I'm looking for a good stompbox type compressor. I see a lot of talk about MXR's Bass Compressor and Markbass's Comressore. Icm liking the MXR demo videos a little better than Marbass, but it might be because of the production quality of the video and not the sound of the pedal. Open to other pedal suggestions.
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compressors
- Thread starter verdeforiam
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bongomania
Commercial User
What do you want from the compressor, and what's your budget? Unless you're very specific, all you'll get is a bunch of random suggestions that have no real value to you.
rob thebassman is giving you the best advice you're going to get.
Compressor Reviews
There's a lot of information in bongomania's reviewsin fact it'll probably make your head spin, but if you have any idea at all of what you're looking forthen you may be able to narrow down your search and make an educated decision after reading his reviews.
Having said that, I absolutely love my Demeter Compulatorand I highly recommend it.
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Good luck.
Compressor Reviews
There's a lot of information in bongomania's reviewsin fact it'll probably make your head spin, but if you have any idea at all of what you're looking forthen you may be able to narrow down your search and make an educated decision after reading his reviews.
Having said that, I absolutely love my Demeter Compulatorand I highly recommend it.
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Good luck.
After reading tons of reviews (Bongo's included of course) I've basically narrowed my search down to three compressors, considering my $200 budget.
Cheap: BBE Opto Stomp
Expensive: MXR Bass Comp
Wildcard: Aguilar TLC
That's it for me. Thanks to bongo, I was able to weed out all the ones that are crap, don't have true bypass, fart out on high output basses, or have weird issues.
MXR is the clear winner considering they go for around $150 used on here..but it really bugs me that the power connector is on the side. Little things like that irk me. Even worse, the Aguilar has input/output on top. That probably doesn't bug most people though
I wish TC Electronic would make a compressor. It would be bad-a!
Cheap: BBE Opto Stomp
Expensive: MXR Bass Comp
Wildcard: Aguilar TLC
That's it for me. Thanks to bongo, I was able to weed out all the ones that are crap, don't have true bypass, fart out on high output basses, or have weird issues.
MXR is the clear winner considering they go for around $150 used on here..but it really bugs me that the power connector is on the side. Little things like that irk me. Even worse, the Aguilar has input/output on top. That probably doesn't bug most people though
I wish TC Electronic would make a compressor. It would be bad-a!
Been through a lot of compressors and for me, the 3Leaf PWNZOR is it. I can dial in a slower attack time that keeps the transients sounding natural. The tone is still natural, just more refined. In the imortal words of KJung, IMO/IME - YMMV.
bongomania
Commercial User
They have made several! You can find them used, and I'm sure they'll make more eventually.
Of course, the company can go die in a hole as far as I'm concerned...
nothing against bongomania but, one mans opinion means nothing. until you try different units in your own rig, you'll never know what may or may not work for you.
Except bongomania knows what he's talking about and will help you get in the right ballpark more quickly. Everyone will hear things a little differently, but if his site can help you narrow it down to two or three you'll save a lot of money and frustration in the long run.
that didn't quite come off as intended and I agree that it's a good thing he has a guide like that. I still think that trying different compressors is the only way unless you just let other people decide your rig for you.
bongomania
Commercial User
I do like your site and think I've read every review and I can't say I disagree with any of them. a couple of my faves are the Ibanez BP-10 and the Boss CS-3, I know some people hate the Boss CS-3, lol.
The MXR can be a great tool if you know how to use a compressor, but like any compressor, it can also easily ruin your sound if you don't have an idea on how a compressor works, what each knob does and how to use them.
I love my Trace Elliot SMX dual Band Compressor, it's a really nice sounding comp, despite the slight loss of Lows, which starts about 80Hz or something like that. Having a dual band compressor allows you to diall a pretty nice gentle compression that won't ruin your sound (i.e distort the low end due to too fast attack times). IMO The folks at Trace Elliot did a nice Job choosing the Attack ease times. It's a shame that the SMX comp it's a discontinued model, but if you can get your hands on a used one you won't regret it.
I Just wish I could afford the FEA Labs dual Band Optical compressor, that way I could set the comp to my personal taste.
I love my Trace Elliot SMX dual Band Compressor, it's a really nice sounding comp, despite the slight loss of Lows, which starts about 80Hz or something like that. Having a dual band compressor allows you to diall a pretty nice gentle compression that won't ruin your sound (i.e distort the low end due to too fast attack times). IMO The folks at Trace Elliot did a nice Job choosing the Attack ease times. It's a shame that the SMX comp it's a discontinued model, but if you can get your hands on a used one you won't regret it.
I Just wish I could afford the FEA Labs dual Band Optical compressor, that way I could set the comp to my personal taste.
bongomania
Commercial User
A couple years ago they gave me such foul customer service that I have put them on my permanent $#!+ list. It wasn't even just one instance of bad CS, it was an extended drama of BS proportions, lasting weeks. The more recent business of them lying about their amplifier specs --and defending their lies-- just adds vinegar to the taste.
I know, lots of people love the new amps, hooray for them. I wish those people well, and hope they never need any customer service.
I know, lots of people love the new amps, hooray for them. I wish those people well, and hope they never need any customer service.
Dang, I've gotten great service from the guys at TC Electronic.
I understand where you're coming from, though. Digitech can pound sand for all I care. Some people love them for some reason.
I understand where you're coming from, though. Digitech can pound sand for all I care. Some people love them for some reason.
Yango said:
Very helpful, and yes a lot of info, it will give me a good starting point to make my selection. Thanks!
