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Keeley Bassist compared to the MXR M87?
- Thread starter Optofonik
- Start date
bongomania
Commercial User
I compared them. The Keeley is easier to dial in, and feels more robust; while the MXR has better metering, and I like the tone a little better.
I feel like both, as well as the EBS Multicomp, and the OVNIFX Smoothie, are all keepers. I can't remember why now but when I got my Keeley and compared it to the MXR, I chose the Keeley. It was a close call, but again I can't remember why. The Keeley is on my gigging board, the smoothie on my back up funboard, and the EBS is on the shelf as a back up. Sold the MXR.
What about the Keeley do you prefer over the MXR. I noticed the parameters that are adjustable seem to.differ quite a bit. You don't miss the extra controls on the MXR?
When fewer controls Do what they're supposed to, it's faster and easier to set up And Adjust on the fly.
Keeley sounds just as good if not better to my ears, is easier to dial in, the larger knobs are easier to see and are much more rugged than the MXR's. These are just my opinions. Your mileage may vary, and that's cool.
Thanks, bigtexashonk.
Looking at the two and reading a bit more I much like the continuously variable ratio of the Keeley that I have come to appreciate on rack compressors but am a bit suspicious of it's auto-attack/release function. On the MXR I like the the manual attack and release I'm so familiar with from rack units but am not too keen on only four ratio options ("vintage" controls without the so-called vintage sound seems a bit limiting). I do also like, quite a bit, the MXR's multi-segment metering but probably have enough experience to not really need more than what the Keeley offers.
This all leads me to Think I should consider the Markbass Compressore although I have read that it's a bit of a "color" compressor as opposed to a simply controlling dynamics.
Between the MXR and Keeley, though, it is leaning in favor of the Keeley.
Thanks again for the replies and insight.
They are both readily available and easy to flip if you need to, So you're not really risking much which ever way you go.
It looks like the Keeley "Pro" is actually what I'm looking for. Did a little more reading and it appears to be a "Bassist" with the control of a rack mount compressor. It doesn't indicate that it's made especially for bass guitar but neither is any rack mount and they've worked fine with basses for decades.
Well, I picked up a "Bassist" today because it was what was available and due to all the positive reviews, thinking I'd just give it a test drive. It works perfectly fine and I don't miss the manual attack and release. I was able to quickly dial in a setting that gently evened out the dynamics and made me quite happy indeed.
Cool for you. It also makes a nice clean boost. Just before bedtime tonight I was goosing my Bassist to get more growl out hold my red Llama clone. Crunchy sweet.
If you want to do a comparison with the MXR, there are a couple in the classifieds at round 100bucks, and if you decided you didn't like it, you could sell for about the same and just be out shipping.
I'm thinking about doing the same. I bought a diamond kind of on a whim (cheapest I've seen), and it sounds good but has very little control and a low ratio.
I'm thinking about doing the same. I bought a diamond kind of on a whim (cheapest I've seen), and it sounds good but has very little control and a low ratio.
I have a few different compressors. I use a Keeley Bassist for electric bass. If you want transparent and flawless compression designed specifically for bass in an inexpensive pedal that "just works," go with a Keeley. If you want something other than that (i.e. color, some added "character," etc.) use something else.
Fortunately, there's a lot of really good compressors out there to suit any taste. So try before you buy if at all possible.
Fortunately, there's a lot of really good compressors out there to suit any taste. So try before you buy if at all possible.
I've got plenty of color going with the Diabolik and SC Sig wah (as a filter for my purposes) and transparent is what I was looking for in the comp. I'm surprised I didn't miss the attack and release on the Bassist but it works and I'm not one to try and justify spending more when something less expensive does the job. The SC Sig is a perfect example. I tried a 105Q but it doesn't serve the purpose I intend. The EBS does what I want a wah pedal to do for me but it cost a $#*t ton more than the CryBaby. Same with the Diabolik, I tried it before trying the more expensive B:Assmaster and found that it did the job I wanted; no point in laying out more cash for the B:Assmaster.
Thanks everyone for all the insight. It's a treat to find a forum with so many working musicians, bass players in particular, wiling to share their knowledge.
^Exactly!
Why buy more than you need or will actually ever use?
That was what I especially liked about it. The controls handled all the parameters I wanted to control while the rest of the circuit design seemed neatly set for the sweet spot when it came to use with bass. This is also one compressor whose controls did exactly what I thought they would do to my signal. So there's a zero learning curve. Can't say the same for some of the other comp pedals I own.
Why buy more than you need or will actually ever use?
That was what I especially liked about it. The controls handled all the parameters I wanted to control while the rest of the circuit design seemed neatly set for the sweet spot when it came to use with bass. This is also one compressor whose controls did exactly what I thought they would do to my signal. So there's a zero learning curve. Can't say the same for some of the other comp pedals I own.
I recently got a keeley compressor pro to try with bass but, more for my acoustic and electric guitars. It kills for those, very clear and musical. For bass, it sounds better than most and is extremely variable. The one thing that I have noticed compared to my trusty boss lmb-3 (with mod) is that no other pro audio type comps ( such as this keeley and mxr m87) tame the initial attack of the note enough unless really hitting the threshold hard. They are all clearer sounding than the boss but, the boss catches those peaks and, actually seems to add midrange harmonics. Anyone else experience this?
