All round compression pedals!

[dannybuoy]

Let me say right up front that in my book the ONLY compressor pedal for bass is the Cali76 Compact Bass - and I’d use it for Guitar too. This is because 1) the compression is the best you can get 2) the high pass filter gets you past the classic problem of the lows triggering the compression when you really want it on the mids and highs. It also has a blend knob. Now, that being said I would also use it on Guitar because that Blend knob will let you bring back your high end in a natural way.

When it comes to people who who compressors, there are only 2 types... those that have discovered the Cali76 Compact Bass and those who haven’t.

There is a 3rd type who were happy with the Cali76 CB only to have it (unexpectedly) dethroned by the TC Spectracomp!

 

[keto]

Get an empress compressor! Designed for bass or guitar, transparent and a step above the mxr.

Agreed.

 

[Mugre]

Can't resist:

All round compressors is it? I'm afraid they're all variants of rectilinear in shape. However many of those are very flexible in use and make excellent all-around, general use compressors.

 

[superheavyfunk]

I cannot recommend the Joe Meek FloorQ enough. Every time a thread comes up like this, I suggest it. It's very versatile, has a great buffer, is a preamp as well as a compressor (optical), can get squishy if you want or can be a really fast and clean limiter. It's very amp-like... I regularly use it on guitar, bass, and pedal steel. I've also used it as an effect when reamping drum tracks. Add to all that, it can be powered from 9-24V AC or DC!! What's not to like?? lol

It's really quite good and mostly ignored by the masses (except for myself, Bongo and a couple other TBers), so you can find them at a way better price than you'd pay for a used MXR comp.

 

[Nephilymbass]

Hey guys, (i know this has been covered before, and ive read previous threads but i need solid answers) I'm looking for a compression pedal that i can use for both bass and guitar, or a bass or guitar compression pedal that works good for both.
I'm sure there are a few out there
The MXR dyna comp (dynamic compression) looks pretty decent, and from the name, I recon it is an all rounder compressor pedal. Or super comp or something. Is this a good choice?
Any other suggestions? Thanks guys, appreciate the support.

I used the older discontinued boss CS-2 for a few years. It’s popular with a few big name bassist like Janek Gwizdala and Juan Alderete. It’s a guitar pedal but works pretty well on bass. I’ve been using the Seymour Duncan studio bass lately. I dig it on bass but haven’t tried it with a guitar so I can’t say.

 

[40Hz]

The Keeley Bassist and the Ovinlab Smoothie both work well for both.

 

[RumbleMan3]

I thought you were talking about compressors shaped like this:
View attachment 3004967

I think you meant "All-around compression pedals!"

lol ur right! haha!
no i meant all around compression then!

 

[dByron]

Carl Martin Compressor/Limiter...the only pedal that I’ve consistently used on electric guitar, acoustic guitar, and bass. Transparent, studio quality optical compression.

 

[Bassist30]

Empress. You wont be disappointed.

 

[ga_edwards]

I'm getting by with my EBS Multicomp. It's fine, it works great and it's simple and fast to dial in specific compression effects.

I was going to mention that too. The fact it has different modes (norm/tubesim/multiband) makes it a versatile device. They also make a guitar version. I dare say, this, like the MXR is the same as the bass version with a different coat of paint.

There's also the TC Electronic Hypergravity and Spectracomp pedals. With the toneprint editor, you can customise them for almost any use you can think of.

 

[MtManiac]

Check this page out to start, if you haven't already.

TB user bongomania's site, not mine

My top picks

2018 NEWS

 

[Loring]

Let me say right up front that in my book the ONLY compressor pedal for bass is the Cali76 Compact Bass - and I’d use it for Guitar too. This is because 1) the compression is the best you can get 2) the high pass filter gets you past the classic problem of the lows triggering the compression when you really want it on the mids and highs. It also has a blend knob. Now, that being said I would also use it on Guitar because that Blend knob will let you bring back your high end in a natural way.

When it comes to people who who compressors, there are only 2 types... those that have discovered the Cali76 Compact Bass and those who haven’t.

Almost agree with you - the empress is a hair better IMO. like the low pass on the cali. The empress has a side chain that you can add the low pass or use external triggering like a bass drum signal (done in the studio fairly commonly - no as much live). Love the size of the cali. Prefer the lights on the empress...

Sound wise - pretty much a toss up.

 

[Shadowkast]

I cannot recommend the Joe Meek FloorQ enough. Every time a thread comes up like this, I suggest it. It's very versatile, has a great buffer, is a preamp as well as a compressor (optical), can get squishy if you want or can be a really fast and clean limiter. It's very amp-like... I regularly use it on guitar, bass, and pedal steel. I've also used it as an effect when reamping drum tracks. Add to all that, it can be powered from 9-24V AC or DC!! What's not to like?? lol

It's really quite good and mostly ignored by the masses (except for myself, Bongo and a couple other TBers), so you can find them at a way better price than you'd pay for a used MXR comp.

I plan to buy the Joe Meek Floor Q because it's supposed to impart a funky flavor. Will pair it with their gbQ distortion pedal that I have. Should make for a mean green machine.

 

[Double Wubbler]

The MXR "BASS" version... it's the Bass Comp , it's white
The "GUITAR" version... is the Studio Comp... it's black. But the same guts inside

For some reason the studio often sells for $10-15 more.
Only what the market will bear I guess.
"Studio" just sounds classier and more professional, especially dressed in black.

 

[Double Wubbler]

If you like a bit of character you could look at at the Wampler Ego. A really high end comp that is priced reasonably.

The wampler does match OP's request for an all-rounder.
I find it has less character than the BCP-1 (which I like best at the input) and more character than the MXR bass/studio (which I use as a transparent output limiter).

 

[Anemic_SluG]

The wampler does match OP's request for an all-rounder.
I find it has less character than the BCP-1 (which I like best at the input) and more character than the MXR bass/studio (which I use as a transparent output limiter).

I use the mini ego on my small board and couldn't be happier. It's not transparent but gives a great tone.

 

[rockinrayduke]

I still like my Aphex Punch Factory.

View attachment 3004960

I had 3 of them, each developed problems and became unusable but while they worked I thought they were the best. I now think the Ovnilab Smoothie is the best.

 

[onamission]

I had 3 of them, each developed problems and became unusable but while they worked I thought they were the best. I now think the Ovnilab Smoothie is the best.

The only issue I've had is the plastic low impedance connector. I do like the way it applies compression, it's not too sterile.