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Ampeg Opto Comp

#21
laklandplayer said:
The only problem is, to get tube amps to "compress" you have to drive them at a very high level to near or at distortion level. That's why optical and tube compressors are great, you can get that smooth musical sound at workable levels. The Ampeg Opto and Whirlwind OC are two good examples of Optical compression. The Whirlwind OC is American made, 18 Volt and has tons of head room. It's operation is switchable between compression or limiting and it is the closest thing to an LA2A I've ever heard in a pedal. It is a well made, high premium pedal, but it's about 3X's the price of the Ampeg. I'm really impressed by how good the Ampeg Opto sounds, especially for its reasonable price. I'm sure Ampeg took the SVT sound into consideration when they designed the OptoComp.
Click to expand...

Agree. It’s the power stage compression most tube people love.

I’m a compressor junkie. I’ve got six so far. Looks like I’ll be adding Ampeg’s offering to the gathering too. The price is certainly right. It can keep the SCR/DI company when they’re not busy. :thumbsup:
 
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#22
bassboysam said:
isn't some sort of threshold/input gain setting kind of essential for a comp?
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There are two methods for setting compression:
1. Fixed input / variable threshold
2. Fixed threshold / variable input gain
Either method will allow you to control the amount of compression. Of course your signal level going into the compressor also factors into this.
The ‘compression’ knob on the optocomp is a variable threshold iirc, though I should play with it a bit more to confirm. Empress on the other hand uses fixed threshold, and Markbass compressore is unusual by having both adjustable.
 
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#26
jazznrick said:
I'm completely new to compressors. I use distortion most of the time so I understand I don't need one, but I want one to make my Octabvre sound bigger. The Ampeg seems to be the right price and I like Ampeg. Could this compressor help me do that?
Click to expand...
A compressor would actually improve your distorted sound, make it more consistent and cut through better.
 
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#27
laklandplayer said:
The only problem is, to get tube amps to "compress" you have to drive them at a very high level to near or at distortion level. That's why optical and tube compressors are great, you can get that smooth musical sound at workable levels. The Ampeg Opto and Whirlwind OC are two good examples of Optical compression. The Whirlwind OC is American made, 18 Volt and has tons of head room. It's operation is switchable between compression or limiting and it is the closest thing to an LA2A I've ever heard in a pedal. It is a well made, high premium pedal, but it's about 3X's the price of the Ampeg. I'm really impressed by how good the Ampeg Opto sounds, especially for its reasonable price. I'm sure Ampeg took the SVT sound into consideration when they designed the OptoComp.
Click to expand...

I'm not so sure that Ampeg used any of the same design as an SVT and definately none of the components.

I think the tube compression is partially true.

With my SVT pre-amp through a 1500 watt power amp: turning up the volume and turning down the master, the audio is compressed although it starts to get more harmonic content at this setting and not crstal clear.

Agreed that power tube compression is different.
I had a V4B and it would compress much earlier

Back in the day, I worked at a studio that had LA2A's, LA4's, 1176's, etc.
No power tubes but big meaty transformers with discrete circuitry.
- back when dinosaurs roamed the earth -
 
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#29
Thanks for the thread.

I'm going to try it out. Over the years I have used the MXR (too bright), Spectra (too noisy), EBS and often just do without.

I switch back and forth between fingers and pick and thumb and also like to control peaks before they hit my amp (I play a lot of low wattage amps).

I also don't like Mid-Forward. Looks like this could work for me.
9v, small footprint, cheap, quiet, 'vintage tone'.....check
 
#30
JustSomeDude said:
Thanks for the thread.

I'm going to try it out. Over the years I have used the MXR (too bright), Spectra (too noisy), EBS and often just do without.

I switch back and forth between fingers and pick and thumb and also like to control peaks before they hit my amp (I play a lot of low wattage amps).

I also don't like Mid-Forward. Looks like this could work for me.
9v, small footprint, cheap, quiet, 'vintage tone'.....check
Click to expand...
Lot of mids on the Opto - very thick lower mid sound. Not something I’d recommend for a player who is wanting to avoid mids.... but you probably need to hear it for yourself. When I first turn on the pedal I’m struck by the coloration but then get used to it and can’t turn it off...
 
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#31
jazznrick said:
I'm completely new to compressors. I use distortion most of the time so I understand I don't need one, but I want one to make my Octabvre sound bigger. The Ampeg seems to be the right price and I like Ampeg. Could this compressor help me do that?
Click to expand...
Try a multiband compressor. Set it control the mids. The TC does a good job but adds some noise. The EBS in multi mode is effective but you can't tweak it
 
#33
cavemanbass said:
Lot of mids on the Opto - very thick lower mid sound. Not something I’d recommend for a player who is wanting to avoid mids.... but you probably need to hear it for yourself. When I first turn on the pedal I’m struck by the coloration but then get used to it and can’t turn it off...
Click to expand...
BUMMER. Covers up or maybe even slices off the extreme lows as well.
This is P Bass/Opto/Neve Portico II with no EQ.
Opto set to unity with no compression
I don't know why any one would intentionally make a compressor pedal do this.

Starts with pedal off and then I flip it in and out.
Adding hiss as well.
 
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#34
I haven’t noticed any low end loss with the Opto. Might be my ears, for example like the Sex Drive which several folk have reported cuts lows but sounds great to me. Different strokes / IMHO etc

No question the low mid boost is pretty heavy on the Opto but I have grown to like it...
 
#35
cavemanbass said:
I haven’t noticed any low end loss with the Opto. Might be my ears, for example like the Sex Drive which several folk have reported cuts lows but sounds great to me. Different strokes / IMHO etc

No question the low mid boost is pretty heavy on the Opto but I have grown to like it...
Click to expand...
Sometimes, mid bump just sounds like low end loss. I briefly put a frequency analyzer on it.
But I wasn't using a looper so there isn't exact consistency.

I also soloed different bandwidths using a multi band compressor.
There isn't just the 300-400hz bump, but there is also some brightening in the 1-2k range too.

Anyway, it's the opposite of what I wanted.
The first thing I do with my bass is start cutting 400-1k until the low end is where I want it.
Then I control the 2k range to get the attack right.
 
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#38
JustSomeDude said:
I wouldn't call it "too much" but I don't think there is a USE for that tone change into an SVT.
I also don't think it is fattening and tube like. It adds mids and highs.

I think it was designed to sweeten direct tone or boring amps.
Click to expand...
In terms of use, I like a compressor with my SVT to reduce peaks (envelope filters and popping) and overall as an effect.

This one seems nice. I’ll try it!
 

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