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Best Compressor pedals?
- Thread starter Black Haddock
- Start date
I suppose that's true. Although one could also argue that clean blends that are "altered" might be that way because sonically, the designer found that they sound better designed into the compressor circuit, instead of a makeshift blend that crudely mixes in dry signal. I suppose it depends on what kind of compression you're going for. With "transparent" compression I think it would be pretty silly to get one without a blend knob, and instead implement this method of two pedals. However, if you liked the coloration of a certain compressor and the effect it has on your tone, and you still want some uncompressed signal in there, I could see using a blend pedal to make that happen.
Of course. It's certainly worth a try especially if you plan to use the blend pedal for other reasons anyway.
I love my Electro Harmonix Black Finger optical tube compressor pedal, and would use it for every style of music possible.
It's the pedal I would least go without, and it's always on, weather I play guitar or bass and weather I record DI into my computer sound interface or through my Trace Elliot amp.
It adds that extra defined punch to the sound as well as I use it for a slight volume boost, also adds some undefined nice touch to my sound.
Some say it's noisy, but I haven't discovered it adding any notable extra noise to my signal chain.
Even if it was I would not hesitate to use it, since it adds a, for me, indispensable touch to my sound.
Compression is a fairly subtle effect, in the way that it's not an effect you'll notice much, and can be pinpoint like: "That guy definitely use a compressor" or "Wouh! What a nice compression sound that guy have", you would clearly be able to tell the difference if it was not there though.
It's the pedal I would least go without, and it's always on, weather I play guitar or bass and weather I record DI into my computer sound interface or through my Trace Elliot amp.
It adds that extra defined punch to the sound as well as I use it for a slight volume boost, also adds some undefined nice touch to my sound.
Some say it's noisy, but I haven't discovered it adding any notable extra noise to my signal chain.
Even if it was I would not hesitate to use it, since it adds a, for me, indispensable touch to my sound.
Compression is a fairly subtle effect, in the way that it's not an effect you'll notice much, and can be pinpoint like: "That guy definitely use a compressor" or "Wouh! What a nice compression sound that guy have", you would clearly be able to tell the difference if it was not there though.
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I keep coming back to a Fairfield Accountant. With the switches at the lowest setting, it smooths things out in a fairly unobtrusive way, although there is a slight boost to the high end. I just flip the pad to the middle setting to add a touch of hair to the sound. The more aggressive settings are there if you need them.
Great pedal. Just hisses like a bag of pissed off rattlesnakes on most settings, however.
I suspect most of the people answering the OP's question have not tried the Cali76 CB - since it is a fairly new (and expensive) compressor. After owning many, my search for "the best compressor" ended with the CB.
I've got the accountant and really like it for the tone it imparts. I use it more as an audible effect than as a compressor as such.
The one I want to to the clean thing is the Rothwell love squeeze.
The TC Electronic SpectraComp will give you just about any type of compression you want provided you know how, or are willing to learn the basics of the editing software.
Call me crazy, but I tried and owned a few compressors and right now, I just love the compressor sound I get with my Zoom B1on, which I pair with an EQ.
What are some good optical compressors? The requirements are at least basic visual metering and a good headroom (since I was planning to use in at the end of the chain). Preferably somewhere in LA2A-ish territory to beef up the tone a bit.
The only ones that I've found so far are Diamond, Whirlwind OB and Ampeg Opto.
Are there any others maybe?
The only ones that I've found so far are Diamond, Whirlwind OB and Ampeg Opto.
Are there any others maybe?
Great little pedal. For € 50 you end up with a dual comp, a dbx 160a, a limiter... and you can combine all of them!
