Most verstatile compressor pedal?

Mingus Addict · #1 01-20-2010, 02:09 AM

I'm curious which compressors have the most tricks in one box. It seems like most only excel at one type of sound. eg. good limiter, very transparent, good squash, etc.

Possible candidates that come to mind are:
EBS Multi-comp
Line 6 Constrictor
T.C. Nova Dynamics
Pigtronix Philosophers Tone

What do you guy's think?

dkhp124 · #2 01-20-2010, 02:12 AM

EBS has tube sim and multi-band so it gets my vote.

René_Julien · #3 01-20-2010, 02:20 AM

Well, I heard "versatile" so you can scratch the Philosopher's Tone of your list.

I do want one though, but I can't be bothered with the different power supply.

The other 3 you have listed are very good.

Also the Maxon CP9PRO+ is to be considered. More expensive though then the Line 6 and EBS. (I don't know the price of the TC Electronic)

I use an unmodded BOSS CS-3. I use it as a sustainter. It works great for me but it's not everyone's cup of tea.

ACRX · #4 01-20-2010, 08:08 AM

I have and love the Line 6 Constrictor. I like the effect-y squashed settings and the sustain. I got it after reading Bongo's review.

dannybuoy · #5 01-20-2010, 08:10 AM

FEA wins on sheer knob-count.

bongomania · #6 01-20-2010, 09:41 AM

Don't consider this my "final answer" to this question, but check out the Celmo Sardine Can.

newbold · #7 01-21-2010, 02:38 AM

If you can find one without the glitchy artifact, the TC electronic Nova Dynamics can supposedly be used at different places in your signal path, as it's 2 seperate channels...

...so you can squash your tone pre-OD and then have a multi-band 'studio' compressor after all of your mod/delay, or run it in your channel insert in your amp.

I started a thread about it yesterday, asking if the studio section is akin to TC's 'spectracomp' on their new amps.

I'm enjoying reading the FEA labs website...

...and really wish that Pigtronix offered a product that does everything that I desire in a comp, as their new Philosopher King is wholly impressive.

bongomania · #8 01-21-2010, 08:13 AM

Yeah, if it weren't for that glitch-chirp issue (of unknown cause, and not everyone will experience it) that I got from the Nova Dynamics, I would certainly give it the "most versatile" crown. In fact, it still deserves that crown, even though I cannot actually recommend buying it.

Mingus Addict · #9 01-21-2010, 01:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bongomania

Yeah, if it weren't for that glitch-chirp issue (of unknown cause, and not everyone will experience it) that I got from the Nova Dynamics, I would certainly give it the "most versatile" crown. In fact, it still deserves that crown, even though I cannot actually recommend buying it.

What kind of experimenting did you do in terms of using different basses with the Nova, or other equipment changes? Your review only mentions changing settings.

On another note, a new contender to add to this list might be the Suhr Kojicomp, which is not out yet. It will have three modes; a single compressor mode, stacked compressor mode, and a 3rd TBD mode. Hopefully it works well with bass.

bongomania · #10 01-21-2010, 01:39 PM

There's a link on my review page describing my testing process. I have anywhere from two to five basses at a time, and there is always at least one active and one passive. I run the pedals into two or three different preamps per testing period, usually including at least one tube and one solid state.