Low-noise compressor advice?

psongjh · #1 05-09-2011, 09:31 AM

So I've been reading bongomania's reviews and trying out different compressors but I've yet to settle for one that I like. My first experience with compressors was a Digitech Bass Squeeze which was fun at first but the loud hum bothered me much. So I've since been on a compressor hunt and tried out:

1) BBE Opto Stomp (the older model without the moustache)
2) MXR Dynacomp
3) Boss CS-3 Humphrey Ultra Bass Smasher
4) VFE White Horse

So far, they've either been too muddy, too subtle, too noisy or pumps/breathes too heavily to my ears. And now after much hesitation (because of the 12V power requirement), I've decided to try out the Markbass Compressore when the local GC gets it in stock. But honestly, I would rather stick to something that's friendly to my 1-Spot, if possible.

I'm curious if anyone (perhaps Bongo?) would be able to advise me which one would better suit my needs from:
1) Markbass Compressore
2) Maxon CP-9 Pro+
3) Demeter Compulator
4) EBS Multicomp
5) Diamond BCP-1
6) (upcoming) MXR M87 Bass Compressor?

What I'm seeking for is something fat, tight and punchy that has low noise and doesn't pump/breathe heavily (am I asking for too much)? I generally play on the slower and softer side and just want to even out my notes without losing tone.

Floyd Eye · #2 05-09-2011, 02:48 PM

Aguilar TLC. It's great.

psongjh · #3 05-09-2011, 04:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Floyd Eye

Aguilar TLC. It's great.

Oh yeah, that too. Considering that both Aguilar and Markbass are the same price, how would you compare the two tonally? I have EMG pups which isn't known for its warmth and I thought perhaps a Markbass may help warm up my sound a bit (would that even make sense)?

shadow_FIX · #4 05-09-2011, 04:24 PM

I own the Compressore and I absolutely love it. Low/no noise compressor with a tube element, with all the right controls. I couldn't be happier! I also have worked on gigs switching between my high output upright pickup (Gage Realist) and a previously low-output Jazz (fixed it!) but I essentially ran the Compressore as a double compressor and boost by upping gain/volume considerably. Still no noise!

And no, I wouldn't say that calling the Compressore "warm" as a result of the tube element is a stretch of imagination. My ears hear a nice warmth added to the tone, and my notes simply "sing" more...hope that makes sense!

RickenBoogie · #5 05-09-2011, 05:16 PM

The Trex Squeezer is much like the Compressore, 12VDC, but lots of warm tubey tone, and though I've read reviews that say it's noisey, I've not experienced any noise whatsoever, (unless you use "extreme" settings). But if you want to stick with 9VDC, the EBS MultiComp is an awesome pedal, and on "tubism" mode, will also impart a magical tube warmth as well.

bassboysam · #6 05-09-2011, 07:12 PM

From your list I have tried the EBS and diamond. Was not a fan if the EBS, found it a bit too effecty. The diamond is nice but does not offer a lot of compression as the ratio is fairly low. I liked it but needed a bit more squash.

Some other options are the Mad Professor Forest Green, the PCB version is in the same price range, and the Rothwell Love Squeeze.

The Rothwell is the quietest comp I have ever tried and it is the most transparent. Nothing added or taken away, just your signal compressed.

psongjh · #7 05-09-2011, 07:42 PM

Wow, thank you all for your tips. Now I'm more undecided than before

I sorta overlooked Rothwell Love Squeeze because its rather "cheesy" name (my apologies for anyone who finds it cool), but now that I've read Bongo's reviews, I'm very interested. It seems to fit what I'm seeking for, except for the totally transparent part. I guess I'll check out the Markbass when it comes in and decide whether I really want a tube compressor or not.

bongomania · #8 05-09-2011, 08:01 PM

The new MXR is still a bit of an unknown, some people have tried it at NAMM or at the MXR factory, but it hasn't hit the streets yet, so "who knows".

The Demeter and the EBS have fallen a bit out of my favor... they're still great compared to the ordinary Boss, MXR, etc. typical comp pedals, but they have been surpassed by more recent designs.

I have only good things to say about the Markbass, aside from the size and power requirements. You might also really like the Effectrode, though it has the same wall-wart issue, and costs a kidney.

For something that can be powered by a 1-spot or other daisy chain supply, you're looking at the Rothwell, FEA (all models), Maxon CP9Pro+, Aguilar, Joemeek FloorQ, and Mad Professor.

Technically the Diamond can run on 9V, but it's best at higher voltages.

Of those, I'd say the Rothwell has the lowest noise, but also the lowest noticeable tone improvement (like warmth). I'm addicted to the FEA pedals, but they cost a liver. Of the remainder, the Maxon is perhaps the "least noiseless", meaning even though it has very little noise, the others have even less (depending on other elements of your rig and setup). The Joemeek is perhaps the most "effect-y", so even though it is warm and punchy and low-noise, you might find it reminds you too much of the pumping you don't like. This depends on how you use it though.

So that leaves the Aguilar and the Mad Professor. If somebody held a gun to my head and ordered me to pick one, I'd probably reach for the Mad Professor, but in any less extreme circumstance I'd call it a coin toss.

Note that I'm not saying you should rule out the others--just trying to give points for the thought process.

bassboysam · #9 05-09-2011, 08:11 PM

What I did not like about the MP was that in comp mode I found the attack to be too fast for my tastes. I like to have the initial attack come through a bit, especially at loud volumes. I found in a loud band setting the MP got lost in the mix. In sustain mode the attack was slower but not enough compression. The TLC is one I still would like to try.

psongjh · #10 05-10-2011, 02:21 PM

Thanks for the very thorough overviews, everyone. I'm sorta leaning towards MB at the moment because of all the positive reviews particularly with its sound. I think I can live with the size and the extra power supply as long as it sounds good. The other suggestions sound interesting but I want to stay within a $200 budget.

I kinda wish MXR M87 is out right now because the LED meter and input/output level knobs look so cool. But based on my previous experience with MXR compressors, I'm a little hesitant.

psongjh · #11 05-13-2011, 02:29 PM

OK so I'm back to square one. I've tried MB and I like the sound and all, but I'm bothered by the size and the separate power supply. In addition, the MB I got has a broken compression indicator LED that never turns on (no matter what threshold setting I use) and so I'm disappointed by the build quality. But I like the sound.

Now I'm wondering if I should give Joemeek Floorq a try, since I heard it's the closest competitor to MB. But how much noise does a 9V supply add, say compared to CP9Pro+?

bongomania · #12 05-13-2011, 07:27 PM

The internal 18V of the CP9Pro+ mostly provides higher headroom (less tendency to distort), and doesn't have much to do with the noise qualities. The Joemeek is not noisier than the Maxon.

psongjh · #13 05-13-2011, 08:53 PM

Thanks Bongo. How would CP9Pro+ compare to Floorq? I like the controls on the Joemeek but I like the LED feedback of the Maxon. But I'm curious how they differ in sound quality. I'm a little concerned about the lack of fatness you described about the Maxon and the pumping you warned about the Joemeek. FYI, I liked the sound on the MB but not so much the Humphrey modded CS-3, Opto Stomp or VFE White Horse. I have an active bass, by the way.

bongomania · #14 05-13-2011, 10:58 PM

Honestly at this point it all comes down to personal taste. I liked all of the ones you mentioned, for different flavors and different purposes--yet no comp is perfect for all tastes and purposes. Consequently you just need to try what you can and see what sticks. The characteristics I described are what they are; there's no point in being concerned about them, and you may even disagree with my descriptions. It's all very subjective.

tylerwylie · #15 05-13-2011, 11:34 PM

Yea bongo rocks, I see myself getting an Aguilar TLC. I play mostly progressive metal, progressive rock, jazz, and anything with loud bass and want something that won't get in the way.

Charley Umbria · #16 05-14-2011, 07:04 AM

FWIW, after A/B-ing the Demeter Compulator and the Effectrode, I can tell you that they are both extremely quiet. The Effectrode adds a certain subtle fullness and warmth that the Demeter lacks, but the Demeter is still a great sounding unit. To me, the sound of the Effectrode makes putting up with the wall wart a no-brainer.

I don't know if I'd describe the Demeter's sound as extremely punchy, but if you're looking for a quiet, clean compressor that does its job and then gets out of the way, I'd shop around for a used Demeter.

BTW, there's one for sale for $140.00 in the classifieds right now!

**powmetalbassist** · #17 05-14-2011, 07:14 AM

Try Dbx 266 (or a variation of). it is a rack mounted compressor/Gate that doesn't get alot of love. It's pretty solid, has worked for me, and doesn't cost an arm and a leg. As far as I can tell it is also the industry standard in many studios in north america.

**nostatic** · #18 05-14-2011, 12:18 PM

If you buy the FEA first, you then won't lose money flipping pedals until you find one you like

I went through a number of pedals (including the Markbass and Aguilar) and finally ponied up for the FEA Dual Band. It was perfect for my particular application I had in mind (compressing the low band of my Rob Allen while leaving much of the higher freqs alone) but I've found that every bass I use no matter what the rig sound better through the pedal. And I can deal with boomy/tough rooms using the comp and the crossover point.

Sometimes you get what you pay for...but depends on what you really are trying to accomplish. The other pedals are good, but I find the FEA to be perfect. I don't own any other compressors, rack or otherwise at this point.

psongjh · #19 05-14-2011, 03:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by nostatic

If you buy the FEA first, you then won't lose money flipping pedals until you find one you like

I went through a number of pedals (including the Markbass and Aguilar) and finally ponied up for the FEA Dual Band. It was perfect for my particular application I had in mind (compressing the low band of my Rob Allen while leaving much of the higher freqs alone) but I've found that every bass I use no matter what the rig sound better through the pedal. And I can deal with boomy/tough rooms using the comp and the crossover point.

Sometimes you get what you pay for...but depends on what you really are trying to accomplish. The other pedals are good, but I find the FEA to be perfect. I don't own any other compressors, rack or otherwise at this point.

You know, that's exactly how I feel right now after going back and forth between several options. While I'm intimidated by the hefty price tag, it seems to have everything I'm looking for. Perhaps that's the most economical choice long term. I think I'll wait a little until MXR releases theirs then decide what to do. Choices, choices.

bongomania · #20 05-14-2011, 03:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by powmetalbassist

Try Dbx 266... As far as I can tell it is also the industry standard in many studios in north america.

No, no. The 166 is a "budget studio" standard, and the 160 and its versions are a proper industry standard, but the 266 is not in the same category--it's like the 90-lb weakling in the family.