So how good is the MarkBass Compressor?

Joshtruction · #1 04-04-2013, 08:49 PM

Since I have been getting back into playing it has been gear buying/research central with me. I keep readings lots of good reviews on them, but how good are they? Is there something else better out there that I could stick on a pedalboard?

Bassist4Eris · #2 04-04-2013, 08:58 PM

I like mine a lot. I bought it just for slapping, but ended up leaving it on all the time. Check out ovnilab.com for a whole bunch of bass compressor reviews and related info.

NelsonNelson · #3 04-04-2013, 09:01 PM

There's a youtube video floating around with a guy who A/B'd the MB and it was not that great to me. I ended up going with the TLC by Aguilar and it's awesome all based on ovnilab.com reviews and my budget/etc. I'm not a fanboy of any particular brand either.

Joshtruction · #4 04-04-2013, 09:13 PM

http://departermetal.bandcamp.com/ this is the band that _______ compressor will be used with. The one that has got my attention so far is the MB. I like the fact the actual tube is doing the compression. I wish I could afford to haul an LA2A around with me but that's just not reality haha. MB has one of the cheapest compressors I have ever seen where the tube does the actual compressing. It has me really intrigued.

I don't have time to be a fanboy, I just buy what sounds good and is dependable. I was definitely looking at the Aguilar unit before I found the MB.

Swerve · #5 04-04-2013, 10:26 PM

http://www.ovnilab.com/reviews/markbass.shtml

Markbass compressore??

low2groove · #6 04-04-2013, 10:42 PM

Personally the FEA LABS dual band or actually any of their compressors are better than any of the single band comps on the market.
I like being able to separate the frequency that I would like to compress.
I don't want to compress any part of my signal except the top end when I slap.
Markbass was ok, I just sold a MXR M-87 I had it for a month, it was less than ok!
I'm just not a fan of squashing the entire signal.

depalm · #7 04-07-2013, 08:36 PM

It is actually really good. A real tube compression makes all the difference.

I bought mine thinking in use it occasionally but ended up using it all the time. It sounds so smooth and warm that I just can't turn it off. It is also very versatile as it sports input, threshold, attack, release, ratio and output controls.

Some people think it's too big to be used on a pedalboard and actually is. But it sounds so good that I don't really care about that.

Joshtruction · #8 04-07-2013, 09:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by depalm

It is actually really good. A real tube compression makes all the difference.

I bought mine thinking in use it occasionally but ended up using it all the time. It sounds so smooth and warm that I just can't turn it off. It is also very versatile as it sports input, threshold, attack, release, ratio and output controls.

Some people think it's too big to be used on a pedalboard and actually is. But it sounds so good that I don't really care about that.

Well that didn't help me not want it hahaha! What you just said is pretty much what I am hoping for out of it. I went to two guitar centers this weekend to try to find one to test. I had no luck. Damn stores haha.

I am not worried about it's size at all since I don't run many pedals. I have a DI, VT bass, and delay on there now with plenty of room.

depalm · #9 04-07-2013, 09:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Joshtruction

Well that didn't help me not want it hahaha! What you just said is pretty much what I am hoping for out of it. I went to two guitar centers this weekend to try to find one to test. I had no luck. Damn stores haha.

I am not worried about it's size at all since I don't run many pedals. I have a DI, VT bass, and delay on there now with plenty of room.

I've using mine with a VT for a clean warm tone.
http://youtu.be/begZuMYWsMo

1954bassman · #10 04-07-2013, 09:58 PM

I have went through many compressoers through the years, and the MB Compressore is one of my favorites. I use mine with a small pedalboard (Radial A/B, Mark Bass, Radial JDI, Line 6 G50, Korg Pitchblack) and it totally works for me. I leave it on all the time. I like what it does tone-wise. I don't think it would be considered a "transparent" unit.

I also use and like a Demeter Compulator. Another great compressor that sounds good. I use it with my GK rig - adds a realy nice punch to my amp.

**eddododo** · #11 04-07-2013, 10:03 PM

I jump on every single opportunity to praise the compressore.
It is so versatile, easy-to-use, and COMPLETELY legitimate sonically. People say it isn't transparent, but I am not sure its not transparent in any way, especially talking about other compressors... well.. I guess its a LITTLE warm, but I don't hear a lot of complaints about that particular adjective.

It does good subtle fatness, it does the ol' boom-punch CRAZILY well, and it is the best slap-peak limiter that I have used yet.. there isn't really any 'weird' behavior or 'live with it' quirks, outside of using super-high settings. the size is probably the biggest factor, but its an every-gig-always type of pedal for me, and none of my other pedals are.

I highly recommend it, especially since they have been going for pretty cheap around here lately. but don't let pedal flippage be a deterrent; it only means that your noticing the name more than others

I would link a video or two of mine, but frankly I don't know if I'd do more harm than good

ps: I don't bother with youtube compressor reviews. it's just silly, it's such a subtle effect and is intended for a live setting. the only good compressor video I have seen, as far as demonstrative merit, is Spencer's video of the pwnzor. I hate this markbass reviewvideo

Aaron_D · #12 04-07-2013, 10:21 PM

I've had both the TLC and the Compressore, the Compressore was much better to me. The TLC was great, but the Compressore is the best compressor I've ever used. However, it's apples and oranges.

Joshtruction · #13 04-07-2013, 10:54 PM

eddododo, I agree that video is terrible. I am glad you are pumped on the compressor. I got a feeling this might be the one for me. I am going to try to find a couple other places that might have it as I would really like to try it out before I buy it. I am not sure why but I don't really like buying used pedals. They seem to be one of the gear items that doesn't get all the love the rest of the gear gets.

**eddododo** · #14 04-08-2013, 10:13 AM

and in the interest of... something... here's an unsolicited video that I said I wouldn't post..

not the most dynamic example, but if you watch the little slap part, you'll see that it REALLY makes slapping house-and-recording friendly; it helped my bad technique to sound really smooth and articulate

HERE YA GO

The MB is the only thing in my signal chain, and the bass track has very little post-editing on it (just level, and barely a little eq)

djaxup · #15 04-09-2013, 04:05 AM

Mind tossing out your settings? I like mine as well, but i am still a bit at a loss how i should dial in the pedal.

Hobobob · #16 04-09-2013, 04:18 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by eddododo

and in the interest of... something... here's an unsolicited video that I said I wouldn't post..

not the most dynamic example, but if you watch the little slap part, you'll see that it REALLY makes slapping house-and-recording friendly; it helped my bad technique to sound really smooth and articulate

HERE YA GO

The MB is the only thing in my signal chain, and the bass track has very little post-editing on it (just level, and barely a little eq)

This is the greatest thing ever. NOSTALGIA!!!

Ewoe21 · #17 04-09-2013, 04:18 AM

I ended getting a Maxon CP 9 and I'm glad I did. If you're looking for a compressor other then a MB I Recommend a Maxon CP9. I also use a DBX 160X rack mount. They don't make these anymore but you can find them on EBay. Good luck !

**eddododo** · #18 04-09-2013, 01:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by djaxup

Mind tossing out your settings? I like mine as well, but i am still a bit at a loss how i should dial in the pedal.

The MB is a good example of 'everything at noon sounding pretty good'

lets see if I can remember some offhand....
(these are 'o'clock' settings)
these are, left to right, threshold, ratio, attack, release. I did not include gain, but I hover around 12 always
12ish, 11, 11, 6 -- a good thump-punch
2+, 5, min, max --- example of slap set
10/11, 10, 12, 12 ---- good 'fat' comp
3, max, min , min---- hard peak limiter
11, 10, 9, 8 --- smoothfat squish

did not list gain for obvious reasons, but note that the gain thresh and ratio all interact a lot, and take a little experimenting.. I find that if I start to get 'colder' from the setting I want, start all 3 back at noon and search

that being said, it is SERIOUSLY easy to find settings if you've done a little reading on ovnilab and the likes, or if you understand compression in general

djaxup · #19 04-10-2013, 12:30 AM

Thanks a lot eddododo. I will try these out.
I think i have most of the knobs around 12, thresh at ~15 and ratio at about 15 too.

What it does is raise the overall volume quite a bit, making the sound broader and still catching the nasty E booms...

NicJimBass · #20 04-10-2013, 01:39 PM

I bought one a year or two ago, eventually sold it, then bought another one about a month ago. I dig it for subtle compression, or more accurately, limiting, so my signal doesn't blow things up. It does that very well, and it seems to fatten and warm up the tone a bit. I like it a bunch!