The CNZ Audio SCP-20 is a Cnz Audio compressor pedal, currently around $49.99. Close alternatives include the Demeter Compulator and the Valco Under Pressure Classic Compressor. It pairs well with the Vox Mini SuperBeetle Bass and the Orange Rockerverb 50 MkIII 2-Channel 50W Head.
CNZ Audio SCP-20
Cnz Audio · pedal
The CNZ Audio SCP-20 is an optical compressor pedal using a light source and optical resistor to control signal dynamics, a circuit topology associated with warm, naturally responding compression. Provides standard compressor controls for sustain, attack, and output level adjustment. True bypass for transparent signal when off. An affordable optical compressor option for guitarists and bass players who want smooth, responsive dynamics control without the hard limiting character of some VCA-based designs.
- compressor
- bypass
- sustain
- optical
- compression
- dynamic
- attack
- transparent
Price updated Aug 27, 2026
Genres the CNZ Audio SCP-20 is commonly used in
- Country Pop
cited
Inferred from shared tonal signals, not a stated genre tag. - Country
cited
Inferred from shared tonal signals, not a stated genre tag. - Funk
cited
Inferred from shared tonal signals, not a stated genre tag. - Alternative
cited
Inferred from shared tonal signals, not a stated genre tag. - Blues
cited
Inferred from shared tonal signals, not a stated genre tag. - Rock
cited
Inferred from shared tonal signals, not a stated genre tag.
Amps that pair well with the CNZ Audio SCP-20
Vox Mini SuperBeetle Bass
Vox
19% matchVox Mini SuperBeetle Bass's fuzzy fills in what this transparent tone doesn't make on its own
Orange Rockerverb 50 MkIII 2-Channel 50W Head
Orange
18% matchWhat Orange Rockerverb 50 MkIII 2-Channel 50W Head brings here leans toward full — that's worth building a pairing around
Engl Ritchie Blackmore Signature E650
Engl
11% matchCNZ Audio SCP-20's own sustaining character is the real reason this is worth trying
Synergy SL2 Module
Synergy
tonal matchThe transparent tone has headroom to spare — Synergy SL2 Module gives it high gain to fill it with
Friedman BE-Mini Head
Friedman
tonal matchInto a transparent tone, Friedman BE-Mini Head brings the high gain it's missing
Hughes & Kettner Warp 7
Hughes & Kettner
tonal matchThe transparent tone has headroom to spare — Hughes & Kettner Warp 7 gives it high gain to fill it with
Ceriatone 2202H
Ceriatone
tonal matchThe transparent tone has headroom to spare — Ceriatone 2202H gives it high gain to fill it with
Friedman Jose LTD
Friedman
tonal matchInto a transparent tone, Friedman Jose LTD brings the high gain it's missing
Pedals that stack with the CNZ Audio SCP-20
Wren and Cuff Box of War Small Foot Fuzz
Wren And Cuff
21% matchInto a transparent tone, Wren and Cuff Box of War Small Foot Fuzz brings the high gain it's missing
Suhr Rufus Reloaded
Suhr
21% matchInto a transparent tone, Suhr Rufus Reloaded brings the fuzzy it's missing
Benson Amps Germanium Boost
Benson Amps
10% matchCNZ Audio SCP-20's own sustaining character is the real reason this is worth trying
Malekko Electro-Harmonix Memory Toy Analog Delay
Electro-Harmonix
7% matchKeep CNZ Audio SCP-20's sustaining voice out front: Malekko Electro-Harmonix Memory Toy Analog Delay goes after CNZ Audio SCP-20 in the signal chain so its modulated voice doesn't muddy it — goes in the amp's FX loop (or last, into a clean amp)
Strymon BigSky
Strymon
7% matchRun Strymon BigSky after CNZ Audio SCP-20 in the signal chain, clear of CNZ Audio SCP-20's own gain stage — goes in the amp's FX loop (or last, into a clean amp)
Tone City Dry Martini
Tone City
tonal matchInto CNZ Audio SCP-20, Tone City Dry Martini is right at home: it's built around a clean amp's front end
Ashdown Geezer Butler Signature
Ashdown
tonal matchAshdown Geezer Butler Signature's own voicing points at a clean amp's front end, and CNZ Audio SCP-20 delivers it
Black Arts Toneworks LSTR Fuzz
Black Arts Toneworks
tonal matchInto CNZ Audio SCP-20, Black Arts Toneworks LSTR Fuzz is right at home: it's built around a clean amp's front end
Cheaper alternatives
Boutique & premium upgrades
Origin Effects SlideRIG Compact Deluxe
Origin Effects
76% similarityShared character: compressor, signal_chain, true_bypass
Origin Effects Cali76 V2 FET Compressor
Origin Effects
75% similarityShared character: players, compressor, attack
BBE VariComp
Bbe
73% similarityShared character: overdrive_pedals, compressor, attack
Mojo Gear Orange Compressor (Dan Armstrong Orange Squeezer Clone)
Mojo Gear
73% similarityShared character: players, compressor, compression
Crazy Tube Circuits Golden Ratio V2
Crazy Tube Circuits
68% similarityShared character: players, overdrive_pedals, compressor
Albuquerque's Flat line compressor
Albuquerque S
97% similaritysimilar tone character
Similar charactersee all similar tone character →
Demeter Compulator
Demeter
75% similarityShared character: compressor, attack, compression
Valco Under Pressure Classic Compressor
Valco
73% similarityShared character: players, compressor, attack
MXR Custom Shop CSP028 Vintage Dyna Comp
pedal
73% similarityShared character: overdrive_pedals, compressor, attack
EarthQuaker Devices The Warden
EarthQuaker Devices
96% similaritysimilar tone character
AZOR AP-305 Compressor
Azor
96% similaritysimilar tone character
Keeley Classic Keeley Compressor
Keeley
96% similaritysimilar tone character
See all alternatives to the CNZ Audio SCP-20 (cheaper + boutique) →
Questions people ask
What are good alternatives to the CNZ Audio SCP-20?+
The closest matches in character are the Demeter Compulator, the Valco Under Pressure Classic Compressor, the MXR Custom Shop CSP028 Vintage Dyna Comp. Budget picks: Caline CP-10 Hot Mushroom Compressor RED Script, Marshall ED 1. Boutique upgrades: Origin Effects SlideRIG Compact Deluxe, Origin Effects Cali76 V2 FET Compressor, BBE VariComp.
What pairs well with the CNZ Audio SCP-20?+
Strong matches from rig and tone-complementarity evidence: Vox Mini SuperBeetle Bass, Orange Rockerverb 50 MkIII 2-Channel 50W Head, Engl Ritchie Blackmore Signature E650 — Vox Mini SuperBeetle Bass's fuzzy fills in what this transparent tone doesn't make on its own.
How much does the CNZ Audio SCP-20 cost?+
Around $49.99 (live listing price, updated Aug 27, 2026).