I would say the compression definitely effects the high end more than the lows. I feel like it smoothes the highs while thickening everything up a bit.
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Best 'No-Fuss' Compression Pedal
- Thread starter ComeHomeShane
- Start date
I would say the compression definitely effects the high end more than the lows. I feel like it smoothes the highs while thickening everything up a bit.
TC Spectracomp, though I'll add I no longer use toneprint pedals after multiple failures, including the Spectracomp. But when it worked it was easy breezy.
devnulljp
Supporting Member
Dark glass hyper luminal.
I've had the original Empress, Diamond BCP1 and a couple others I can't remember.
The Dark glass was easiest to dial in and sounds the best.
Super transparent, could be used as a boost pedal also.
I've had the original Empress, Diamond BCP1 and a couple others I can't remember.
The Dark glass was easiest to dial in and sounds the best.
Super transparent, could be used as a boost pedal also.
I have tried at least 4 "simple" pedal compressors and every time the baked-in attack/release times leave a lot to be desired, and ratio is often set really high making the make-up gain hard to dial in.
If I can make a recommendation: you don't know what you have until it's gone, the compressor you have now is better than most "simple" options. If you are switching basses a lot with various output levels, just set the attack/release and ratio to your playing style, and then find a good middle ground with your threshold settings and make-up and just let it be.
I'm just trying to save you some money and the headache.
If I can make a recommendation: you don't know what you have until it's gone, the compressor you have now is better than most "simple" options. If you are switching basses a lot with various output levels, just set the attack/release and ratio to your playing style, and then find a good middle ground with your threshold settings and make-up and just let it be.
I'm just trying to save you some money and the headache.
I recently picked up the new API CMP tranzformer. I like it quiet a bit. The knobs and switches are simple and straight forward. The blend knob really makes it shine. Transformer output if you like that sort of thing. I like it a lot. Given your parameters, maybe you’d be more pleased with Aguilar’s newest comp. that’s just a two knob affair. Can’t get much simpler than that.
I don't know of a comp that isn't sensitive to dynamics from different basses and your playing styles unless you squash the life out of it, and that kind of defeats the purpose of a comp IMHO.
But what do I know? Compression is my least favorite effect except on my voice, which desperately needs slamming
Tried to make my peace with it over the past couple years, and I do have a couple nice simple ones (Boss LMB-3 and Ampeg Opto-Comp) and a couple more complicated ones (FMR RNC1773 and DBX 266 I think it is), and if I plug in different basses with different outputs and tones, then I have to adjust the controls or they behave differently.
Honestly, I think that's half the attraction of digital...being able to use presets for each different bass that sort of evens them out instead of using different pedals or bending over and turning knobs on a gig and hoping you didn't screw up. Me, I just use basses that sound the same
But what do I know? Compression is my least favorite effect except on my voice, which desperately needs slamming
Tried to make my peace with it over the past couple years, and I do have a couple nice simple ones (Boss LMB-3 and Ampeg Opto-Comp) and a couple more complicated ones (FMR RNC1773 and DBX 266 I think it is), and if I plug in different basses with different outputs and tones, then I have to adjust the controls or they behave differently.Honestly, I think that's half the attraction of digital...being able to use presets for each different bass that sort of evens them out instead of using different pedals or bending over and turning knobs on a gig and hoping you didn't screw up. Me, I just use basses that sound the same
EBS. It has so few audible artifacts as to be hard to tell when it's running. It just works, has 3 modes all of which are useful, and you can leave it on and forget it. Wonderful pedal.
Seymour Duncan Studio Bass is reputable and can be had relatively cheap, especially used of course. No problem flipping it back if it doesn't suit you. Also, the venerable Keeley that others have mentioned.
The Smoothie has indefinitely sated my comp gas, though I'm still waiting for the Empress BC to come back in stock... My Broughton Apex is different but equally good, but nigh impossible to find.
The Smoothie has indefinitely sated my comp gas, though I'm still waiting for the Empress BC to come back in stock... My Broughton Apex is different but equally good, but nigh impossible to find.
Wampler Ego? not completely no fuss, but with the clean blend you can set an overall comp level you like, then adjust the blend when switching basses (or just find a setting that you like and stick with it anyway)
My favourite I own is the markbass compressore but that's not exactly no fuss, although once dialled in it's a tiny tweak to the threshold to adjust for different basses. I've also got an ebs multi comp and ampeg opto comp that sometimes get some use besides the MB and Wampler, both of them are quite simple, but as others have said, the comp you have might be fine for use, perhaps a mini boost pedal to bring up lower output basses to match so the comp reacts in a more similar way, something like a TC mini spark is going to be much cheaper than a new compressor.
My favourite I own is the markbass compressore but that's not exactly no fuss, although once dialled in it's a tiny tweak to the threshold to adjust for different basses. I've also got an ebs multi comp and ampeg opto comp that sometimes get some use besides the MB and Wampler, both of them are quite simple, but as others have said, the comp you have might be fine for use, perhaps a mini boost pedal to bring up lower output basses to match so the comp reacts in a more similar way, something like a TC mini spark is going to be much cheaper than a new compressor.
Or keep your existing comp and get something to level out your different basses’ inputs? Boss LS2 will do this for 2 basses.
as mentioned earlier, pretty much any comp will behave differently with different input levels…
as mentioned earlier, pretty much any comp will behave differently with different input levels…
Im a firm believer that, for bass, compressors are "the simpler/the better". So if Im reading a review on a compressor, the more "and it can do this" statements I read, the less interested I become. After spending a little time myself looking for a simple compressor pedal that can handle fingers,slap, tap and now pick and can handle bass guitar change outs, I finally decided to just take my ancient DBX163X halfrack and stick it in my pedalboard. One slider (that I generally dont touch), and done
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