Best Compressor Pedal

[DaveAceofBass]

I sold my EHX Black Finger to get something else...

I want my Black Finger back!

I might also check out the Demeter because it's an opto-compressor too. There are no tubes, but it's smaller, making it more pedalboard friendly.

 

[heath_the_great]

whats the MXR comp like?

 

[TeenZombie01]

I don't know if you're talking about the Super Comp our the Dyna Comp but neither seem to be very impressive.

I think I am going to proceed towards the Boss CS-3, the only pedal holding me back is the Aphex Punch Factory.

 

[tombowlus]

Big +1 on the Demeter Compulator.

Tom.

 

[mactac]

I've been interested in the newer TC stuff... can you compare it to any other compressors you've used?

sure. I've owned:

- Art dual levelar
- rane dc24 (for sale)
- dbx 160x (for sale)
- dbx 166

compared to these, the TC electronic is more of a "transparent" compressor than an "effect" compressor, if you know what I mean.

i find also that you can really drive the compressor without it thinning the sound out.

i also notice that a lot of compressors have a really hard time with really gwoly sounds, ie it tries to compress the 'peaks' of the growls & you end up with a tremolo sort of sound. the TC doesn't do this

all in all, it's got a really good range of use.

 

[zombywoof5050]

Another vote for the Demeter Opto-Compulator.

 

[porteous]

Just curious- do you use a compressor much when you are not recording? I've always consider the compressor a tool for the recording studio to keep the levels consistant...

 

[mactac]

there are many uses of a compressor, keeping the dynamics in check is one of them.

how i use a compressor live is so I can vay the tone of each not or vary the tone in my phrasing while keeping the volume constant.

for example, if you really dig in, it sounds different than when you play softly. I like to be able to vary my tone considerably within a phrase without dealing with the change in volume - it makes for some cool sounding stuff

 

[monkeyfinger]

For live use, I use a compressor to change the shape of the note. Maybe more attack and less sustain, or more sustain and less peak to the attack. I can also make the attack seem longer or shorter.
I find this is especially useful when I use time-based effects such a s chorus or delay. These nomally take away some of the attack leaving the note muddy and indistinct. The compressor adds attack to the original signal bringing back the definition.