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budget compressor, one that fattens tone...
- Thread starter pcake
- Start date
dod milkbox can be had for 100 dollars or less
FullumMusic
Commercial User
- Oct 13, 2022
- 2,010
- 5,688
- Disclosures
- Audio/Music software developer, contracted with a company you've heard of and deving my own stuff.
Fair, and true.
You have any examples of one you think sounds very transparent and one that sounds very un-transparent? I'd love to take a look at what they're doing differently.
Still, if i set the transparent compressor with an very low threshold, fast attack, slow release, and a 10:1 ratio it would sound way less transparent than the un-transparent one set to gently kiss the threshold with a 2:1 ratio and averaging 3dB of gain reduction.
Since you said "budget" right there in the first sentence...
I had a Joyo Scylla on my board until I replaced it with a Lusithand Alma.
The Scylla is a VERY good compressor pedal.
But for the price? Unbeatable.
I had to triple the price before I found something I liked better.
The tone (tilt EQ) control on the Scylla will let you cut highs/boost lows, and there are enough other knobs to dial in a wide variety of compression sounds.
I almost sent mine back...until I figured out that the attack and release controls function backward from what I expected.
The manual leaves a lot to be desired - but once you dial the Scylla in, it sounds great.
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Whatever you get, I recommend one with a tilting EQ.
I like the Diamond Bass comp/eq a lot. But I'm not sure it's as much of a fattener as it is a punchier.
I also have and use the TC hypergravity. I recommend that over the Spectracomp because it has more knobs on it to easily access stuff. It still has the internal toneprint capability. Basically, you can design your own comp with it. I do recommend it. I just bought a second one.
The Source Audio Atlas is another that has bazillion internal controls, but I made a pig's ear of it. I like the Diamond leagues better.
I am curious about the Ampeg Opto; does it being an Ampeg tone flavor with it? Don't know.
I've had a lot of comps, but I can't recall one that I would say made the tone especially fatter. The tilting EQ is a gem because it boosts low end while cutting high end. It might be just the ticket for you .
I like the Diamond Bass comp/eq a lot. But I'm not sure it's as much of a fattener as it is a punchier.
I also have and use the TC hypergravity. I recommend that over the Spectracomp because it has more knobs on it to easily access stuff. It still has the internal toneprint capability. Basically, you can design your own comp with it. I do recommend it. I just bought a second one.
The Source Audio Atlas is another that has bazillion internal controls, but I made a pig's ear of it. I like the Diamond leagues better.
I am curious about the Ampeg Opto; does it being an Ampeg tone flavor with it? Don't know.
I've had a lot of comps, but I can't recall one that I would say made the tone especially fatter. The tilting EQ is a gem because it boosts low end while cutting high end. It might be just the ticket for you .
The Keeley is a solid compressor and tends toward transparent, to my ears. Laura Lee from Khruangbin uses one to good effect.
If you're looking for a bit more color and added tone, I like the Walrus Mira as well. It's also got an HPF button on the side, which is a useful addition.
If you're looking for a bit more color and added tone, I like the Walrus Mira as well. It's also got an HPF button on the side, which is a useful addition.
I was just playing with my comps for a fatter tone. Diamond all the way.
This right here. A set it and forget it kind of pedal, it just makes my bass sound better (at the right setting)... it's been my compressor for 13 years now, love it.
Seconded. I got mine used fairly cheap. I like how simple it is to dial in.
I have used the MXR M87 it is a great compressor. It has have a a bar that lights up to give you a visual representation of what's happening . The knobs are clearly labeled. It was a great place for me to start learning. One of the first pedals I purchased.
I've used the MXR M87 for about a year and I really liked it. I just recently upgraded to something a little better. I think getting one that has the LED light indicators showing what your signal is doing really helps to understand how the knobs actually work. I didn't understand compression at all until got the M87 and was able to just mess with it and watch what my changes did to the LED lights/bass signal.
You know, the ol' DOD Milkbox was a pretty awesome one that gave me almost "tube like" fattened tone if I remember correctly.
The Ampeg Opto Comp might be a good first compressor for you to get your feet wet and isn’t a budget breaker. It performs very smoothly and adds a little bit of coloration. But not to the point of where it comes off more as an effect. Fundamental sound is on the darker bossier side, so if you’re looking to enhance highs it may not be your best choice. But for solid mostly transparent bass compression but still with some subtle tonal sauce it’s a really nice compressor.
Higher priced but still under $200 is the Mad Professor Forest Green. I’m a big fan of this box. For me, it falls under the “just sounds good” category for compressors. Easy to work with and adds its own special sauce to the mix. It can definitely do some nice things for basses like a PB which (to my ears) can sometimes sound a little anemic in stage mix. This compressor gives them some noticeable girth and authority without being obvious about it. Anytime I’m rocking a PB in a blues setting, I‘ll use this pedal.
Higher priced but still under $200 is the Mad Professor Forest Green. I’m a big fan of this box. For me, it falls under the “just sounds good” category for compressors. Easy to work with and adds its own special sauce to the mix. It can definitely do some nice things for basses like a PB which (to my ears) can sometimes sound a little anemic in stage mix. This compressor gives them some noticeable girth and authority without being obvious about it. Anytime I’m rocking a PB in a blues setting, I‘ll use this pedal.
Scylla is a really good compressor for the money. Can be super transparent but I keep forgetting that the EQ is even there.
If you need something with metering, it has it but it's not super bright out of the box. You can open it up and cover the status LEDs with tape. The red meter LED doesn't cut through the two green LEDs very well. I just sync the decorative lights with status so I don't have to use the top indicator for status.
Another vote for the EBS compressor. I've used mine for over 15 years specifically because it fattens my tone. Sometimes if for whatever reason I don't take it to the gig I always notice that it's gone.
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I haven’t. I use a Hilbish Compressimiser which is derived from the classic two knob Dyna Comp aimed at guitarists. I love the simplicity of the single knob and it sounds pretty good. If I was looking for refinement and more control I’d think the Bass Dyna Comp could be a candidate.
I do not consider the Duncan or the MXR "budget", altho' I like both.
If one is just experimenting with compression, at under US$50, try the Okko or similar.
IMO, "best budget" is the Ampeg, followed by the Pigtronix (ignore the distortion until you want that effect, V.1 or V.2, altho' the latter gives more control re the distortion option); both should be available <US$100, used.
Edit (as per REV, above): The EBS is also good, and I see the prices for those all over the place, but <US$100 would be a good deal.
If one is just experimenting with compression, at under US$50, try the Okko or similar.
IMO, "best budget" is the Ampeg, followed by the Pigtronix (ignore the distortion until you want that effect, V.1 or V.2, altho' the latter gives more control re the distortion option); both should be available <US$100, used.
Edit (as per REV, above): The EBS is also good, and I see the prices for those all over the place, but <US$100 would be a good deal.
