Aguilar TLC or MXR M87?

[giacomars]

Hello everyone,
I'd like to get one of these two compressor pedals, having found good deals for both. Could you please give me some advice, considering that I use the effect only for live performances, mainly to achieve a more even and controlled sound in some slap patterns? I had a MXR Custom Comp for years, but I was never convinced by the sound I got, so I sold it.

Thanks in advance for your help!

 

[Robbie J]

Without having heard either pedal, I personally would go for the M87:

• It has LED metering
• It has a 'release' control
• It's a bit cheaper than the TLC

Although, pretty much the metering alone would do it for me; as much as I love the sound of my Cali76 CB, I do wish it had some more detailed metering on it like the M87 does.

 

[mmbongo]

Neither is a great choice, but I would go MXR of those two.

I would get a Keeley Bassist for what you are looking to achieve though. It will simply even out your sound without changing it, and it's dead simple to use.

 

[giacomars]

Thank you both for the comments!!! The Keeley bassist seems to be very attractive, having very simple controls and an affordable price. I will think about it and maybe get this one!

 

[scottfeldstein]

I myself have been using the MXR for many years now and I absolutely love it. You can't beat the metering LEDs. I can see what it's doing (or not doing) immediately. And it has every control on it that a compressor should have, but it's that visual cue that seals the deal for me. Sound-wise, I find that it's very transparent. I don't hear it when I'm using it–but I sure do hear it when I'm not using it, if you know what I mean.

 

[arepa_funk]

+1 on the Keeley Bassist. It's always on for me, simple to use, lovely boost if the squash is bring level down. Fantastic pedal. If mine broke or was stolen I'd get it again no hesitation.

 

[Bassist30]

As far as a compressor, I feel it is one of the most important pedals to have so I would research and get one that you have no question about. If what you like is expensive you will pay even more to try to satisfy your urge for the ultimate comp.

 

[relayer66]

I've owned and sold both of them, neither of them worked for me. And the format (size/shape/socket configuration etc) on both of them left something to be desired IMO. I currently use an Earthquaker Devices "The Warden" and I'm happy with it. Take a look at it.

 

[Al Kraft]

For evening out slap style playing I think either will work fine. I own a TLC for when I want transparent compression that is more for limiting and evening out dynamics. I use a Diamond Bass Compressor when I want more fattening and sustaining. FWIW , I think don't the Diamond would likely be a good choice for your stated use.

 

[birminghambass]

Owned both, TLC no question. I have no need for LED metering, I use my ears.

 

[Bolsyo]

I had the MXR for a while, then got a nice deal on a TLC that I was curious about and wanted to try. Put the MXR up for sale shortly after trying the TLC.

 

[scottfeldstein]

Owned both, TLC no question. I have no need for LED metering, I use my ears.

Like a lot of other TB users, I myself don't have ears, so the LED metering really is a must-have.

 

[scottfeldstein]

I had the MXR for a while, then got a nice deal on a TLC that I was curious about and wanted to try. Put the MXR up for sale shortly after trying the TLC.

Yeah, but why?

 

[birminghambass]

Like a lot of other TB users, I myself don't have ears, so the LED metering really is a must-have.

I get that. Sorry for your loss.

 

[acleex38]

I've owned both and drastically prefer the TLC:

1) I had an Output failure on the MXR (others have reported this issue over the years). They repaired it, but I never really trusted it again.
2.) Sensitivity of the "Input" knob makes it tough to dial in for different instruments. The metering helped me compensate for this.
3.) That pesky side power jack drives me nuts on a lot of MXR pedals.

None of those may be even remotely relevant to anyone other than me.

I've found the "Threshold" knob on the TLC easier to work with than I found the "Input" knob on the M87. I learned how to set "by ear" using the TLC.

Negative on the TLC - I've never really heard a difference in the different settings for the "Attack" knob. Still usable at any setting, so it's a minor complaint. The range seems to run from "that sounds fine" all the way up to "that still sounds fine."

 

[jam.majors]

I think the TLC is fantastic. Weird shape, but so clean and simple. never owned mxr, to be transparent.

 

[Al Kraft]

I've never really heard a difference in the different settings for the "Attack" knob. Still usable at any setting, so it's a minor complaint. The range seems to run from "that sounds fine" all the way up to "that still sounds fine."

I suspect that almost any TLC owner/user would say the very same thing. I believe the range is between like 10 and 100 milliseconds...I don't hear that fast, but perhaps for really quick playing it might make a difference??

Some people mentioned a few "durability/reliability" issues with MXR and I do seem to recall that when the MXR M87 initially came out people did report a few issues. IME MXR pedals in general are high quality and if I liked the sound of the M87 better than the TLC I wouldn't let those reports scare me off.

 

[acleex38]

I suspect that almost any TLC owner/user would say the very same thing. I believe the range is between like 10 and 100 milliseconds...I don't hear that fast, but perhaps for really quick playing it might make a difference??

Some people mentioned a few "durability/reliability" issues with MXR and I do seem to recall that when the MXR M87 initially came out people did report a few issues. IME MXR pedals in general are high quality and if I liked the sound of the M87 better than the TLC I wouldn't let those reports scare me off.

I didn't have preferential feelings for either. Both do a spectacular job of peak limiting and my daily use for both was "clean/relatively transparent compression."

Part of my current take is "when I had the MXR, I didn't know how to listen for subtle compression in a meaningful way and dial it in appropriately." So I used the metering. With the TLC, I had learned to use my ears AND preferred the threshold over the MXR's "input" control.

But again, that speaks to me FAR more than either pedal. They both sound and work great.

 

[scottfeldstein]

I only hear my compressor when it's not on. Some of my notes disappear while others honk out and dominate the mix. With my MXR on and working the way I like, I hear nothing but my bass sitting in the mix right where I want it across every note. As far as the meter goes, I just use it to tell me something about the input level I have. If my input is too low, the LEDs don't light up very far. if they light up and hit the red, my input is too hot. To know something about how much compression is being applied I have to use the meter against the ratio I have set and ...that's all I know. Perhaps this makes me an unsophisticated compressor user. I can live with that.

 

[catcauphonic]

I have both as well as another higher end comp that hasn't seen much board time since I got the Aggie.

The metering on the MXR is definitely nice, and it's a set it and forget it sounds good right out of the box kinda pedal to even things out. My biggest problem with it was it was weakening the output of my E string and no matter how hard i dug I couldn't get it to power thru when I wanted to really be heard.

The Aguilar OTOH has plenty of thwump in it, you just need to use your ears instead of your eyes when you set it. Id say the Ag has a bit more noticeable range to the turning of it's dials.

If the price is that good you can probably flip the TLC for a little fun and profit, perhaps the MXR too. If the prices are Crazy Eddie INSANE... then get both and sell the one you like the least.