EBS Multicomp users?

new they're in $240 range, I think. I've been using one for 3 years now, I love it. It doesn't sound like compression is being applied to your sound, but turn it off and you'll soon find out it is

It's also a highly discussed pedal, so if you do a search you'll find plenty more threads talking about it

 

My point exactly!

Sold mine some time ago though. It always felt like I didn't really need this pedal...

 

Compression is an invisible effect, and you really don't realize what it is doing for you until you hear a recording of yourself with and without it.

The one thing that I find it very usefull for live, is for evening out my playing dynamics (ie. hard slapping and softer fingering techniques), which subsequently lets me get more volume out of my stage rig and makes things easier for the front of house engineer (lets him push you louder in the mix without worrying about the system)

It can also give you a slightly more punchy and agressive tone if you use faster attack and release settings...

Ps. alot of newer compressors have switches that allow for a bit more low end to come through...

Also, while Marcus is a great player and surely knows what he is talking about, also just remember that he is an EBS endorsee...

 

Although I think the EBS Multi Comp is OK I got rid of mine. But for a pedal its good. Yet I think it color's your sound. Agree you notice the difference when on and off, but Im not sure its the compression. I used it without boosting the output at a hi level (9 oclock)and I felt it was coloring it too much. I think the DBX 160A compresses so much better. But pedals are like that. Pedals are more in your face than rack mounts and that is musical too. I guess its what you like. Again im not saying its a bad pedal but its not for me. I would look into a old DBX 160 which is fantastic for bass. But now your spending a large amounts of money. I would say the DBX 160A is a nice unit but again its a rack mount. I heard the Demeter pedal is great and i might try that one for a compressor to drop in your gig bag.

 

I spoke to one pro bassist I played with in London about his aphex(?) pedal comressor choice, and he said he chose it over the EBS, as in his opinion the EBS was very musical, and almost unoticeable, but didn't get agressive enough for him...

 

I can say exactlythe same thing. For some reason compressors get bought and sold often, so keep in mind there's a chance you will sell it after some time.
I must add though, that I sold mine also because I could not tell whether compression was coming from the (indefeatable) compressor on my amp or from the EBS, so I did not know what knob to turn.

 

I never really understood compression and how to use it properly untill I got my Trace V8 with built in tube-compressor... Can't play without it anymore... makes your sound soooooooooo much better without making it artificial.

 

right, the EBS isn't really for you if you're looking to use compression as an effect (like Tony Levin does). But if you want pretty transparent compression, which I do, it's great.

 

This is exactly why I bought the EBS.
I love how it just evens things out and adds some punch, but does it in such a transparent fashion.
I didn't notice any coloration either, except when using some of the different settings designed for that purpose, and to me it's a virtually invisible helper.