MXR Dyna Comp Mini Compressor Pedal Review (2023)

Today we will be checking out a fairly popular compression pedal that has been around for quite a while now – the MXR Dyna Comp Mini!

Features:

• The Successor to the Original Dyna Comp
• Versatile Compression
• CA3080 “Metal Can” Integrated Circuit for Vintage Tone
• Compact Design
• Powered by AC Adaptor

Compressor pedals have become pretty much mandatory for most musicians nowadays. The clarity and sustain that can be achieved by a good compression is vital in ensuring you get the perfect tone out of your instrument.

Thankfully, the MXR Dyna Comp Mini is able to provide you with just this thing!

The incredible compression that can be achieved through the use the Dyna Comp Mini is nothing short of amazing. What’s even better is that the pedal comes in such a small and compact size, which means its perfect for any pedalboard (no matter how little room you have!). It’s almost half the size of the original Dyna Comp.

Let’s go and check out the specs of the Dyna Comp:

SPECIFICATION	DETAILS
Input Impedance	800 kΩ
Output Impedance	15 kΩ
Max Input Level	-5 dBV
Max Output Level	-12 dBV
Max Compression	36 dB
THD (measurement made at -20 dBV, 1 kHz)	0.2 %
Noise Floor (*A-weighted)	-95 dBV
Current Draw	4 mA
Power Supply	9VDC

There are two control knobs situated on the front panel of the Dyna Comp. One of the knob controls the output, and the other one controls the sensitivity.

• OUTPUT: Sets the overall effect volume
• SENSITIVITY: Sets the amount of compression

One thing to note here is that the range of the sensitivity control is huge. You can achieve anything from a gentle transparent squeeze, all the way to a crushing grip. This is exactly what you want from a compression pedal.

There’s also an attack switch that is located above these two control knobs. This is a new addition to the Dyna Comp Mini that was not found in the original.

• ATTACK: Toggles between fast and slow attack times

The red LED located to the left of the switch will indicate whether the switch is active or not.

Lastly there’s a footswitch, which is also situated on the front of the pedal. As you would expect, pressing down on the footswitch will cause the Dyna Comp to power on. A Blue LED will indicate whether the pedal is on or off.

As you can tell, the Dyna Comp is incredibly simplistic. It won’t take you long to figure out the capabilities of the compressor. This means that you’re able to plug in your instrument and almost right away figure out how to tune in a sweet sounding compression.

Unlike most other pedals, the Dyna Comp actually comes with a Dunlop ECB003 9V adaptor used to power on the unit. Most other pedals do not include this luxury, so this definitely makes me happy to see!

The original Dyna Comp has been used countless times by musicians all around the world since the 1970’s. Early iterations of the Dyna Comp incorporated the use of the CA3080 metal can integrated circuit (IC), which gave the original its unique vintage tone. The Dyna Comp Mini uses the same IC, but also comes with a few extra benefits. It’s smaller, quieter, and features an increase in dynamic range.

Dyna Comp Mini Settings

Knowing how to dial in the right settings on your pedal is definitely a skill in itself. You will likely find yourself spending a bit of time in order to find something you like.

Here’s a great video demonstrating some of the capabilities of the Dyna Comp through the use of different settings: 

To start things off you will want to put the sensitivity knob at 12 o’clock. From here you can start adjusting the sensitivity to figure out how much compression you want.

If you look online you’ll find a whole bunch of different settings used by other people. Your settings will change depending on the style you’re after, and what equipment you’re using.

I find that pointing the two knobs at each other works really well. Just keep the output at 3 o’clock and put the sensitivity at 9 o’clock, and then see what you think.

CONCLUSION

Overall, the Dyna Comp Mini gives you everything you’ve loved about the original classic, and added even more to the mix. The Mini stays true to the original in terms of tone through the use of the integrated CA3080 metal can IC.

If you’re looking for an awesome compression pedal that’s simple to use, versatile, and packed inside a small housing, then look no further than the Dyna Comp Mini. It’s a definite must-have for any musician looking to get their hands on an amazing compression pedal that goes for a very reasonable price.

Let us know what you think about our review! Do you agree or disagree with us? Send us your feedback so we can check it out!