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Compressor for use with mesa wd800
- Thread starter drewphishesp
- Start date
WD800 gets pretty Fat on its own! I’d recommend the Cali ‘76 though especially if you play active basses.
I had a Cali 76 but use an Empress now with my WD800. Not to fatten it but more for straight compression.
I find the WD to be fat enough with input raised to saturate a bit and using the para EQ as needed.
I’ve been using my WD as my DI into my recording interface because I like the tone so much
I find the WD to be fat enough with input raised to saturate a bit and using the para EQ as needed.
I’ve been using my WD as my DI into my recording interface because I like the tone so much
I just had to return a Keeley Comp Plus, because it was defective, wouldn't work unless a battery was installed. Other than that, it was a very good compressor. I replaced it with a MXR M87. I expect better results from the MXR. More $ but more features.
I use an Alma Mk2 with mine, which is basically a Diamond with a few welcome additions, namely a dry blend for parallel compression. I love that compressor, and now that the Mk3 is out, the Mk2 ought to be readily available used and cheaper.
The Keeley Bassist is a great, straightforward compressor - but it's just a compressor, not a tubey tone fattener.
For adding fat, the Cali76, Diamond, Lusithand Alma, etc - check out the megathread of compressor reviews posted by @scubaduba
But I'll echo what others are saying: I'm not sure a compressor is what you need.
The WD800 gets pretty fat and tubey if you wind-up the input gain a bit.
Yep, the main draw for the Keeley Bassist is that it is super transparent. It strictly controls dynamic spikes with very little coloration. That being said, it's a fantastic compressor. I spent years chasing that DAW tone, and the Keeley sure helps, but the actual secret sauce was a super high quality cabinet and lots of headroom.
its weird on all the demos I hear the keeley def adds a bit of something to the tone but i hear tell its very transperent
The Sushi Box "Single Slice" compressor is made mainly to fatten up the tone, it will not squash the signal till it dies but it makes it sound really nice.
It will add some nice tubey sound as well since the 12AU7 tube is running on high voltage in that pedal, but it runs on 9v-12v input.
It will add some nice tubey sound as well since the 12AU7 tube is running on high voltage in that pedal, but it runs on 9v-12v input.
If you want to skip journey and research, then buy Cali76 right away.
The Cali76 gets lots of love on here, but I think the price is prohibitive.
I’ve used different compressors, and use them constantly as a soundman with 25+ years experience.
For me, there are two mission profiles for compressors on bass
1. An effect that smoothes while improving articulation. For this, a Keeley Bassist. You can barely tell it’s there until you turn it off, and you miss it.
2. A tone-thickening effect that increases the presence and “urgency” of the tone, adding warmth and rounding the edges. For this, a Diamond style unit, my hands-down favorite is the Lusithand Alma.
And I use a Mesa D800.
The Alma is an absolute beast.
There are many incredible comp pedals out there, enjoy the hunt!!!
I’ve used different compressors, and use them constantly as a soundman with 25+ years experience.
For me, there are two mission profiles for compressors on bass
1. An effect that smoothes while improving articulation. For this, a Keeley Bassist. You can barely tell it’s there until you turn it off, and you miss it.
2. A tone-thickening effect that increases the presence and “urgency” of the tone, adding warmth and rounding the edges. For this, a Diamond style unit, my hands-down favorite is the Lusithand Alma.
And I use a Mesa D800.
The Alma is an absolute beast.
There are many incredible comp pedals out there, enjoy the hunt!!!
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