Hello, after reading extensively here and on the ovnilab site I'm asking for your help in order to choose a compressor pedal. I'm mostly using a P bass (c.shop 64 reissue) playing pop and rock. The pedalboard will consist in a Tonehammer Preamp, compressor and tuner .. so quite simple with the goal of using it for in ear monitoring. Said so I'm after a used market (in EUROPE!) and the Cali would be the ultimate choice. But let's say that it's a little over my budget therefore here are other options. Which one would you choose ? Thanks {}
I voted for the Diamond cause it works for me in the style of music I'm into at this time. It's dead simple and quiet but it only has about 3:1 ratio so if you need more squish or a limiter, you'll need to look elsewhere. FWIW, I have the original Bass Comp and the Jr. and I can't tell any difference in performance but the Jr. fits on my compact board better. B.
as said... I'm reading the things (including that thread) and have quite an idea... Thanks for the link though Would like to test the waters though what other members think and see how the Pool goes. Thanks
I run an Empress and my guitar player runs a Cali 76. I'd happily swap compressors, but she wouldn't. Nothing else really comes close to a Cali 76.
Next step after reading is pulling the trigger and spending some time and $$$$$$__$. Down the compressor vortex you go.
That would be my 2 board.... with my main board I'm so used to play through a compressor that from the day that I've started using it (some 5 years ago) ... no external sound goes without it. In my main board I'm using an Aguilar TLC which is great. I would love to try something else though (had some relatively "cheap" ones (which does not mean they were bad!) in the past, think: spectracomp, dynacomp, mxr132 and wasn't satisfied, expecially after the TLC came into the picture).
Diamond will be your best bang-for-the-buck IMO. It's also stupidly easy to use. I've also used the Carl Martin which is impressive but somewhat more difficult to dial-in plus it's hard-wired for 110/220. You can buy a whole lotta compressor for low-dough! Bet it would sound great with the ToneHammer which I also use. Riis
Ok cool, if you like the TLC, I'd say either the Diamond, which gets a lot of love for good reason, or the for more flexibility, the Smoothie. Although I'm not sure you'd have that available in your area. So I voted for the Diamon. Good luck on your decision!
Diamond Comp Jr. for me, but it depends on what exactly you want. After going through around 100 compressors, the Diamond is the only one that delivers what *I* was looking for...punch and tonal magic.
I’ve had my Diamond Jr (and first compression pedal) about a month, and it is exactly what I desired. I don’t think I’m missing anything from other brands, so I count it a home run on the first pitch. Passive P bass and Kramer player....
Whatever it is try it together with the tone hammer first if you can,sometimes two good pedals are not so great working together.
Tried a lot and the Diamond Mini is where I landed. Magical. It really comes down to the amp too. I use my Diamond Compressor with my Mesa D800+ but don't need it or use it with my Ampeg PF50-T.
I really like the MXR and start my signal chain off right after the tuner on all my boards. You can see what your squashing, its very flexible and more on the transparent side of things.
The Cali 76B is the first pedal compressor that I love. The Smoothie was close. Never got along with the Diamond. But I am playing an active Warwick, not a Fender, on most of my gigs.
I have an older Carl Martin (with the AC plug) in my studio and it sounds great. I also have a Keeley Bassist and a bunch of high end plug-ins, but the Carl Martin has something the others don't. It is a bit on the larger side.
After trying some of the ones on your list, I went for one you don't have listed. I absolutely love my Markbass Compressore. It also got great reviews on Ovnilab. I would imagine it would be easy to find there in Europe. Thought I'd throw it out there for your consideration.
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