Help me decide (Compressor related)

[Mosfed]

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

View attachment 3653112

Cali CB or Broughton Apex

 

[BurtMacklinFBI]

Your lack of Broughton Apex disturbs me. It's awesome.

 

[kmon]

I like my markbass compressore, great tone, easy to use, gets the job done very well

 

[SteveFromBerlin]

Did not read all the responses, sorry.

My advice is this:

Some comps sound old school, others modern (linear / no colour in tone). The question is: Do you want it to colour your tone. If so, how much?

Did you ever hear someone say that a tube mic and a tube preamp are too much coloration? That's kind of the same thing.

I LOVE the Diamond Comp Jr.! But, if I combine that with used flatwounds, an all tube head and a closed cab without tweater... mudd will be your friend. Diamond Comp Jr. infront of a GK or Markbass? Damn right, a bit of color in front of a clean setup.

MXR 87 (clean great excellent comp) in front of an Ampeg V4B? Yes Sir!

I hope you get my point. I learned this the hard way by buying loads of comps and amps.

PS: The TC Spectra Comp is really impressive. The factory comp setting is crap. But check out the Nathan East Toneprint!

 

[TheLopp]

Cali if you could find one or Becos Stella as a close contender. The Becos actually might be my number 1 choice, haven’t decided yet.

 

[Ryan L.]

The Cali76 CB is the first compressor I’ve actually loved the sound of, and I’ve owned or tried several. It’s an always on for me.

 

[scottfeldstein]

I went with the MXR M87 and I have never regretted it nor have I had any desire for a different unit. For me, a compressor is there to level out the volume of my notes. The end. In fact, I can't really hear it when it's on. I can only hear it when it's off and I'm playing in the full band. Some notes dominate the mix, others disappear completely. With my compressor on I can hear everything at the right level.

I also like the fact that it has an LED meter so I can visually see what my settings are doing. It's the workhorse of my board. I've even changed out my tuner once, but never this thing!

 

[hieronymous]

The compressor I use - CAJ V-Comp - is not on your list and very hard to find outside of Japan anyway, so I didn't vote. However, I will say that for myself, I need an indicator to show me when I'm hitting the threshold - I know some people may say "use your ears" but that's just me. If I were a guitarist that just wanted to squish notes for crazy sustain that would be one thing, but bass is subtle and I need help - especially if you play with dynamics. I can tell with my ears when I'm hitting it way too hard, but I like to have the visual indicator as a guide. It helps too if you are switching instruments, pickup settings, etc.

 

[Rojd]

My vote goes to the MXR M87.

 

[Ewo]

It wasn't on the list, but I'd recommend the OVNILab Smoothie. I have the first version, and IMHO it works great for rock material. Having level controls to blend both wet and dry (i.e., compressed and uncompressed) signals can really help it sound more natural in a mix.

 

[Marhmol]

Any more than this my friends start throwing things at me.
I voted MXR though. Its was my first choice.

 

[ugly_bassplayer]

I'm thinking the "compressor" threads are the new "best bass for metal".....wine tasters edition.

 

[Johno Dunn]

I'm thinking the "compressor" threads are the new "best bass for metal".....wine tasters edition.

Okay, that's funny!

 

[jblock]

Cali76 CB. I like the Diamond Mini too, but you've already got good tonal options with the Tonehammer. And if you want a compressor that can be a little weird and overdriven, check out the Fairfield Accountant.

 

[Johno Dunn]

I voted Cali76 CB. Never thought I would have the opportunity to try one, but got offered one in trade, and jumped on it. Now I'll never be without it! I've owned 3 Diamonds and an MXR from your list, plus many others. Nothing sounds like the Cali to my ears.

 

[scottfeldstein]

I'm thinking the "compressor" threads are the new "best bass for metal".....wine tasters edition.

The Huffington Post calls Signal Squeezers "the first compression club to get it right!"

 

[Johno Dunn]

I'm thinking the "compressor" threads are the new "best bass for metal".....wine tasters edition.

"Excuse me good Sir, but could you recommend a compressor that pairs well with EmoPostGrungeDeathMetal by chance?"

 

[ghill166]

the diamond into tone hammer is a GREAT combination. So smooth and buttery. the bass comp would be ideal, but even the regular comp Jr would be a fantastic choice since you aren't downtuning.

One other thought: get an HPF. I can hear people's eyes rolling at yet another HPF recommendation, but hear me out. Most of the signal that you're compressing is in the lows and sub lows. an HPF will take care of that mud, and leave you with a nice signal into the Tone Hammer.

That being said, the Tone Hammer does have some inherent HPF happening with the drive section.

 

[clockworkcorpse]

I've used a tlc forever. A few months ago I bought a diamond because I wanted something different, and I can attest that it does indeed sound great with the tone hammer, but it did not wipe the tlc off my board. It's great as a tone enhancer as some others have said, but when I want a compressor I still want my tlc. For a while I ran them together, but ultimately decided to remove the diamond and now it sits in a drawer. I like to get all my tone from my preamp pedal.

 

[chaak]

FEA Labs Opti-FET

or any FEA Labs compressor