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Instead of buying a compressor, should I instead get a multi-effect?
- Thread starter robert_stuart
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- buying compressor
I have a Zoom B3 and I had a MS 50b but sold it for a Zoom MS70-CDR, which I far prefer than all the other zoom units. The compressors on the B3 and 50b are ok and passable but no where near the clarity or a really good dedicated compressor. As a generalisation, compression is something that digital stomps / multi FX boxes don't do as well as other types of effects. So it's best to get a dedicated stomper for compression.
I have only the most minimal effects & pedals, and one of them is for upright:
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But I've now gotten the compressor religion. Can't believe I haven't been using it. I was about to buy either the Boss, MXR, or Markbass ... but I'm thinking I could really go the multi-effect route instead of investing in individual pedals.
I'm going to be playing lots of covers in this town (Las Vegas), and I can see I'll want to get the bass sounds used in the songs.
The Zoom B3n costs about the same as any of those compressors. And if its compression is as good as e.g. its Sansamp simulation, then that would seal the deal. Can anyone comment on its compression vs. a dedicated pedal? My only concern about Zoom is that I used to own the 506. It was a fun play thing, but super noisy, and not good for performance or recording:
So has Zoom come a long way? Does the B3n compare well to Boss quality for quietness, and general tone quality? Can it emulate the DOD meatbox?
On the high end, the $700 Boss guitar synth is even cooler, uhh, more flexible.
But in the mid range of price, the Boss bass multi-effect pedals seem to be unliked here as sounding too flat compared to separate pedals. And they're a generation behind the Boss guitar counterparts as well as the Zoom, which is brand new.
I'm considering the Tech 21 Bass Fly Rig, but it lacks programmability. On the positive side, (1) it's genuine Tech21, and (2) like other Tech 21 gear, it looks like it's hard to get a bad sound out of it: Watching videos of people using it, all the knob positions yield cool results.
On the even cheaper end, the Zoom MS-60B seems to have the same emulation as the B3n. I could get that and just use it as a compressor, eventually using more of it.
tldr; Should I jump on the multi-effect train right now, before dropping $150-$200 on a compressor pedal?
Compression is one of the most useful effects on bass IMO. A compression pedal should be darn near the first one in your signal chain, that is outside of specific circumstances. It really helps you be heard, makes the bass punchy.
In my mind an analog compressor is ideal due to where it is in your chain. I.e. first.
Many other effects don't sound as great as you'd expect (on bass) or have limited use outside of specific genres or situations. Of course there are examples of bass effects pedals that break the mold, but that's a general statement about all that.
At any rate, in my opinion, I would say to get a nice dedicated compressor to be your one compression pedal. Then think about getting something else for your other effects. Multi-effects or whatever you want.
A dedicated compressor is pretty cheap compared to many other effects pedals, and there are some really nice ones out there. I'd say just get a dedicated, portable compressor like a EHX Soul Preacher or something similar. There are a lot of other suitable options for around the same price.
TC Electronic Forcefield has one for 50 USD that looks OK. However the EHX Bass or Soul Preacher are only like 80 bucks and are great pedals. It's not much when most of the great pedals, multi-effects and other, are running 150-300 dollars.
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If you are unfamiliar with compression and whether it's for you, I'd suggest going the ME route personally. Once you have an idea whether you want to stick with compression on a regular basis, and have tried some different models of various types, then you'll have a better idea what to go for in a dedicated compressor.
I had a Boss ME-50B back in the day, which had several varieties of compressor models, all fairly decent if I recall. They gave me a good idea what I liked, and what I didn't like.
I had a Boss ME-50B back in the day, which had several varieties of compressor models, all fairly decent if I recall. They gave me a good idea what I liked, and what I didn't like.
I have the Bass Fly Rig and ME 50B. I still rely mainly on my Diamond Comp.
Pretty much the only effect I use when I gig is compression.
I have a pile of pedals at the house and they are a lot of fun.
I will say nice things about the Zoom MS60 or whatever. For the price it gets you a LOT of things, even compression.
But there's no comparison between my sweet sweet awe-inducing, tone gold comp vs the digital model on the multi.
Get both!
I have a pile of pedals at the house and they are a lot of fun.
I will say nice things about the Zoom MS60 or whatever. For the price it gets you a LOT of things, even compression.
But there's no comparison between my sweet sweet awe-inducing, tone gold comp vs the digital model on the multi.
Get both!
I started with an MXR comp - loved it - switched the zoom G3 - tried to love it, but hated it - and added the MXR back into my pedal chain. So now I have both, let me tell you why:
It was the lights on the MXR, they let me dial in compression to a much more accurate degree than the zoom that gave me no visual feedback.
Compressors can be used in a variety of ways, but I like to use them to slightly smooth out my playing, in other words very subtle compression. It is nearly impossible to dial in that kind of compression with the zero-feedback compressor on the Zoom. Other than that the zoom worked fine.
Also, some people like having a blend feature, which neither the MXR or the zoom have, again, given the way I use a compressor, I have no need for a blend function.
I forget the name of the compressor, but someone here recommended it, it had it all , lights, and a blend, which seems to be the ideal compressor IMHO.
So now I have the Zoom front ending the MXR comp and that is my entire pedal board for now.
It was the lights on the MXR, they let me dial in compression to a much more accurate degree than the zoom that gave me no visual feedback.
Compressors can be used in a variety of ways, but I like to use them to slightly smooth out my playing, in other words very subtle compression. It is nearly impossible to dial in that kind of compression with the zero-feedback compressor on the Zoom. Other than that the zoom worked fine.
Also, some people like having a blend feature, which neither the MXR or the zoom have, again, given the way I use a compressor, I have no need for a blend function.
I forget the name of the compressor, but someone here recommended it, it had it all , lights, and a blend, which seems to be the ideal compressor IMHO.
So now I have the Zoom front ending the MXR comp and that is my entire pedal board for now.
So which is the greatest of the great?This.
I'd rather have a great dedicated compressor. Or in my case, like 11 great dedicated comps
So which is the greatest of the great?
All different flavors of good. I'd be perfectly happy with an FEA DB-CL, Empress, or Keeley Pro. I love my Cali76-TX but it does a somewhat different thing than the clean clinical compression I want. Same with the Darkglass Super Symmetry, a cool pedal that has a great vintage vibe to it.
I'm usually running a Keeley Bassist right now. Simple and small.
Ok, so imagining I go that route ...
That is exactly the setup I'm gonna end up with, I believe. I found a great comparison of the MXR vs. other compressors and I was really surprised to hear how different they sound. To me, the MXR did way better with the sound of a bass guitar than any of the others.
I'd like to hear a direct comparison between the MXR, the Boss, and the Markbass, though.
buldog5151bass
Kibble, milkbones, and P Basses. And redheads.
What covers, and what is the band lineup? I do a lot of modern covers, but seldom use effects. When we do songs where there is a synth bass (Lady Gaga), I double with the keyboardist's left hand. I find that gives more bottom end, and keeps the keyboardist from getting bored.
I don't know which Zoom pedals you are referring to but all the current models are fully encased in metal. I had an ME20b for a couple years. It was OK. I sold it and got a Zoom B3. IMO there is no comparison between the two. The only thing the Boss does better is the Octaver. For the rest, the Zoom is definitely better.
That's funny, because I find the octave on the ME to be useless!
And I never commented on the construction, just that the single footswitch on the 60B is a terrible interface when used live. It's the same interface as my A3. You can set the presets to cycle, but if you use more than 2 presets, you have to keep stepping on it to get to where you want to be.
I have my ME20B set up with banks for each situation that I find myself in, then each bank has 3 presets that I can switch between for the song. Using a Boss FS7 pedal, I can quickly switch banks, up or down.
Well yeah - the octave on the B3 is really terrible. In fact, all the modulation effects are sub-par. The sound samples of the B3n are very promising though in that department. The B3 excels at various EQ models and the synths and compressors are decent too. I hated the compressor on the Boss. Sometimes I wish I still had the 20b for a few things.
The compressor is one of the effects that I always use on the ME, but it's not being used to affect dynamics, but is dialed in to tighten up frequency response.
The wah and envelope filters work very well with my basses.
My biggest wish for it, would be able to use delay and reverb simultaneously, instead of having to choose between one or the other.
There are so many really great comps out there imo it comes down to which works and sounds best to you, there is never only one choice. My needs differ between being a bass player of sound engineer. The bassist in me prefers simple, when I need a comp I grab my Durham Sex Drive, or use the B3 for other choices. I suggest a quality multieffect as a tool simply for utility and discovery.
Having had a Zoom B3 I'd say get a good comp pedal. None of the effects I bought if for really worked very well IMHE. The octaver was mediocre. The comps marginal. ODs, etc. were just meh.
If compression is your "new religion" then become a Bongo disciple and go to his web site www.ovnilab.com/. He'll pretty much talk you out of most everything that you'll think is the next sacred cow. Seriously knows his stuff.
FWIW I ended up using a Boss LM2-B. Why? It was 25 bucks. It works. And I like it. Besides I use it more as boost pedal so don't get one on my account.
Seriously. I spent WEEKS reading @bongomania site and am glad I did. I grabbed an Empress Compressor and liked it a lot, especially the LEDs, but was looking for something less transparent, with some tone mojo. I'm now the proud owner of an FEA Labs Opti-FET and couldn't be happier. The build quality is some of the best I've ever seen on a pedal and it adds just enough depth and warmth without being overbearing.
I've had a few digital pedal boards in my day and just couldn't get the bloody compressors on them to sound anything but bleh.
That's an excellent site, thanks! It's refreshing to see true, critical reviews.
Octave is just one of those super-delicate effects you really need a dedicated pedal for. I don't know why they even bother putting it on every multieffect- I've owned several and not once found on that isn't garbage. But then, octave isn't what I use multieffects for, and I use me the crap outta some multieffects.
Mind you, all multis are far from equal. I have a Digitech BP90, which I'd recommend to precisely nobody, and a Zoom B3, which I recommend to friends that don't even play bass. Neither one can do a decent octave, but neither one can cook a decent waffle either. Some things you just need a dedicated machine for.
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Mind you, all multis are far from equal. I have a Digitech BP90, which I'd recommend to precisely nobody, and a Zoom B3, which I recommend to friends that don't even play bass. Neither one can do a decent octave, but neither one can cook a decent waffle either. Some things you just need a dedicated machine for.
--^@
Reading through the thread it looks like I might be the first to have actually played with the B3n. Zoom has put a significant upgrade into the tone of their effects on this pedal. I played through an MXR M87 and swore by it. Unfortunately, it died the day I got the B3n. I will say, I've been so impressed with the new tones on the B3n that I haven't missed it. I put a compressor at the front end of every patch I use on the B3n and it seems to do the trick. I'm digging the tones I'm getting. It could be confirmation bias, but in the live gigs I've played so far I haven't heard any complaints yet. Not everyone loves it, but I'm a huge fan.
