Meet The Warden, your go-to optical compressor, engineered with studio-grade features and high-grade components. Internally powered by 18v, it offers substantial gain and sustain. With full control over attack, release, sustain, and ratio, you can achieve anything from a pronounced squash with quick attack and release to a subtle, almost imperceptible compression. Renowned for their character, optical compressors like the eqd warden stand out from VCA or FET-based counterparts.

1. Tone: The pedal is designed to add a touch of color to your tone. Adjust the coloration to your preference: counterclockwise for a treble cut and clockwise for a treble boost. It stays nearly flat around the 11 o’clock position.

2. Attack: This knob manages how swiftly the compressor engages. All the way counterclockwise for an almost immediate reaction. Turning it clockwise slows the reaction time.

3. Release: This controls the duration it takes for the signal to return to its level, as set by the Sustain and Ratio settings. Counterclockwise for a quick release, and it slows down as you turn it clockwise.

4. Level: Manages the overall output, influenced by the Sustain and Ratio settings. There’s no specific unity setting; adjust to taste once you find your ideal compression setting.

5. Ratio: Dictates how much gain reduction impacts the signal. Full compression when turned all the way up, and reduced compression as you turn it counterclockwise, allowing more of the boosted, less-compressed signal to pass through. No preset ratios here.

6. Sustain: The core of The Warden. It controls signal intensity, influencing the dynamics of the compression. It operates as a feedback-style compressor: the hotter the signal, the more active the compression. Minimal Sustain means minimal compression and less active Attack and Release, resulting in a cooler signal. Maximum Sustain equates to heavy compression, longer sustain, a hotter signal, and more lively Attack and Release.