Spaceman Effects Releases the Mid-size Clean, Smooth Ixion Side-Chain Optical Compressor

I’ve always said that every Spacman Effects Release is something of an occasion - with the Launch Pad Countdown etc. and speculation of which colorways we’re going to get.

That doesn’t mean I necessarily gel with every release - while each one is eminently worth, typically offers something new, and is well matched to certain users’ preferences and Criteria. The recent Equinox EQ was a touch over-sized for me - particularly when compared to Empress’s new ParaEQ Deluxe. And however special the Ixion is - and it’s for sure a really great sounding compressor with some really smart controls and Side-Chain action - allowing for smart Parallel compression too - courtesy of the Mix knob.

While the compressor landscape is incredibly saturated now with some really superb versions out there in significantly smaller and more practical enclosures (with top mounted jacks etc.). Including killer versions from Becos FX, Crazy Tube Circuits, DryBell, DSM & Humboldt, Empress Effects, J Rockett, Jackson Audio, Origin Effects, Source Audio, Walrus Audio and many more - and including lots of different optical types. You even have PRS’s recent 2-knob Mary Cries Optical Compressor which is a direct size competitor for the Ixion - but has more practical top-mounted jacks.

You really can’t get away from practicality considerations for pedals nowadays - from factor is of course increasingly important for what fits on your board - and pedals that take up more real-estate are frequently at a disadvantage.

Spaceman Effects are always of the highest quality - but often lacking in certain practicalities - and you occasionally get over-sized editions with side-mounted jacks too. I think there’s a place for certain Medium size enclosures - particularly for more extended-range applications. While there are so many equally impressive, if not more so compact compressors out there like indeed Walrus Audio’s 7-knob compact Mira Optical Compressor that I feel that the Ixion will be facing into some serious head-winds.

With so many superb compact compressors already out there, I personally could not justify getting anything bigger really - and thus the Ixion is at something of a disadvantage - that space is so heavily saturated now with innovative pedals.

My understanding is that the Ixion is particularly good for bass guitars - so this is for all you bass-heads out there!