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Keeley Bassist Compressor/Limiter!!!!!

#21
invalidprotocol said:
Glad to hear the results you're getting with the Keely. I'm considering one of these for good results AND simplification. My MXR M87 works great but to get the results I want seems to be a battle on a micro scale with those knobs. Either that or I'm really picky.
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I have both, and the Keeley is much easier in that regard. I never really had a problem with the MXR settings because I managed to find a setting that worked and left it there. For me, the MXR actually works better as a limiter than the Keeley even though the Keeley has the 1:infinity setting, though that could have to do with my threshold settings. The MXR also seems to add a brighter character.

The Keeley seems to almost magically clean up the sound as mentioned in a post above. It excels at tightening up the sound and removing junk you didn't realize was there. The build quality and design/form factor are also very nice.
 
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#22
jumblemind said:
I have both, and the Keeley is much easier in that regard. I never really had a problem with the MXR settings because I managed to find a setting that worked and left it there. For me, the MXR actually works better as a limiter than the Keeley even though the Keeley has the 1:infinity setting, though that could have to do with my threshold settings. The MXR also seems to add a brighter character.

The Keeley seems to almost magically clean up the sound as mentioned in a post above. It excels at tightening up the sound and removing junk you didn't realize was there. The build quality and design/form factor are also very nice.
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Attack/Release is easy to set but the Input/Output seems to be where I run into trouble. I keep it on a nano board and try not to bump the settings when I place it into its bag but sometimes I can't avoid it.

I do notice significant increase in brightness with the MXR and I have mixed feelings about it. It comes with increased clarity which I appreciate but I wish it was more natural. From your description it sounds like I might really like the Keeley.
 
#24
The pedal arrived today. It has made a good first impression. It took me all of a few seconds to dial it in.

It is indeed transparent and doesn't color the sound at reasonable compression levels. I was very comfortable between 3:1-4:1 both finger style and pick. At higher compression levels (10:1+) there is a slight shift in the mids but overall the sounds is still similar. I'll have to do a deeper comparison against the MXR but in going from memory I'd say I like the Keeley better at lower commonly used compression levels and the MXR better under heavy compression. Unless I pushed the ratio to the max the setting Keeley had dialed the attack/release very nicely to where I try to target on the MXR. The biggest walk away after 20 mins was that it SO easy to dial this pedal in. Exactly what I need under a brief setup windows.
 
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#25
Since first impressions can be deceiving, I'm writing a follow-up after round two with this pedal. Again, it is very transparent and unless I go above 10:1 compression there is no coloration of tone. Even then it isn't much and the results are so easy to dial in quickly. I'm so impressed it will be replacing my MXR.
 
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#28
BaltBass5 said:
LOVE mine. I've been using it since it came out. I recently moved it from the end of the chain to the front because my dirt and OD was losing a bit when it was behind them. Curious as to how others are using it in their chain?
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Front same as you. I used the Bassist for 6 Months? It is very good at what it's supposed to do. However I did end up switching it out for another compressor because I found the Keeley too sensitive to any changes I made. If I messed with anything, any settings on my bass or pedalboard before or after it I'd have to adjust the threshold and sometimes the output. It became too frustrating. My new compressor is set and forget.
 
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#29
saltydude said:
Front same as you. I used the Bassist for 6 Months? It is very good at what it's supposed to do. However I did end up switching it out for another compressor because I found the Keeley too sensitive to any changes I made. If I messed with anything, any settings on my bass or pedalboard before or after it I'd have to adjust the threshold and sometimes the output. It became too frustrating. My new compressor is set and forget.
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What compressor did you replace it with?
 
#31
triviani said:
It's transparent, but it's so transparent that I can't really say when the compressor is on!
...
Can you hear the compressor?
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I like when a compressor doesn´t color my sound, so this is a good point.:thumbsup:

And being honest I can notice and say when your compressor is on. I realize how your own settings they are chocking your open E string even at your lowest ratio 4:1.;)
 
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#35
I'm not home right now so if anybody doesn't answer before I get home I'll take a look at mine. Perhaps I never noticed because when I'm done playing I always unplug it and put it back in the bag. I haven't put Velcro on it mounted to the to my board yet.
 
#36
lowplaces said:
I'm not home right now so if anybody doesn't answer before I get home I'll take a look at mine. Perhaps I never noticed because when I'm done playing I always unplug it and put it back in the bag. I haven't put Velcro on it mounted to the to my board yet.
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Thanks. I like to keep my pedal board plugged in and ready to go in my practice space at home. Looks like I'll have to deal with the light always being on...no big deal.
 
#37
Do you have it plugged into a power supply or are you just using the battery?

If you leave a power supply plug plugged into the compressor but turn the power off or unplug the power supply it should disengage the battery and the light should go out whether or not you have something connected to the input or not .
 
#39
Okay I'm home now and just checked mine.

If you do not have an external power supply hooked up to the 9 volt Jack on the back of the pedal, and have a cable plugged into the input, the bottom light under the control knobs will be red or green depending on where you have the threshold set. If you plug a power supply plug into the Keeley Bassist and there is no power going to the power supply itself whether by on off switch or unplugging it from its power source then the light will go off.

If you are using a battery to power the Bassist, and leave a cable plugged into the input, your battery will not last long.
 
#40
lowplaces said:
Okay I'm home now and just checked mine.

If you do not have an external power supply hooked up to the 9 volt Jack on the back of the pedal, and have a cable plugged into the input, the bottom light under the control knobs will be red or green depending on where you have the threshold set. If you plug a power supply plug into the Keeley Bassist and there is no power going to the power supply itself whether by on off switch or unplugging it from its power source then the light will go off.

If you are using a battery to power the Bassist, and leave a cable plugged into the input, your battery will not last long.
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Thanks! I'm using a AC power supply. I don't use batteries with any pedals.
 
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