The Universal Audio UAFX Max Preamp & Dual Compressor is a Universal Audio compressor pedal, currently around $349. Close alternatives include the Origin Effects Cali76 V2 FET Compressor and the HomeBrew Electronics CPR Compressor Retro. It pairs well with the Park P50 Classic and the Friedman Plex.
Universal Audio UAFX Max Preamp & Dual Compressor
Universal Audio · pedal
The Universal Audio UAFX Max Preamp & Dual Compressor is a preamp and dual compressor pedal from Universal Audio (Santa Cruz, California), delivering DSP-modeled preamp and two independent compressor circuits including a Urei 1176 FET compressor and a LA-2A optical compressor emulation for studio-quality signal conditioning in a pedalboard pedal. The Max Preamp & Dual Compressor uses Universal Audio DSP-powered analog-modeling to deliver studio-quality preamp and dual compressor pedal in a compact pedalboard format.
- compressor
- preamp
- optical
- studio
- fet
- platform
- compression
- stage
Price updated Aug 24, 2026
Genres the Universal Audio UAFX Max Preamp & Dual Compressor is commonly used in
- Country
- Country Pop
cited
Inferred from shared tonal signals, not a stated genre tag.
Amps that pair well with the Universal Audio UAFX Max Preamp & Dual Compressor
Park P50 Classic
Park
31% matchUniversal Audio UAFX Max Preamp & Dual Compressor leans into Marshall-style amps, precisely the platform Park P50 Classic wants
Friedman Plex
Friedman
31% matchUAFX Max's studio-grade fet compression evens out picking dynamics before they hit the Plex's crunch.
Laney World Series 100 SC
Laney
27% matchUniversal Audio UAFX Max Preamp & Dual Compressor's own voicing points at Marshall-style amps, and Laney World Series 100 SC delivers it
Marshall Jimi Hendrix 60th Anniversary Half Stack
Marshall
26% matchUniversal Audio UAFX Max Preamp & Dual Compressor leans toward compressed, and that's a real, usable character to pair with
Marshall Studio Classic SC20H 20W Head
Marshall
26% matchRun the UAFX Max's compressor ahead of the SC20H so the amp's aggressive JCM800 bite starts from an already-evened signal.
Friedman Amps Box Head Hand-Wired 50-Watt EL34
Friedman
25% matchInto Friedman Amps Box Head Hand-Wired 50-Watt EL34, Universal Audio UAFX Max Preamp & Dual Compressor is right at home: it's built around Marshall-style amps
Marshall ST112 JTM 1x12 Cabinet
Marshall
24% matchUniversal Audio UAFX Max Preamp & Dual Compressor leans toward compressed, and that's a real, usable character to pair with
Orange OR80 Combo (1974)
Orange
24% matchInto Orange OR80 Combo (1974), Universal Audio UAFX Max Preamp & Dual Compressor is right at home: it's built around Marshall-style amps
See all 12 amps that pair with the Universal Audio UAFX Max Preamp & Dual Compressor →
Pedals that stack with the Universal Audio UAFX Max Preamp & Dual Compressor
ZVEX Fuzz Factory
Zvex
9% matchWhat ZVEX Fuzz Factory brings here leans toward fuzzy — that's worth building a pairing around
Paul Cochrane Timmy
Paul Cochrane
9% matchPaul Cochrane Timmy's own transparent character is the real reason this is worth trying
Keeley Halo
Keeley
6% matchRun Keeley Halo after Universal Audio UAFX Max Preamp & Dual Compressor in the signal chain, clear of Universal Audio UAFX Max Preamp & Dual Compressor's own gain stage — goes in the amp's FX loop (or last, into a clean amp)
Walrus Audio Fable
Walrus Audio
6% matchPut Walrus Audio Fable after Universal Audio UAFX Max Preamp & Dual Compressor in the signal chain, clear of Universal Audio UAFX Max Preamp & Dual Compressor's own gain stage — goes in the amp's FX loop (or last, into a clean amp)
Cheaper alternatives
Universal Audio 1176 Compressor
Universal Audio
75% similarityShared character: compressor, compression, studio
Mojo Gear Orange Compressor (Dan Armstrong Orange Squeezer Clone)
Mojo Gear
70% similarityShared character: compressor, compression, studio
Wampler Mini Ego 76 Compressor
Wampler
69% similarityShared character: compressor, compression, studio
FTelettronica Mars Compressor
Ftelettronica
68% similarityShared character: compressor, compression, analog
Caline CP-509 Stack Attack Preamp/Overdrive/Compressor
Caline
63% similarityShared character: compressor, stage, preamp
Crazy Tube Circuits Golden Ratio V2
Crazy Tube Circuits
96% similaritysimilar tone character
Similar charactersee all similar tone character →
Origin Effects Cali76 V2 FET Compressor
Origin Effects
72% similarityShared character: compressor, compression, studio
HomeBrew Electronics CPR Compressor Retro
Homebrew
72% similarityShared character: compressor, compression, analog
Acoustic Strymon Compadre Dual Voice Compressor
Acoustic
69% similarityShared character: compressor, compression, studio
Jackson Audio Bloom MIDI V2
Jackson Audio
68% similarityShared character: compressor, compression, studio
Line 6 Constrictor
Line 6
66% similarityShared character: compressor, compression, studio
Roger Mayer RM58 Limiter Floor Model
Roger Mayer
60% similarityShared character: studio, recording
See all alternatives to the Universal Audio UAFX Max Preamp & Dual Compressor (cheaper + boutique) →
Questions people ask
What are good alternatives to the Universal Audio UAFX Max Preamp & Dual Compressor?+
The closest matches in character are the Origin Effects Cali76 V2 FET Compressor, the HomeBrew Electronics CPR Compressor Retro, the Acoustic Strymon Compadre Dual Voice Compressor. Budget picks: Universal Audio 1176 Compressor, Mojo Gear Orange Compressor (Dan Armstrong Orange Squeezer Clone), Wampler Mini Ego 76 Compressor.
What pairs well with the Universal Audio UAFX Max Preamp & Dual Compressor?+
Strong matches from rig and tone-complementarity evidence: Park P50 Classic, Friedman Plex, Laney World Series 100 SC — Universal Audio UAFX Max Preamp & Dual Compressor leans into Marshall-style amps, precisely the platform Park P50 Classic wants.
How much does the Universal Audio UAFX Max Preamp & Dual Compressor cost?+
Around $349 (live listing price, updated Aug 24, 2026).
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