Choosing a Compressor Pedal

onosson · #1 07-31-2011, 11:17 AM

I'm considering "upgrading" my setup slightly, and would like some opinions (yes, I've done a few searches, read reviews, etc.)

I currently use a BBE OptoStomp (one of the earliest versions, it seems) and I am very happy with it - I use very light compression (about 11:00 on the BBE usually), and I use my compressor mainly to even out the differences between my basses (Fender J and P, and EBMM). As far as evening out the levels, the BBE does a great job - a slight adjustment of the compression, set the output volume where it should be, and things are all good. However, it would be nice to have some additional eq control - nothing drastic, but just a bit of adjustment.

What I'm looking for is a pedal that operates similarly to the OptoStomp, which compresses exactly as I want it to, but also has some sort of eq function that would be useful given my instruments as indicated. The two I'm looking at now are the EBS MultiComp and the Diamond Bass Comp, which both seem to offer something along the lines of what I'm looking for.

My question for those with experience of these units is, which of these two (or something else I haven't considered) would compress like the BBE, and would also have useful eq for me?

All thoughts, opinions, and comments are appreciated!

P.S. The ability to actively BOOST level would be a bonus, but not absolutely a requirement...

king_biscuit · #2 07-31-2011, 11:23 AM

I can recommend the Diamond Bass Comp without hesitation. If you want a really simple great sounding compressor I think you would be really happy.

**FunkyMcNasty** · #3 07-31-2011, 11:28 AM

Aguilar TLC is what I've been using. I like it because it still sounds like MY bass when I stomp the pedal. I don't want a pedal that colors my tone. That said, I've never played the EBS or Diamond but have read good reviews on both.

masonsjax · #4 07-31-2011, 11:34 AM

Aguilar TLC is very nice. Joemeek FloorQ is an amazing unit too.

onosson · #5 07-31-2011, 11:56 AM

Thanks for the comments. I guess I should have stated clearly, the only reason for me to get a new pedal would be that it was able to offer something in the way of eq - the eq knob for the Diamond and the Multi-Band/TubeSim settings on the EBS seem to fit the bill. For those units that offer only compression, I have no need to move on from what I have right now.

kcole4001 · #6 07-31-2011, 02:45 PM

I have a Keeley.
It's great, I mainly use it to keep the amp from being spiked by excessive lows from 5 string or active basses.
Diamond has an excellent rep, though.

bassbrad · #7 07-31-2011, 02:55 PM

Something else, perhaps, I had been using the OptoStomp for about a year and liked it just fine, until I got a Durham Sex Drive in a trade, now it's the bomb and the OptoStomp is for sale.

Bongomania did a really good review of the Sex Drive and i don't have anything to add but love.

onosson · #8 07-31-2011, 04:03 PM

I've been using the BBE for about 6 years, quite happy with it as noted. How does the Durham fare as far as eq-ability? Does the drive give you tonal variations that would be useful between different basses?

JohnL · #9 07-31-2011, 05:14 PM

I had an EBS for 3 years, and it failed during a gig recently. After some internet research, I found that is a pretty common occurrence for the EBS at about the 3 year mark. During that time, however, it did a great job. When I replaced it, I went with the Markbass Compressore, and it sounds great...and has that great glowing tube visible on the top!

bassbrad · #10 07-31-2011, 05:26 PM

I really use it in as neutral a setting as possible just to get some kiss from the soft comp setting, it is a heck of a preamp in many ways but the eq very guitarish.

JohnDavisNYC · #11 07-31-2011, 05:30 PM

Has anyone tried the new mxr one? The controls and metering almost make it seem like they read my rant about why noone makes a pedal comp like an 1176...

dharmashawn · #12 07-31-2011, 07:03 PM

I know it is up there in price, but I am a huge advocate of you get what you pay for.
I also, truly love supporting the "little guy" who is making/creating cause they want to.
I believe there are only a few out there, but Bongo's review was god enough for me and I purchased mine based on faith alone.

That being said it was a decent investment ($$$) and I could not be Happier. Compression is very tough to explain, but this pedal having Compressor Side and Limiter Side, combined with the Shape Filter is a win for me. I have had this on my board (always on) for about a month.
Love it

blastjv · #13 08-01-2011, 08:53 AM

I don't mean this to sound sarcastic, but what's wrong with simply tweaking the EQ knobs on your Amp? That would give you the best shot of acheiving whatever tonal goals you have. I would think that even though the comps you mentioned do have some tonal control, neither seem very versatile in that area, so it seems against the odds that they'd be perfectly adjusting the specific frequencies you want to adjust. If you really are 100% happy with how the Opto Stomp works as a compressor (I love mine, too), then it seems like you'd be rolling the dice and possibly getting a compressor that doesn't fit you as well, just to have some small EQ adjustment that also may not work for you.

You might consider adding an EQ pedal, but from your profile it looks like you don't use any other effects, so I'm assuming you're trying to keep it simple and not add additional pedals.

Just some food for thought...

-John

onosson · #14 08-01-2011, 09:08 AM

That is my current solution, but the problem is that I currently do most of my gigs playing keys as well as bass and running both through the same amp, so the amp eq is ideally suited to eqing to the room in that scenario. You're right that I'm after a fairly minimal setup, but that an eq pedal might be my best solution. Maybe something with editable presets.

blastjv · #15 08-01-2011, 09:12 AM

BOSS U.S. - EQ-20: Advanced EQ ???

-JV

nance511 · #16 08-01-2011, 09:27 AM

I own the MarkBass Compressore.
I really enjoy it as it's sort of steroids for my bass. The way it improves the harmonic depth of the instrument really surprised me; it's like the difference between hearing someone talking through a thick blanket and someone speaking clearly in front of you.
I found that it makes everything tighter and the EQ settings are really fun to mess with because they give you pretty much full control over shaping your sound.
very easy to work with.

the only downside is that it's a pretty big pedal and takes up a lot of space if you have a smaller board.

Other compressors to consider would be the JHS Lime Aid.
It's a very small compressor and doesn't have the EQ ability that the MarkBass has, BUT it's pretty cool in that you can blend you clean signal in with the compressed. It gives more options than you would think by doing that.
Also, like I said, it's VERY small and takes up next to no space on a board.

onosson · #17 08-01-2011, 10:35 AM

The MarkBass definitely looks worth checking out - not sure how available it is where I am, unfortunately. The EBS is in stock locally, and the Diamond is available at a major retailer here.

WaldoNova · #18 08-01-2011, 07:49 PM

Editable presets on an EQ...... I think Source Audio has one of those that's either going to be released soon or already is. I agree with JV you should get an EQ pedal>

onosson · #19 08-01-2011, 07:54 PM

I was hoping not to add pedals ...

I don't want to have to get a pedalboard!

raul · #20 08-01-2011, 08:39 PM

yeah...is the new MXR Compressor worth getting for my GK 1001RBII? is it necessary?