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Looking For A Good Bass Compressor Pedal

#41
SteveC said:
I thought my BBE Opto Stomp worked as good as anything for $99.
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billoetjen said:
Like you need any more opinions....

Just last night I was in the studio with my band; a very good real-life way to put my BBE Optistomp to the test. The signal source was a 4 string with hot Villex passive pups. Previously, without the compressor, this was a tough one to level because of its dynamic range. Last night the beast was tamed. Totally transparent. I used it at compression level 3 out of 10. Turned up the gain about +1 out of 5 and all it did was tame the spikes. And that's all it was designed to do. The only way I could tell that it was on, was to turn it off. < $100

Beautiful.
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+1 to both quotes with the addition that, for me, the BBE Opto Stomp worked best period (after trying pedals ranging from the useless Digitech to the somewhat complex and picky 4-knob Keeley Compressor).

Totally silent, almost seems silly to have it since it's so quiet and transparent ... until I'm playing with my full band. Rarely gets turned off. Very subtle but indespensable to me now.

Oh, and I went with the BBE after seeing a used one online for a great price and checking Bongomania's reviews ... a huge help. Thanks to Bongomania for the direction.
 
#43
I don't wanted to create another comp topic, so I used this one, thanks.

Another compressor question-
I play on preEB MM Sabre, which has, imo, guite wide dynamical range, especially when slappin/poppin(compared with jbasses, precisions). I would like to be more friendly to the amp(WT550)- peak limiting, avoid clipping the amp and be "good" to speakers.
I also like the sound and dynamics of compressed tone.

I've read many reviews here and there, Bongo's rewiews included(btw great work, Bongo, very helpful!) but I'm still not sure which one could be the best one for me.

I'd rather buy a pedal version comp. It will be my first compressor, so something cheaper like Optostomp would be great, but I'm afraid of Bongo's opinion " this pedal is not suited to major squashing or limiting".

Any advice? Thanks a lot to all.
 
#44
I would suggest buying a really good compressor, and taking the time to learn how to NOT use a compressor. actually listen to a compessor really does to your playing and mimic that result with no compressor. Then you will have ultra dynamic control over your tone and style.

It took me about 3 years to finally stop playing with a compressor... I love what they do, but i just don't like having to use one.

Total freedom is very liberating.

You may be surprised how different each of the fingers on your plucking hand sound when you pay attention.
 
#45
bongomania, may I know that which would you suggest if there are only Demeter Comp and EBS MultiComp?
I have my Demeter Comp for a year but I always feel its too subtle for my taste. I always want to try out the EBS MultiComp... what do you think?
 
#46
davidak said:
I play on preEB MM Sabre, which has, imo, guite wide dynamical range, especially when slappin/poppin(compared with jbasses, precisions). I would like to be more friendly to the amp(WT550)- peak limiting, avoid clipping the amp and be "good" to speakers. ...I'd rather buy a pedal version comp. It will be my first compressor, so something cheaper like Optostomp would be great, but I'm afraid of Bongo's opinion " this pedal is not suited to major squashing or limiting".
Click to expand...
Limiting is the most challenging task for a pedal compressor. There are a few options:
Demeter Compulator
Guyatone BL2
Alesis Micro Limiter (not a pedal, but fairly small)
Maxon CP9 Pro+
None of those is "perfect" though--limiting cleanly is very difficult.
If none of those are available to you, then your best bet is to work on your technique until a lesser ratio of compression is needed. Then any comp will work.
 
#47
redangel said:
bongomania, may I know that which would you suggest if there are only Demeter Comp and EBS MultiComp?
I have my Demeter Comp for a year but I always feel its too subtle for my taste. I always want to try out the EBS MultiComp... what do you think?
Click to expand...

The EBS has a little more "flavor" in the Tube Sim mode, but even that is fairly subtle. If you want something less subtle, maybe use both of them in series? :p :)
 
#48
I used the Aphex Punch Factory, and I dont have anything bad to say about it. With that said, I dont use it anymore. I just wanted more control. I switched to the Digitech Bass Squeeze becasue I liked the fact that it has a high pass control and a low pass control. I concede that it isnt as subtle as the Aphex, but it works so well for me, that I fell in love with it! I have to say that I like all of Digitech's bass pedals. Considering the price on the Bass Squeeze, you just cant go wrong.
 
#49
I'm mostly alone in my use of the Trex Squeezer, but it suits me fine. The price is the only downside, but it is a full featured comp, with full control of your signal. That's it's big plus, it can be used to warm up your tone, with little or no compression, or the other exteme, total squash, and of course, everything in between. Some people have reported it being noisey, but my unit is dead silent, and is dialed "somewhere in between".
 
#50
I really have to try that one again. I am satisfied that my experience/reporting of the Black Finger is 100% correct, but since you have had such great results with the Squeezer, I should re-evaluate it. I have different basses and preamps now than I did when I reviewed it previously, too.
 
#52
I just got a BBE Optostomp and am loving it. It really lets me play the crap out of my bass without worrying about taming or trying to control every little idiosyncrasy that may occur. I bought it for church since my church is usually filled to the rim every Sunday and the building has woo ceilings and horrible acoustics. I had a lot of boom going on to the point that I was cutting ALL the low end just to cut through. Now, with the BBE, that's a thing of the past. I have just the right amount of highs, lows, and midrange coming through.
 
#56
Bongo, I just re-read your comp reviews, as well as the faq concerning eq and such. Just wanted to say it again, thanks. That's really a well sorted out resource that all TBers should be required to read. Not only informative, but also very easy to understand. Great work. As to the Squeezer, you might've had a bad unit, 'cause I used a Black Finger, and you're dead on with that one. If it wasn't so damn noisey, it might be the best sounding comp ever. But it isn't. Anyway, thanks again.
 
#57
Rickenboogie,

And what about the trick with the screw between the two tubes, like someone wrote on Harmony-central? According to this review, one should tighten a screw somewhere between the two tubes... when this screw is really tightened, the noise should be gone.

If it's true, I don't know... but I hope so because I'm thinking about buying a Black Finger.
 

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