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Ampeg Opto Comp

#42
I used it on a gig last night. Definitely a keeper!

When I was playing with it at home I wasn't even sure if it was doing anything. But it really helped me lat down a fat bottom, hear myself much better, and I think groove better, while playing with a noisy drummer and four-piece two guitar group.
 
#44
Necro thread alert!
Anyone compared the Ampeg Opto Comp agains a EBS Multi Comp?
Just looking for a simple compressor to pair with my Ampeg SCR-DI when I fly lo-weight and go direct to FOH.
 
#45
DonaldR said:
Necro thread alert!
Anyone compared the Ampeg Opto Comp agains a EBS Multi Comp?
Just looking for a simple compressor to pair with my Ampeg SCR-DI when I fly lo-weight and go direct to FOH.
Click to expand...

Hi
@DonaldR
I have both currently , two different beasts. I have also FMR PBC-6A (semi-rack) and a DBX 160A (rack 19”).
Basically I use EBS Multi-comp as first pedal to clean my sound (regular attack, kind of playing style enhancement), put different effects then if needed (octave, synth, overdrive, fuzz) and last one is the ampeg opto comp to have the pumping effect you can have with a optical comp or a real amp.
I love to use compression when it affects the sound, not in the transparent range.
 
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#46
gpod666 said:
Hi
@DonaldR
I have both currently , two different beasts. I have also FMR PBC-6A (semi-rack) and a DBX 160A (rack 19”).
Basically I use EBS Multi-comp as first pedal to clean my sound (regular attack, kind of playing style enhancement), put different effects then if needed (octave, synth, overdrive, fuzz) and last one is the ampeg opto comp to have the pumping effect you can have with a optical comp or a real amp.
I love to use compression when it affects the sound, not in the transparent range.
Click to expand...

and for your question after
DonaldR said:
Necro thread alert!
Anyone compared the Ampeg Opto Comp agains a EBS Multi Comp?
Just looking for a simple compressor to pair with my Ampeg SCR-DI when I fly lo-weight and go direct to FOH.
Click to expand...

Also for your need, if you have the budget, put FMR PBC—6A , best of all, after the Ampeg SCR-DI linked with XLR cable, you will have a high level output , adapted to a FOH. And the FMR is just a dream in term of sound. I had this exact configuration few years ago. SCR-DI -> PBC-6A -> QSC Power Amp -> Ampeg SVT cabs
the perfect match.
If you need a comp to put between pedals, my current settings for home practice, prefer a pedal, FMR or a rack is not suited for this purpose.
 
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#48
2saddleslab said:
I really know nothing about the intricacies of compression. I do know my bass sounds more up front when I use the OptoComp and sits perfect in the mix. That's all I need to know.
Click to expand...
Same here. I don't even care all that much about compression, but I like what the Opto Comp does when set on a very mild setting.
 
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#49
I tried the Opto Comb and return it: it was to subtle for my liking. I think I prefer letting the soundman dealing with compression and save $200CAD ;)
Honestly I'm using my SCR-DI as a grab & go pedal with a tuner. Adding another pedal will defeat the purpose of why I bought it in the first place. If I need more than that I prefer taking my Eleven Rack with me.
 
#50
laklandplayer said:
On impulse, I ordered one for $99.00 from AMS and got it today.
I just finished putting it through its paces and I am quite impressed, especially at this price point. It is a little bit bigger and taller than a Boss, but not much and the finish is a beautiful pearl white with no flaws. I installed a 9V battery and the interior looks very good. The pedal has Compression, Release and Level knobs along with a true bypass On/Off switch. It has a purple on/off led and a green led that shows your peak level and it dims according to the release time setting. The compression is very smooth and the range is probably 1:1 to 10:1. The release is very effective and you can set it with a range of short to long. The compressor has a warmth about it but it doesn't really color the sound and I don't detect any loss of low or high end. I hear no breathing or pumping of the signal, even at extreme settings. It has very little residual noise when engaged but am getting a pop when I engage the footswitch (which may be a power supply issue). The switch doesn't feel very solid, but in my use, the pedal will be "always on" so it's not a problem. My personal gold standard for an optical compression pedal is my $250.00 Whirlwind OC. And while the Ampeg does not have all of the functionality of the OC, it compares favoribly for the one thing it does. The Whirlwind OC is 18V and requires a dedicated power supply so it lives on my big pedalboard. The Ampeg Opto can run on a 9V battery which makes it handy for times when you just need compression on the fly without lugging a pedalboard. All in all I really like the Ampeg Opto Comp and it's a nice addition to my collection along with my Keeley's, dbx and Whirlwind. The Opto Comp is a great little pedal at a competitive price, it's a keeper and worth consideration. Ampeg: Pedals - Opto Comp
Click to expand...

According to Joe Barnes at Whirlwind, the OC can operate at 9-18v
 
#51
JimmyM said:
Same here. I don't even care all that much about compression, but I like what the Opto Comp does when set on a very mild setting.
Click to expand...

I'm finding my new (used) Opti Comp to be really squishy, even at low settings with passive electronics. It seems like it has a really quick attack and a slightly pumpy sound, even with the compression and release set around 9 am. I'm wondering if that's just my impression of the pedal or if there's someone weird going on. The ED is blinking on and off, it's not pinned so I don't think it's an input gain issue.
 
#52
J-Mags said:
I'm finding my new (used) Opti Comp to be really squishy, even at low settings with passive electronics. It seems like it has a really quick attack and a slightly pumpy sound, even with the compression and release set around 9 am. I'm wondering if that's just my impression of the pedal or if there's someone weird going on. The ED is blinking on and off, it's not pinned so I don't think it's an input gain issue.
Click to expand...
Good question. I know it has the capability for that, but I don't remember much about it anymore. I ended up not using comp again.
 
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#55
Pyrrho Epoche said:
The comps that I have are:
-Diamond comp EQ.
-Keeley bassist.
-Union T.T. Lab.

So....is an Ampeg Opto-Comp going to bring anything to the tabe that is inherently different?
Reading about these, it seems like a darker Diamond, but I have only been utilizing compression for a year.
Click to expand...
Diamond and Union TT are Opto so they’ll probably be more similar than different, but everyone implements it in the way they like, and there’s really only one way to find out.
 
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