4-Knob Compressor

effect pedal project by Keeley

Here's the 4-Knob Compressor effect pedal project from Keeley.

This project has been described using terms like compressor, keeley, stripboard, and vero and is reportedly verified, meaning many hobbyists have already completed this project and verify that the instructions are without issue.

Beyond the specs and details found on this page, you'll want to check out these stripboard resources too.

Project Resources

Parts List

  • C1
    2n2
  • C2
    10n
  • C3
    10n
  • C4
    1u
  • C5
    150p
  • C6
    1u
  • C7
    10u
  • C8
    10n
  • C9
    10u
  • C10
    1u
  • C11
    1u
  • C12
    1u
  • C13
    1u
  • C14
    10n
  • C15
    1n
  • C16
    47n
  • C17
    10n
  • D1
    1N914
  • D2
    1N914
  • P2
    150k Clip
  • P3
    150k Attack
  • P4
    500k Sustain
  • P5
    50k Output
  • PT1
    2k
  • Q1
    LM3080
  • Q1 (Alt)
    CA3080
  • R1
    10k
  • R2
    220k
  • R3
    4M7
  • R4
    10k
  • R5
    10k
  • R6
    470k
  • R7
    10k
  • R8
    56k
  • R9
    27k
  • R10
    1M
  • R11
    1M
  • R12
    470k
  • R13
    220k
  • R14
    15k
  • R15
    1M
  • R16
    150k
  • R17
    1M
  • R18
    10k
  • R19
    10k
  • R20
    27k
  • R21
    10k
  • T1
    2N5088
  • T2
    2N5088
  • T3
    2N5088
  • T4
    2N5088
  • T5
    2N5088
  • U1
    9V

Similar transistors & Potential Alternatives

Can't find an exact match for the recommended transistor in this project within your stash? Or maybe you just feel like experimenting. Use these tables below to get started finding a suitable or otherwise interesting transistor substitution.

There may be 16 alternatives for the 2N5088 mentioned above in the parts list for this project. These suggestions were derived by considering the original component's hFE, Pol, Ic, Vcb, and Vce values and finding comparables in our database. These alternatives are suggestions for further exploration (fun!) and have not been tested in the context of this project. You can also to suit your preferences.

2N5088
more info
Cc
4
pF
ft
50
MHz
hFE
300
β
Ic
0.05
A
Pc
0.31
W
Pol
NPN
Tj
135
°C
TranMat
Si
Vcb
35
V
Vce
30
V
Veb
3
V
2N5088G
more info
Cc
4
pF
ft
50
MHz
hFE
300
β
Ic
0.05
A
Pc
0.625
W
Pol
NPN
Tj
150
°C
TranMat
Si
Vcb
35
V
Vce
30
V
Veb
3
V
3DG5088
more info
Cc
4
pF
ft
50
MHz
hFE
300
β
Ic
0.1
A
Pc
0.625
W
Pol
NPN
Tj
150
°C
TranMat
Si
Vcb
35
V
Vce
30
V
Veb
4.5
V
CMBT5088
more info
Cc
4
pF
ft
50
MHz
hFE
300
β
Ic
0.05
A
Pc
0.225
W
Pol
NPN
Tj
150
°C
TranMat
Si
Vcb
35
V
Vce
30
V
Veb
4.5
V
CMKT5088
more info
Cc
4
pF
ft
50
MHz
hFE
300
β
Ic
0.05
A
Pc
0.35
W
Pol
NPN
Tj
150
°C
TranMat
Si
Vcb
35
V
Vce
30
V
Veb
4.5
V
CMST5088
more info
Cc
4
pF
ft
50
MHz
hFE
300
β
Ic
0.05
A
Pc
0.275
W
Pol
NPN
Tj
150
°C
TranMat
Si
Vcb
35
V
Vce
30
V
Veb
4.5
V
ED1402D
more info
hFE
290
β
Ic
0.05
A
Pc
0.6
W
Pol
NPN
Tj
150
°C
TranMat
Si
Vcb
35
V
Vce
30
V
Veb
4
V
FMMT5088
more info
Cc
4
pF
ft
50
MHz
hFE
300
β
Ic
0.05
A
Pc
0.31
W
Pol
NPN
Tj
150
°C
TranMat
Si
Vcb
35
V
Vce
30
V
Veb
3
V
GES5088
more info
Cc
4
pF
ft
50
MHz
hFE
300
β
Ic
0.05
A
Pc
0.31
W
Pol
NPN
Tj
150
°C
TranMat
Si
Vcb
35
V
Vce
30
V
Veb
3
V
KMBT5088
more info
Cc
4
pF
ft
50
MHz
hFE
300
β
Ic
0.1
A
Pc
0.35
W
Pol
NPN
Tj
150
°C
TranMat
Si
Vcb
35
V
Vce
30
V
Veb
4.5
V
KST5088
more info
Cc
4
pF
ft
50
MHz
hFE
300
β
Ic
0.05
A
Pc
0.35
W
Pol
NPN
Tj
150
°C
TranMat
Si
Vcb
35
V
Vce
30
V
Veb
4.5
V
MMBT5088
more info
Cc
4
pF
ft
50
MHz
hFE
300
β
Ic
0.05
A
Pc
0.3
W
Pol
NPN
Tj
125
°C
TranMat
Si
Vcb
35
V
Vce
30
V
Veb
4
V
MMBT5088LT1G
more info
Cc
4
pF
ft
50
MHz
hFE
300
β
Ic
0.05
A
Pc
0.225
W
Pol
NPN
Tj
150
°C
TranMat
Si
Vcb
35
V
Vce
30
V
Veb
4.5
V
NSVMMBT5088LT3G
more info
Cc
4
pF
ft
50
MHz
hFE
300
β
Ic
0.05
A
Pc
0.23
W
Pol
NPN
Tj
150
°C
TranMat
Si
Vcb
35
V
Vce
30
V
Veb
4.5
V
PMST5088
more info
Cc
4
pF
ft
100
MHz
hFE
300
β
Ic
0.1
A
Pc
0.2
W
Pol
NPN
Tj
150
°C
TranMat
Si
Vcb
35
V
Vce
30
V
Veb
4.5
V
TMPT5088
more info
Cc
4
pF
hFE
300
β
Ic
0.2
A
Pc
0.225
W
Pol
NPN
Tj
150
°C
TranMat
Si
Vcb
35
V
Vce
30
V