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Compressor choices..?

R

raul

Aug 30, 2006
423
89
Planet Earth
#1
I'm close to pulling the trigger on a compressor. Looking for a nice amount of squash if needed but mostly to smooth out spikes that can occur in finger style plucking. And a nice sustain and round tone.

MXR M87
Pigtronix Philosopher Bass Compressor
Xotic Sp Compressor
Aguilar TLC

Those are locally available to try. Of those, which seems to offer what I'm looking for? Pigtronix seems cool. I think Julie Slick uses one these days? The SP is a nice small enclosure. The other two are more well known.

Hmmm...
 
#3
TC Electronics Nova Dynamics - discontinued, but worth a look IMO if you need / want different compressors types or presets.

I still have my old Trace Elliot SMX Dual Compressor, I had a GP12SMX pre with this circuit built in, when I switched to the MP11 pre it did not have the onboard compressor, so I got the this compressor and run it in the effects loop. Big pedal, but the dual bands give you more flexibility. Worth a look, they show up on ebay from time to time.
 
#5
I went with the Diamond BCP-1. I tried the Pigtronix and it stomped on my tone and made a bunch of noise. You could definitely tell that you engaged an effect pedal when it was on. The Diamond was transparent, quiet, and simple. I've been very happy with it. Obviously it isn't in the OP's list, so this may be of little help.
 
#14
Guys, I have a doubt about compressors. Is it good to use a compressor (Empress Comp looks pretty good to me) with a Tech 21 driver DI? I mean, I like the way the Sansamp Enhance the level and makes my sound more vivid and dynamic... but I want to control some peaks and have a smooth and sustained tone without lossing the power that my tech21 gives to my bass so a Compressor would be good combined with the Driver DI? By the way, I play Indie rock my rig is a Fender Jaguar, Fender Rumble 100 Amp, Korg Pitchblack Tuner and SansAmp Tech21 Driver DI (As I said, I'd like to add an Empress Comp to my chain). Thank you very much and I beg you pardon my poor English. Greetings from Colombia!
 
#17
+1 for Ovnilab.....

I use an EBS multi-comp which works well - but for basic compression (always on) see if you can find and try out a TC Electronics Spark booster (the 4 knob, not the mini). It's not a compression pedal per-se, but it has an active tone circuit that will compress your tone very nicely not to mention does a ton of tone enhancement in front of a all-tube or hybryd amp. Almost sonic-maximiser like at times without all the pain that goes with one of the BBE boxes.

Best thing is that it's damn near noiseless & true bypass. Won't leave home without mine.
 
#19
raul said:
I'm close to pulling the trigger on a compressor. Looking for a nice amount of squash if needed but mostly to smooth out spikes that can occur in finger style plucking. And a nice sustain and round tone.

MXR M87
Pigtronix Philosopher Bass Compressor
Xotic Sp Compressor
Aguilar TLC

Those are locally available to try. Of those, which seems to offer what I'm looking for? Pigtronix seems cool. I think Julie Slick uses one these days? The SP is a nice small enclosure. The other two are more well known.

Hmmm...
Click to expand...

I have the Xotic SP, and the Keeley 4 knob - and I'd recommend them both. I use the Xotic mainly now - but that's because of the compact format. Soundwise they're both good, but the Keeley is more adjustable.

Previously I'd had a Boss CS3 which gave me the sustain I was after, but lost me some low end in the process. Next up was a Digitech Bass Squeeze, which I thought would be better with compression bands being adjustable separately, but it wasn't.
 
#20
M. Owen Santy said:
+1 for Ovnilab.....

I use an EBS multi-comp which works well - but for basic compression (always on) see if you can find and try out a TC Electronics Spark booster (the 4 knob, not the mini). It's not a compression pedal per-se, but it has an active tone circuit that will compress your tone very nicely not to mention does a ton of tone enhancement in front of a all-tube or hybryd amp. Almost sonic-maximiser like at times without all the pain that goes with one of the BBE boxes.

Best thing is that it's damn near noiseless & true bypass. Won't leave home without mine.
Click to expand...

M. Owen, sir... The TC Electronics Spark Booster looks pretty good... It seems to enhance level and works as an EQ for a better definition tone. Are you sure this works fine on a Bass Guitar?

Thank you.
 

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