• TalkBass has been independent since 1998. Add your voice.
    Create a free account to reply to discussions, view embedded media, and browse with fewer display ads.
    Join free Log in
    Want zero display ads or expanded classifieds tools? Compare plans.

My new ashdown compressor is awful :(

pickles

pickles

Gold Supporting Member
Mar 23, 2000
10,454
2,836
Ventura, CA
#1
I can't find a single setting that doesn't distort on my hardest plucks other than keeping the input gain on 1/10 of the way, which causes the output to be very low and the VU meter is barely registering -20. Sounds pretty cool even with the distortion, but totally useless as a general purpose comp.

This one's headed back to MF. Is this a defective unit or a bad design?

I was really looking forward to this since I love my trace dual pedal. Reeeeeeealy dissapointed right now.
 
#5
I sometimes use one of my comps for distortion, it can be pretty cool. It is possible, however, that you got a bad unit. Ashdown has a history of QC problems, and at least one review I read indicated they cut corners on construction of the pedals.
 
#6
i have the trace which basically should be the same unit.

i run my active G&L with about 1/1 volume. more isn't possible. live with it.

the input sensitivity is centered around the output levels of passive basses.
 
#7
snowdan said:
i have the trace which basically should be the same unit.
Click to expand...
Except that Trace and Ashdown are not the same company, there's just one or two people working for Ashdown who used to work for Trace. I never heard anybody claim that the Ashdown comp was an exact copy of the Trace. I also never heard anybody complain that their Trace comp distorted unnecessarily.

Do you have different information?
 
#9
I've got a trade dual that I've been using for about 10 years right here, and trust me, the only thing they have in common is the control layout. They don't sound the same, and the trace refuses to distort even when pushed hard. The trace is also 18v, the ashdown is 9, which is probably the problem.
 
#11
pickles said:
I've got a trade dual that I've been using for about 10 years right here, and trust me, the only thing they have in common is the control layout. They don't sound the same, and the trace refuses to distort even when pushed hard. The trace is also 18v, the ashdown is 9, which is probably the problem.
Click to expand...

OK then i am happy i bought a used trace instead of a new ASHDOWN.

the technical specs looked very similar on first glance, thats why i assumed the ashdown is a "copy". i also remember being told the ash was just like the trace. whatever.

the trace is a good unit indeed.
 
#12
The trace is my second favorite comp after the Rane DC24, and I use it because I prefer a pedal format since it keeps my rack lighter. Thats why I tried the ashdown, thought it might at least be simmilar. So bummed.

My trace is coming apart at the seams, crackling inputs, the power supply is coming apart ... the thing has just seen way too much hard gigging. I don't like the EBS, or the Demeter ... I guess I need to start looking for a NOS Trace.

Or get another DC24, but that makes my rack (which includes a crest CA again now) just really insanely heavy.
 
#17
Pickles:

You likely have a bad unit. There was a thread a few months back about this issue. There is a known problem concerning some units that were among the earliest ones manufactured. In the meantime, it may help to back off your output using the volume knob on your bass, but I would send it back if I were you and get another one. Be sure to insist on getting one without the sticker indicating that it is for passive basses only.
 
  • Like
Reactions: HF1600ie
#19
I have played two of the Ashdown pedals, did not see any warning about them not work with active basses? Anyway, they did distort on the input with my Sadowsky. IMO these things are useless, and the glass on the VU was attached with tape, they was off when I unpacked them. They look well and solid build, but the do not sound good. Huge dissapointment, cause I love the Ashdown amps
 

Latest posts

Top Bottom
Back