MXR M-102 Dyna Comp Users?

[EBMan]

I've noticed that there doesn't seem to be much mention of using the MXR Dyna Comp as a bass compressor. It wasn't even reviewed in the compressor review megathread. Why is that? I've found it to work very well with little noise using a Sterling and GK amp. I'm very pleased with it but I wonder if I'm missing something? The MXR frequency response covers a bass signal.

I tried out an Aphex Punch Factory prior to buying the Dyna Comp and found it to be so transparent that I couldn't tell any difference when it was on or off. This and the MXR were about my only options at GC in the moderate price range so I chose the MXR.

[bongomania]

I've been meaning to review one, but just haven't gotten around to it.

[Crabby]

I owned a new one recently and tried it several times, hoping it would be a cool effect for bass. It's far too noisey, extreme and squashing my opinion to be used for anything else than a novelty effect.

The compression is so blatent and it reduces the gain so much that the output level has to be almost cranked. I can see how this was a cool effect for that country music "chicken pickin" telecaster sound, but for bass playing, there are just so many better compressors out there.

If i was a guitar player,I would have a modern MXR clone type compressor with all the upgrades.

But as a bass player, I think you are much better off with something else.

[EBMan]

I don't notice much noise through my setup unless the compression is around 3 and the volume is over 12. Even then it's not bad. I play a Sterling through a GK210. It also runs through an M-80 and several EH pedals. All-in-all fairly quiet. But what do you mean by squashing? Can you put that in simple terms for a simple mind?

Thanks,

[EBMan]

That's under about $125 and available at GC? I tried the Aphex PF out and didn't much care for it. Plus it gets somewhat mixed reviews with a lot of mention of the plastic jacks.

Everything else seems to be much more expensive or unavailable to try out.

Thanks again,

[bongomania]

BBE Opto-Stomp. Done deal.

Re: squashing- try playing one note at the widest range of dynamics, from the gentlest pluck to the hardest pop. How much variation in signal level do you observe? Listen also to the attack of your note and the attack of the compression, A/B'd with the bypassed clean signal. How much of a difference can you hear? And lastly, when you let a note sustain, do you hear an inrushing swell of noise?

All of those things indicate how much your signal is being "squashed" by the compressor. Note that sometimes audible artifacts are desireable or unavoidable; but they are certainly a deciding factor in whether somebody likes what they hear.

[the low one]

With the output past 12:00 and the sensitivity low will the dyna comp act as a volume boost, with maybe just a hint of compression?

Has anyone got any sound samples of the MXR? I can only find them using guitar on Youtube.

[phatbass]

In my experience, with an original Dyna Comp, it's VERY squishy; pretty well all-or-nothing. No subtle, transparent compression here. It's the sort of pedal I'd use as an effect rather than where I want to gently even out notes..

That's not necessarily a negative, by the way. I really like the aggressive sound it gives in a Rock context but forget having quieter dynamics when it's on.

[the low one]

Originally Posted by phatbass

In my experience, with an original Dyna Comp, it's VERY squishy; pretty well all-or-nothing. No subtle, transparent compression here. It's the sort of pedal I'd use as an effect rather than where I want to gently even out notes..

That's not necessarily a negative, by the way. I really like the aggressive sound it gives in a Rock context but forget having quieter dynamics when it's on.

So even with the sensitivity at 7:00 (minimum) it will be squashy?