Recommend a compressor that DOES color the sound!

sbpark · #1 02-10-2013, 12:13 PM

I have a boutique MXR Dyna Comp clone that's a hand-wired replica of the original, and love it on guitar, but it unfortunately seems to suck out some of the bottom end when I use it on my bass.

I like what the Dyna Comp does as far as adding a sort of presence and shimmer, and was wondering if there is a compressor that's similar for a bass?

john m · #2 02-10-2013, 12:26 PM

The compressor is doing its job.

Your ratio is too high and/or the threshold is too low.

I used to use a Symetrix unit back in the day.

It had one setting for compression and one for limiting.

I knew another guy that ran a bi-amped rig and only compressed the low end.

sbpark · #3 02-10-2013, 12:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by john m

The compressor is doing its job.

Your ratio is too high and/or the threshold is too low.

I used to use a Symetrix unit back in the day.

It had one setting for compression and one for limiting.

I knew another guy that ran a bi-amped rig and only compressed the low end.

I'm not sure how you know my settings are 'wrong' based on my post. Plain and simple, regardless of settings, the Dyna Comp cuts out lows. For all you know I could be using it as an effect and not a true compressor. There is no wrong or right way to turn knobs on a pedal if it produces the sound/effect you are going for.

JonnyAngle · #4 02-10-2013, 12:48 PM

There's a guy around here who has a modded dyna comp. I'll see if I can find any info

4Mal · #5 02-10-2013, 12:51 PM

PhilosophersTone with the grit down, blend towards the dry side is a pretty nice effect. While the Compulator is very clear, there is a really nice shimmer at higher settings. Compulator is gone from my bass rig, the PT sit's in my guitar rig...

fish slapper · #6 02-10-2013, 12:54 PM

EBS mulit-comp in "tubism" mode.

fokof · #7 02-10-2013, 01:55 PM

DBX 566

SBassman · #8 02-10-2013, 02:16 PM

I took a chance on the very cheap Behringer DC9, which is a clone of the MXR.

It actually does the job very nicely - if you are guitar player.
For bass, it Does wipe much low end.

johnk_10 · #9 02-10-2013, 04:26 PM

+1 on the pigtronix. the EMMA Transmorgrifier and Keeley 4 knob comp retain also the low end well and both sound great. IMO, the Rothwell love squeeze and Merlin Engineer's thumb are also good ones.

Bassmike62 · #10 02-10-2013, 08:05 PM

DOD Milkbox. Not sure if what it does can be labeled "coloring", but it does something ! I really love it, but prefer something better at limiting, so I ended up putting it in the local classifieds.

sbpark · #11 02-10-2013, 08:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bassmike62

DOD Milkbox. Not sure if what it does can be labeld "coloring", but it does something ! I really love it, but prefer something better at limiting, so I ended up putting it in the local classifieds.

Funny thing...I LITERALLY just ordered one then read your reply.

**BFunk** · #12 02-10-2013, 08:40 PM

Cali 76
Retrospec Squeezebox
FEA Labs (any of them)
3Leaf PWNZOR
Urei 1176
Diamond Bass Comp
LA2A
Aphex 661

use the source luke: http://www.ovnilab.com/

sbpark · #13 02-10-2013, 11:35 PM

I went with a used Milkbox for $50. Figured it was worth a shot and it's cheap compared to most.

BawanaRik · #14 02-10-2013, 11:44 PM

The Philosopher's Tone is moy cool. And yes it colors your tone. I sold mine to get the P King. Which is the same pedal with a ASD.

It's funny you don't see them pop up on TB. The one that seems to sell within minutes is the FEA. List . Bang, get out the stop watch.

I'm not sure if they're that good or just look real cool.

If you want to be different ART made some tube compressors and some of the earlier ones were, I believe, made in the US.

BawanaRik · #15 02-10-2013, 11:47 PM

A buddy had one and it was cool. The funny thing about DOD is that A they are built to last. And some of their pedals just hit a spot no one else hits. The Milk box is one of those.

Quote:

Originally Posted by sbpark

Funny thing...I LITERALLY just ordered one then read your reply.

sbpark · #16 02-10-2013, 11:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BawanaRik

A buddy had one and it was cool. The funny thing about DOD is that A they are built to last. And some of their pedals just hit a spot no one else hits. The Milk box is one of those.

From what I have read I think it may do what I am looking for. The Whirlwind Red Box would be absolutely perfect if it didn't seem to cut off some of the low mids. Since it's a Dyna Comp clone (apparently made by one of the guys who created the first Dyna Comp) it has the same thing going on. It's aggressive and at even 'lower' settings and is very noticeable and once you start turning up the sensitivity it starts becoming unusable (an attack knob would easily remedy this in my opinion), but with just a smidge dialed in with the sentivity knob and the output anywhere between 9 o'clock and dimed, it really creates magic with a lot of pedals, especially fuzz pedals and an octave pedal. With that compressor through a Lovepedal Amp50 into a Boss Tremolo into a Boss Octave pedal and finally through a Carbon Copy delay, you can get some incredible sounds! Without the compressor it's just ok, but kick in that comp and it just takes off and adds something special.

DOD stuff s built to last. I still have a DOD chorus pedal I bought probably 20 years ago. Was the first pedal I ever bought and it's still working.

**Lebowsky** · #17 02-11-2013, 04:15 PM

T-Rex Squeezer. Versatile compression and tube tone coloring goodness

Bassmike62 · #18 02-11-2013, 05:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sbpark

I went with a used Milkbox for $50. Figured it was worth a shot and it's cheap compared to most.

Hope you like its tone as much as I did. For someone needing light compression, it's probably one of the best for the price. Bongo rates it pretty well too.

http://www.ovnilab.com/

truecanadian04 · #19 02-11-2013, 05:26 PM

DBX and BBE make great rack compressors/limiter/enhancer.

rainbownorth · #20 02-11-2013, 05:54 PM

I've got a mark bass compressore. True tube driven compression, and does colour tone slightly as well. It's got a great gain stage and at extreme compression ratio has this funny little warble that probably isn't meant to be there but sounds pretty cool.

Whatever you're looking for, you will your answers at ovnilab. Bongomania really knows his stuff.