Help me choose a new Comp...

[speyer]

Hey folks! I'm looking to get a compressor that will compliment rig. I've been digging around the Ovni pages for a while and seemed to have narrowed it down to a few choices... but I'm hoping to get some feedback from some other users out there before I make a purchase.

I'm currently using a BFJE Pine Green Comp with a DHA VT1 (clean settings), with a passive bass into a Tecamp Puma 212 combo. I do like the tone of the DHA but it's noisy... I'm leaning towards getting a real tube Comp to get the DHA VT1 out of my chain... and I'll probably just sell the BJFE. I really just need some basic peak leveling and some nice tube color in a professional quiet box.

So, on the Gas list is:

Effectrode PC-2

Im curious if this one will have enough "color" for what I'm after? I am really looking to add some noticiable tube warmth here...

CAE V-Comp (CAJ)

Looks like a real nice option to me... small size, good build quality, studio grade and low noise. I think they are discontinued or re branded (custom audio japan)

Markbass Compressore

I hear good things about this comp... but it's pretty darn big. also, might have more control than I need... leaning on the simple side right now.

Retrospec Squeeze box

Save my pennies and hold out for the ultimate in vintage tone? These are supposed to hit the market soon... worth the wait?


I'm open to ANY other comparables... even Tubeless comps with similar qualitirs/tones to those listed above. Thanks for the help on this, I'd love to hear your opinions!

-pat.
__________________

[depalm]

Markbass is indeed big, but what a sound!

[speyer]

Anyone else?

[Bassmike62]

read this, it comes from fellow TBer and resident compressor expert Bongomania.

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

Also, a search wouldn't hurt, there's probably at least 2 other active compression threads on the first few pages.

[speyer]

Originally Posted by Bassmike62

read this, it comes from fellow TBer and resident compressor expert Bongomania.

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

Also, a search wouldn't hurt, there's probably at least 2 other active compression threads on the first few pages.

C'mon, I've been reading Bongos reviews and updates for years! and gone through a few different comps in the process... (thanks Bongo!) Searches unfortunately don't come up with a whole lot on these particular units. Actually, all I can find is a bunch of dead threads where people just suggest going to the ovnilabs website!

If Bongo is the only guy around here that has tried these pedals... then so be it! But, I'm simply looking for players that are interested in sharing their first hand experience with any of these units.... to get some fresh opinions on whats available you know?


It looks like my local shop just became an Effectrode dealer (only two in canada) so I'll be testing the PC-2 in a week or two. Also, what's the deal with the V-Comp by Custom Audio Electronics/Custom Audio Japan/MXR ... Anyone know who is making this unit and if it is in-fact the same as the original CAE?

[Jake of Bass]

Originally Posted by Bassmike62

read this, it comes from fellow TBer and resident compressor expert Bongomania.

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

Also, a search wouldn't hurt, there's probably at least 2 other active compression threads on the first few pages.

If you read the first paragraph in the OP you'll see this:

Originally Posted by speyer

Hey folks! I'm looking to get a compressor that will compliment rig. I've been digging around the Ovni pages for a while and seemed to have narrowed it down to a few choices... but I'm hoping to get some feedback from some other users out there before I make a purchase.

[thomashawk]

I am interested in the same pedals, and have similar questions and concerns. I hope some additional insight about them gets posted here.

In the spirit of killin' time until somebody has answers to your actual questions -

I have had the same EBS MultiComp for 10 years. Obviously, an amazing pedal to not only stay consistently on my board, but consistently "on" the entire time I'm playing. Its "Tubism" setting seems to fit your sound criteria, and its footprint is unbeatable.

[TheBasicBassist]

I really, really love my Aguilar TLC comp. It's, basically, the EBS multicomp with a few more knobs, though.

[OrionManMatt]

This might seem like an odd suggestion but is it possible you might not really need a different compressor but just a different "tube goodness" stompbox (instead of the DHA)? Like, what if you just need a Catalinbread SFT or Tech 21 VT?

[Matt Dean]

I have been thinking about a compressor to take the edge off my very articulate head, but have been increasingly satisfied with my SFT with the vol at ~10:00 and the gain at about 7:45 (treb at 11 and bass at 1:30). It gives me a nice round tone with some subliminal fur... using this setting in my dub band.

[warwick.hoy]

FEA Labs OptiFET. Killer pedal. I believe that Bongo stacks the OptiFET well against the Markbass (as being similar in sound and quality). I'm still a newb with it but it works well in my straight up rock band (mostly clean) and my Noise Prog outfit (lots of fuzz). Using it with my GK MB2-500 (A00 = 1st version) I was able to up the gain a little bit and not clip the amp (which would often times lead to an intermittent shutdown and powerup).

The FEA Labs Dual Band was also on my radar but I got a deal I couldn't pass up on the OptiFET. I can't speak highly enough of the level of quality of this pedal and the quality of customer service.

EDIT: So you don't have to dig,....http://www.ovnilab.com/reviews/optifet.shtml

[Dark Barn]

I have the FEA Dual band, bought partly due to Bongo's glowing praise of the unit, and it is a wonderful compressor, you can dial in so many different sounds. Of course there are 11 knobs on it with which to dial in your different sounds, you have to spend some time learning what works.

My only previous experience with compression in my live rig was with a rackmounted Symetrix 501 run through the effects loop of my pre-amp at the time. My Symetrix was too subtle for my tastes, although I'd guess it's probably intended for studio use and not live.

As far as tone goes, the FEA can dial in some nice punch, but it's not a "round" or "warm" sounding compressor, it's pretty colorless IME. To me anyways that's a plus.

[Swift713]

I don't have any experience with those comps but I might echo the thought that perhaps replacing the DHA is all you need. I play through an AI Clarus and use the Maxon CP-9 comp and a BJFE Blueberry for tube-ness when I want it. With the gain all the way down on the Blueberry it's subtle enough to use as a tube sim. That way, I can switch off the Blueberry and get a super modern hifi articulate tone.

[speyer]

Originally Posted by OrionManMatt

This might seem like an odd suggestion but is it possible you might not really need a different compressor but just a different "tube goodness" stompbox (instead of the DHA)? Like, what if you just need a Catalinbread SFT or Tech 21 VT?

This could be an option... but my guitarist needs a good
Comp, so I was going to sell/loan my Pine Green to him anyways. Also I'm partial to the idea of having a real tube in the chain... and I guess I'm trying to "kill two birds with one stone" by having just one pedal doing the job of both my current ones.

-pat.

[speyer]

Originally Posted by warwick.hoy

FEA Labs OptiFET. Killer pedal. I believe that Bongo stacks the OptiFET well against the Markbass (as being similar in sound and quality). I'm still a newb with it but it works well in my straight up rock band (mostly clean) and my Noise Prog outfit (lots of fuzz). Using it with my GK MB2-500 (A00 = 1st version) I was able to up the gain a little bit and not clip the amp (which would often times lead to an intermittent shutdown and powerup).

The FEA Labs Dual Band was also on my radar but I got a deal I couldn't pass up on the OptiFET. I can't speak highly enough of the level of quality of this pedal and the quality of customer service.

EDIT: So you don't have to dig,....http://www.ovnilab.com/reviews/optifet.shtml

I will totally consider the FEA optiFET.... I read Bongos Review. My only concern is that he says it's a "dark" sounding unit... which might be a bit much with my already 'dark' sounding bass and paper cone tweetered cab.

How would you guys describe the tone of the FEA? Is it warm enough to sound tube-like? Can it still maintain crisp clean highs? I'm worried it might be too transparent, but It sure looks like a versatile little unit in a small package.. very cool.

[warwick.hoy]

Originally Posted by speyer

I will totally consider the FEA optiFET.... I read Bongos Review. My only concern is that he says it's a "dark" sounding unit... which might be a bit much with my already 'dark' sounding bass and paper cone tweetered cab.

How would you guys describe the tone of the FEA? Is it warm enough to sound tube-like? Can it still maintain crisp clean highs? I'm worried it might be too transparent, but It sure looks like a versatile little unit in a small package.. very cool.

I got the pedal to tame brittle highs. It does that. I find that it really tames some of the boominess of my rig as well, which is a good thing. To me it's warm and fat,...I've never owned anything more than a hybrid amp; which I have a hard time considering tubey sounding so I can't really comment on that. Does it sound like an all tube amp? I don't think anything other than an all tube amp can sound like an all tube amp.

With regards to tubes.

http://blog.ovnilab.com/?p=144

Just food for thought.

While I will not deny the merits of an all tube amp (it's the power tubes that I'm interested in), one little 12ax7 might not really do all that much accept roll of some highs. I'm not knocking the DHA stuff since I've never tried any of it,...which is not to say that I'm not interested in it.

I always love how some pedal or small preamps (Like the Presonus Tubepre or that Vox Tonelab [guitar multiFX]) will have a little tube in them combined with an amber LED to make it look like it's glowing. While it might be aesthetically pleasing AFAIK preamp tubes don't glow (poweramp tubes glow). I always giggle inside when I point out the LED to ignorant guitards and their little tube superiority complex turns into whiskey tango foxtrot.

[OrionManMatt]

Originally Posted by speyer

This could be an option... but my guitarist needs a good
Comp, so I was going to sell/loan my Pine Green to him anyways. Also I'm partial to the idea of having a real tube in the chain... and I guess I'm trying to "kill two birds with one stone" by having just one pedal doing the job of both my current ones.

-pat.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D_VjB...eature=related

I'm not pushing this pedal over any other but it's worth considering pedals that are geared towards that "tube sound" -- but use no tube. I have this pedal and the VT bass for my "tube sound" when I don't bring my Aguilar rig somewhere. I use that term with hesitation because a good circuit is a good circuit -- tube or no tube. And tubes can be used and have no desirable tonal benefit. They can be used for certain harmonic characteristics and stay "clean". Blah blah blah.

The clips I've heard of the Effectrode lead me to think that it's being a great stompbox compressor. It didn't sound like a UA610 to me. If it CAN, then I think you've found a winner.

[speyer]

Originally Posted by warwick.hoy

With regards to tubes.

http://blog.ovnilab.com/?p=144

Just food for thought.

I remember seeing this a while ago.. thanks for the reminder; definitely worth chewing on.

You know, more than anything... I'm interested in getting a great compressor with low noise and great tone. Reading that blog is a bit of a 'sobering experience' and is making me feel like I need to try a few of these pedals with my rig... and let my ears decide which one sounds best to me.

What a pain in the a$$.

[speyer]

Originally Posted by OrionManMatt

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D_VjB...eature=related

I'm not pushing this pedal over any other but it's worth considering pedals that are geared towards that "tube sound" -- but use no tube. I have this pedal and the VT bass for my "tube sound" when I don't bring my Aguilar rig somewhere. I use that term with hesitation because a good circuit is a good circuit -- tube or no tube. And tubes can be used and have no desirable tonal benefit. They can be used for certain harmonic characteristics and stay "clean". Blah blah blah.

The clips I've heard of the Effectrode lead me to think that it's being a great stompbox compressor. It didn't sound like a UA610 to me. If it CAN, then I think you've found a winner.

Thanks!! Turns out my local shop is really becoming a 'boutique' kind of place to shop... they are a Catalinbread dealer too!! Last Time I was there (about a yr ago) they were only selling high-school type products!! I went in there today... and it's becoming a killer guitar shop by popular demand; they are carrying all kinds of custom gear for us gear junkie types and now have over a 100 quality pedals. I'm going to have to give this one a try for sure!!

[speyer]

So I tried out the SFT at the local shop, and also a few other pedals.... ONE of them really stood out to me....

Enter the Crowther Audio 'prunes and custard'

What a great sounding pedal, never even heard of it... and sounded like gold in the store... brought it home only to find out that it is exactly what I was searching for!! A total 'sound in my head' kind of realization.

I'm gonna keep the Pine Green Comp until the Effectrode comes in, and hopefully try the optiFET as well. I am definitely going to use the Crowther instead of the DHA, what a sound!

So, many thanks for all the suggestions fellas! I appreciate the help.


-pat