing where consistency of level matters more than tone.
Moderate-high Sensitivity with Output at 7 for lead boost — the DynaComp adds both compression (sustain) and volume boost (Output above unity). For leads where the compressor serves as both sustain enhancement and level lift.
Artist Settings
Documented settings used by professional guitarists on this unit.
Garcia used the DynaComp (and its predecessor circuits) for the sustained, flowing quality of his Grateful Dead lead playing. His guitar tone — single-note runs that sustain clearly and evenly — was partly a function of the DynaComp's sustain enhancement. Sensitivity at 6 for moderate compression with clear sustain.
Also in Our Rig Database
Guitarists who feature this gear in their documented rig — explore their full setup.
Tips & Common Mistakes
- The DynaComp is not known for transparency — it adds a characteristic mid-frequency colouration and slight brightness. Players who find this colouration pleasing use it as an "always-on" pedal for tone enhancement as much as dynamic control; players who need transparency prefer an optical compressor.
- Noise floor: the DynaComp at high Sensitivity settings produces a audible noise floor — this is characteristic of original vintage OTA designs. The MXR Custom Shop versions and clones with improved components (like the Keeley Compressor) address this limitation.
FAQ
MXR DynaComp — Common Questions
Best starting settings for MXR DynaComp: Output at 6/10, Sensitivity at 5/10. Adjust from there based on your guitar, room, and playing style.
For Country: Output 6/10, Sensitivity 7/10. High Sensitivity for vintage country squash — the DynaComp at Sensitivity 7 produces the classic OTA squash that defines vintage country compression. The tonal colouration adds a slight warmth. Output adjusted to unity gain.
For Clean / Session: Output 6/10, Sensitivity 4/10. Moderate Sensitivity for less obvious compression — at Sensitivity 4 the DynaComp compresses but doesn't over-colour. Used as a transparent-ish dynamic control for session playing where consistency of level matters more than tone.
Output: Output level (Off to Loud). Sensitivity: Compression threshold / amount (Light to Heavy)
The DynaComp is not known for transparency — it adds a characteristic mid-frequency colouration and slight brightness. Players who find this colouration pleasing use it as an "always-on" pedal for tone enhancement as much as dynamic control; players who need transparency prefer an optical compressor. Noise floor: the DynaComp at high Sensitivity settings produces a audible noise floor — this is characteristic of original vintage OTA designs. The MXR Custom Shop versions and clones with improved components (like the Keeley Compressor) address this limitation.
Jerry Garcia settings: Output 6/10, Sensitivity 6/10. Garcia used the DynaComp (and its predecessor circuits) for the sustained, flowing quality of his Grateful Dead lead playing. His guitar tone — single-note runs that sustain clearly and evenly — was partly a function of the DynaComp's sustain enhancement. Sensitivity at 6 for moderate compression with clear sustain.
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