Description
Module 4: Dual‑Voice FET Compression
for Guitar & Bass
Orange Squeezer + Modern FET – The Ultimate Compressor Combo
The Module 4 is a dual-voice compressor pedal capable of fulfilling a wide range of compression needs – designed to meet and exceed your expectations. It brings analog studio-grade compression power directly to your pedalboard. Perfectly tone-tuned and ingeniously engineered, it allows you to quickly and easily dial in your desired compression, tone and feel, without any hassle.
Experience:
Two Distinct FET Compression Voices
Explore the iconic Orange Squeezer's warmth and character OR the pure transparency of a modern True FET compressor. Enjoy a diverse pallete of compression flavors.
Precise yet Easy to Use Controls
Easily dial in your ideal compression effect with the dedicated Preamp, Attack & Release, Blend, Tone & Boost controls, plus a Low End cut option for added versatility. Discover the joy of effortless tone shaping in any musical situation – whether on guitar, bass, or beyond.
Orange Squeezer, Evolved!
Experience the iconic ‘70s Orange Squeezer style compression like never before. Expanded control and adaptability now allow this legendary compression and its character to shine through on any guitar or pickup output.
Ultra-Quiet Studio Versatility
Ultra-low-noise operation, a built-in expander for noise reduction, and three bypass options for unique signal chain flexibility. High headroom circuitry and a 3‑color gain reduction meter.
The Module 4 is a marvel of compressor design. Experience awe‑inspiring compression with any instrument. It is a compressor equipped to handle all your compression needs, delivering professional results with a few simple twists of a knob.
Whether you’re a seasoned pro or just starting your musical journey, this dual‑voice compressor will inspire you to create music that truly reflects your artistic vision.
Gift with Purchase
Get your Module 4 directly from our DryBell webshop and enjoy an exclusive leather keychain pick holder – a handmade gift we’ve been giving our direct customers since we started.
What Players Are Saying
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Module 4 Controls: Easy to Dial In
The Module 4’s intuitive controls make it a joy to dial in your ideal compression. Experience smooth and responsive adjustments.
Preamp
Adjust the input gain for preferred compression amount regardless of your pickup output/type.
Attack
Control the reaction time of the compressor, shaping the initial attack of your notes for single coils or humbuckers.
Release
Adjust how long the compression effect lasts after you play a note, affecting the overall sustain and feel.
Blend
Mix your dry signal with the compressed signal to find the perfect balance of dynamics and sustain (parallel style compression which retains pick attack). Ideal for bass.
Tone
Fine-tune overall brightness and presence of your compressed tone, adding clarity or warmth as desired.
Output (Boost)
Control the overall output level to match the volume or add a high headroom boost to your amp or next pedal.
Orange Button
Toggle between the transparent, modern FET or the warm, vintage-style Orange Squeezer compression (orange light on).
Flexible Setup
Choose from True, Buffered, or "Orange" bypass (retains Orange Squeezer EQ even when bypassed), plus LOW END cut and EXPANDER with fast/slow noise reduction. Save power-on settings.
“I think I may use compression in a very different way from how I believe most people do. Maybe I’m wrong. I like lots of it, but not on the attack. The most important qualities I listen for are… 1) the integrity of the signal, 2) a lack of makeup ramp, 3) the signal seems to get much bigger rather than sounding squashed, 4) versatility — I use a wide range of instruments, so it has to have a lot of adaptability & tweakability, 5) personality — I don’t want transparency, I like it to have grab and its own sound. DryBell’s Module 4 is all of those things and more. Yes, it can do Orange Squeezer brilliantly, but so much in addition. I highly recommend it. I really love this pedal. I’ll definitely be using it on our upcoming European tour.”
– Jon Carin
Pink Floyd, Roger Watters
Detailed Description
Module 4: A Deep Dive
As with all previous DryBell designs, we aimed to bring something special and inspirational to your gear arsenal. This analog compressor is unlike anything else. The Module 4 is engineered with the highest precision to deliver versatile, ultra-low-noise, studio-grade compression for both live performance and recording. Expertly tuned and thought out to meet the compression needs of demanding guitarists, it offers two distinct and captivating flavors.
The vintage sounding Orange mode delivers the warm magic of Dan Armstrong's Orange Squeezer, while True FET mode (full‑frequency‑range) is ideal for scenarios when a modern, transparent FET compression is preferred.
With expanded headroom and sound resolution, this is the ultimate dual‑voice compressor combo that will ignite your creativity!
Vintage Soul and Modern Transparency: Two Distinct Compression Voices
FET compressors are renowned for their fast attack and release times, allowing you to precisely control their responsiveness to your playing dynamics. This quickness, coupled with their inherent ability to add subtle harmonic richness (a touch of grit), creates a wide range of musically pleasing compression. From gentle leveling to hard-hitting squash, and everything in between.
With a single, high-performance FET compression circuit, the Module 4 delivers all these qualities but goes beyond the typical FET compressor with its two distinct voices.
True FET Mode:
Smooth, Rich Compression That Respects Your Original Tone
The True FET mode is your go-to for classic FET compression complementing a wide range of instruments, including guitar, bass, acoustic guitar, keyboards, and even vocals. Experience tonal transparency and subtle FET richness, with dynamics you can effortlessly shape using Module 4's finely-tuned controls.
So, this mode preserves the full frequency spectrum of your instrument, whether you're adding sustain to clean tones or tightening up overdrive, it maintains the original instrument's EQ definition.
From low frequencies to top end sparkle, it provides a perfect tonal balace between the uncompressed and compressed tones.
Orange (Squeezer) Mode: Compression With Character
The ORANGE mode channels the soul of the vintage Orange Squeezer, renowned for its spongy compression and warm tonal character. In this mode, while simultaneously processing the compression, the Module 4 subtly shapes the EQ in response to your playing dynamics. This is achieved through a unique input impedance circuit that interacts with your guitar's (passive) pickups (a blog post about this is coming soon!).
The result is a warm, slightly darker, yet full bodied EQ tone, thanks to the subtle shift in the mid and top end frequencies. You'll feel this warm dynamic tone response while playing.
With Module 4, the Orange Squeezer compression is optimized for all guitar pickups – single coils or humbuckers. It's a style of compression that adds great character and personality to your sound.
Bass and Beyond: Module 4's Low-End Control
The built-in Low End cut feature (enabled by default) prevents the compression from muddying up guitar tones while preserving the low-end clarity. This option affects both modes, True FET mode and Orange mode.
Bass players or those seeking the original low-end response of the Orange Squeezer can easily disable this feature for a full low-end.
Choose the perfect bass response for your style!
Orange Squeezer Reimagined
In Orange mode, experience the most faithful recreation of the original Orange Squeezer's classic tone, now enhanced with Preamp, Attack, Release, and Blend controls. Easily recreate that signature compression by setting the controls to the original Orange Squeezer dot markers.
Or, break free from the original and tailor this iconic compressor to your instrument and taste. The Orange mode offers unprecedented fine-tuning and customization for this type of compression, with a noise floor more than 10dB lower than the original vintage unit.
The Legacy of the Orange Squeezer: A Cult Classic
Dan Armstrong's Magical Box
Back in the 1970s, guitarist, luthier and innovator Dan Armstrong introduced a series of small, box-shaped guitar effects, designed to plug directly into the guitar (or amp, depending on its internal settings).
Among these effects was the Orange Squeezer, a unique compressor that quickly became a cult classic, revered for its warm, colorful compression and unique dynamic response. Depending on a guitar’s output it could squeeze your tone from subtle to extreme, adding sustain with a bit of grit, and a touch of magic that made the guitar flow.
The Orange Squeezer's Impact on a Generation
Legends like Mark Knopfler, Jeff "Skunk" Baxter, Ry Cooder and countless others harnessed its magic, crafting signature tones that graced countless hit records. From the iconic "Sultans of Swing" riff to the smooth grooves of Steely Dan, the Orange Squeezer's unmistakable character left an indelible mark on music history.
Limitations of Fixed Controls
The Orange Squeezer excelled at stacking with other drive pedals. In moderate drive settings, the long sustain and multiple harmonics would evolve into note bloom, resulting in beautiful feedback.
However, its internally fixed settings, for attack, release, input gain, ratio, and even volume, made it difficult to achieve the desired compression on many instruments. Despite these limitations, the Orange Squeezer's unique combination of pick-attack controlled EQ and spongy compression, especially noticeable with single coils, earned it a special place in the hearts of many musicians.
Using Module 4: Passive Pickups and Chain Placement in Orange Mode
The Module 4 is designed to seamlessly integrate with your existing setup, regardless of the pickups you use. The True FET mode delivers exceptional results with both passive and active pickups, making it a versatile option for any scenario.
However, to experience the authentic Orange Squeezer's magic in Orange mode, you must connect the Module 4 directly to passive pickups, bypassing any buffers (or using true bypass pedals before it).
This direct connection ensures the unique impedance interaction that gives the original Orange Squeezer its signature warmth and dynamic response. If you have active pickups or prefer using buffered pedals, you can still enjoy the Orange mode, but its tonal character will be closer to that of the True FET mode. Think of the Orange mode as a vintage fuzz pedal – placement is key.
Designed with this in mind, the Module 4's flexible bypass options make it easy to place it first in your signal chain.
Three Bypass Modes for Any Pedalboard
The Module 4 gives you the freedom to choose how it interacts with your other pedals, offering 3 different bypass options to optimize your signal path.
Pure Buffered Bypass (default):
Preserves your tone's clarity and high-end sparkle, especially with long cables or multiple pedals in the chain. Unmatched headroom of 15.8dBu and full audio spectrum fidelity.
True Bypass
Provides a pristine signal path, ideal for use with fuzz pedals or other impedance-sensitive effects.
Orange Bypass (buffered)
Retains the EQ characteristics of Orange mode even when bypassed. This ensures a consistent tonal foundation for your pedalboard, especially when the Module 4 is placed first in the chain. Note that the ORANGE mode, when active, has a slightly darker EQ compared to the classic buffered bypass due to different input impedances. However, if switched from Orange mode to Orange bypass, the EQ remains the same, with only the compression disengaged.
In Orange bypass, the compressor circuit remains active in the background but controls the input impedance – you can learn more about how we achieved this in our development blog below (coming soon!).
Expander & Compression Visualization
The Module 4 goes beyond basic compression with features designed to enhance your playing experience. The EXPANDER, with adjustable reaction times, intelligently attenuates incoming background noise when you mute strings, ensuring quiet signal during silent moments.
The vibrant 3-color LED meter provides real-time visual representation of your compression level (gain reduction). A white LED indicates active Module 4. It lights up green for subtle, orange for moderate, and red for heavy compression, allowing for quick feedback and adjustments on the fly.
A Truly Special Compressor
We poured our heart and soul into crafting the Module 4 to provide you with the ultimate compression experience. Find out what a difference a truly exceptional compressor can make.
In stock
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Shipping & Delivery
Directly from DryBell
Your Module 4 ships with a gift directly from our workshop in Croatia.
Worldwide Shipping
Choose Standard or Express insured DHL delivery for international orders, typically arriving in 2-3 working days.
Track Your Order
Receive a tracking number to follow your Module 4's journey.
Fast Dispatch
Orders typically ship within one working day for speedy delivery.
Important Note*
DryBell is not responsible for any import taxes, customs charges, or administration fees in countries outside of the EU
Easy Returns
14-Day Trial Period
Not thrilled with your Module 4? Return it within 14 days for a full refund. You can keep your DryBell pick-holder gift.
Learn More
See our Shipping Policy & Return Policy.
In stock
User Manual & FAQ
Related Blogs and Press Reviews
Module 4 Award Badges
Technical Specifications
Power
9V / 100mA standard power supply
(not included)
Battery operation
No
Controls
Preamp, Attack, Release, Blend, Tone, Output, Orange/Modern switch
Input impedance
(True FET mode)
900kΩ / 1kHz
Input impedance
(Orange mode)
Dynamic; 80kΩ - 200kΩ / 1kHz
Output impedance
440Ω / 1kHz
Boost gain
17dB
Bypass options
Buffered, True, Orange
Dimensions (L x W x H)
122 x 73 x 40 mm /
4,80 x 2,87 x 1,57 inch
Weight (W/O package)
0,34 kg / 0,75 lb
Finish
Hippie Blue Metallic / Powder Coating
Additional Tech Info
Consult User Manual.
View Internal Block Diagram.
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Module 4™ is a trademark of DryBell Guitar Effects.
User Manual & FAQ
