1 knob compressor??? Why/Why NOT?

[henryjurstin13]

Firstly --- I've never owned a compressor, stompbox or rackmount.

I'm searching, learning, reading, sifting, etc.... And while I'm still trying to grasp the concept of compressors & what they really do to your signal/tone. I got to wondering about how some amps have compressors built-in (like the Carvin BX500) with a single knob to adjust the amount of compression.

Are there any pedal compressors built this way?

[CliftonBonney]

Sounds like a question for Bongomania. He's the compressor guru and should know the answer off the top of his head.

Have you checked out his website?

[paulygonemad]

Bongomania has this listed in his sig. I found it very helpful.
http://www.ovnilab.com/faq.shtml

Tons of great info in there and a review page as well.

[newbold]

I'm pretty sure I've seen 1 knob compressors before.

That'd be fine of you're just looking to squish your tone, but if you're looking for a peak limiter then that won't work for you.

[henryjurstin13]

Yeah, scrolling thru his site (for the 1st time) now & I can tell it's already too late for me to do much more 'learning' tonight... Plenty of FAQs there & a lot to work & learn with.

[Kosko]

Demeter is pretty much one knob. Mostly I think you'll find two knob. One for overall compression magic, and one for volume. That seems to be the standard between ebs and demeter, maxon and diamond have 3 i think.

EDIT: Nice sig. I've been watching Rising Low for the past couple days, incredible!

[ReMmy]

bongomania's gonna eat that there one-knob for brunch.

[bongomania]

Naw, it's too puny, I'd throw it back in the lake! I only eat fully grown comps with all their knobs.

Actually there have been a couple of one-knob pedal comps, but they were not well-implemented. The reason most pedal comps have two knobs, while so many bass preamps/amps have just one knob, is that the second knob on the pedal controls the output level--while on an amp/preamp, this same control is found as the master volume knob.

Actually the "real reason" for either one or two knobs is to reduce costs and increase sales. More knobs means more parts, a bigger/more complex circuit, often a larger housing, and more intimidated potential buyers--so most manufacturers keep the knob-count down to avoid those costs/hazards.

[RickenBoogie]

.....but if you want complete control of your comp, you'd need to have 6 knobs anyway.

[henryjurstin13]

Thanks.... gonna do some more reading & get myself a grasp on exactly what a comp is & what it done had be doin...

[SteveC]

Why not - less settings for users to screw up.

When I use a compressor, it's a BBE OptoStomp and it has basically one knob and it works fine. I barely know it's on, which is why I am not currently using it I guess.

[DrSmaggs]

I've never tried a one-knob compressor... only because I've yet to see one.

I have an Alesis 3630 rackmount one and I got help setting it up.

I don't use much compression, anyway. Just enough to subtly get the job done.