Paul Reed Smith Mary Cries Optical Compressor Pedal

The Paul Reed Smith Mary Cries Optical Compressor Pedal: Transparent compression and dynamic control

Classic LA-2A-inspired tone shaping

The Mary Cries Optical Compressor from Paul Reed Smith takes inspiration from the legendary LA-2A studio compressor and repackages that warm, musical dynamic control into a simple and pedalboard-friendly format. Designed for players who want studio-level compression on stage or in the studio, Mary Cries delivers smooth, transparent sustain and attack control without sacrificing your core tone. Whether you’re looking for subtle tightening or overt squish, this pedal offers a dynamic palette perfect for guitar and bass alike.

Versatile compression and boost capabilities

Mary Cries isn’t just a compressor, it’s also a powerful clean boost when needed. With just two knobs: Compression and Output Gain, it’s easy to dial in the sweet spot for subtle dynamic enhancement or full-on punch. The pedal responds naturally to your playing, allowing for expressive phrasing and note articulation. Whether you're thickening up a slap bass groove or adding sustain to your lead lines, Mary Cries adapts seamlessly to your needs.

Analog signal path with true bypass switching

This pedal keeps your signal path pure with a fully analog design and true bypass switching. That means your tone remains unaffected when the pedal is disengaged, perfect for maintaining clarity and fidelity across your board. When active, the optical compression circuit applies its magic with a smooth touch that brings out every nuance of your playing without dulling your tone.

Intuitive visual feedback and rugged construction

Mary Cries includes a responsive LED compression meter that provides real-time visual feedback as you play, so you can clearly see when the compression kicks in and how hard it's working. Housed in a sturdy enclosure and assembled in the USA with top-quality components, it’s built for years of reliable use in both live and studio environments.

Pedalboard-ready and easy to power

Compact and ready for action, the Mary Cries fits easily on any pedalboard. It operates on a standard 9V DC center-negative power supply or a 9V battery and draws only 8mA of current, making it compatible with virtually any power setup. It’s the kind of always-on compressor that quietly makes everything sound better.

Specifications:

• Pedal Type: Optical Compressor

• Signal Path: Analog

• Bypass Switching: True Bypass

• Input: 1 x 1/4" Instrument

• Output: 1 x 1/4" Instrument

• Power Requirements: 9V DC center-negative (not included)

• Battery: 1 x 9V (not included)

• Current Draw: 8 mA

• Length: 4.7"

• Width: 3.7"

• Height: 1.37"

• Weight: 1.1 lbs

This pedal ships fully insured with signature required.