Boss CS-3
Compressor and sustainer from Boss in one single pedal
| Maker | Boss |
|---|---|
| Model | CS-3 |
| Type | Compressor / Sustainer |
Store
| Store | Price | Checked |
|---|---|---|
| Thomann SE | 1 255 kr | 2026-07-02 |
Description
I got it on an auction website. I have a compressor on my board mostly because of the bass, and I use it most of the time because of the bass as well, but mostly because I need to sync the volumes and limit how loud they get.
I'm still deciding where it goes. Right now it's right at the beginning of the chain, right after the noise reducer, but I could put it at the end of the chain. However, a compressor at the end of the chain would also compress the entire range of effects, which kind of loses the point if I have an effect board for the effects, right? So I am weighing this possibility, because if I put it at the beginning of the chain I get different volumes across the entire chain the more I turn on the pedals, because they will build on each other's volumes. And if I put it at the end of the chain, I can have whatever volume I want in any of those, because the compressor will compress them all into one single volume and limit how loud it can get.
Impressions
The CS-3 has a noise, and it is quite difficult to take it off. This is why I put it after the noise cancellation, because for me it's quite difficult to remove, but it's a low ground noise, so it's very easy for the noise reducer to remove. So that part is quite annoying.
All the controls and everything are easy. The pedal is super good. The setup that I use is basically a half compressed unit with a low attack and a low to medium release, so it is mostly for a boost. I don't use it for other stuff.