The Vox Valvenergy Smooth Impact is a Vox compressor pedal, currently around $148.98. Close alternatives include the HomeBrew Electronics CPR Compressor Retro and the Demeter Compulator. It pairs well with the Marshall Studio JTM ST20C MkII 20W 1x12 Combo and the Friedman Dirty Shirley.
Vox Valvenergy Smooth Impact
Vox · pedal
The Vox Valvenergy Smooth Impact is a Nutube-based optical compressor pedal from Vox (Korg Japan), using the Korg/Vox Nutube dual-triode vacuum tube to impart natural tube harmonic character into the compression circuit. The Smooth Impact delivers transparent optical compression with Nutube-driven tube warmth, Attack, Sustain, and Level controls for dynamic control with organic analog character.
- compressor
- optical
- tube
- harmonic
- presence
- warmth
- driven
- analog
Price updated Aug 28, 2026
Genres the Vox Valvenergy Smooth Impact is commonly used in
- Country
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. - Funk
cited
Inferred from shared tonal signals, not a stated genre tag.
Amps that pair well with the Vox Valvenergy Smooth Impact
Marshall Studio JTM ST20C MkII 20W 1x12 Combo
Marshall
22% matchInto a transparent tone, Marshall Studio JTM ST20C MkII 20W 1x12 Combo brings the low gain it's missing
Friedman Dirty Shirley
Friedman
21% matchThe transparent tone has headroom to spare — Friedman Dirty Shirley gives it high gain to fill it with
Mesa/Boogie 2:90 Power Amp
Mesa Boogie
11% matchVox Valvenergy Smooth Impact leans toward harmonically rich, and that's a real, usable character to pair with
Bad Cat Lynx 50
Bad Cat
tonal matchVoiced for Vox-style amps
Dr. Z Amplification Z-Wreck Head
amplifier
tonal matchVoiced for Vox-style amps
Bad Cat Hot Cat 45-Watt
Bad Cat
tonal matchVoiced for Vox-style amps
Bad Cat Cougar 15
Bad Cat
tonal matchVoiced for Vox-style amps
Bad Cat *PRE Order* Hot Cat Head
Bad Cat
tonal matchVoiced for Vox-style amps
Pedals that stack with the Vox Valvenergy Smooth Impact
Boss OD-1 Overdrive
Boss
23% matchRun Boss OD-1 Overdrive into that transparent platform and it finally gets some low gain
EarthQuaker Devices '- Speaker Cranker
EarthQuaker Devices
22% matchInto a transparent tone, EarthQuaker Devices '- Speaker Cranker brings the low gain it's missing
EarthQuaker Devices Blumes V1 Low Signal Shredder
EarthQuaker Devices
21% matchVox Valvenergy Smooth Impact's own harmonically rich character is the real reason this is worth trying
Systech Harmonic Energizer
Systech
21% matchVox Valvenergy Smooth Impact leans toward harmonically rich, and that's a real, usable character to pair with
Lovepedal Believe
Lovepedal
15% matchVox Valvenergy Smooth Impact's own harmonically rich character is the real reason this is worth trying
ThorpyFX PEA MKII Germanium
ThorpyFX
15% matchVox Valvenergy Smooth Impact leans toward harmonically rich, and that's a real, usable character to pair with
NuX 6ixty5ive Overdrive Effektpedal
Nux
14% matchVox Valvenergy Smooth Impact leans toward harmonically rich, and that's a real, usable character to pair with
Eventide Modulated Delay
Eventide
11% matchRun Eventide Modulated Delay after Vox Valvenergy Smooth Impact in the signal chain, clear of Vox Valvenergy Smooth Impact's own gain stage — goes in the amp's FX loop (or last, into a clean amp)
See all 9 pedals that pair with the Vox Valvenergy Smooth Impact →
Cheaper alternatives
Electro-Harmonix White Finger
Electro-Harmonix
73% similarityShared character: level_controls, dynamic_control, compressor
BBE VariComp
Bbe
69% similarityShared character: compressor, attack, warm
Pigtronix Philosopher's Tone
Pigtronix
69% similarityShared character: compressor, attack, transparent
Albuquerque's Flat line compressor
Albuquerque S
96% similaritysimilar tone character
CNZ Audio SCP-20
Cnz Audio
96% similaritysimilar tone character
Greer Lamplighter Optical Compressor
Greer
95% similaritysimilar tone character
Boutique & premium upgrades
Origin Effects Cali76 V2 FET Compressor
Origin Effects
70% similarityShared character: compressor, attack, transparent
Crazy Tube Circuits Golden Ratio V2
Crazy Tube Circuits
95% similaritysimilar tone character
Strymon Compadre Dual Voice Compressor
Strymon
95% similaritysimilar tone character
DryBell Module 4
Drybell
94% similaritysimilar tone character
Similar charactersee all similar tone character →
HomeBrew Electronics CPR Compressor Retro
Homebrew
75% similarityShared character: dynamic_control, compressor, warm
Demeter Compulator
Demeter
71% similarityShared character: compressor, attack, warm
MXR Custom Shop CSP028 Vintage Dyna Comp
pedal
71% similarityShared character: compressor, attack, warm
Orange Sustain
Orange
69% similarityShared character: compressor, attack, warm
Keeley Classic Keeley Compressor
Keeley
96% similaritysimilar tone character
Donner Lax Comp
Donner
95% similaritysimilar tone character
See all alternatives to the Vox Valvenergy Smooth Impact (cheaper + boutique) →
Questions people ask
What are good alternatives to the Vox Valvenergy Smooth Impact?+
The closest matches in character are the HomeBrew Electronics CPR Compressor Retro, the Demeter Compulator, the MXR Custom Shop CSP028 Vintage Dyna Comp. Budget picks: Electro-Harmonix White Finger, BBE VariComp, Pigtronix Philosopher's Tone. Boutique upgrades: Origin Effects Cali76 V2 FET Compressor, Crazy Tube Circuits Golden Ratio V2, Strymon Compadre Dual Voice Compressor.
What pairs well with the Vox Valvenergy Smooth Impact?+
Strong matches from rig and tone-complementarity evidence: Marshall Studio JTM ST20C MkII 20W 1x12 Combo, Friedman Dirty Shirley, Mesa/Boogie 2:90 Power Amp — Into a transparent tone, Marshall Studio JTM ST20C MkII 20W 1x12 Combo brings the low gain it's missing.
How much does the Vox Valvenergy Smooth Impact cost?+
Around $148.98 (live listing price, updated Aug 28, 2026).