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Help me choose a new Comp...

#41
speyer said:
Well.. my DHA is not horribly noisy, but it definitely has that classic "tube pre" hiss that I have found in a lot of 'cheaper' gear over the years. I'm very picky about unwanted noise in my signal is all... and why settle for noisy gear when you don't have too? (I'm keeping the DHA anyways ;))


You need a comp do ya... My BJFE is for sale and sounds great next to my DHA... Local sale - I'll make you a killer deal!

PM me if your interested. ;)

-pat.
Click to expand...

Thats definately a good deal. I'm a long way from a compressor expert, but I really like the pine green. I'll have to try to get over to both of those music stores... I wasn't really expecting this to be a local discussion when I opened the thread.

I'd agree with Jared's summary of the squeezebox. Some noise, but (to me) its tolerable. Sounds great, and I really like the extra controls over something like the pine green. I'm curious to hear about the Effectrode and how it compares to the pine green once you get it.
 
#42
If you like a syrupy vintage action a'la Motown, the Effectrode is where it's at. It doesn't thicken the tone as much as the Squeezebox, but it has the action, and much lower noise.

The PGC is very nice, but not $360 nice... whereas the Effectrode earns its price point IMO.
 
#44
DHA said:
which VT1 model is it that is noisy? The compressors can be if not set to unity gain but the overdrives should be very quiet. I did change the design of the compressor which fixed a lot of the hiss issues.
Click to expand...

Hi dave, it's a VT1-EQ-BASS. Also has some issues with the phones amp :hmm: Maybye PM me if you thinks you can help me out. :)

I bought the unit used from another TBer who i think new about these 'issues' before the sale...

-pat
 
#46
speyer said:
Hi dave, it's a VT1-EQ-BASS. Also has some issues with the phones amp :hmm: Maybye PM me if you thinks you can help me out. :)

I bought the unit used from another TBer who i think new about these 'issues' before the sale...

-pat
Click to expand...

There is something wrong if it's noisey. The VT1-EQ-Bass-Drive is a tube pre-amp and very low noise. The headphone out is a little hissy at higher settings but this has no effect on the DI and 1/4" jack out.

I will repair it at no cost if you cover the return postage to and from the UK.

Dave
 
#47
Thanks Dave, but Postage to the UK is about $35 each way. That doesn't help me out much really.... I think I just have to accept that I bought a lemon, and move on with life. ;)

Also, the heaphone amp sounds great but just doesn't work past 2 o'clock. you hear a click at 2...then it's got a horrible oscillating mild distortion sound overtop, some kind of interference or something. maybye the vol knob needs replacing?

-pat.
 
#48
speyer said:
I'm open to ANY other comparables... even Tubeless comps with similar qualitirs/tones to those listed above. Thanks for the help on this, I'd love to hear your opinions!

-pat.
__________________
Click to expand...

I have a Carl Martin Compressor pedal in my pedalboard that I love. It's odd to me that I don't see more bass players using this pedal. It's not a tube or even a photo-optical design, but it's the best sounding and definitely the most flexible compressor I've used. It has a 'response' knob that essentially lets you vary the function continuously from 'squishy' stomp box compression to a 'harder' limiting effect. Great pedal!
 
#49
bongomania said:
If you like a syrupy vintage action a'la Motown, the Effectrode is where it's at. It doesn't thicken the tone as much as the Squeezebox, but it has the action, and much lower noise.
Click to expand...

Not to hijack this thread, but if I want what Speyer wanted in a comp (warm, tubey, simple, no great need for limiting), any comparisons of the Effectrode PC-2A vs. the Diamond BCP-1? The Squeezebox sounds like what I want but is too much moola when available.

Or would a tubey pre-amp be a better way to go (Alembic F1X, Kern IP777, Aguilar DB659 or Read Purity seem warmest, fattest and tubiest from what I've read).

Or both? :D

Thanks, DM
 
#51
I can't help you with the Diamond unit but, FWIW, I run the PC-2A after a Catalinbread SFT. The SFT definitely gives more of a "tubey" sound (with some light hair) than the Effectrode. But, even when set for minimal compression, the PC-2A adds a certain richness that's beautiful. It's not an OD/grit kind of tone; but clean, smooth, and full.

The only other compressor I've tried is the Compulator, which is good, but nowhere near the Effectrode in terms of sound.
 
#53
Just picked up a Diamond Bass Compressor at a good price on Ebay. I would like to hear a comparison with the Effectrode PC-2A. I am sure Bongo could give a good comparison. It was his reviews that got me stuck on the Diamond. But I was also interested in the Effectrode. I think either would be a good choice. I have and use the demeter compulator. I like it but as of late I have come to look for an alternate or should I say something I like better.
 
#54
If somebody put a gun to my head and said "pick between the Diamond and the Effectrode" I would have to decide whether to respond "shoot me now", and save my integrity; or respond "Effectrode", and save my life. :p

I think they are equals, just with subtly different flavors. The Effectrode might have a little more tone color, and I like the stronger compression it can apply; but you might have a need for the high headroom and tilting EQ of the Diamond, and some people would find the Diamond more "clear" sounding.
 
#55
bongomania said:
If somebody put a gun to my head and said "pick between the Diamond and the Effectrode" I would have to decide whether to respond "shoot me now", and save my integrity; or respond "Effectrode", and save my life. :p

I think they are equals, just with subtly different flavors. The Effectrode might have a little more tone color, and I like the stronger compression it can apply; but you might have a need for the high headroom and tilting EQ of the Diamond, and some people would find the Diamond more "clear" sounding.
Click to expand...

Thanks Bongo. I love what the Diamond can do regarding your review. Also I wish the Diamond had a 4:1 instead of a 3:1 but it seemed to had fallen in my lap. I got a deal on a used Diamond and they are hard to find used. I wanted one and it came to me. The next compressor will be the electrode. It has that vintage vibe to it.
 
#57
Charley Umbria said:
I do love my Effectrode, but I really wish it had a visual threshold indicator like the Diamond and others. For a compression newbie like myself, it would be a valuable learning tool.
Click to expand...

You need to trust your ears.

Sometimes, when I work with vintage compressors in the studio, many of them are not properly calibrated. The VU meters are often not equal to each other.

Of course LEDs are helpful on a compressor pedal but I rather rely on my own judgment.
 
#58
bongomania said:
If somebody put a gun to my head and said "pick between the Diamond and the Effectrode" I would have to decide whether to respond "shoot me now", and save my integrity; or respond "Effectrode", and save my life. :p

I think they are equals, just with subtly different flavors. The Effectrode might have a little more tone color, and I like the stronger compression it can apply; but you might have a need for the high headroom and tilting EQ of the Diamond, and some people would find the Diamond more "clear" sounding.
Click to expand...

Okay, thanks for the input!
I've owned the diamond and I really liked it. The only thing I didn't like about it was that when you turned it on the sound character changed a bit too much compared to the dry signal.
However, I got a Effectrode PC-2A on the way and I'm really looking forward to try it out!
I just have one question... Would I be able to use a T-Rex Fuel Tank Chameleon to power the PC-2A with it's isolated 12VDC output? ...Could I just use a cable that converts negative/positive tip?

EDIT: I realize that I have to use the included power supply, hmm...
 
#59
bongomania said:
If somebody put a gun to my head and said "pick between the Diamond and the Effectrode" I would have to decide whether to respond "shoot me now", and save my integrity; or respond "Effectrode", and save my life. :p

I think they are equals, just with subtly different flavors. The Effectrode might have a little more tone color, and I like the stronger compression it can apply; but you might have a need for the high headroom and tilting EQ of the Diamond, and some people would find the Diamond more "clear" sounding.
Click to expand...

Thank You Bongo. I do like keeping my compressor on as part of the overall sound rather than use it as an effect. So I am a little excited to test it out. The electrode did get a nice review from you and I wish I knew someone around here with it. Sometimes Im not crazy about vintage sounding when something is so small and not the real LA2A.
But in a live situation you may not find the 3 thousand dollar difference. But if the Diamond improves the sound Im all for it. But isn't all compressors used to improve your sound. Oh well I guess I have to wish for the electrode too.
Are we all equipment whores?
 
#60
bongomania said:
If somebody put a gun to my head and said "pick between the Diamond and the Effectrode" I would have to decide whether to respond "shoot me now", and save my integrity; or respond "Effectrode", and save my life. :p

I think they are equals, just with subtly different flavors. The Effectrode might have a little more tone color, and I like the stronger compression it can apply; but you might have a need for the high headroom and tilting EQ of the Diamond, and some people would find the Diamond more "clear" sounding.
Click to expand...

Thanks Bongo, I ordered a Diamond comp from L & M 2 weeks ago, hope to get it soon....
 

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