• 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.

Barge Concepts RC-2

G

Groovehunter

Dec 3, 2004
83
0
#1
Any users out there? What do you think of this pedal?

Of course, it's a ross clone. How useful do you find ross clones with bass in general?

What basses do you run through it?

I'm using one myself. I have to say it's very different sounding to my usual comps (art levelar, aphex pf). It's really apparent, and I wouldn't describe it as subtle at all. But I do however enjoy it. It really levels everything out and takes the aggression out of things when you're spanking that axe hard.
 
#5
I tried the Maxon CP-101 and really liked it. I think Bongo told me it was a Ross clone. It's totally obvious when it's on. I tried the ART Levelar, it was nice but too subtle for my taste, really transparent. I gather the Ross clones are not transparent. I was thinking about the BYOC Ross clone, the pre-built is less expensive than the Maxon. What does the Barge go for?
 
#7
Couple things:
1) I'm not actually sure the CP101 is a Ross clone- I haven't actually used or looked inside a CP101 yet. I just said I suspected it was the same circuit based on the controls; another TB'er who has actually used one said (in that same thread) that it didn't seem similar to him.
2) Jetpack has received his RC-2 and plans to send it to me soon for reviewing.
3) the word "transparent" is a little awkward in this context... I would say a Ross clone tends to emphasize the higher frequencies and de-emphasize the lower freqs, and may also add a touch of shimmer or thickness to the tone; both of those descriptions are dependent on the specific components and values chosen by the builder. But aside from the qualities I just described, I wouldn't say a Ross clone alters your sound much, and only alters the envelope noticeably at higher compression settings.
 
#8
OK, I don't know what I'm talking about, just what I've heard. The Maxon has also been called a Dyna Comp clone but wasn't the Ross an upgraded Dyne Comp? Is this family tree of compressors a useless construct? The bass mod switch on that Barge is intriguing. I do recall liking the Maxon but I may have missed something. I think I tried it with a G&L through a Crate :eek: amp.
 
#9
the RC-2 sounds awesome to me. it isn't completely transparent (it adds a little thickness, as bongo says), and it definitely emphasizes the higher frequencies on the "norm" setting. there's a DIP switch inside (to choose between "norm" or "bass"). the "bass" setting keeps your lows intact while delivering the same great sound and compression. the attack is pretty fast (except on the initial attack, of course), and the variable "decay speed" (which is a detented knob) is an awesome feature. the volume goes from nothing to a slight boost. i like the sustain at about 12:00. if you crank the sustain, it can distort a little.

also, it works quite well with actives and passives.

overall, quite a fantastic compressor!
http://[malware url removed].net/vicious-smiley-1815.gif
 
#11
So I just got an e-mail back from [email protected] and he pointed out to me that the Maxon is an optical compressor while the Barge is VCA. I'm really impressed that he would research a competitors product for me on the off chance that I might buy one of his discontinued pedals on sale. I would still like to hear some sound clips of the Barge.
 
#13
Generally speaking, at 18v you will have higher headroom, that is higher gain before clipping. In the case of a compressor that's usually a good thing; I have tried it with a few gain pedals, such as the Fulltone Bassdrive and Fat Boost, and in those cases it made no sense: I wanted clipping!
 

Latest posts

Top Bottom
Back