Stella Pro MK2 – A full-featured compressor pedal for bass, guitar, or any electric instrument

BECOS FX releases the CompIQ Stella Pro Compressor MK2

Vienna, Austria, European Union – March 7, 2024 – Five years after the release of the flagship Stella Pro analog compressor/limiter and our relocation to Vienna, Austria, in 2023, we’re thrilled to introduce the CompIQ Stella Pro MK2 Compressor Pedal for bass, guitar, or any electric instruments.

This version removes the saturation engine on the dry line – a feature intended to add controlled harmonic distortion – and adds Feed-Back compression mode option, four sound Voicing options, and a refined dual-band Side-Chain Filter with cut or boost in the control signal. Additionally, we offer the optional DITOS transformer balanced DI output, replaceable in the 9V battery space inside the pedal.

In Feed-Forward mode, the emphasis is on speed and accuracy, utilizing a pre-VCA copy of the input signal. This mode can provide subtle compression up to brick-wall limiting based on control settings. The newly introduced “old-school” Feed-Back compression delivers a smoother response suitable to transparently even out playing dynamics, using a post-VCA copy of the audio signal for its dynamic processing.

The Voicing settings subtly shift internal dynamic frequency processing, adding coloring to the sound. Spark adds brilliance to highs, Tight dips low-mids slightly for depth, and Punch brings a tube-like compression feel with velvety lows and warm highs. Voicing can be turned off for the most transparent sound response.

The Side-Chain capabilities now include a variable Lo-cut/boost filter specifically designed for bass instruments (±12dB @ 90Hz, 12dB/octave), helping prevent premature engagement of the compressor. The matching variable Hi-cut/boost filter (±7dB @ 3kHz, 12dB/octave) further refines compression balance. These enhancements manage compression across lows, mids, and highs, delivering impactful dynamics.

The optional DITOS board features a transformer-coupled balanced output in 1/4″ TRS format for direct recording or signal sending. It can also serve as an unbalanced floating output to another pedal or amplifier, capturing output transformer warmth. The main output is always functional and may be used for signal routing.

The Stella Pro MK2 retains the highest performance 4320 THAT Analog Engine® enhanced by Burr-Brown signal conditioning, rendering tight and punchy lows, and warm-ringing highs. It provides the musical response of analog circuitry processing, with full controls for professional compression and limiting in a very compact format.

Stella Pro key features

• Full analog circuit with true by-pass
• True RMS-level detector
• High-performance Blackmer® VCA
• Optional DITOS transformer-coupled balanced output
• Feed Forward/Feed-back compression modes
• Ratio 1:1 to infinite:1 (limiter)
• Threshold -45dBu to +10dBu
• Make-up Gain -6dB to +20dB
• Soft/Hard compression knee
• Manual timing: attack 0.12-12 ms/dB of gain reduction, release 1.2-120 ms/dB of gain reduction
• Fast/Slower dynamic auto attack and release timing with hold for peaks over the threshold
• X-EQ with selectable frequency pivot 330Hz for bass instrument or 1KHz for guitar or other applications
• Voicing: Flat, Spark, Tight, Punch (internal DIP-switch selectable)
• Lows/Highs variable side-chain filter
• Dry/Wet mix
• 9-LEDs gain reduction meter
• High-end quality FET Burr-Brown audio ICs, low tolerance parts, Panasonic & Kemet audio polyester capacitors
• Hammond black-powdered aluminum enclosure
• Runs on standard 9V internal battery or 9-18 V DC external power supply (not included), center negative, 12mm long barrel plug
• 3-year warranty (direct to manufacturer, international, transferable)
• Hand-assembled in Vienna, Austria

The CompIQ Stella Pro Compressor MK2 has an EU street price of 279,00 € (325,00 € with DITOS) excl.VAT and can be purchased directly from our shop or select retailers. This is the direct product link: https://becosfx.com/product/compiq-pro-stella-compressor-pedal-for-guitar-bass/