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Compressor for a fatter tone - option paralysis

#41
kasbrey said:
As well as my Becos Stella I have a Markbass Compressore too (and a Basswitch Dual Comp). I dropped my Compressore once and dislodged the tube but didn't have any problem replacing it. It sounds great, really warm but transparent and super quiet as far as background noise.
I prefer the Becos Stella however, but if I wanted a simple compressor I'd probably go for the Becos Mini Pro. The Becos is based on the same engine as the Keeley.
If I really wanted a non-transparent comp though I would probably go for the compact Diamond.
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This thread actually piqued my interest in fixing the annoying little bastard. I opened it up again and found a problem with the tube socket. Sorted that out and now the tube is glowing, but I'm still not thrilled with the tone. Using a Telefunken tube improved the sound, but I'm not going to waste a great tube on that. I ordered a few ECC81s and will stuff one of them in there and probably put it up for sale locally.
 
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#42
I don't have a recommendation, but my compressor journey's been weird. You may not even want a comp, if you're anything like me.

I have basses where an always on comp is helpful and other basses where it's nigh-impossible to dial a comp in, but my favorite use for a comp now is as a boost for when I change techniques and am not able to keep the same amplitude as my normal thrashing. It took me a long time to come to that conclusion, though.

Hope that's helpful in any way.
 
#43
mcnach said:
:D

I'm not a huge fan or anything (I do like some of their stuff) but that whole "is crap these days" really made me smile. Why? Is the country of origin label a big deal to you?
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I actually have no idea where they make their stuff. My opinion is based on hearing and playing through the amps over the past 15 years at the place I work. More than a few jazz and orchestra pit bassists had the small (I think it had a single 10" driver) combo and I really liked the sound of them. The DI also worked great, so when I was looking for a small bass amp about three or four years ago, I tried them out first and was quite disappointed. I did further research and found more than a few complaints about their products. That's what I made my decision on. As I said, it's just my personal opinion.

The compressor is still available in stores around here at least, and anything can break when you first buy it. Anything. Unless there's a history of happening frequently, it's just how it is, and that's what warranties are for.
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As I mentioned in my response. I didn't buy it. It was given to me (by a what I now believe was a sadist!). I'm not going to bore you with the details of why it came into my position. It was new (in the box and wrapped up tight) but the previous owner had registered it and it was out of warranty.

As for replacing a tube... it's not like you're needing to replace it regularly.
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It's not a question of needing. I have a collection of NOS Telefunken and GE tubes that can really make a difference in a piece of gear. I replaced the stock tubes in the two UA6176 units where I work with Telefunken tubes and the difference was astounding. My personal opinion is that if you're going to make something look like it's servicable, it should be. I noticed they changed the unit in the second version (also discontinued). The original has two hex bolts on the top with a plate. It looks like you might be able to pop that off and replace the tube. But it's glued and the bolts have nuts on the inside you have to remove. It was an unfortunate design decision.

It just sounds like you "lost that loving feeling" towards that compressor (or even MarkBass entirely), which is fine, but your explanations are not very rational.
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This is one of the things I find most humorous about Talkbass. You kids just can't help pulling out the amateur psychoanalysis. I'm hoping that my more in-depth explanation will get me a clean bill of health from you and the rest of the Freud-boiz.

I have the same about Vauxhall/Opel cars. Lots of them operating absolutely fine around here... but my personal experience put me off and you won't see me buying one ever, and any of my friends looking to buy one I generally try to disuade them ;) So yeah, I get it, I'm human too. But just because I do it too it doesn't make it right.
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No. Obviously you don't get it. What is wrong without having a difference of opinion?
 
#44
This might be heresy in these connoisseur pages, but I picked up a TC electronics SpectraComp last week and used it in a live setting on Sunday. It did most of everything you're looking for and it has one knob + one switch.

You can select different toneprints to load different settings into the pedal or connect it up to your laptop and tweak about a billion settings. I just found a toneprint I liked and it does what I want, making everything a bit more sparkly, even-sounding and better defined. I was quite surprised at the difference (I've decent gear)

The knob's set to change the threshold, but you can assign it to any setting you like in the software. That's fine for me, as there's no way I'd want to be crawling around on a dark stage, fiddling with 17 knobs while trying to stay in tune and work the lights. I'm looking forward to exploring it more when home recording though.

The thing seems to be quiet in non-extreme settings and it's solid enough built.

PETE
 
#45
BwanaDust said:
I'll answer your questionable comments one at at time.

1. No you don't.

2. It was given to me (in the box untouched). Tried to claim warranty. Was told it was not covered. But they could fix it for a price. So I left it. But thanks for reminding me.

3. Aren't you special? I'm really happy for you. Since I've worked in recording studios for the past 30 years and have been doing maintenance (replacing tubes, cleaning/aligning tape machines, etc.) I have no problem doing the work myself. I am not sure what you're point is.

4. Invalid Link Removed

5. And you end with a little bit of the old passive/aggressive. That's one of my "favorite" things about TalkBass. Reminds me of that movie "The Death of Stalin."
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You seem to be offended by my replies. I do apologize for that. I really meant it when I thanked you for providing clarification.

I am not a native speaker...so it might be the case that what I mean does not translate into what I write.

The question about warranty was a serious one. The information how the manufacturer approaches warranty claims is an important consideration when buying new stuff.

For the issue discontinued/still in production: there is a new design of 2015 which I understand is the same pedal in (slightly different) box:

Invalid Link Removed
 
#46
My experience. Been using the MarkBass Compressore for over 7 or 8 years. Has always done the job for me, is quite musical, clean sounding, and never given me a problem. In fact it has the same tube in it that was in when it was new.
It stays on in my pedal rack, and is only set as a minimal compressor.

So guess my experience may be different.
DSC00662.JPG

And I've always thought Markbass was a very reputable manufacturer and has since early this century..
 
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#47
Eddie LeBlanc said:
My experience. Been using the MarkBass Compressore for over 7 or 8 years. Has always done the job for me, is quite musical, clean sounding, and never given me a problem. In fact it has the same tube in it that was in when it was new.
It stays on in my pedal rack, and is only set as a minimal compressor.

So guess my experience may be different.
View attachment 3478558
And I've always thought Markbass was a very reputable manufacturer and has since early this century..
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The reviews for the Compressore (Scubaduba, Ovnilab) are very good and it does what it does really well. The warmth is fairly subtle but it is there.
In general I've always found Markbass stuff to be really well made and reliable. I use a Markbass TTE801 primarily and it has a one knob version of the Compressore built in and I love the amp. I've had Italian and Indonesian made amps and cabs and personally see no drop in quality.
There is an issue with people who try Markbass amps etc. in shops and fail to understand the filters and judge accordingly. There are a number of posters on here who have hated them, tried them again, and changed their minds when they understand that the filters should be all the way to the left as a starting point and then added gradually to taste.
 
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#48
Zbysek said:
You seem to be offended by my replies. I do apologize for that. I really meant it when I thanked you for providing clarification.

I am not a native speaker...so it might be the case that what I mean does not translate into what I write.

The question about warranty was a serious one. The information how the manufacturer approaches warranty claims is an important consideration when buying new stuff.

For the issue discontinued/still in production: there is a new design of 2015 which I understand is the same pedal in (slightly different) box:

Invalid Link Removed
Click to expand...
The 2015 model is also discontinued.

I don't get offended by anything or anyone.

However, I do have a very low annoyance threshold. But you get a pass for not being a native English speaker. Apologies!
 
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#53
Regarding the defective pedal put away in the drawer because of its tubes not working: it was probably the footswitch that failed, not the tube. Over the years I've gotten a dozen or more emails from people whose MB comp stopped working, and more often than not it turned out to be a failed footswitch. The tube will not light up or behave properly if that switch is failing.
 
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#56
bongomania said:
Regarding the defective pedal put away in the drawer because of its tubes not working: it was probably the footswitch that failed, not the tube. Over the years I've gotten a dozen or more emails from people whose MB comp stopped working, and more often than not it turned out to be a failed footswitch. The tube will not light up or behave properly if that switch is failing.
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Will the blue light on the unit still light up if the footswitch is failing?
 
#60
bongomania said:
Regarding the defective pedal put away in the drawer because of its tubes not working: it was probably the footswitch that failed, not the tube. Over the years I've gotten a dozen or more emails from people whose MB comp stopped working, and more often than not it turned out to be a failed footswitch. The tube will not light up or behave properly if that switch is failing.
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I read an earlier post you made about the footswitch. Mine feels more than a little loose, so I'm going to try your advice and 're-flow' the solder points.

Thanks for the tip!
 
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