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First compression pedal help

I've narrowed my choices to the following (based on my price and availability)

  • Ampeg Opto Comp

    Votes: 25 89.3%
  • BBE Opto Stomp (Mustache)

    Votes: 1 3.6%
  • Budda Chakra

    Votes: 0 0.0%
  • Pigtronix Philosopher Bass Compressor Micro

    Votes: 2 7.1%

  • Total voters
    28
Optical compressors typically work with a soft knee and can easily be setup to be light, slow and forgiving; so it can be a good choice for a beginner, in my opinion. Plus, a led demonstrating the compression kicking in can also be helpful to understand how and when it works.

Ampeg Opto Comp seems to tick both boxes.
 
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I'm also curious what made you pick these. Do you have any specific needs or goals we should know about?

Not that they are bad, but if I were made to list 10 "first compressors" off the top of my head, none of this would be in the list.

Availability around my area and price budget. I live in Japan and these are the ones that have gotten favourable recommendations based on my research, fits what I'm willing to spend for trying out something for the first time, and are easy to find (second hand). Another option I keep seeing is the Albit GC-3 although i can't find much about it in english.

All the other top-shelf ones such as the mxr, empress, diamond, cali, keeley, etc. are at least double the price of these 4.
 
Are you sure you need one? I just got my first compressor pedal last week, an Empress Bass Compressor, and I'm sending it back. I use compressors a lot in my DAW, as a production tool, but I couldn't gel with it on bass. I'd suggest to try some out, to get the feeling of playing with a compressor, because it is quite complex and may not be what you are looking for. My revelation was that I actually need a better EQ instead of a compressor.
I had an mxr one a few years ago couldn't hear what it did to improve the sound or anything else for me in a live setting so sold it.
 
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Yeah I'm still new at this. I'm getting my feet wet with effects and almost everyone says compression is the first to get. I was curious to see what more knowledgeable and experience players opinion's were on the matter [4 choices] given the constraints I listed just above.

Keep in mind that the vast majority of professional bass players have never owned a compressor pedal, or at least don't use them to perform. You don't need one. If you want one, cool, but don't ever think you need it.

As far dipping into effects, it's a waste of time and money unless you have something specific you're trying to achieve. If you want to recreate specific sounds for your music you may realize you need. A chorus or an overdrive, for example. If that doesn't happen, don't force it. Play. Enjoy your bass.
 
Yeah I'm still new at this. I'm getting my feet wet with effects and almost everyone says compression is the first to get. I was curious to see what more knowledgeable and experience players opinion's were on the matter [4 choices] given the constraints I listed just above.
Well, if you're just starting with effects, get something fun! Like an envelope filter, or a wah. Maybe a delay or a chorus if you're into that. Don't start with a compressor, they are the accountants of the effects world.
 
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I’d ask you why you need one. They are so beneficial in the studio mixing and mastering world.

They aren’t a substitute for practicing plucking at the same force consistently for 3-4 min. Your next quest is to strike forcefully then lightly then back to forcefully so you can do it at will. Your rig should handle this. If it’s a practice amp use volume with reason:)

I offer all this after seeing compression used as a substitute for controlled technique. When that bassist plays without it they sound inconsistent. They may have put in years and relied on tech in place of development as a musician.
 
I’d ask you why you need one. They are so beneficial in the studio mixing and mastering world.

They aren’t a substitute for practicing plucking at the same force consistently for 3-4 min. Your next quest is to strike forcefully then lightly then back to forcefully so you can do it at will. Your rig should handle this. If it’s a practice amp use volume with reason:)

I offer all this after seeing compression used as a substitute for controlled technique. When that bassist plays without it they sound inconsistent. They may have put in years and relied on tech in place of development as a musician.
Please remember that this is the Effects sub-forum, not Technique.
 
What do you want? Squeeze, coloring, transparency, limiting, or something else?

OP, the fact that you don’t know what to buy suggests that you don’t need one.

Huge +1 here. Until you know why you want one and what you want it to do for you, hold off.

FWIW I use a Walrus Deep Six because it's pretty transparent and the slight amount of coloring it adds was what I was looking for. I used to use an MXR Bass Comp but found it too sterile.
 
and almost everyone says compression is the first to get.

Yeah, this annoys me, and I am mind blown why and how many people suggest compression for a first "effect".... Terrible idea strongly advise against it. I'm with the guy that told you to get something fun for your first effect, if you don't know why or what you want to do with a compressor then wait to get one.
 
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