Help me choose a new compressor pedal

[BaltBass5]

Empress Bass Comp. Done.

 

[SteveC]

The MXR is nice. The Empress Bass Compressor is better. I’d say the best. I know people love the Cali.

The Empress Bass Compressor and the Empress ParaEQ Deluxe was the best combo (I ran that into a REDDI) I ever had.

 

[Lammchop93]

Empress bass compressor mkii is my favorite. Another keeley bassist is a solid choice though. Love that pedal.

 

[el murdoque]

Keeley: It's simple to set and sounds very transparent.

Empress: It has stellar metering and is your best bet if you like a tone with a bite. It has a side chain HPF, which is very useful.

Cali76 Compact Bass: Good if you want a fat tone, a little rounded off - also comes with side chain HPF.

MXR M87: Good all round solution. Can get annoyingly squishy if you hit it too hard.

 

[Phaidrus]

If you like tubes, Markbass Compressore tube compressor. I like it a lot.

Markbass Compressore – Markbass

 

[Phaidrus]

I've previously owned a Markbass Compressore, which is a tube compressor. It's a good pedal, very good sound, but it's also a somewhat big and hard to find pedal. It was just slightly too big for me to justify keeping it. There is a 2nd version available with a slightly smaller enclosure, but you hardly ever see those go up secondhand. I suppose that could tell us something.

I do own a 2nd generation Compressore and like it a lot. Good, warm tube sound, lots of tweakability. Wouldn‘t sell it for the world.

 

[ebo]

I use the Keeley and have no complaints. If you can return it for a working unit I’d suggest giving it a proper testing. On the other hand @Killing Floor just gave me GAS for the Lusithand. Hate when that happens!

 

[Solude]

MXR 87/76 or Empress Compressor. Just make sure it can get down to .8ms attack and 50ms release, has metres and you're golden.

 

[superheavyfunk]

Hey all looking for some advice, recently bought a Keeley Bassist compressor pedal, as an upgrade to my ampeg opto comp, but turned out to be a faulty unit so I’m in the process of returning it.

Space on my pedal board is pretty limited but I’m keen on finding out if anyone thinks it’s worth ordering a replacement keeley bassist pedal or should I go for something different?

ive got the MXR pre amp which sounds great with either my jazz or precision, and the build quality is brilliant. So what’s everyone’s thoughts on the MXR bass compressor?

Was also thinking of maybe getting a fender down town express as it’s a compact unit that would save having to take several pedals to rehearsals and gigs, but not sure if it’s really all that great.

Anyone got any other suggestions/recommendations? My playing style is mostly finger style with occasional plectrum.

Any advice is appreciated.

Cheers

Ray

The Becos Stella mini would net you space and still give you great compression features. Worth looking into

 

[SteveC]

If you like tubes, the PC-2A.

PC-2A Tube Compressor - Effectrode

 

[jam.majors]

Check out the Source Audio Atlas. I love compression and you can play around with series and parallel and HPF and dual band, all without buying an entire stable of comp pedals. And you can emulate FET, optical, vari-mu, each in pedal or studio versions. there’s a lot going on, and I love it.
I have a lot of their other pedals and they don’t “sound digital”, just really good. They also let me try out things I’m hearing “flavor of the month” pedals do just by downloading a patch or playing with current ones. So I also end up saving money and time on that sort of thing!

 

[J-Bass RMR]

The Empress Bass Compressor and the Empress ParaEQ Deluxe was the best combo (I ran that into a REDDI) I ever had.

 

[Killing Floor]

I use the Keeley and have no complaints. If you can return it for a working unit I’d suggest giving it a proper testing. On the other hand @Killing Floor just gave me GAS for the Lusithand. Hate when that happens!

If you like the Diamond with the little bit of color from tilt EQ you’ll like the Alma. If you want more of a hifi transparency it’s probably not the one. That’s ok. There are a bazillion good bass comps including the Keeley.

 

[Thumpin6string]

Of the many comps I've tried, the one I like best and is always on is my Markbass Compressore. Not the best for space saving though. It has a fairly large footprint, but tube compression is worth it IMHO.

 

[JazznFunk]

I needed a smaller footprint compressor for certain applications as well... I bought the MXR and it was defective. Never worked properly no matter what bass I plugged in. The replacement one I got was also defective. Turned out this was common. I ended up getting the Seymour Duncan Studio Bass compressor pedal and have been 100% satisfied. I also have an original model MarkBass Compressore from 2009/2010, but the large footprint isn't always practical. Check out the S-D.

 

[butterfingers1]

Empress and Broughton Omnicomp are perfect set-and-forget for me.

The Diamond is an intriguing choice, simple but potent one knob compressor with simple, fun and original EQ, nice coloured warm round tones all around.

 

[HelpImaRock]

I had a Keeley Bassist that was noisy. I moved on to the BOSS BC-1x and never looked back.

 

[bdplaid]

I'm a fan of the Diamond Bass Comp, either the old one or the new one. The new one maybe edge out the old one because of the midrange control. It's a light compression that makes everything punchier.

 

[HolmeBass]

Thread solved

View attachment 5160935

Really? Better than Cali 76 CB?

 

[Killing Floor]

Really? Better than Cali 76 CB?

Different. Better is subjective at this point.

I like the Cali76. I don’t need that HPF so I just have the standard Compact, that’s the only difference. I also have the Stacked which I LOVE but it got “demoted” to my guitar rig because it really opens up my horrific lead playing.