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EBS MultiComp Blue Label or Keeley Bassist Compressor?
- Thread starter BASS YODA
- Start date
I like to tinker / experiment so I'd opt for the EBS. I have the built-in (single voicing) on my EBS amp and it's more-than-respectable. OTOH, there are reports of build & reliability issues so do your homework.
Riis
Riis
Cant speak to the EBS but I started using the Keeley this year live, always on, and I have been getting rave compliments from the band about how much my groove has improved. It is my only effect.
Buy them both and decide. Make sure you have a window to send one back. That is what I did. I ended up keeping Keeley bass comp and Diamond comp eq, but I sent back a few that I just did not like. I only use the Diamond now pretty much. Not all compressors work with all basses, setups etc...some people like anchovies, others don't.
Keeley is super clean and excels as a limiter. EBS add fattening tonal coloration and excels as a mild smoothing compressor.
I haven't used the EBS, but I owned a Keeley Bassist briefly.
If I'd started with the Keeley, I probably would have stuck with it because it's simple, transparent, built well, and does exactly what a compressor should do.
The ONLY reason I didn't keep the Keeley is because I got it at the same time as a Lusithand Alma.
The Alma is less of a pure compressor and has more of a "secret sauce tone sweetener" vibe.
If I'd started with the Keeley, I probably would have stuck with it because it's simple, transparent, built well, and does exactly what a compressor should do.
The ONLY reason I didn't keep the Keeley is because I got it at the same time as a Lusithand Alma.
The Alma is less of a pure compressor and has more of a "secret sauce tone sweetener" vibe.
I have tried a bunch of bass comps and always come back to the Keeley. Super easy to dial in and it just works!
I don't have any experience with that EBS though so I can't compare...
I don't have any experience with that EBS though so I can't compare...
I have been through a bunch of different compressors (probably 45ish unique models) but keep coming back to the Bassist (I've had 5 over the years). I think it's safe to say it's an industry standard pedal at this point. There's other pedals with more options (cali, empress, etc.) but nothing beats the 3 knob simplicity of the Bassist for live use. (Set threshold so it goes blinky-blinky, set comp to taste, set volume to unity. Done!)
That being said, I recently switched to the Keeley GC-2 and think it's better on Bass! It's identical to the Bassist except for a single capacitor that makes it Clamp down LESS on lower frequencies. You read that right, the Guitar version actually let's more Bass through.
The Bassist seems to clamp down on lows just a little too much and makes my open E less punchy than I would like. The GC-2 alleviates this issue and sounds fantastic! Super clean, transparent, and punchy, without the sterility people occasionally mention with the Bassist.
All that said, forget what other people say about them. Just buy both and see which you prefer through your gear with your musical style. That's the only real way to know which is "Best".
That being said, I recently switched to the Keeley GC-2 and think it's better on Bass! It's identical to the Bassist except for a single capacitor that makes it Clamp down LESS on lower frequencies. You read that right, the Guitar version actually let's more Bass through.
The Bassist seems to clamp down on lows just a little too much and makes my open E less punchy than I would like. The GC-2 alleviates this issue and sounds fantastic! Super clean, transparent, and punchy, without the sterility people occasionally mention with the Bassist.
All that said, forget what other people say about them. Just buy both and see which you prefer through your gear with your musical style. That's the only real way to know which is "Best".
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If you have experience with compression and know you want transparent compression, the Keeley might be the best bet. If you are new to it and don't know if you want tone enhancing vs transparent compression, I'd go with the EBS. It is easy to dial in, but with the three compression modes quite versatile. That's what I did, and the "tube sim" mode is an important part of my live sound now. I've compared it in the mix with more transparent options, but then it just seems like something extra is missing from my sound, so it stays.
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I have had both. Both are good options, IMO.
EBS is not capable of limiting. Keeley is not capable of dual-band compression and tone enhancement.
If you want a limiter-go for Keeley. If you want dual-band compression and tone enhancement-go for EBS.
Good luck!
EBS is not capable of limiting. Keeley is not capable of dual-band compression and tone enhancement.
If you want a limiter-go for Keeley. If you want dual-band compression and tone enhancement-go for EBS.
Good luck!
I don't think you can go wrong with the Keeley.
I own one, and after going through a shameful amount of compressors, it's the one piece of gear that has a permanent residence on my board.
I own one, and after going through a shameful amount of compressors, it's the one piece of gear that has a permanent residence on my board.
- Limits well
- Very transparent
- Easy to dial in
I prefer the EBS and look at the Keeley more as a limiter. I own both.
I've been using the same EBS comp for over 15 years. I have tried many others and I keep coming back to the EBS. When I tried a Keeley I found it to be noisy and I sent it back. The only other compressor that I've liked is the Markbass Compressore.
I’ve used both, and a lot of others, but I keep coming back to the Keeley Bassist. I keep hoping something else will take its place because it’s kind of boring, but it does exactly what it’s supposed to do. Tightens up the sound and stays fairly transparent. It’s also the only compressor that I can really feel while I’m playing. It’s as much the feel as the sound with the Keeley. The EBS is good though.
