Bass Compressor Pedal

[chiphaleonbass]

Ouch. Gouge-a-rama just 'cause it's not made anymore. Yeesh.

Yeah for real, I’ve never played one and put feelers out there if someone would send me theirs to try and potentially buy; but at this price point I’d just return to the Cali76 or the Empress or get a Mira/Union Tubes Lab

 

[crguti]

If you’re an idiot and don’t know what a compresser does but you still want one, then I recommend the EBS.

 

[Feral Feline]

Yeah for real, I’ve never played one and put feelers out there if someone would send me theirs to try and potentially buy; but at this price point I’d just return to the Cali76 or the Empress or get a Mira/Union Tubes Lab

I've been looking for a Smoothie, too. Either one, the V1 or the Opto, but I don't think it'll happen what with going prices.

I've got a Cali76 big box, transformerless, Diamond and a couple others. Got a number of Empress pedals but the Empress comp has eluded me.
Friend has just got a Union recently, but I've not been able to try it out — he gigs too much. Would love a Union Tube & Transistor!

Good luck with your respective quest for a Smoothie — and please let me know if you manage to snag one!

 

[Planet Boulder]

Have you ever messed around with the internal trim pots?

I have not, but it was my understanding that they are for the multi band setting, which I don’t use.

 

[T McClure]

Another simple choice is the UAFX LA-2A. They seem to go on sale fairly regularly.

 

[FretRiff]

Another simple choice is the UAFX LA-2A. They seem to go on sale fairly regularly.

During the month of April it was on sale for $99 (also the UAFX 1176 and a couple of other UA pedals). I wouldn't be surprised if they go back to that for Black Friday.

 

[chiphaleonbass]

I have not, but it was my understanding that they are for the multi band setting, which I don’t use.

That is correct

 

[Elmstreet]

I have not, but it was my understanding that they are for the multi band setting, which I don’t use.

I am seeing some conflicting information around bout this, but doing my own research it looks like in In Multi-Band mode, the “Low” trim pot controls the threshold for the low-frequency band and the “High” trim pot controls the threshold for the high-frequency band. In “Normal” or “TubeSim” mode, only the “Low” trim is active (it adjusts the threshold for the entire signal) and the “High” trim is effectively inactive/not used.

I reached out to EBS to get some clarification, but I haven't heard back yet. I messed around with the trim pots on mine last night and it seems that this info is correct. The "Low" trim definitely appears to affect the overall threshold when in "TubeSim" or "Normal" mode.

 

[chiphaleonbass]

I am seeing some conflicting information around bout this, but doing my own research it looks like in In Multi-Band mode, the “Low” trim pot controls the threshold for the low-frequency band and the “High” trim pot controls the threshold for the high-frequency band. In “Normal” or “TubeSim” mode, only the “Low” trim is active (it adjusts the threshold for the entire signal) and the “High” trim is effectively inactive/not used.

I reached out to EBS to get some clarification, but I haven't heard back yet. I messed around with the trim pots on mine last night and it seems that this info is correct. The "Low" trim definitely appears to affect the overall threshold when in "TubeSim" or "Normal" mode.

The more you know!!! I’ll have to crack mine open then

 

[Elmstreet]

The more you know!!! I’ll have to crack mine open then

Give it a try! Turning both trim pots to about 10:30-11 o’clock seemed to make the MB more way more usable to me. That’s where I have mine set after fiddling with it today.

 

[Dave Siff]

Three great-sounding compressors I use that haven’t been mentioned:
-JHS Pulp ‘N’ Peel V4
-Wampler Ego Mini
-Animals Pedal 1927 Home Run King

 

[ElectricBass72]

I've been using an Empress compressor pedal for several years now... and it's my favorite and most-used pedal, by far.