The Honey Comp Compressor effects pedal is the same as Carl Martin’s previous Compressor Limiter in many ways. It has a gray anodized finish, the same footprint, and the same simplicity of use with one compression control and one level control. But the Honey Comp Compressor does come with a few upgrades. First, Carl Martin added a Dry volume, which allows for parallel processing with three knobs. Parallel Processing is a studio technique that takes a heavily compressed signal (which through compression loses some dynamics, if not all) and allows you to add a clean (Dry) signal on top. This technique replaces those dynamics, giving your guitar three-dimensionality and allowing the guitar to cut through the mix. It’s a well-known technique for players who are used to working in the studio, but usually too complex for a pedalboard. The three knobs allow you to balance the Compressed signal with the Dry signal quickly and efficiently for a professional sound.

The Carl Martin Honey Comp effects pedal also incorporates the special CM developed DC/DC converter circuitry. This enables Carl Martin to run the pedal with +-12V internally, which is necessary, in order to maintain the same sonic quality and headroom as the old Compressor/Limiter, using a regular 9V DC 200mA external power supply.