Let's talk about compressors

[Maiden Bass]

One word - Multi-Band compressors!

Wait is that two?

Anyways multi-band compressors are for people who don't really like the uneven squashing of single band compressors. The Boss BC1X is an excellent choice!

 

[Hi-End Basses]

Wow! Darkglass gets a lot of love on this forum, but the Super Symmetry isn't getting any mentions. I personally use an MXR M87, because I think it does it's job.

 

[AshInAmsterdam]

Boss CS-3 with the knobs at noon, level set as required, is what works for me.

 

[TrevorOfDoom]

The Demeter Compulator, Diamond, or Broughton Monocle are easy to use tone enhancing compressors.
I dug the Demeter myself. It reminded me of the tone on If You Want Me To Stay. Slightly squishy, real fat.
I switched to the TCE SpectraComp recently because the Demeter wasn't great with a 5, and wasn't a great fit for modern country.
While the SpectraComp can do a great many things, be super subtle and alltogether awesome, it cannot hit that old school squish, and that sometimes makes me sad.

 

[anavar]

Empress compressor.

looks silly but works a charm.

 

[C_Becker]

Let me add another +1 for the Duncan Studio Bass.
Fantastic pedal, very versatile with the blend knob and the mids switch. I even use it for guitar

 

[jalapejoe]

I added a TC Electronics Spectra Comp holy smokes my tone got bigger, brighter and tighter love it.

 

[Slevage]

I don't use compression... I have learned to control my dynamics and frankly don't feel the want or need to give full control of my dynamics to FOH.

One a big system, there's probably compression on the fronts and maybe separate units or plug-ins on the drums and bass.

 

[gelinas666]

Aguilar TLC.. Used many others over the years.. Very transparent and creates a "Full" well balanced tone top to bottom..

 

[HelpImaRock]

I use a Boss BC-1x myself and I think it's terrific, especially for playing live. But as a multi band compressor what it seems to do is even out all frequencies from top to bottom. This "widens" your tone, but it's not "fat", very clean and clear. It's also a brighter effect adding a kind of "sheen" or "sparkle" to your sound. I'd say it works better for those going after a more hi-fi sound.

This form of compression makes my sound bigger, cleaner, clearer, more complex. But I like a lot of clang and SS strings and this pedal really works for keeping all that under control.

All the settings at noon is pretty close.

Oh right. It also improves my muted tone and helps keep things nice and crisp, especially with distortion.

 

[NoxNoctus]

I don't use compression... I have learned to control my dynamics and frankly don't feel the want or need to give full control of my dynamics to FOH.

Using this technique, I have been able to control my irises manually to the extent that I no longer need sunglasses.

 

[steelbed45]

Duncan Studio Bass for me - I liked the review on the Ovnilab site. I like it even more on my pedal board.

 

[kleinenenten]

I really like my DOD Milk Box. It's quite affordable at about $40 used, but is a great starting point if you don't know much about compressors. I like it for its little extra sustain, and also for its ability to add a touch more high end. Both of those are helpful to me since I run flats. I prefer it to my old MXR Bass Compressor, which was incredibly solid, but very sterile, without "tone magic". So it depends on what you want from a Compressor. Some are transparent, and some add tone magic. If you don't know which you prefer, I'd try a cheaper compressor or two to find which features you like, then go from there. Good luck!

 

[onda'bass]

Fea DB CL....thread closed lol

 

[Dragan]

To the op : Ebs multicomp as a happy compromise in terms of budget, simplicity, size and tone. But my fav so far is one l currently have, Markbass compressore.

 

[Mosfed]

I suppose those details would've helped, haha.

I'm looking for something to make my tone bigger and rounder. I've got a decently big rig (MarkBass Little Tube 800 and an Ampeg 610) and I play flats on Fender P and Jazz basses. I gig with a reggae band. I'm looking for something versatile, as I'm not exclusively a reggae player. The compressor would be paired with an MXR M80 DI+, chorus, and envelope filter.

In terms of budget, I'd really like to keep it under $200, but would shell out more for something that really knocks my socks off.

One of the things that used to worry me about compression is that it would take some of the dynamic control away from my right hand fingers, but in a big loud setting I'm not so worried about that. Also, I know that compressors can be set to be pretty mild.

I would scoop up one of the FEAs.

My favorite comps?

- FEA Opti-fet and DE-CL
- Cali 76 Compact Bass, Compact deluxe and TX

The main advantage of the Calis is top jacks in a small enclosure. The FEAs sound every bit as good and are cheaper.

I think @boomertech might even have some Opti-Fets still in stock.

I use comps for the same purposes as you are seeking. One thing to note on the FEAs - I tend to run my threshold quite high as it has a huge range. For subtle compression I tend to be around 3-4pm

 

[Mosfed]

The Compressore is great for the price if you can deal with the size and power recs. Sounds really nice

 

[40Hz]

I'm like the guy in the beer ad. I don't always use a compressor (90% of the time I don't) but when I do want one I'll use either a Keeley Bassist for totally transparent sound, or a Markbass Compressore when I want it to add a little something to the tone.

But don't listen to me. Get yourself over to Bongomania's page as others have already suggested and get the real dirt on any compressor you can think of. Marvelous resource. Find it here.

 

[40Hz]

I don't use compression... I have learned to control my dynamics and frankly don't feel the want or need to give full control of my dynamics to FOH.

Got news for you. The FOH does have full control.

I'd rather set my own compression where it's needed (and there's times when the room rather than you necessitates using one) and send that signal to the sound guy rather than leave it up to him.

 

[MYLOWFREQ]

I use a compressor just as a peak limiter when I get aggressive. I tried the Keeley and loved it for what it does.