The Maxon Compressor CP101 is a Maxon compressor pedal, currently around $169.95. Close alternatives include the Movall Audio Pandora Comp and the HomeBrew Electronics CPR Compressor Retro. It pairs well with the Soldano SLO 100 100-Watt Tube Guitar Amplifier and the Electro-Harmonix Big Muff Pi.
Maxon Compressor CP101
Maxon · pedal
The Maxon CP101 Compressor is an entry-level compressor from Japanese manufacturer Maxon, delivering basic compression with Sustain and Level controls at accessible Maxon pricing. The CP101 provides standard guitar compression for sustain and dynamic control from the respected Maxon Japanese manufacturer.
What stands out
“The Maxon CP101 Compressor is an entry-level compressor from Japanese manufacturer Maxon, delivering basic compression with Sustain and Level controls at accessible Maxon pricing”
— from the listing
“The Maxon CP101 delivers basic compression at accessible Japanese Maxon pricing for players who want standard compression from a trusted Japanese manufacturer”
— from the community notes
“Strengths: Basic compression at accessible Maxon Japanese pricing from a respected manufacturer”
— from the reviews
“Use-case wise it suits players who want basic compression at Maxon accessible pricing”
— from the community notes
“The CP101 provides standard guitar compression for sustain and dynamic control from the respected Maxon Japanese manufacturer”
— from the listing
Trade-offs
“release”
— from the community notes
- compression
- compressor
- simple
- accessible japanese maxon pricing
- accessible maxon japanese pricing
- maxon accessible pricing
- accessible maxon pricing
- japanese manufacturer maxon
Price updated Oct 23, 2026
Genres the Maxon Compressor CP101 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.
Amps that pair well with the Maxon Compressor CP101
Pedals that stack with the Maxon Compressor CP101
Electro-Harmonix Big Muff Pi
Electro-Harmonix
7% matchElectro-Harmonix Big Muff Pi's own fuzzy character is the real reason this is worth trying
Comes later in the signal chain
Fulltone OCD
Fulltone
7% matchWhat Fulltone OCD brings here leans toward full — that's worth building a pairing around
Comes later in the signal chain
Empress Echosystem
Empress
5% matchKeep Empress Echosystem after Maxon Compressor CP101 in the signal chain, where it won't crowd Maxon Compressor CP101 — goes in the amp's FX loop (or last, into a clean amp)
Comes later in the signal chain
Benson Amps Delay
Benson Amps
5% matchRun Benson Amps Delay after Maxon Compressor CP101 in the signal chain, where it won't crowd Maxon Compressor CP101 — goes in the amp's FX loop (or last, into a clean amp)
Comes later in the signal chain
Cheaper alternatives
Rowin LEF-333 Comp
Rowin
72% similarityShared character: dynamic control, compressor, compression
Mooer SCS1 Spark Compressor
Mooer
70% similarityShared character: dynamic control, compressor, compression
NuX Masamune Booster & Kompressor
Nux
70% similarityShared character: dynamic control, compressor, compression
Maestro Arcas
Maestro
67% similarityShared character: dynamic control, compressor, compression
Effects Bakery Plain Bread Compressor
Effects Bakery
65% similarityShared character: compressor, compression, simple
Mosky Audio Roller
Mosky Audio
63% similarityShared character: dynamic control, compressor, compression
Boutique & premium upgrades
Fairfield Circuitry Accountant
Fairfield Circuitry
63% similarityShared character: compressor, compression, simple
Pigtronix Philosopher King
Pigtronix
56% similarityShared character: dynamic control, compressor, compression
Carl Martin Andy Timmons Signature
Carl Martin
94% similaritysimilar tone character
Maxon RTC600 Compressor
Maxon
92% similaritysimilar tone character
Similar charactersee all similar tone character →
Movall Audio Pandora Comp
Movall Audio
80% similarityShared character: dynamic control, compressor, compression
HomeBrew Electronics CPR Compressor Retro
Homebrew
70% similarityShared character: dynamic control, compressor, compression
TC Electronic HyperGravity Mini Compressor
TC Electronic
65% similarityShared character: compressor, compression
Dr. Green The Aspirin Compressor
Dr Green
64% similarityShared character: compressor, compression, simple
Hot Box Pedals CP-81
Hot Box Pedals
64% similarityShared character: compressor, compression
NuX Sculpture
Nux
63% similarityShared character: dynamic control, compressor, compression
See all alternatives to the Maxon Compressor CP101 (cheaper + boutique) →
Questions people ask
What are good alternatives to the Maxon Compressor CP101?+
The closest matches in character are the Movall Audio Pandora Comp, the HomeBrew Electronics CPR Compressor Retro, the TC Electronic HyperGravity Mini Compressor. Budget picks: Rowin LEF-333 Comp, Mooer SCS1 Spark Compressor, NuX Masamune Booster & Kompressor. Boutique upgrades: Fairfield Circuitry Accountant, Pigtronix Philosopher King, Carl Martin Andy Timmons Signature.
What pairs well with the Maxon Compressor CP101?+
Strong matches from rig and tone-complementarity evidence: Soldano SLO 100 100-Watt Tube Guitar Amplifier, Electro-Harmonix Big Muff Pi, Fulltone OCD — What Soldano SLO 100 100-Watt Tube Guitar Amplifier brings here leans toward high gain — that's worth building a pairing around.
How much does the Maxon Compressor CP101 cost?+
Around $169.95 (live listing price, updated Oct 23, 2026).