Compressor specifics.

[Moosehead1966]

Empress. Boom..

Marc

 

[jdh3000]

Hi all,
I might be looking for a new compressor, to suit my specific needs:

1. It should act as a peak limiter. Therefore, it should be hard and fast, so nothing of the peak makes it through.
2. I want as little coloration of the signal as possible. It should basically sound just as is, only less loud.
3. I want to be able to see what's going on, so an LED meter would be nice (or some other means of showing me what's going on)
4. 9V center negative 250mAh is what I have to power it.
5. Real estate is limited. I'm currently using a MXR M87 Bass Compressor. The new pedal could be longer, but not much wider - top mounted jacks would allow for a wider housing.

Keeley Bassist... Simple, effective, transparent. It's like having a compressor/limiter do what it needs to do without being obvious.

There is a peak light to go by.

 

[M0ses]

The M87 has those tiny knobs and the input knob is quite sensitve to the touch. A millimeter off and the mix is gone.

Call me crazy but if that's really your only complaint about the M87, have you considered replacing the knobs with a wider diameter? From photos it looks like they just pull off - push on.

 

[acleex38]

I use a Fairfield Circuitry Accountant as a limiter following loud pedals. Works great for me, is teeny, and low draw.

I LOVE the Accountant (it's my "if I only take ONE pedal" pedal), but it isn't at all transparent, especially at the limiting compression ratio. Even at 3:1, it adds a bit of coloration.

When I need clean/transparent limiting, I use the Aguilar TLC.

What the Accountant does do is kick in SUPER fast (the attack time is apparently 1/2 the time as the TLC's fastest attack setting), so that 3:1 might still work for the OP. I'm just not sure it offers the control they're looking for.

 

[Rolling Thunder]

I LOVE the Accountant (it's my "if I only take ONE pedal" pedal), but it isn't at all transparent, especially at the limiting compression ratio. Even at 3:1, it adds a bit of coloration.

When I need clean/transparent limiting, I use the Aguilar TLC.

What the Accountant does do is kick in SUPER fast (the attack time is apparently 1/2 the time as the TLC's fastest attack setting), so that 3:1 might still work for the OP. I'm just not sure it offers the control they're looking for.

My current compression go-to is the Orange Kongpressor (optical). So smooth.

 

[ezra1]

One Control

 

[bongomania]

A couple dark horses to consider: Broughton Apex, Schalltechnik Pumpernickel, Maxon CP9Pro+.

 

[Pidgeon5]

Maxon CP9Pro+.

Hey Bongo, sorry for reviving this old thread but I was wondering if I could get your 2 cents on the CP9Pro+ vis-a-vis the Mad Professor Forest Green? Kind deciding between those two right now

 

[ImTheOnlyOne]

Would an Atlas be a viable choice, or is it more of a compressor emulator?
Side I/O, single led indicator (con) programmable (pro)

 

[bongomania]

Hey Bongo, sorry for reviving this old thread but I was wondering if I could get your 2 cents on the CP9Pro+ vis-a-vis the Mad Professor Forest Green? Kind deciding between those two right now

Unfortunately my memory is getting fuzzier by the day, so I can't give an "accurate" comparison even considering how subjective all my opinions always were anyway. That said, my recollection is that the CP9Pro+ was more clinical, drier, compared to the MP FG, but also maybe more effective as a limiter.