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best compressor pedal for sustain and fatness

quadrogong

quadrogong

Jul 6, 2006
2,388
12
NYC
www.facebook.com
#1
..I use my Boss LMB-3 for limiting, it doesn't change the tone much,but it enables me to get aggressive without my level going crazy,
I use it sparingly,but it's definitely cool,It works great for limiting.

But it doesn't add the same sustain and fatness of a compressor..

Not looking for mega-squash,or to bring out harmonics during solos,
I'd like a "leave-on" compressor that will add some sustain,fatness..polish up my levels and tone a little..

I've read good things about the Diamond on Bongo's site,it's caught my eye,but my local shops don't stock it,so I haven't tried it yet.
I'm hoping to get something to even out levels,
like my LMB-3, but also add some sustain,thicken up my tone..

a good compressor should be able to do both,right?
I'm hoping if I get the right pedal,It will do both jobs and I can take the LMB-3 off the board.
(although,I like it's subtlety and transparency,I may keep it anyway)
 
#5
I have the Aguilar TLC, Diamond Bass, DBX 160, Presonus blue max (u.s. Made), and an alessis 3630.

Of these I would have to say for a fat sound the Diamond is awesome. It's eq really allows one to fatten or brighten up their sound. If your on a budget, the alessis 3630 is a great performer at the $40 used prices I've seen.

The Presonus blue max is great at fattening your sound but will trim a little off the top end. I personally find it's signature very usefull for some styles and again, it's hard to beat for what little they command on the used market.

The TLC is very transparent and functions beautifully but it doesn't sound like it's for you based on your description of what your looking for.
 
#6
I have the Aguilar TLC and the DOD Milk Box. One or the other is on most of the time.

The TLC is the more expensive pedal. On my board, it is right after my filter pedal, where it can keep signal peaks in check. It is very transparent (though I have been able to get some action from it with the right settings) and very versatile; it can do strong limiting or sustain depending on how you want to tweak it. One of the best all-purpose comps around, IMHO.

The Milk Box, I typically use by itself while otherwise playing clean, to add a little something to my tone. Inexpensive, smooth sustain with a bit of fatness (many call it "creamy"), some old school Squeezer dip and swell. I really like it for that purpose. It CAN do some heavy squeezing if you set it that way, but that really isn't its forte. The Milk Box is more about tone than limiting.

Hope that helps.
 
#8
I've got the Diamond BCP, and the thing is awesome. I don't play super aggressive stuff so I can't speak to how it would sound there, but if you're a big, clean, fat and shiny kinda guy, look no further.

In another project I was working with where I played a bit more aggressively, I used the Pigtronix Philosopher's tone and loved it for that.
 
#12
out of all the compressors I've owned and used (and there's been a few on my quest for compression perfection), the EHX White Finger has proved to provide the fattest squash and a little 'something' other compressors don't give. There has been noise issues for some users, but I didn't experience any with mine.

I dare say the tube based pedals, like the Black Finger with give you even more fat creamy goodness.

However, as nice as the White Finger tone is, it is no longer for me - I require more transparency in my compression nowadays - and is surplus to requirements.
 
#14
I use a behringer autocomp pro (compressor/limiter) in my rig for 5 years now...

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In general a lot of compression squeezes your tone and may makes it lose definition and bury you in the mix. The funny things with this unit:
- You can add some highs and presence with the enhancer knob after the compression is done,
- It as a "soft knee" swith, which "soften" the compression at the peak and retains more of your tone and definition.

IMO, compression is good when you can't barely notice it, these help making the compression more "invisible" to the hear.

Notice that i'm not a big fan of the Behringer stuff generally, but this unit does the job very well for me and is always "on" in my rig.

For the price it is, I would suggest you to give it a try... this would help you I think...
 
#15
Thanx Bongo,( hopin u would Chime in!)
Budget is under $200
No power restrictions
Size and weight shouldn't be tooo bad.
I'm actually not too budget minded if it's the right pedal, but I won't go 3 bills for the Effectrode. I just purchased a tube OD for $300, so let's say 200-250 max
Thanx
 
#16
Quad, I think I'd steer you to the Aguilar, the Joemeek FloorQ, the VFE White Horse, or the Carl Martin Classic Opto. Of those four, the Joemeek is my favorite, but it may be more knobby than you'd like, I'm guessing. The Aggie will be easiest to use, and easiest to find in a local music shop to try out.

I'd say Markbass except it's huge, and I'd say FEA Opti-FET except production of them is on hold right now, and it's at the top end of your budget anyway.
 
#17
I'm far from being a comp expert (or any pedal expert, for that matter), but the Pigtronix Philosopher's Tone might be an answer. And a recent thread praised the DOD Milk Box also.

I used the Boss CS-3 for a long while, but started using the comp on my Hartke 5500 head. Suits me for now, but still considering the Pigtronix thingy.
 
#18
Thank u Bongo,
The markbass seems like the move..

The size.. I'd rather keep it small,
for the right tone, it's worth it, but I've got two heavy pedals already, too.

The Mark has a tube though, doesnt that mean a high voltage power source?

I've got a custom tube OD w12VDC
Power & some 9v pedals.
I'd like to stick to those 2 voltages

I'm sure I can get the hang of the controls,
I can always get basic settings from fellow TBers, use that as a starting point..

I just want something that'll perform the best, I'm willing to get anything..
Bulky, pricey..knobby..
but I'm HOPING to find something lightweight that'll perform like a champ.

I'm waiting for the Red Witch micro comp to be released before I buy anything.
(wishful thinking, I guess)

30th St guitars has a Joe Meek & a
Sex Drive, Rudy's has a Mad Prof,
I'm trying them all this weekend.. all good sized pedals for me.

The Joe Meek looks very interesting, funny u mentioned it, I've been looking forward to trying it tomorrow!
 
#19
I've owned an Opto Stomp, a Carl Martin Classic Opto, an EBS multi comp, a White Horse, a Markbass comp, etc. My current favorite is a Line 6 Constrictor in the Sqeeze mode. I use it before an LMB-3. It's VERY quiet, fattens the tone nicely and doesn't negatively affect the low and high ends.
 
#20
Don't want to hi jack anything but since we are continuing the topic of these pedals, which would be best for a "leave on" to keep my volume in check?

Oh and I don't have a specific budget or any of that stuff. It just has to play nice with my fix'd fuzz.
My current lmb-3 creates a lot of squeak when on at the same time as the fuzz
 

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