EBS HD350 compressor vs EBS Multicomp

gimmeagig · #1 07-27-2009, 06:06 PM

Hi,
Compressors in general confuse me because the only time I use them is when I record and the engineer runs me through one because that's what's standard procedure for bass. I'm hoping I might pick up a few pointers specific to my rig here.
The amp I use is the EBS HD 350 the style I'm playing is sort of in the Marcus Will lee Jaco Alex Al vein.More like a really bad imitation of them to be more honest.Oh well, we all try right?
Anyway, I also have a EBS multicomp pedal ( I have not used it much so far)for which I could get a cable made so the amp would power it.I wonder with which one I could get the best results for the style that I'm playing
I'm wondering if anyone on this board has done a comparison of the two compressors.
The Multicomp has a Tube setting which I like and I'm not sure if it is the same cirquit as the Drive setting on the HD350.
Then there is the ability on the multicomp to individually adjust the two different bands with some trim pots on the inside of the box.I've messed around with it but I have not really been able to tell the difference between the muli and the regular compression.
When I have used a compressor it always bothered me that the attacks on the treble band are getting lost a bit, so individually adjusting the two bands could be helpful that way.
I suppose it is more common for slap players to squash the plucks more than the Slaps (low end) but the way I slap and pluck it's pretty even and I don't really want to squash the slaps.I want to have punch warmth and fullness but I need the sizzle on top as well
Is there anyone here who is familiar with the EBS stuff who could give me some advice?
Thanks

RickenBoogie · #2 07-27-2009, 06:11 PM

Look for Bongomania's Compressor low down, in his sig. Find him, seek his info. He is the compressor king, and knows all.

warwick.hoy · #3 07-27-2009, 06:28 PM

Greatings From Spokane,...enjoying the heat?

Bongo doesn't have a review on the EBS HD350 although he does have one Multicomp.

I'd also check out his compressors explained.

http://www.ovnilab.com/faq.shtml

bongomania · #4 07-27-2009, 06:30 PM

You rang?

Unfortunately I haven't tried the one built into the amp head, so I have no idea how it compares.

Re: the trim pots inside, they make a pretty big difference in the performance of the multiband mode, so I would recommend doing some more experimenting and careful listening, while in that mode. It does sound like the multiband mode is really what you need; the tubesim mode is nice, but it won't serve the main goals you described.

Also, be sure to adjust the level of your signal going into the pedal, as that can make a dramatic difference in how it responds to you.

Beyond that, if you can swing the $$$ I recommend you try a FEA Dual Band comp pedal, or for a bit less money try a used Rane DC24. Either one of those will allow more "sizzle on top" than the EBS.

gimmeagig · #5 07-27-2009, 08:17 PM

Great info, thanks for all the work,bongomania!
I've messed with the trim pots after reading a lot of the posts about compression and arrived at this:
If 7:00 is off Low trim is set at 8:00
I boosted the comp on the fron to full and adjusted the trim fully clockwise to see what it would do, and my low end completely disappeared.Awful!
So 8:00 it is and the comp setting at 11:00 seems to be good.
The treble trim really squashed the plucks at full so I backed that one off to about 9:30
Is that too conservative?
My bass is a 74 Jazz with a sadowsky pre.I barely boost the treble or the bass so the passive input setting sounds best.Gain is at 8:00.
The result is that my bass sounds punchier and the plucks seem a little fuller.
The difference is very subtle but absolutely noticeable to me.
Thanks again.
PS James
Too hot here at the moment.My house feels like a furnace.
Can't wait for the ski season to begin!

warwick.hoy · #6 07-27-2009, 08:29 PM

I'm right there with you man. Can't wait for some snow. Maybe we'll get 3 feet in one storm like last year.

bongo,...I notice that you have pretty much no reviews of amps compressors. Is it because the general consensus that most aren't that great is correct, or is it just not that cost effective for you.

bongomania · #7 07-27-2009, 09:10 PM

"Not cost effective" is one way of putting it.

I pay for almost all of the review units out of pocket, and I have a very low income. It's only quite recently that I've had a few people send me testers at no cost. And amps are way more expensive than pedals.

gimmeagig · #8 07-29-2009, 07:21 PM

I'm still a little confused about the trim settings on the Multicomp.
Suppose I set the trim pots for lows at 10% and treble at 20% and that on the front panel I set the compression to 3:00.
Would i get approximately the same effect by setting the lows internally to 50% and the treble to 60% as long as I back off on the front panel accordingly?
Currently, like I said earlier I have the trim pots barely opened up and I set the Comp setting to 11:00, maybe a little higher.
Is there an advantage/disadvantage to open the internal pots up more and then to reduce the outside Comp control accordingly,or is it just another way to accomplish the same thing.

bongomania · #9 07-29-2009, 07:38 PM

My experience is that your best bet is to try every possible combination of settings until you find what works best for you. This is one instance where (as an end consumer) taking a theoretical approach just won't work.