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Compressor Suggestions
- Thread starter tanigumi
- Start date
I suggest a visit to: Compressor Pedal Reviews | More than 100 compressors reviewed
I also suggest you figure out why you want a comp and what you want it to do. Maybe you already know. If you do, share here to get better recommendations. Budget also helps to share.
As a general compressor recommendation, I would say Empress Bass Comp or Broughton Omni Comp. I no longer use either, but they are both excellent general purpose comps.
I also suggest you figure out why you want a comp and what you want it to do. Maybe you already know. If you do, share here to get better recommendations. Budget also helps to share.
As a general compressor recommendation, I would say Empress Bass Comp or Broughton Omni Comp. I no longer use either, but they are both excellent general purpose comps.
Roland GR 88
Commercial User
This is the classic read: https://www.talkbass.com/threads/te...a-darkglass-doc-lloyd-lusithand-more.1345638/
If you are new to Compressors, I would suggest a comp which is easy to operate-like Keeley Bassist or EBS Multicomp…
Agreed! Those are great comps, easy to use and they sound really good.
I rocked an EBS MultiCompr for years. It's simple, reliable and had quick and easy access to three very different compression types.
These days, I use a Source Audio Atlas and it's probably the last compressor, I'll ever buy. It's a simple or complex as i want to make it and my copy has 6 very different compressor types loaded loaded into it's patch memory.
These days, I use a Source Audio Atlas and it's probably the last compressor, I'll ever buy. It's a simple or complex as i want to make it and my copy has 6 very different compressor types loaded loaded into it's patch memory.
+1 Keeley Bassist. Can't go wrong.
Much better first to decide what do you want from compressor.
Do you want to tame initial transients, tidy up signal, add sustain? Do you want it at the start of your signal path to fix playing inconsistencies, or in the end of signal path, to fix wildly different effect pedals? Should it squash like limiter, or just lightly compress? Do you want it fully transparent, or should it have "flavor"? Maybe it should do more than one thing, then it's two compressors, or one with presets. Of course, there are budget or other limitations (like size or power requirements).
Don't want to scare you away, it's just much easier to recommend something with more input info.
Personally, I've used light compressors (like Carl Martin Classic Opto Compressor), digital (Rocktron Blue Thunder), cheapies (Kokko Compressor), limiter (Boss LMB-3), multiband (EBS Multicomp) and now I have compression set on the mixer. But they all performed great and completely different from one another.
Do you want to tame initial transients, tidy up signal, add sustain? Do you want it at the start of your signal path to fix playing inconsistencies, or in the end of signal path, to fix wildly different effect pedals? Should it squash like limiter, or just lightly compress? Do you want it fully transparent, or should it have "flavor"? Maybe it should do more than one thing, then it's two compressors, or one with presets. Of course, there are budget or other limitations (like size or power requirements).
Don't want to scare you away, it's just much easier to recommend something with more input info.
Personally, I've used light compressors (like Carl Martin Classic Opto Compressor), digital (Rocktron Blue Thunder), cheapies (Kokko Compressor), limiter (Boss LMB-3), multiband (EBS Multicomp) and now I have compression set on the mixer. But they all performed great and completely different from one another.
Becos, if you want a compressor that just does the job, without adding "color".
Plenty of different models - different sizes, features, and price point. I use their basic mini pedal, perfectly happy with that.
Plenty of different models - different sizes, features, and price point. I use their basic mini pedal, perfectly happy with that.
Another vote for becos, the LED meter is very helpful.
I use the becos mini pro, order from becos website directly.
I use the becos mini pro, order from becos website directly.
I sure like my Keeley Bassist. Easy to use and transparent. If you are looking to add warmth, it ain't it. I use mine to trim the volume peaks when I dig in or slap.
If footprint/size is an issue, another vote for the Becos mini. If not, I’m still quite happy with the MarkBass Compressore.
I always think that the best way to find out what all those abstract words of warning mean is to get a recommendation, and buy one and try it. I didn't know the answers to any of those questions but I heard-- ugg say compressor-good for bass guitar- so I bought one and suddenly I could be heard very well on stage. Why? Who cares? (but now I know) I like this one these days Bass Comp/EQ
I'm in the "tidy up the signal camp". I don't want a comp to alter my tone. After decades of never using a comp pedal in my live rig, always leaving it to FOH, but also rarely ever using five string basses, I'm now fully in the "five string bass with a compressor" camp. I'll still leave it to FOH for gigs where I'm confident about what they've got going on, but for your smaller gigs - bars, small clubs and dives, brewery, outdoor party gig--all that stuff, I have found the compressor to be very useful with the fiver to smooth things out, make it sound a bit more polished. I use the MXR M87 and it does what I need - I just have it barely grabbing anything but for sure it keeps those low notes nicely in check while sounding transparent, not changing my tone. I like the metering on it too.
