I know not on your list but the Empress compressor is the real deal I.M.H.O. like a deluxe version of the M87. Can be had for $200 used. Well worth it. Marc
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COMPRESSOR PEDAL QUESTION
- Thread starter Blu bro
- Start date
I think you may want to emphasize the point of your original post, as this seems to be heading in a 'name your favorite compressor' direction. For squash machines, I'd look at the Pigtronix Bass Philosopher, the Whirlwind, and the Taurus Tux Silver (there's also a new "white" version coming out).
Of the ones listed I'd go either mxr or fairfield. They will sound rather opposite in terms of distortion characteristics but they will both get you high ratio and low threshold settings with fast attack times- able to lock you in pretty flat. the juan demo of the fairfield at high ratio is like totally flatlined and the harmonics just explode off the strings.
thanks for all the input. After reading all these posts i am actually looking at the LMB-3 purely because with the research i have done over the last 24hrs, it looks like it will squash my signal the most and is cheap AND runs on 9v. so far it seems to be ticking all the boxes. Part of me feels like i should by a "good" compressor, but in reality i am using it to make my sound more one dimensional and that is really it at the moment. Down the road i would still like to get a empress, smoothie or comething of that calibre but for now it is looking like the Boss. I am still open to other options though. so keep them coming if you have something that will fit the critiria.
I have the Boss LMB-3 and needed it to smooth out the spikes in my low B. They were overpowering my amp. If you use it, use the Enhance knob VERY little! It tends to introduce a bit of hiss/noise into your signal. Keep that knob low and the limiting effect is pretty good. I ended up investing in the Aguilar TLC because I wanted a cleaner signal than I was getting with the Boss. I picked up the LMB-3 off of craigslist a few years ago for about $25 and the Aguilar runs about $200 new. I do have to say that you get what you pay for when comparing the final signal quality of the two. I was not totally unpleased with the Boss, I just wanted to step up to a different level and had the funds available to do so. The Boss is a great budget pedal though.
If you want no dynamics and even volume get a modded Boss CS-3. That's what I call the Syrup sound. All the mods are pretty much the same. I've tried them all. If you are doing a solo bass record where you aren't in any kind of mix I'd say go with the Humphrey Audio Bass Smasher mod. It's the tiniest bit less noisy than the other common mods. But, if you just want something in front of your amp for gigs save your money and just buy any well known modded CS-3. You will never hear any difference between the various mods. Anyway, yeah, total squash. Sustain for days. Love that sound.
i will explain my situation a little...
I form part of a synth/dance/rock band and the reason i want a compressor that will squash my sound is for when i am using my octave pedals and synth pedals. so i can be as consistant and one diemensional as possible and give the illusion of a synthetic sounding bass. I am only planning on using the compressor in conjunction with my effects so my clean sound i am not worried about.
Thankyou again for all the opinions and expieriences.
I form part of a synth/dance/rock band and the reason i want a compressor that will squash my sound is for when i am using my octave pedals and synth pedals. so i can be as consistant and one diemensional as possible and give the illusion of a synthetic sounding bass. I am only planning on using the compressor in conjunction with my effects so my clean sound i am not worried about.
Thankyou again for all the opinions and expieriences.
So how did you make out, Blu Bro?
Funny that just this week it occurred to me to put a pedal board together. I only have a few pedals, but seems like a nice idea anyway.
I remembered your comment regarding 18V. I found that there are a few options out there for getting that 18V power on a board.
Old fashioned power strip under the board. - looks sloppy with wall warts but works.
Run one of the many power boxes (like Voodoo labs) and a Y-cable to double 2 of the 9V outputs. - simple and flexible solution.
Run a power box with a dedicated 18V output like Voodoo Labs ISO 5. - I'm going this direction since it's small and meets my needs.
Anyway, may be the point is moot if you've gone with one if the many outstanding 9V options suggested here. Let's us know how you're doing!
Funny that just this week it occurred to me to put a pedal board together. I only have a few pedals, but seems like a nice idea anyway.
I remembered your comment regarding 18V. I found that there are a few options out there for getting that 18V power on a board.
Old fashioned power strip under the board. - looks sloppy with wall warts but works.
Run one of the many power boxes (like Voodoo labs) and a Y-cable to double 2 of the 9V outputs. - simple and flexible solution.
Run a power box with a dedicated 18V output like Voodoo Labs ISO 5. - I'm going this direction since it's small and meets my needs.
Anyway, may be the point is moot if you've gone with one if the many outstanding 9V options suggested here. Let's us know how you're doing!
Thanks Goatrope.. after doing as much research as possible I did go with one of the 9v pedals (but am still trying to figure out power supply options, but that is another thread). I went with the LMB-3. It literally arrived yesterday so i am still trying to get my head around the pedal itself. Now i think i have misunderstood something about this pedal, I understand it is called a "limiter" but i was expecting it to compress as well.
Let me explain a little better. I was under the understanding that it would squash my signal into a one dimensional sound. But what i have discovered is that it will only limit my peaks (which is good) but it will NOT bring up my quieter notes (which i thought it would).
I am going to play around with it all weekend and hopefully i am just being stupid and not setting it up correctly for what i want. Any input would help me out. Basically I would like to know, can i set this pedal up to not only limit my peaks but also boost up my quiet notes.
Pls help.
Let me explain a little better. I was under the understanding that it would squash my signal into a one dimensional sound. But what i have discovered is that it will only limit my peaks (which is good) but it will NOT bring up my quieter notes (which i thought it would).
I am going to play around with it all weekend and hopefully i am just being stupid and not setting it up correctly for what i want. Any input would help me out. Basically I would like to know, can i set this pedal up to not only limit my peaks but also boost up my quiet notes.
Pls help.
bongomania
Commercial User
It's not specific to the LMB-3, which IS a compressor and does the normal things compressors do. How 99% of them work is they reduce the dynamic range of the signal from the top down--they squash the peaks; then a gain stage, a boost is added at the end, to bring the average volume back up. This is a non-dynamic, non-changing amount of boost, like turning up a volume knob and leaving it there.
It absolutely will squash the bejabbers out of your signal if you choose a very low threshold.
It absolutely will squash the bejabbers out of your signal if you choose a very low threshold.
So just to confirm how stupid i am.
my expeirience so far with this pedal is. i can get the threshhold way down (which is cool) but when i do. the pedal will keep the volume down but if i sustain the note the volume seems to swell back up. Why would this be?
Btw thanks heaps Bongo for your input with me.
my expeirience so far with this pedal is. i can get the threshhold way down (which is cool) but when i do. the pedal will keep the volume down but if i sustain the note the volume seems to swell back up. Why would this be?
Btw thanks heaps Bongo for your input with me.
bongomania
Commercial User
It's because the comp is dynamically turning down the peaks of your signal, until you let a note ring out, and the note's natural volume decreases, so the comp stops turning it down, which means the output volume can swell back up.
To get consistent, unchanging levels out of it, you have to send more-or-less unchanging levels into it. Play more consistently, with no long rests, and it will stay squashed.
To get consistent, unchanging levels out of it, you have to send more-or-less unchanging levels into it. Play more consistently, with no long rests, and it will stay squashed.
It sounds like you need a high ratio comp with a low threshold that has a fast attack and release to keep the swell to a minimum.
-Frank
First, I would try the suggestions bongomania gave you. Also, the MXR has lightning fast attack times, so that would be another one I would try out.
If the bass version of the Pigtronix Philosopher's Tone has the same characteristics as the guitar version, then you may not want that. I have read that the guitar version has large dips and swells when used for heavy sustain. But try the bass version if you can, because it's purposely designed for what you are after.
But the criteria that you need is fast attack and release, low-low-low threshold and high ratio 8:1 or above. One thing to note is that if your bass does not have good natural sustain, you may never find a comp/limiter pedal solution that will work for you.
Have you put any thought into using an E-Bow? Sustain for days!
-Frank
If the bass version of the Pigtronix Philosopher's Tone has the same characteristics as the guitar version, then you may not want that. I have read that the guitar version has large dips and swells when used for heavy sustain. But try the bass version if you can, because it's purposely designed for what you are after.
But the criteria that you need is fast attack and release, low-low-low threshold and high ratio 8:1 or above. One thing to note is that if your bass does not have good natural sustain, you may never find a comp/limiter pedal solution that will work for you.
Have you put any thought into using an E-Bow? Sustain for days!
-Frank
Wow.. cool. Good info. My main bass has plenty of sustain (modulus).
I have actually experimented with an e bow.. but it's not really going to allow me to keep up with runs and so fourth.
I have been playing around with the LMB-3 all arvo and have found a setting that "works" but still not as flat as I would like (without having swells), I have the option of returning the pedal and am seriously thinking about it. But am still enjoying this pedal.
I totally agree with you on the release issue. I think if this pedal had a release knob it would probably be perfect. Thankyou very much Frank, all this info is much appreciated.
And ultimately I need to bite the bullet and just try out all my options.
I have actually experimented with an e bow.. but it's not really going to allow me to keep up with runs and so fourth.
I have been playing around with the LMB-3 all arvo and have found a setting that "works" but still not as flat as I would like (without having swells), I have the option of returning the pedal and am seriously thinking about it. But am still enjoying this pedal.
I totally agree with you on the release issue. I think if this pedal had a release knob it would probably be perfect. Thankyou very much Frank, all this info is much appreciated.
And ultimately I need to bite the bullet and just try out all my options.
