The folks at Niche Devices are back on the market with two new compression devices. Before we take a look at the new let's reflect back on the original Niche Devices compressor options. With parallel compression, preamp, and unique transformer option the original Niche Devices Humboldt Preamp/Compressor was certainly a unique and fresh offering amidst the sea of compression pedals these days. You can read my review here to learn more about the unique attributes. There were initially two versions of the Humboldt — The Special Edition and Deluxe Edition. Both had the same circuit, but the DE used upgraded components, different paint color, and different knobs and was priced a bit higher. There were also a couple of editions labeled XE that managed to leave the shop. I have one.
Going forward, the Humboldt SE is no more while the DE remains. I talk about both editions in my prior review here. The Deluxe Humboldt features a vintage step-up transformer reclaimed from a mixing console. This component is used in an unorthodox way to enhance the outgoing signal providing tasteful coloration and amplification.
New to the lineup is what is being called the Humboldt Preamp and Dakota Parallel Compressor. Don't let the name Humboldt Preamp deceive you though, as it is not just a preamp, but it is also a compressor. Both of these new devices are more accessible pedals in a smaller footprint enclosed in a smaller 125B chassis. That's nice when pedalboard space is at a premium. One trade off with the smaller format on the new Humboldt Preamp is the transformer now cannot be bypassed. It is full time part of the sound. It is also worth noting that the transformer itself is a new component that matches the spec of the vintage transformer used in the Humboldt Deluxe edition (and former Special Edition).
To my ear, the new Humboldt Preamp can be set up to sound very close to the larger, and more expensive, Humboldt Preamp Deluxe Edition, but not exactly.
I hear a bit more coloration in the form of more audible harmonic content in the Deluxe Edition, but it's not an overwhelming difference.
If you like your compressor to have a little baked in excitement this Humboldt preamp might be one to try.
The folks at Niche Devices tell me that sourcing the vintage transformers can be challenging and has historically limited the availability of the original Special Edition and Deluxe Edition. A couple benefits of the use of the new transformer is that it can be easily sourced and also helps keep the price point lower.
Basically, you get the same internal circuitry of the larger format Humboldt as well as similar styling cues packaged in a smaller enclosure.
Then there is the new Niche Devices Dakota Parallel Compressor.
Like the Humboldt Preamp, Dakota uses the same optical compression design but without the transformer. Dakota is a really nice option if you prefer a flatter EQ response and desire a ton of headroom. For example, if you play a 5-string bass and want the ability to handle super low frequencies at high amplitude, Dakota is for you. I hammered the Dakota compressor with several active basses with preamps and never heard any distortion whatsoever. Nothing but big, clean, and smooth tone to be had. Very nice.
Both compressors share the same five controls on the face of the pedal. They way all of the controls respond and interact is similar between the two. The Squeeze dial is there to set the amount of compression. Rotating the dial clockwise increases the amount of compression. It is an optical design with a fixed ratio but is dynamic based on your playing style. Think of it somewhat like when guitar players talk about "touch sensitivity" in a fuzz pedal. As you rotate the Squeeze dial clockwise it is turning up the max amount of light available in the optocoupler, but the whole effect is dependent on your touch.
The result is very natural and lively feeling compression.
In my experience, neither of these compressors would make an ideal limiter per se. However, there is a fair amount of compression available, but it never feels overly squashed.
The Gain dial is for makeup gain to bring back the volume lost with increased compression. There is plenty of gain on tap. The Gain dial only affects the compressor side of the circuit. It is the gain control that interacts with the transformer aspect of the Humboldt device in terms of saturation.
The Master dial is a passive type of volume control. Setting this knob fully counterclockwise shuts output signal down to zero. Setting to full clockwise lets full signal through uninhibited. The Treble dial only affects the preamp side of the circuit. Think of it as a shelving equalizer. Only frequencies at or above 650Hz will be affected by its use with all frequencies below that selected threshold pass through this stage unchanged. With the dial at noon the EQ is considered unity. Rotating more clockwise boosts the frequencies above 650Hz and rotating counterclockwise cuts those frequencies. It is quite useful for adding a bit more sheen or sparkle up top and sounds great with guitar or bass.
The Mix dial is used to control the blend between clean and compressed signal paths. this is what is commonly referred to as parallel compression. Full counterclockwise = Compressor signal only. Full clockwise = Preamp signal only. Setting the Mix dial fully to either side will render one or more the other knobs inoperable. All are highly interactive. Parallel compression is one of my favorite features of a compressor design. For example, you could compress heavily with Squeeze and Gain set around 2 o’clock or higher and then blend your clean signal back in with the Mix knob. By doing do, you would be getting the best of both worlds. Enjoy enhanced attack and sustain from the compressor side without the crushed and lifeless sound of an overly compressed signal. Nice! It works very well.
A word of caution with the Humboldt version. If you hit the Humboldt with a strong signal the transformer will saturate below 200Hz. This is not really an issue at all with guitar. Bass players should take note though, especially those playing a 5-string bass with low B string. The Niche Devices guys recommend putting the Humboldt preamp first in your pedal chain and not using onboard preamps since the pedal already amplifies the signal greatly pre-transformer. You will need to be more judicious with your use of the gain control as a bass player. You can find settings that dial in a more limited in range depending on the incoming signal but if clean headroom is of utmost concern opt for the Dakota Parallel Compressor instead. On that note, Dakota is designed to be low noise, with ultra transparent gain staging and clean, transparent sound. There is plenty of headroom thanks to the built-in charge pump circuit that ups the internal voltage automatically.
The Dakota Parallel Compressor pedal is remarkably quiet too.
I was pleasantly surprised with this one. Sometimes uber transparent compressors can come off as boring or sterile but this is not the case here. Dakota sounds very nice and is super smooth and big and full sounding. It sounded great with whatever I put into it. Guitar, passive basses or basses with hotter output due to onboard preamps. I didn't want to turn off Dakota. There is something addicting about Humbold Preamp though. The compressor portion is a simple two knob style that is quick and easy to dial in and natural and warm sounding. That internal transformer adds some sparkle and complexity to the tone. Definitely not a transparent compression device.
To my ear, the transformer adds fundamental and punch. I would use words like "robust" and "power" and "lively" to describe the character of the transformer. I also hear a bit of harmonic content — Nice coloration if gain staged properly.
I think both of these compressors make for great always on type of compression. Humboldt could serve well as a boost pedal too.
Both of the new Niche Devices compressors feature a powder coated chassis, durable UV printed graphics and feel high quality. They are assembled in New York. They require a 9-volt power supply (not included). Input and output jacks are top mounted as is the power input. There is a LED that illuminates white when the pedals are engaged. There is no gain reduction LED metering on either pedal.
The price point for both is nice with Humboldt coming in at $199 USD and Dakota at a very economical $149 USD.
At that price, I think Dakota is a bargain.
I am a fan of both of these new offerings from Niche Devices. Everything sounds better when either Dakota or Humboldt is engaged. You can feel the compression as much as hear it with both which is a quality I appreciate with compressors. While there isn't any type of visual gain reduction metering on board it is quite easy to simply rely on your ear with these. Use the gain control to goose up or down the intensity of the compression and then rely on the Master control to regulate the overall output.
Are they the most versatile compressors in the world? Probably not. But they are easy to dial in and sound great and just simply work well. If you seek light to moderate clean and smooth compression, give Dakota a shot. It handles lows very, very well and does not seem to choke off the lows in an undesirable way. Yes, Dakota is inherently transparent but there is a sense of added girth too — that more, better feeling. If you want a bit more color and warmth, give Humboldt a try. There's a little secret sauce in that one. Just be mindful of the reality of how the transformer will respond to lows. Humboldt wasn't designed to be a utilitarian or clinical compressor. The whole circuit has a personality of its own. It becomes more of an effect when you push it. The fact that both offer parallel compression is a real plus in my book. I think Niche did a nice job with these and there is a lot to like about both, albeit in different way. There is a limited lifetime warranty offered on both. Dakota Pros: • Price • Full and smooth tone and feel • Quality • Easy to dial in • Inherently transparent with huge headroom but not boring Dakota Cons: • Not the most versatile compressor out there • Lacking color if that's your thing • No gain reduction metering Humboldt Preamp Pros: • Coloration and warmth • Unique circuit implementation • Non-clinical if that's your thing: unique personality • Tons of gain on tap Humboldt Preamp Cons: • Not the best option for a 5-string bass • Not the most versatile compressor out there • No gain reduction metering
Dakota Retail Price: $149 Humboldt Preamp Price: $199 theOfficialNiche.com Read all compressor pedal reviews.
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