I may need a compressor... Which one?

marlond · #1 09-23-2011, 01:38 AM

I play an SVT-CL style amp with a Rickenbacker with my fingers. I find some notes on the fret board vary in volume. An example is the open E sounds huge the the 3ed fret on the A string disappears. I play metal.

I think a compressor would be able to help with this, right? So I narrowed it down to 3.

Empress Compressor
Diamond Bass compressor
MXR Bass Compressor M87

So would a compressor help with my problem. And which one should I get. I play heavy metal along the lines of Cliffs stuff off of Ride the Lightning. So I play fast and hard and the bass needs to sound punchy and dirty.

TrevorOfDoom · #2 09-23-2011, 01:43 AM

budget?
what features of those 3 appealed most to you?

i use a Demeter Opto-Comp because it's easy to use, transparent, and sounds great.

5StringFool · #3 09-23-2011, 02:04 AM

If I had my choice of pedals I'd go with the Markbass Compressore.

casio · #4 09-23-2011, 02:52 AM

Check Bongo's reviews, they're quite informative.
Or at least it helped me quite a bit. Still, compressors seem to be close to OD's and fuzzes on this board, everyone has his favorite. I ended up going with the Keeley comp after checking the MXR Bass comp and couldn't be happier. But that's me... With comps (as with anything), you really have to try them out to see if they fit you're playing style, your bass, and your budget!

randysmojo · #5 09-23-2011, 06:03 AM

I use a half rack DBX 163A and love it. I've had a couple now and always use them in my bass rig.

tekdiver500ft · #6 09-23-2011, 07:27 AM

Of the three you mentioned, the MXR is the way I'd go, but the other suggestions offered here are good ones, especially the one about checking out Bongo's reviews. The Demeter Opto-Comp and Markbass Compressore are excellent options.

bassgod0dmw · #7 09-23-2011, 07:35 AM

Now I'm curious, what is an SVT-CL style amp?

depalm · #8 09-23-2011, 10:29 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 5StringFool

If I had my choice of pedals I'd go with the Markbass Compressore.

+1

Quote:

Originally Posted by casio

Check Bongo's reviews, they're quite informative.

+1

Quote:

Originally Posted by bassgod0dmw

Now I'm curious, what is an SVT-CL style amp?

+1

Shelly · #9 09-23-2011, 10:43 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by marlond

I play an SVT-CL style amp with a Rickenbacker with my fingers. I find some notes on the fret board vary in volume. An example is the open E sounds huge the the 3ed fret on the A string disappears.

I like my MXR M87 pretty well so far. Nice and transparent, but it can pump if you need it to do so. I also have an EBS Multicomp...not as clean-sounding as the MXR, but also nice, and much simpler to use if you don't know how to set up a compressor. I also like the Markbass.

The other thing to consider is...why are notes on your bass differing so much in volume? Maybe you should take the bass to an experienced guitar tech. A compressor can only go so far in leveling out instrument issues.

punkinfantry · #10 09-23-2011, 10:53 AM

I got a Compressore last Friday and have found a new thing to like about it every day! It is the size of a small child, but worth every penny IMHO.

Funkfaker · #11 09-23-2011, 11:41 AM

I used a Barber Electronics Tone Press when recording the Great Elk record back in July.

It has a great clear, to slightly vintage colored, compression; and, it allows you to blend your original signal so you retain both the low-frequencies and attack.

The blend really helps for some of the articulate rock stuff. Sometimes I smash it, with no attack at all, for some electronic/synth bass work.

Highly recommended.

the blast · #12 09-23-2011, 12:22 PM

I'm surprised that the Maxon CP-9Pro+ isn't in this poll. Any particular reason why?

chuck norriss · #13 09-23-2011, 12:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 5StringFool

If I had my choice of pedals I'd go with the Markbass Compressore.

Agree. I'm a sucker for tube, I also prefer not to have overstated, obvious compression--who does. Comp should be inconspicuous. Of course my perf should do all of the talking.
There's one on that auction site. I'd grab it & resell if I had play money.

chuck norriss · #14 09-23-2011, 12:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by punkinfantry

I got a Compressore last Friday and have found a new thing to like about it every day! It is the size of a small child, but worth every penny IMHO.

Funny. Yes, unfortunately the footprint takes up a third of my board.

chuck norriss · #15 09-23-2011, 12:31 PM

I like MXR. Always in good form.

**jmattbassplaya** · #16 09-23-2011, 12:35 PM

What's an SVT-CL styled amp? A 350 or 450?

chaosMK · #17 09-23-2011, 12:36 PM

A compressor sounds like an awkward solution. I'd look at your bass set up, EQ, and playing. How do your other notes... say D/G strings sound relative to the boomy E?

Funkfaker · #18 09-23-2011, 03:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by chaosMK

A compressor sounds like an awkward solution. I'd look at your bass set up, EQ, and playing. How do your other notes... say D/G strings sound relative to the boomy E?

This is very much worth exploring. When was the last time you had a proper setup? When was the last time you changed your strings?

While I love my barber tone press, I definitely look at it as an effect, rather than a band-aid.

marlond · #19 09-24-2011, 02:34 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by casio

Check Bongo's reviews, they're quite informative.

I have read through most of that site, it is very useful.

Quote:

Originally Posted by bassgod0dmw

Now I'm curious, what is an SVT-CL style amp?

And SVT style amp would be a Verellen Meat Smoke. I know it is NOTHING like a SVT-CL. But it did give me that uncompressed huge sound that felt quite like a SVT for the most part. I had the pre very dirty so it sound have had a lot of compression there. Which makes me think it is probably due to the tube power amp than anything else (which is why I have the same issue with an SVT-CL).

The whole note volume differences is what attracted me to my DB750. It seems very even across the whole fret board. So I can play in a loud band and every note I play is heard. But the Meat Smoke does something the DB750 does not, awesome distortion!!!!

I'm just putting feelers on what compressor I would want if I go that way. There is still a lot of tweaking to be had. Such as tuning the preamp down and slamming the power section for some different compression that I may gel with. IDK.

I'm actually surprised at the overwhelming vote for the MXR so far. It was the lowest on my list. But on the flip side, I should be able to grab one at GC and return it if I don't like it

As for the problem being the E and A string, that was just an example of the ones that stuck out the most in my head the problem would be on many different strings an positions. It could possibly be set up on my bass... but then why don't I have any problems on my Aguilar? It is not due to the age of my strings. I just member it was exactly the same complaint and feel from when I was playing the SVT-CL I used to have a year ago. And I started to looking into some compressors then as well, but I moved to the Aggi before I bought anything.