BBE Opto-Stomp: a few questions

BillyRay · #1 06-02-2008, 11:45 AM

First, I have read Bongo's very comprehensive review of it

Just to rpove it, I'll quote it:

Quote:

This was a good surprise, for a change! I paid the same amount for this (used) as I did for the Digitech, but the BBE is so much better it's not even funny. There is barely any noise, no rolloff of the lows, and the highs are pretty good too. The compression action is smooth and natural. It doesn't even get noisy when you crank the compression up high. The only notable issue is there is a little fizzy artifact sometimes; it's very quiet, less noticeable than the "pop" artifact of the LMB-3, but it still needs to be mentioned. Also, like the Punch Factory, the compression available is fairly gentle; this pedal is not suited to major squashing or limiting. I think this pedal is meant to be a direct competitor to the Punch Factory, since they are both optical comps at the same price. I have to say, the BBE wins by a knockout. It has a better range of compression, better tone clarity at high settings, a 15dB pad switch for active basses, and the construction is superior: the jacks are mounted to the chassis (not to the board), the footswitch is true bypass, the jacks and knobs are metal instead of plastic, and the components inside are fairly high quality. Overall, I'm impressed.

I take it that it's a good, durable somewhat cheap unit. But what has me puzzled is the "little fizzy" artifact (what is it ??? when does it happen ???) and the mention that the compression available isn't all that much.

So I'm asking if it'll work in the setting for wich I'll be using it. Rock and blues, GK going through a 2x15. Passive basses, maybe a bit of fretless. I usually play fingerstyle and I'm looking at a unit wich will bring up/limit the signal somewhat since I have A LOT of hand dynamics (some unwanted, some for sonic reasons). I can dig in pretty hard, so I'm looking to buy a compressor wich will limit the highest of peaks to prevent input/output stage clipping and give a bit more punch. I very rarely slap or tap.

Since I play a p-bass with flats, bottom end is important and I saw that there's not a lot of rolloff. I can also get the unit pretty cheap, so I'm rooting for other positive comments

Thanks !

bongomania · #2 06-02-2008, 12:54 PM

The "little fizzy artifact" was a small noise I heard when the signal crossed the threshold. However I only heard it sometimes; and under many circumstances it would not even be noticeable. I would not let it worry you if you're on a budget; it's more something that a high-end tone purist would mind.

thejohnkim · #3 06-02-2008, 01:15 PM

while it may be an issue for recording, i have found that in live use, even with the use of nicer high end cabs, it is not an issue at all. especially so in a full, live, band context.

i dont think you need to worry about it. i highly recommend the Opto Stomp

grace & groove · #4 06-02-2008, 01:22 PM

P-bass with flats into a 2x15? ~~~Awesome~~~

Chris V. · #5 06-02-2008, 01:54 PM

Let's say I'm on a budget - do I go for the Homebrew Electronics CPR or the BBE Opto Stomp?

BillyRay · #6 06-02-2008, 03:23 PM

I'm not looking to record through this unit. We might cut a 3 songs demo this summer, but it'll probably be recorded direct and I'll watch my playing then

It's really more for live use to give a more "focused" sound and prevent nasty transients.

P-bass strung with flats IS awesome. That 215D-BW might very well be the best cab I've played through for rock/blues. At least for the sound I'm shooting for: great bass, in your face low mids (the peavey has that in spades) and grit. It is also surprisingly light (?!?) at ONLY 110-120 lbs.

Who needs high freq definition when you have guitars ??

niftydog · #7 06-02-2008, 06:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BillyRay

But what has me puzzled is the "little fizzy" artifact (what is it ??? when does it happen ???) and the mention that the compression available isn't all that much.

You'd really have to listen hard during 'normal' playing to notice it - I haven't noticed it on mine, but I haven't been really looking for it.

The fact the compression is limited is kind of a good thing IMO. A lot of people tend to over compress their sound these days and then are blown away by how open the bypassed tone is. Finding a compromise between them is what it's all about, the BBE does this nicely.

grace & groove · #8 06-02-2008, 06:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BillyRay

I'm not looking to record through this unit. We might cut a 3 songs demo this summer, but it'll probably be recorded direct and I'll watch my playing then

It's really more for live use to give a more "focused" sound and prevent nasty transients.

P-bass strung with flats IS awesome. That 215D-BW might very well be the best cab I've played through for rock/blues. At least for the sound I'm shooting for: great bass, in your face low mids (the peavey has that in spades) and grit. It is also surprisingly light (?!?) at ONLY 110-120 lbs.

Who needs high freq definition when you have guitars ??

Oh, ONLY 110-120 lbs?

I used to use a Peavey 1x15 BW. Nice choice.

chris4001asat · #9 06-02-2008, 08:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by grace & groove

Oh, ONLY 110-120 lbs?

I used to use a Peavey 1x15 BW. Nice choice.

I use a LDS 2x15 / 2x6 cabinet. It only weighs around 70 lbs!What an amazing tone. I also use an Optostomp. REALLY nice unit. Really smooths out the sound without affecting the tone.

Thangfish · #10 06-02-2008, 08:08 PM

I don't think you'll ever hear the fizz... unless perhaps you borrow Bongo's 'phones!

I think it would work well for what you are wanting, except that it really can't function that much as a limiter.

BillyRay · #11 06-03-2008, 09:28 AM

Quote:

use a LDS 2x15 / 2x6 cabinet. It only weighs around 70 lbs!What an amazing tone. I also use an Optostomp. REALLY nice unit. Really smooths out the sound without affecting the tone.

Yeah, but I'm young and cheap, so 110 lbs isn't a problem, while LDS costs would have been

Anthbass · #12 06-08-2008, 12:46 PM

Something of a thread hijack, but I recently acquired an Opto Stomp and while I appreciate its conservative compression, I do notice a substantial volume drop with this pedal, even when it isn't engaged. When it is engaged, I end up running the volume dimed, and I'm no volume junkie. Anyone else had a similar experience with this compressor?

Swimming Bird · #13 06-08-2008, 12:54 PM

The volume control is always active, I do believe.

Also, I <3 my opto stomp -- it sounds glorious with my fretless, very natural.

thejohnkim · #14 06-09-2008, 11:09 AM

anthbass: i think you might've gotten a bad one.

i told my friend about this pedal after i started to use it, and he bought one, but the one he got had volume drop issues as well, and my pedal did not. he ended up returning it and getting the mxr compressor instead since it left a bad taste in his mouth (he's a guitarist btw, i'm a bassist)

i havent noticed volume drop with mine, but i havent experimented with it enough to be 100% sure.

bongomania · #15 06-09-2008, 11:12 AM

Yeah, sounds like a bad pot or something like that- the unit I reviewed had no volume drop.

Anthbass · #16 06-09-2008, 12:28 PM

Hmm, I was wondering about the volume issue. I'll send it back and go from there.
Thanks.

OshKoshJoash · #17 06-10-2008, 03:16 PM

definitely no volume drop with mine when i had it. i kept the volume around 11 o clock and that was unity.

i may pick one up again, i loved the opto stomp.

djmex1000 · #18 07-31-2008, 10:10 PM

Would this pedal compensate for the big volume hike I get with my Mini Q-tron? I play a p-bass. Thanks if anyone has any experience with this or can offer an alternative solution?

bongomania · #19 07-31-2008, 10:16 PM

If you mean a momentary spike during the filter sweep, then it would be OK for that, but even better would be a comp that has a higher compression ratio. Boss LMB-3, modded Boss CS-3, Guyatone BL2, Alesis Micro Limiter, or any other comp that offers a high ratio, between 10:1 and 20:1 typically.

megadan · #20 08-25-2009, 07:20 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by OshKoshJoash

definitely no volume drop with mine when i had it. i kept the volume around 11 o clock and that was unity.

i may pick one up again, i loved the opto stomp.

Odd, I have to keep the volume on mine up to about 2 o'clock to get unity gain. Both knobs need to be very high to have any effect at all. The compression is pretty subtle - well, extremely subtle - but I do think it's helping. This is my first compressor pedal so it's hard to tell.