Can't find a compressor I like

[Kevan Campbell]

Not much experience to speak about with the Empress but I ended up shelving my MarkBass Compressore once I got an Origin Cali Compact Bass (version 1).

The HPF is what really sold me on it and it’s become my “always on” comp for my boards…so much so that I bought a second so I’d have one on each board.

 

[Dust2Dust]

The only comp that works for me is the 160Comp in the ZOOM multi-effects pedals.
I haven't tried the Boss pedal though. By the time I discovered it I already had the ZOOM which works perfect for me.

 

[jonasparker]

"Can't Find a Compressor I Like"

Neither could I, so I got rid of it. I use a high pass filter, tuner pedal, and several different overdrives. Never looked back.

Same, I don't like any compressors yet I need a little compression. I use tube pre's to get me there.
Compressors all suck tone. Any compressor in the chain, take it out to sound better.

 

[Rickplaysbass]

I've really enjoyed using the Cali76 Stacked since I got it. Having the two compressors set differently let's me cop some of that studio 1176 & LA2A chain mojo on my nano board.

 

[sean_on_bass]

i've liked my Keeley Bassist. Easy to use and very transparent, doesn't overtake your sound.

 

[Lava]

Keeley Bassist

 

[goodformetal]

Compressors all suck tone.

lol

 

[Jesuguru]

Cali 76 old or new version. I bought both and decided to keep the old version as I liked the extra sparkle to the sound it was known for.

I also went with the old Cali, after reading the new one lacks the sparkle. The sidechain HPF is awesome. Jewel is good-enough metering for me. Smooth, sparkly, really very pleased, my most preferred comp overall out of my 4... the Broughton Apex is a close second due for its transparency (also has HPF)

 

[factory presets]

The only comp that works for me is the 160Comp in the ZOOM multi-effects pedals.
I haven't tried the Boss pedal though. By the time I discovered it I already had the ZOOM which works perfect for me.

Found a heap of uses for the UAD plugin outside the bass frequencies as well.

 

[foal30]

Same, I don't like any compressors yet I need a little compression. I use tube pre's to get me there.
Compressors all suck tone. Any compressor in the chain, take it out to sound better.

with a flatwound strung passive Fender the Diamond Compressor adds glorious tone. It’s possibly my favourite pedal of all time

 

[Nev375]

I'm like that with trying to find OD/Dirt. I really want it, but it's never quite right. I might just not be a dirt kind of guy.

For compression though I'm really happy with my Keeley Bassist. I don't know if it would work for you, but there's a lot to be said for simplicity.

Maybe the answer is simply not having a compressor? Every little thing in the chain tends to take something away from the purity in tone.

At least, that's my experience. Use only what you need. Nothing that you don't.

 

[Shrubber]

The only comp that works for me is the 160Comp in the ZOOM multi-effects pedals.
I haven't tried the Boss pedal though. By the time I discovered it I already had the ZOOM which works perfect for me.

I am very happy with the OrangeLim (ORANGE SQUEEZER emulation) on my Zoom MS-60B...... always on....

 

[Nashrakh]

MarkBass Compressore:
- Compresses the low B too much for my liking. It's 'balanced' with the rest of the strings, but I like my B to be big and powerful - especially since many PA systems are rolling off at those frequencies already.
- Easily the cleanest and most natural sounding of the 3 compressors and, if it had the side-chain high pass of the Empress, it would be the end of my compressor search.

Anybody else have some recommendations of a compressor pedal I could look into? Am I just expecting too much from a compressor?

I've used the Compressore for many years with great results, but my experience is the same as yours. That's why I put a HPF in fron of it, that helped immensely.

Right now, I'm using a Source Audio Atlas that I can tweak to my heart's content, and it may be a perfect candidate for you too.

 

[Ian774]

Same, I don't like any compressors yet I need a little compression. I use tube pre's to get me there.
Compressors all suck tone. Any compressor in the chain, take it out to sound better.

 

[blastoff]

hah i guess im not the only one who ended up with BOTH versions of cali76, the most expensive pedal i never knew i needed.
i don't know about more sparkle with V1 but its easier to push into a nice girthy overdrive if you want, as the V2 has more headroom. im gonna keep em both for now. as well as the empress...

 

[Rib 13]

I'm old but I'm also from the school that the compressors that work best on bass are the ones with the least amount of controls......a perfect example: I still think the ancient dbx163x is still the best bass compressor on the planet and it has one slider, that's it

 

[Hiroi Kikuri]

i'm liking my yamaha CO-10M comp on my active 4 string its very neutral sounding i'm almost ready to build my 51 double P 5 string so once i get that build i'll report back with my passive 5

 

[Jay2U]

I've been using a Boss LMB-3 bass limiter for over ten years. I like it a lot, as it combines well with other pedals.

 

[lalo_garcia-maynez]

The Trace Elliot SMX pedal is fantastic!
They hard to find but you find them occasionally in reverb , Craigslist, eBay ; right now there are two for sale in used guitar center section .
I hope this helps !

 

[badinage]

Only slightly OT... I once read an article that documented (with some level of claimed authority) the evolution of the VCAs used in the dbx160 variants and successors from the VU era through XT or so, including differences between origin USA / Hong Kong / Japan / China. If anyone knows where I could find such an article/documentation I'd sure appreciate a link. I'm just another fan of that series and era for bass specifically because of the audible coloration and artifacts that can be created as a result of the processing. Thank you.