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compressors

#22
cybersnyder said:
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.
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It was down to this one for me, until you put the Opti-FET up for sale. How would you compare the two, based on your recollection of the Opti-FET?
 
#26
bongomania said:
I'll post my take on that comparison too, but I'm curious to hear cybersnyder's thoughts first. :)
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Ok, I like the Opti-Fet but I couldn't get what I felt was a natural sound out of it. It always seemed like I was missing too much of the high end or too much of the initial attack. I could get close, but not 100% of the way there. I did try the internal DIP switches as well.

After getting the PWNZOR I had an initial issue with the pedal, but Spencer hooked my up quickly and completely - the photo cell was out of spec. Now the PWNZOR is just about perfect for me. I get the attack that I want and the level compression that gives you a more polished sound plus there is a bit of tone enhancement that, to my ears that are probably a little shot, sounds thicker and fuller. No ding against the OptiFet, it's a great pedal, but I really like the simplicity and natural tone of the PWNZOR. I guess by "natural tone" I mean that it lets enough of the attack through so that it doesn't sound like there is a blanket over the speaker, it just sounds cleaner and fuller.
 
#30
So, my impression of the PWNZOR does differ a bit from yours; but tone is so subjective, and we have different rigs, expectations, and goals, so I would not at all suggest you were wrong. Also, you have both pedals in front of you right now, while I sent back the PWNZOR some time ago, so I'm relying only on memories and written notes.

I had essentially pigeonholed both of them together in the "warm, smooth, subtle tone shaper" box. The PWN has a more limited range of functions and qualities, and far fewer controls. So I would have said something like "if you liked the PWNZOR but wished you could dial it in with a significant amount more control, then the OptiFET is for you". But even so, I can see where you're coming from, in that the subtle tone shaping of the PWN comes largely from its compression, whereas the OptiFET was designed from the start as something that would subtly alter the tone irrespective of the compression.

I also think, not necessarily anything to do with cybersnyder's experience but rather as a general consideration, that the OptiFET's powerful controls could be confusing and frustrating for some users. For them, the simplicity of the PWN would be a bonus, especially if its inherent qualities are "already" what you were hoping to achieve/hear, as opposed to with the OptiFET having to sculpt the sound using unfamiliar tools.

For me personally those tools have become second nature, so I would choose the OptiFET over the PWN every time, without hesitation. But then again I recognize its tone and action are not ideal for every case. For example if I wanted more articulate attack and brighter tone, I'd reach for the Dual Band Limiter; and for similar qualities on a tight budget I'd go for the Seymour Duncan Doubleback. But I also take note of user responses, so I'm filing your description of the PWN in my mind for later reference!
 
#31
The OptiFet is definitely more adjustable but the PWNZOR nailed what I wanted to hear with the knobs in the default-ish positions. I have nothing bad to say about the OptiFet. Bongo was putting it nicely but he's right that I may not have known completely what I was doing with the OptiFet. I never completely got the hang of the side chain. But I did get some really nice Tony Levin sounds. My favorite compressors are the multicomp, the PWNZOR and the OptiFet. The multicomp was nice and simple, but maybe too simple. I was twiddling knobs too much with the OptiFet and the PWNZOR was, in the words of Goldilocks, just right.
 
#32
Thanks for the insight, cybersnyder and bongomania.

I am a fan of slower attack on compression, so I might have to give the Pwnzor a try eventually. Right now, the OptiFet is doing a great job trading studio and live duties with my MB Compressore.

As far as the side chain on the OptiFet goes, I use it for a couple of things. First, in my rock cover band, I decrease the amount of lows being compressed to give my E string a little more dynamic range. I also find that, contrary to the usual, I can put it before my envelope filter and decrease the mids compression and I still get a lot of control over the opening and closing of the filter. I do a fair amount of electronica stuff, too, and I usually sidechain the kick drum using VST compression. I can't wait to have an opportunity to see how well I can make the OptiFet duck.
 
#33
Yango said:
rob thebassman is giving you the best advice you're going to get.

Compressor Reviews

There's a lot of information in bongomania's reviews—in fact it'll probably make your head spin, but if you have any idea at all of what you're looking for—then 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 Compulator—and I highly recommend it.

[Invalid or Expired Link Removed]

Good luck.
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Are there websites dedicated to other effect pedal reviews like Ovnilabs?
 
#36
BassMonstrum said:
I don't have either the skill nor patience to twist the knobs "right", so the simpler, the better. EBS Multicomp for me too...
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Just hope it doesn't go bad over time. Although I love the sound of the Multicomp for my personal tone objectives, I have two that are making lovely paper weights at this time. As much as three times can be a charm, I'm now looking in other directions.
 
#37
Jerry Ziarko said:
Just hope it doesn't go bad over time. Although I love the sound of the Multicomp for my personal tone objectives, I have two that are making lovely paper weights at this time. As much as three times can be a charm, I'm now looking in other directions.
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Yeah, I've heard that they do tend to go bad over time. I've had mine for almost a year now. How long did yours last and exactly what went wrong?
 
#38
Can anyone compare the PWNZOR to the Diamond BCP? It seems like they have similar goals, with the PWN being more adjustable.

I'm very much a "set and forget" user, so the crazy simple look of the Diamond is appealing. How are the fixed attack/release times on the Diamond?

I'm looking at compression as a subtle "tone improvement," and Spence's design goals with the PWN sound very much like what I'm after, slow attack and low ratios for natural dynamics.

The Diamond is in Bongo's Top Picks, and going by comments and reviews, sounds like it has what I'm after baked right in.

What separates these two other than price?

Thanks,
Jeremy
 

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