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Best compressors
- Thread starter Bassmantd
- Start date
Ovnilab really ought to be a sticky thread.
A Tube-Tech CL-1A or B should work well for your requirements. Or for the same money you could get a Millennia Media STT-1 Origin, which also features EQ, etc.
Neither is reviewed at the Ovnilab website.
Go here and read, read, read... @bongomania has assembled a great site with lots of excellent info and reviews. After weeks of research the biggest decision point for me was transparent vs. a little tone mojo. I started off with a very transparent Empress Compressor and am on the waiting list for an FEA Labs Opti-FET. I will A/B when it arrives and sell the unwanted.
If all else fails, just do yourself a favour and buy the MXR bass compressor.
Can't go wrong.
Can't go wrong.
What are you hoping to accomplish with a compressor? The answer to that question will help determine what type of compressor might be best for you.
Tone fattening/tone enhancing? Limiting? Squishing? High frequency or low frequency compression?
Three questions
Rack mount or floor?
Budget?
Gentle compression, limiting, or compression as an effect?
Rack mount or floor?
Budget?
Gentle compression, limiting, or compression as an effect?
God do I love my FEA DE-CL. Doesn't sound like it's something you need though. It's not something I need. It just sounds so good.
Can't go wrong with a Pigtronix Philophers Bass, it adds a nice fat sustain and the blend control is fantastic.
Check out this page and the reviews. You have a lot of options.
I personally like the EBS Multicomp because of the dual compressor function where I can separately determine (via dip switches inside the pedal) how much compression on the high end versus the low end. And then the TubeSim mode ads beef. It is a simple pedal.
The MXR M87 is well liked by many too with more control. Control I didn't need but you might.
Thing is, compressors are a personal thing. You'll find what one man loves another man hates.
I've not tried the Whirlwind OC, but it has favorable reviews by Ovnilab, Premier Guitar, and by some TBers:
Whirlwind OC Bass | TalkBass.com
First time compressor user 20 posts 11 Oct 2014
Markbass Compresor vs Whirlwind OC Compressor 11 posts 6 Feb 2014
Whirlwind OC Bass Optical Compressor 18 posts 29 Dec 2013
Compressors: Empress v Diamond v Whirlwind v ? 20 posts 26 Nov 2013
More results from www.talkbass.com
The Diamond is popular with many TBers, including myself, but it is not for everyone. However, for your intended use, it would probably serve you well and you may find it becomes an "always-on" pedal.
Another compressor to consider is the Ovnilab Smoothie, which is currently being revamped but should be available again soon (or get a first-gen one on the used market).
Good luck with your compressor quest.
FF
I have found that different compressors work better on different basses as well. For my franken jazz bass (passive), I found that running my keeley 2-knob in the chain seems to tighten up the sound and help me cut through better, colours the sound but I'm not going for transparency with this bass. For my 5-stringers, the keeley does not work at all with the added low end.
