EHX Black Finger or EBS Multicomp?

[atheos]

Now this is a hard one. I'm thinking of getting a good compressor and I've pretty much come to a duel: EHX Flack Finger and EBS Multicomp. The EHX is a twin tube (12AX7) optical compressor which makes it sound nice and warm - on the other hand EBS is designed for bass guitar and is equally awesome but just a bit different. What I need is a little leveling of the tone and something to kill peaks to help my poor 410 cab's speaker not to bounce so wild while slapping but also not to smash the tone completely. Yeah, I'm a metal head so I play hard most of the time.

Let's hear your opinions! You can also make other suggestions but let's A) stick to pedals and B) <$200 price range. And please, no pedals that require modification, I can do that but don't want to.

[bongomania]

If at all possible, try before buying. Both have good qualities, both have failings, and it's up to you which qualities outweigh which failings.

Personally I think the Black Finger is just a white-noise generator, but not everyone has the same experience with it.

[atheos]

Now I wouldn't ask you guys if I could test them myself, right?

No, of course I'll try them both, I just have to find those first, one friend may have Black Finger but I'm not sure. Have to call him later... Music stores are no-go since I want to try them with my own rig and there's no way borrowing a pedal from a store.

[nemo]

I had both. The Black Finger would make your tone very thick and somewhat slower. I would get it for more old school styles - blues, soul, P-funk.
I think for your purpose (metal) you will need to have quicker compressor with untamed transients and preserved zing. The MultiComp will give you this. Also the TubeSim mode is nice for enlivening the sound.

[fightthepower]

Originally Posted by bongomania

If at all possible, try before buying. Both have good qualities, both have failings, and it's up to you which qualities outweigh which failings.

Personally I think the Black Finger is just a white-noise generator, but not everyone has the same experience with it.

It seems they already have 5 other white/noise generators... so I think the EHX is out (even though it would be 'more blacker', it's a toss up)

[Kubs]

i vote for EBS. Simply better than EHX, and also wont give you 300V if effect fails :-D (Yes i´ve read few experiences about electrical shock from WF...it had construction error)

And as far as i can judge EBS sounds better in all aspects.....and its far far far better built.

[ZolkoW]

Voted for EBS.
I don't know the other, but would buy the EBS again.

[Aurel]

Originally Posted by atheos

Now this is a hard one. I'm thinking of getting a good compressor and I've pretty much come to a duel: EHX Flack Finger and EBS Multicomp. The EHX is a twin tube (12AX7) optical compressor which makes it sound nice and warm - on the other hand EBS is designed for bass guitar and is equally awesome but just a bit different. What I need is a little leveling of the tone and something to kill peaks to help my poor 410 cab's speaker not to bounce so wild while slapping but also not to smash the tone completely. Yeah, I'm a metal head so I play hard most of the time.

Let's hear your opinions! You can also make other suggestions but let's A) stick to pedals and B) <$200 price range. And please, no pedals that require modification, I can do that but don't want to.

I own the Multicomp, and I think it sound much more transparent than the EHX. So, even if the tubism setting will warm up a little your sound, it will not colour your sound as much as a tube effect device.

Also keep in mind that if you're using the Multicomp in the MB position (multiband), you can do some internal tweaking to set the treshold level of the hi and lo frequencies (very nice when slapping!) to suit your playing dynamics and the bass you're using.
As Nemo stated in an earlier thread, the Multicomp keeps the zing, which is nice to cut through the band's sound.
There's also a switch allowing you to choose between passive/active and it operates on standard 9V batteries or power supply which makes life easier.

So if you want to keep YOUR sound and just add compression when needed, I think you should go for the EBS...

[GazzBass]

I play with a guitarist who has the EHX and it sounds great but I tried it on my bass and didn't like it at all. I'd go for the EBS or a Punch Factory.

[atheos]

Seems pretty EBS'ish... Well, I'll borrow a Black Finger from a friend of mine who could also sell it cheap (he's got a DBX 160A... that bastard ). Still haven't found any local Multicomp owners but I must test that one too.

The Skull Strings I have (which I also totally love) are pretty super bright so slight high damp might only do good. Well, there's still a couple of week until I can test those so keep the opinions coming. Huge respect for those who have used both and can compare them.

[RCCollins]

he didn't say it himself, but read bongomania's reviews

I used to have a black finger and it is an awesome squash sound. I didn't find it noisy but I DID find it huge. Also, it has a funky power adapter so if you want a compressor for your board, it's pretty much eliminated.

I would like to see a more practical squash compression effect from ehx, the bass metaphors doesn't cut it

[ga_edwards]

If I was shopping for a new compressor, I'd prob go EBS over the Finger. The compression quality on both is good, but the EBS seems to be be more versatile with 3 modes, one of which can get close to the tube sound. But also becuase of power requirement. AFAIK, the EBS can run on 9v battery and/or standard BOSS connector, the EHX needs something more exotic, and no battery option.

For the odd small/short gig, being able to run on batteries is a great option, allows for faster setup and breakdown.

The Tubesim mode may not sound exactly like the real thing, but I honestly don't think anyone listening to the band as a whole is going to notice.

[stflbn]

The Blackfinger is also larger dimension wise than the EBS...

[atheos]

It's not going to be a part of an actual pedal board so size or power is not an issue. I have AX3000B and distortion no no need for a board - yet (Pitchblack and EQ pedal waiting on the GAS list)

[rosstanium]

not to throw a wrench in the discussion...but have you considered the Demeter Compulator?

[RickenBoogie]

I'll throw another choice out there, TRex Sqeezer. You get the tube "warmth", and alot of control, no noise, and a whole bunch of goodtimes. The Black Finger is great on guitar, I found it very noisy on bass, and I haven't used the EBS, but it gets alot of love around here.

[newbold]

What about the SoulPreacher? Not squashy enough?

[FreaqyFrequency]

Originally Posted by rosstanium

not to throw a wrench in the discussion...but have you considered the Demeter Compulator?

The Compulator is great. It's subtle, not very noisy, and has a very good bypass.

Originally Posted by newbold

What about the SoulPreacher? Not squashy enough?

IIRC, Bongo loved the effect itself, but he couldn't stand the noise.

http://www.ovnilab.com/reviews/soulpreach.shtml

[Bassorama57]

Originally Posted by ga_edwards

The Tubesim mode may not sound exactly like the real thing, but I honestly don't think anyone listening to the band as a whole is going to notice.

I use the EBS MC - I use it in the multicomp mode most of the time as the "tube-ism" never seemed all that tube-ey - as compared to what the VT Bass does. Find Bongomania's post on the EBS - the 'suggested settings' that come with it are a bit lame - you'll have to open the box (4-phillips head screws) to adjust it, but then you're done. True by-pass; quality built device, and being a good compressor, I note it's absence much more than it's 'presence' if you follow.

[Templar]

I'm thinking of getting a good compressor...

I would'nt describe the Black Finger as "good".

Flimsy, unbelievably noisy POS? Yes.