# Compressing acoustic guitar Use [[FET compression]] or [[Optical compression]]. CLA uses an LA3A (which is solid state, not tube, and quicker than an LA2A).[^1] Sarah Carter uses the same. The LA3A has a ratio of about 3:1. It has a mid-forward sound. It's not as fast as the 1176.[^2] The [[Lindell 80]] 2254 compressor sounds nice too.[^3] Ed Cherney (Eric Clapton, Bob Dylan, Rolling Stones, Sting, Bonnie Raitt) says, "the 1176 was made for acoustic guitars."[^4] Warren Huart recommends using parallel compression on a finger-picked guitar part, crushing it with a FET.[^5] Marc Daniel Nelson uses [[MJUC]] MkII with a 4:1 ratio and a medium-slow attack and fast release, only compressing about .5dB.[^6] I really like using [[Presswerk]] on acoustic guitar, using a topology similar to a dbx160. A limiter after light compression can help tame peaks.[^7] For more, see [[Softening digital transients]]. Adding a little tube saturation can help thicken up acoustic guitars too.[^8] Tape and multiband compression on the low mids can help before compression.[^2] [^1]: [Chris Lord-Alge Acoustic Guitar Processing | CLA's Simple Moves for Acoustic Compression and EQ - YouTube](https://youtu.be/bUN_bz-0FaA) [^2]: [The Easiest Way to Compress Acoustic Guitar (Without Overdoing It) - YouTube](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Dzl6D0wpEkw) [^3]: [Choosing the Right Channel Strip with Joe Carrell - YouTube](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ozz0Mf_tclc&t=26s) [^4]: [Acoustic Guitar Recording Techniques of the Pros](https://www.sweetwater.com/insync/acoustic-guitar-recording-techniques-pros) [^5]: [Analog Hardware Gear For Any Budget – Building A Home Studio - YouTube](https://youtu.be/Iss9q_ugSpk) [^6]: [4 Steps To Amazing Sounding Acoustic Guitar ITB! with Marc Daniel Nelson](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I-KvirJOKpg) [^7]: [Effectively Using Compressors to Catch Peaks - YouTube](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7yhLW2BGt_A) [^8]: [Michael Brauer Acoustic Guitar Saturation - YouTube](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RstylKZM2_w)