A Compressor You Must Try!

jg919 · #1 07-24-2010, 11:15 PM

Hello!

I have searched for a long time to find the right compressor, as I am sure many players have.
After trying MXR, BBE, BOSS, as well as many many more rack and pedal devices, I stumbled apon the DOD MILKBOX.

I must say, this pedal is the greatest compressor for bass I have ever experienced. There are no loss of lows, highs, attack, there is no 'swelling', and all other problems I have encountered before have been since eliminated by this pedal.

Ther controls are: Level, Compression, High-expension and Attack. These give you the ability to have ANY compressed sound you want: Lightly evened, super hi-fi, slap-attacky, Billy Sheehan smooth, etc, etc, etc - everything.

I play a Musicman Sterling (with HIGH OUTPUT!) and it does not clip the input of this pedal - NO DISTORTION.
I set the controls at: Level - the notch after 12 o'clock, Compression - b'w 12 o'clock and the previous notch, High expandion - same as level and Attack at 12 o'clock.

This gives me perfect attack (just noticeable), a boosted level (but no clipping of the amp - Gallien Krueger 2001rb), plenty of crisp highs (!!) and lots of play with compression level - the Compression control is VERY versatile.

I HIGHLY reccommend this pedal to any and every bassist that likes to employ compression - at least try it. You won't be disappointed - it's controls are simple, thoroughly effective, and the pedal is extremely affordable!

All the best with your music everyone!

JOHN.

(PS - my pedal does not have the 'cow' design on it, it is the pearly white version - I think it's a later model...)

bongomania · #2 07-24-2010, 11:27 PM

Agreed, the Milkbox is surprisingly great considering its low cost. Definitely a "sleeper".

Inconnu · #3 07-25-2010, 04:29 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bongomania

Agreed, the Milkbox is surprisingly great considering its low cost. Definitely a "sleeper".

Is it different from the old Bass Compressor DOD had ?

varunkapahi · #4 07-25-2010, 05:12 AM

is it in production currently? and does it come with the regular sucky dod bypass?

Steveaux · #5 07-25-2010, 07:57 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bongomania

Agreed, the Milkbox is surprisingly great considering its low cost. Definitely a "sleeper".

Yup, "sleeper", as in Dirt Nap.

Edit: OTOH ... is this a circuit for the DIY'er or cottage builder to replicate?

liquid sunshine · #6 07-25-2010, 08:20 AM

check out the black finger optical tube compressor very smooth. sounds awesome used to record direct through as well

bongomania · #7 07-25-2010, 10:21 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Steveaux

Yup, "sleeper", as in Dirt Nap.

Edit: OTOH ... is this a circuit for the DIY'er or cottage builder to replicate?

I don't understand your comment. Please explain your experience with this pedal.

St Drogo · #8 07-25-2010, 10:27 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bongomania

I don't understand your comment. Please explain your experience with this pedal.

I take it he meant it was discontinued (ie taking a dirt nap), and inquired if it might be feasible to make a clone yourself.

EDIT: Or he might've meant he was going to summon The Great Zabbibabbi, Lord Sovereign of Belching, Screams and those Tiny Cookies with Raisins in them. Not sure.

plangentmusic · #9 07-25-2010, 10:33 AM

Compression and limiters aren't really "sounds" so I never felt it mattered much. As long as it prevents peaks without noise or coloring the tone. Bass needs just a tad of compression if you have good control. (I hate squashed bass). I like the BOSS limiter/enhancer. Works great.

Steveaux · #10 07-25-2010, 10:55 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bongomania

I don't understand your comment. Please explain your experience with this pedal.

Dirt Nap = Dead = Generally unobtainable.

I tried one belonging to a guitarist in my last band. I have to say, your review nailed it. There's something going on besides the compression. Hence, my curiosity about the circuit.

bongomania · #11 07-25-2010, 04:14 PM

Ah, I get it. I thought you meant something negative about it being dead, or should be dead, or something. Actually they show up on Ebay quite often--four have sold there in the last 10 days.

sedgwick1489 · #12 07-25-2010, 04:52 PM

Wow - your reading my mind. I logged on to TB to find a recommendation for a good stompbox compressor and your post was the first one I saw! Thanks for the advice - I'll check it out.

Planet Boulder · #13 07-25-2010, 07:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sedgwick1489

Wow - your reading my mind. I logged on to TB to find a recommendation for a good stompbox compressor and your post was the first one I saw! Thanks for the advice - I'll check it out.

I am convinced that there is not a piece of bass-oriented equipment on this planet for which one can't find at least adequate info on TB. This phenomenon rivals the Caine/Hackman theory for pure, unadulterated consistency and dependability.

Seriously. There is not a better site streaming through the annals of "teh interweb pipes" than TB.

Joe P · #14 07-25-2010, 08:02 PM

I love mine. I have the old, 'cow' version, with controls labeled "Quarts", "Cream" (skim, 1%, 2%, whole), "Pasturization" and "Spill".

This thread is interesting to me, in that it provides me a rosetta stone to correspond to "Level", "Compression", "High expansion" and "Attack".

I still think that the Keeley four-knobber maybe beats it for squishy growl, but if I'm only bringing one pedal, and I need the growl and subharmonics, I grab the MilkBox (I don't own a Keeley right now, and with this thing, I almost don't need one).

If I'm playing mainly clean, then I bring the EBS compressor.

Joe

jg919 · #15 07-26-2010, 06:17 PM

Hi Iconnu!

Yes it's a different pedal - I haven't tried the bass comp by DOD, but if you think it works well, go for it!
I think once you get used to a certain compressor, one tends to stick with it - try out as many as you can, and you'll eventually find what works for you!
Cheers, John.

jg919 · #16 07-26-2010, 06:19 PM

Hi sedgwick 149!
My pleasure - I'm glad to help with compressor choice.

For anyone else - at www.ovnilabs.com you can find AMAZING comp reviews, especially for bass instruments! I urge you to check it out.

All the best with your music! JOHN.

jg919 · #17 07-26-2010, 06:26 PM

About the bypass:

The bypass is not that great, I admit (as with most pedals). However, if you follow my settings, except for the compression control:
Level at the notch after 12:00, Compression at the notch BEFORE 12:00, High Exp at the notch after 12:00 and Attack at 12:00, you will have the same level and tone as a bypassed signal, but the compressor will prevent any spikes and peaks which may overload effects/amps/recording units, etc...

All the best! JOHN.

ourworldisgrey · #18 07-26-2010, 10:42 PM

And the surefire way to prevent bypass loss, just don't turn it off! Honestly if you are really worried about bypass tone suck, just put it in a true bypass looper. You can find them pretty cheep.

jg919 · #19 07-27-2010, 04:49 AM

Hi ourworldisgrey!

Yes, absolutely - I have mine in my rack sitting atop whichever amp I'm using - it stays on for the whole duration of the gig/practice/recording.
Since adopting compression, I hate to play without it.

Cheers! John.