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Forcefield Compressor - Official Product Videoplay button

Forcefield Compressor - Official Product Video

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Smorgasbord of Tones - all pedals

TC Electronic Forcefield Compressor Effect Pedal  play button

TC Electronic Forcefield Compressor Effect Pedal

TC Electronic

collapse expand iconDescription

The TC Electronic Forcefield Compressor guitar effects pedal brings coveted vintage compression tones to your pedalboard in a compact, stage-ready stompbox. Designed with intuitive controls, it lets you dial in the exact amount and response of compression—from subtle sustain to all-out squashed chicken picking. The Forcefield compressor is perfect for players looking to add singing, responsive sustain to their tone without sacrificing clarity.

Analog Circuitry Captures Musical Tube Compression

Unlike sterile digital compressors, the Forcefield utilizes analog circuitry to capture the sag, warmth and rich harmonics of vintage tube compressors. From adding a touch of compression for increased sustain to heavily squashing your signal, you'll get the musicality and responsiveness that brings out the vibrance in your tone. The vintage vibe lends itself perfectly to blues, rock and country styles where dynamic interaction between your guitar and the compression is key.

Shape Your Sound With Intuitive Compression Controls

The Forcefield makes it easy to shape your tone just the way you want it. The Sustain knob lets you determine the amount of compression, from subtle signal enhancement all the way to endless sustain for solos. The Attack knob controls how quickly the compression is applied so you can choose a fast, squashed response or a more organic, open tone. Whether you're looking for increased sustain, smooth signal leveling or that classic compressed "twang," the Forcefield puts exceptional control over your dynamics at your feet.

Boost Your Sound for Solos

The Forcefield's Level control lets you compensate for gain loss from compression or even boost your signal above unity gain for solos. Crank it up to make your leads jump out of the mix. The Level knob greatly interacts with the Sustain control, giving you expanded tonal options.

Get the Warmth of Analog With True Bypass

The Forcefield compressor guitar effects pedal captures the highly desirable warmth and smoothness of analog compression circuits in a compact, stage-ready stompbox. Its vintage compression is distinctly different from modern studio gear, delivering the sag, squash and musicality that shaped countless classic guitar tones. When bypassed via the pedal's true-bypass switching, your core tone remains completely unaffected.

TC Electronic Forcefield Compressor Guitar Effects Pedal
TC Electronic Forcefield Compressor Guitar Effects Pedal
TC Electronic Forcefield Compressor Guitar Effects Pedal

collapse expand iconFeatures

  • Vintage-style compressor pedal—for subtle compression to all-out squash
  • All-analog circuit
  • True Bypass and top-mounted I/O

Featured Articles

collapse expand iconReviews

4.27

26 Reviews

89%

of respondents would recommend this to a friend

Most Liked Positive Review

5

Surprisingly amazing, a no brainer deal.

I needed a compressor to complete a looper pedal board for a gig, on short notice. I had researched a few models but was still undecided. I saw this model on a price drop and it was the first I heard about this line of pedals from TC Electronic. I figured for the price, if it got me through the gig it could buy me time to figure out which model suited my needs best so I bought it unheard. I plugged it in, set the knobs at noon, and plugged in my ASAT. Done! The sound was spot on, inspiring, and better than I had hoped for. I added it to my board and set out for my gig. I ended up using it for acoustic guitar and backed the compression down to 9 O'Clock. This let me fine tune the compression response with the guitar's volume control and then adjust the level into the looper with the compressor's level. Overall, the pedal sounds superb. For a country setup, it's perfect. I did not think it would work well with acoustic so that was a major bonus. Pleasantly surprised, not even looking for anything else now. Probably grab a spare.

VS

Most Liked Negative Review

3

Little too noisy

This was my first compressor try. I bought it to try and even out individual finger picking string volumes on guitar, and to even out high and low string volume on my bass guitar. I was aware that compressors can add some noise-similar to a limiter adding a swishing sound as the sound decays, but I was hoping the benefit outweighed the added noise. It did not. To hear any real effect, I had to boost the "sustain" (Compression level) so the pedal noise background noise, and even some infrequent static popping, became more evident. I put the guitar directly into the pedal. Noise not good at loud gig amp volumes. Having a clean sound is my number one priority- No doubt I will work try to improve my technique in lieu of shortcuts. Probably good idea to add compression on final recordings, but this pedal is too noisy for me for live gigging. FYI- My guitar goes through a Fishman Loudbox Artist, and bass through Fender Rumble..

Filters
Best Uses
  1. Performances9
  2. Home Studio5
  3. Outdoor Events / Games5
  4. Amateur Recording4
  5. Professional Recording2
Cons
  1. A bit noisy1
  2. Not Durable1
  3. Poor Sound Quality1
  4. Momentary style on/off button1
  5. Turns on with button release1
Describe Yourself
  1. Experienced10
  2. Novice3
  3. Professional Musician2
Pros
  1. Excellent Sound Quality9
  2. Responsive8
  3. Versatile7
  4. Compact3
  5. Good Selection Of Effects2
  • Great Pedal

    5

    submitted5 years ago

    byDJ

    fromTampa FL

    Needed a compressor for small outdoor gigs when I didn't want to bring my pedal board. I am using this for my bass to a small Ampeg amp combo.

  • Great intro to compression

    4

    submitted5 years ago

    byChilly Willy

    fromChicago, IL

    Pretty good traditional compression pedal, meaning it's not in the realm of studio-quality, laser targeted compression, it's rather a compression effect. There does seem to be a good range and you can make it a subtle as you want, but there's definitely a tipping point past which the effect is very obvious. Seems like a sturdy box, if a bit on the big side. I don't like mini pedals, but I also don't care for pedals that are larger than they need to be, and this one seems like it might fit into the latter category. Still, it's a solid compression effect for a great price, and if you don't have one in your pedal drawer already, it would be a good choice.

  • Does it's job

    4

    submitted5 years ago

    bySocially Distanced

    fromRio Grande Valley, TX

    I picked this up after being asked to play a wake last minute. I didn't want any picking "spikes" distracting anyone as I was just providing background/ambience music. I ran it ahead of a Wampler Ethereal and Boss RC-1, and it did it's job. It didn't take long to dial in, and its effect was what I needed for the event. It darkens up my tones and has been tricky to dial in with my full signal train. It is a little noisy in front of my already noisy overdrive, but that's getting replaced and I'm switching to a better power supply, which may help with that. That said, it's been fun using it to lay down some U2/The Edge loops and keep rhythm parts in their place. And that's what a compressor is supposed to do. It's a good starting point that will hold up well as a standby as I move on to something a little more high end. A compressor was something I didn't think I'd need until I did, and now it's a pedal function I want to keep on my board. So, cheers to you, TC Electronic Forcefield.

  • TC compressor

    4

    submitted6 years ago

    byMotogeek

    fromErie PA

    Does what it should. Low cost, simple layout

  • just buy it

    5

    submitted6 years ago

    bytelecaster blaster

    fromhouston

    at one point i had about 15 compressors. modded dyna comps, modded cs3's, opticals, etc etc. so i do have some serious experience with compressors. the forcefield hands down is THE BEST compressor for the money on the market today. if your looking for a transparent analog compressor that does it all. this is the one. and if you know anything about compressors, there is a secret reason why this compressor is grey. just buy it!

  • Great product for the price

    4

    submitted6 years ago

    byDAD

    fromTennessee

    It's a basic comp. For the money spent it's what I expected. Nothing to write home about but it's useful.

collapse expand iconQ&A

Have a question about this product? Our expert Gear Advisers have the answers.

  • asked byYou don't need to know my name

    fromundisclosed

    There is a sustain knob. Does this allow for infinite sustain?

    There is a sustain knob. Does this allow for infinite sustain?

    Open Reply - Kenneth
    No, this does not produce infinite sustain
  • asked byJimbob

    fromUSA

    How is it on bass guitar?

    How is it on bass guitar?

    Open Reply - Beau
    This pedal would work well with a bass guitar.
    Open Reply - Beau
    This pedal would work well with a bass guitar.