Nice to see a Compressor thread run friendly versus the thread I started last week that had to be shot down by the mods. This one is a lot more useful and valuable!
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Bass Compressor, Which One?
- Thread starter BassBeginer64
- Start date
Not sure, but I don't think anyone mentioned the Whirlwind OC bass comp. It's an awesome comp with ridiculously simple controls and it really beefs up your sound without coloring the tone. I've used quite a few comps searching for 'my' sound- budget friendly to boutique. Whirlwind OC is my favorite...great sounding and well-built piece of gear.
The new Darkglass Hyper Luminal is pretty nice. I’m testing alongside the Cali76 and both are very good.
I have a EBS Multicomp and MXR87.
I though the Multicomp didn't have enough settings, because I endup not using it, and prefer the uncompressed sound.
So I bought MXR87 thinking that more options would me to understand better compression.
Nope.
I toyed with it for like 6 months, then now when it power on automatically when I power the powerblock, I just put it off.
It seems I just don't understand how to use a compressor, or that I just prefer the uncompressed sound, because there is always something that bothers me, no mater the settings I try.
I though the Multicomp didn't have enough settings, because I endup not using it, and prefer the uncompressed sound.
So I bought MXR87 thinking that more options would me to understand better compression.
Nope.
I toyed with it for like 6 months, then now when it power on automatically when I power the powerblock, I just put it off.
It seems I just don't understand how to use a compressor, or that I just prefer the uncompressed sound, because there is always something that bothers me, no mater the settings I try.
Don't buy more knobs than you know what to do with. A compressor makes it really easy to mess up your sound.
Rick Beato gives a really good explanation of compression and how to use it, on his web channel. Not for the faint hearted though.
It was a big investment, but the nice thing about the Cali76-TX (other than the sound!!) was how easy it was to set up. The metering, plus the markings on the attack and release knobs are very useful
I’m considering buying a compressor (possibly the Union LAB) but not sure if I actually need one.
Don’t use any other type of pedals (ok I use a Boss TU-2) and play early type rock, blues, soul, ska/reggae, old country. Don’t do any fancy stuff like slapping or tapping.
As for basses I either play a Gibson SG or/will a passive 5 string (both basses have flatwounds)
Amp rig is an Ampeg V4B RI and a Jack12.
What would adding a compressor provide and what are the benefits of using one?
Don’t use any other type of pedals (ok I use a Boss TU-2) and play early type rock, blues, soul, ska/reggae, old country. Don’t do any fancy stuff like slapping or tapping.
As for basses I either play a Gibson SG or/will a passive 5 string (both basses have flatwounds)
Amp rig is an Ampeg V4B RI and a Jack12.
What would adding a compressor provide and what are the benefits of using one?
A compressor will limit your dynamic range (which you may not want). Your quiet notes will be made louder. Your loud notes will be made quieter. Very handy for slapping/tapping. I rarely do either, but as it's one of the many effects in my Boss
(MS-3)
multi effects pedal, I use a slight amount of compression all the time (so slight I don't notice it). A compressor may not be the best use of your hard-earned
TheTC Electronic Spectracomp is awesome sounding,easy in use en very affordable. And lots of toneprint sellections!!
Mods: Let's lock this thread! Seven pages of people going "I like X compressor" [that costs $350+] is not responsive to a guy who is just starting and wants something to "make himself sound better" 
This is also what I gathered from its OVNILABS review:
Is this really more desirable on the Keeley Bassist than something like the MXR M76/M87 that does have controls for attack and release? I guess what I'm asking is, is this a better feature for a compression n00b like me?
These are the two that I am considering. Well, these and the Smoothie, but maybe I'd graduate to that one later.
I don’t think it’s necessarily a ‘noob’ thing so much as it’s convenient to not have to worry about certain settings that most people will set the same as the automatic settings anyway. Even some higher end compressors like the Bogner Lyndhurst have an auto switch setting despite having more granular control parameters you can play with. It’s really more of a convenience feature than anything else.
With the Keeley vs the Smoothie, the big consideration is the sound you’re after.
The Keeley is squeaky clean. It does nothing to your tone. It just provides clean dependable compression, sounds great, and is as easy as it gets to dial in.
The Smoothie compresses as well. But there’s a little something else you hear when it’s engaged. There’s a certain extra thickening or body to it. Sorta like the difference between the texture of coffee with milk and coffee with cream. It’s a subtle thing. But a very audible thing. The usual term compressor people use for that is “colorization.” My guitarist SO refers to it as: “smoove.”
The Smoothie has more controls, but it’s not really any more difficult to use effectively. It has a very low learning curve and is pretty new user friendly IMO. It’s also not optimized for bass instruments like the Keeley is. So if you also play guitar, the Smoothie might be a better choice.
Bottom line, if you’re mainly worried about being new to it - don’t be. It’s not something you need to be a genius to use. The bigger question is the sound you’re after. For transparent uncolored limiting type compression, the Bassist excels. For compression with a little colorization, you want a Smoothie.
tl:dr - best bet is to get the one that’s going to give you the type of sound you want and not worry about being new to it. You’ll catch on pretty quickly no matter what you get if you approach compression in a systematic manner. If you read the manual, think about what each control does, don’t just randomly start twiddling knobs, and listen critically to the results each time you change something, you’ll be up to speed in no time. A few focused hours is all it takes. Not any different than the effort needed to discover your favorite settings on a new effects pedal.
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Any experience with the Diamond Bass Comp? I ask as I tried it out and really liked it, but didn’t buy it - and it’s been bugging me since. I was curious how the Smoothie compares.
I only had a fairly short opportunity to play with a friend’s Diamond so I’m not qualified to have an opinion. Suffice to say that (like you) I liked it. And like you, I didn’t buy one.
I do really like my old version Smoothie. But I lucked out since I got mine from the TB classifieds and bought it purely based on all the love it gets around here. I wasn’t disappointed. It’s got it’s own something going for it I really like. And it’s dirt simple to dial in.
Lots to like for not a lot of money.
Any experience with the newer version? I haven't read the entire thread.I only had a fairly short opportunity to play with a friend’s Diamond so I’m not qualified to have an opinion. Suffice to say that (like you) I liked it. And like you, I didn’t buy one.
I do really like my old version Smoothie. But I lucked out since I got mine from the TB classifieds and bought it purely based on all the love it gets around here. I wasn’t disappointed. It’s got it’s own something going for it I really like. And it’s dirt simple to dial in.
Lots to like for not a lot of money.
