Maybe about to pull the trigger on some fancy-pants compressor (seeking opinion from users)

[JimmyM]

The Opti-Fet is made by a guy named Frank. Possibly an omen?

 

[physics]

I don't know whether you've looked at some of the stuff from Universal Audio or not but if you haven't you might want to take a look, specifically their 1176 LN and LA-2A. These are professional grade compressors that sound good to my ears, on vocals and acoustic guitar. You might be able to listen to some sound comparisons on YT between these in and out of a signal chain and compare it to a dry signal.

One caveat: I believe that YT may compress the audio in its data stream, hence a dry signal actually be compressed somewhat. If you can download a .wav file of the sound sample that would be better.

 

[Jason Hollar]

Subscribed.

I’ve been lurking for info on a fatty compressor as well. Seriously thinking about the Cali76 CB.

Other possibilities I’d love to try are the Diamond, Super Symmetry. Can’t wait to hear what you think of the FEA.

 

[Frank77]

Subscribed.

I’ve been lurking for info on a fatty compressor as well. Seriously thinking about the Cali76 CB.

Other possibilities I’d love to try are the Diamond, Super Symmetry. Can’t wait to hear what you think of the FEA.

Duly noted. I'll report back when I've had a chance to really experiment with it both at home and at rehearsal, so give it a couple of weeks (I assume it will take a little while to get here too, going through customs and all). It'll be my first time using a proper, higher-end compressor: Before that I only tried the SpectraComp very briefly, and waaaay before that I sometimes used the compression (without really knowing what it was) on my old ME-8B multi-effect when I started playing some 20 years ago...so there will be a bit of a learning curve but it should be interesting. If there is enough interest, I might even put together some soundclips at different settings once I get the hang of it.

 

[red_rhino]

if you are a knobturner and want to dial in every parameter yourself, get the FEA

Very, very true. I've owned one.

Find a used Smoothie. I loved mine, but moved it on to try others.

That's easier said than done, I'm afraid!

Also very true. And there's a reason for that. Of course, that same is true of the FEA comps.

For me, having owned both, what it came down to was how I use it. I'm a set-quickly-dial-it-in-and-leave-it kinda guy. That's why I went with the Smoothie. Although many of other comps people mention here are also just as easy to use. I think folks here can safely give you recommendations about tone; the rest comes down to price, and how you envision using it.

 

[Jazz Ad]

I don't think that the way a compressor is typically used on bass calls for expensive units that usually are too transparent.
The FEA is fantastic though, a good choice for anyone if you have the money. I'm not a fan of compression yet I like it.

 

[smeet]

I don't think that the way a compressor is typically used on bass calls for expensive units that usually are too transparent.
The FEA is fantastic though, a good choice for anyone if you have the money. I'm not a fan of compression yet I like it.

Well... the Cali76 is modeled after the 1176. Beautiful but not totally transparent.

 

[Manticore]

I don't use pedals of any kind often. Of the many compressors I've tried for live use, I prefer the Cali 76 Compact. I typically use it when the gig calls for an acoustic bass guitar. Being able to blend in a bit of the uncompressed signal is a huge benefit for my purposes as it give me back a little control over dynamics.

 

[Fuzzbass]

I don't often use compression (reason being I use overdrive at most of my gigs) but when I do I love the two I own: Empress and Cali76 G-P. The Cali is my favorite, but it's a huge pedal. The Empress is much smaller, and as transparent I've found in a pedal priced under $300. I can get all the 'mojo' I want from the all-tube front end of my Reiner bass amp.

 

[mikewalker]

These were really cool, I wish someone would re-issue it!

Invalid Link Removed

 

[petrus61]

Alright...so I re-read some of the reviews on Bongo's site for the umpteenth time, and read some others for the first time (new suggestions brought up here), checked demos again, considered price / availability in my area, etc. and finally decided to take the plunge: I just put in an order for the FEA Opti-FET. It might seem like an impulse buy to some of you given the small number of replies to this thread, but in fact I had been mulling this over for a few weeks.

Looking forward to try this out. I don't know if I'll get it in time to become comfortable with its controls before my next gig, we'll see...

Cheers!

Not to worry. Also, some posts here might give the impression that the Opti is a knob tweaking nightmare for those used to a more simple knob layout. Trust me, it's not like that at all with the Opti. Every knob is super sensitive and the controls are intuitive right from the start. Just like a good compressor should be. You'll know the second you play the first few notes, and that's before even turning a knob.

 

[dStar]

I too, love my Compressore. Yes it's "yuuuuuge". Yes, it needs it's own power supply. But it "adds the magic".

 

[singlemalt]

My search ended with a Smoothie. It's a keeper.

 

[LM Bass]

That came out a little big. But then again, I have big feelings for the Empress compressor of joy. . .

 

[chaak]

The FEA Labs Opti-FET is my second venture into compression. I initially wanted a good high end compressor that does not color my tone and does perfectly well what it is intended to do, and after having read a lot of reviews on Ovnilab's page i opted for the Whirlwind Optical Compressor. This pedal is highly transparent no coloring. It has pretty straight forward knobs and once you really understand what each designated function does in a compressor it is fairly easy and intuitive to use. Then and since i have been GASing an FEA Labs compressor for a long time (wanted that to be my first compressor) i found an Opti-FET for sale directly from Frank Appleton. Got the pedal read all about its features played around with it and turned on and off all the possibilities of the internal dip switches and eventually settles on 1 and 2 always on. love the tone i get it is colored it is warm almost like a pushed tubes amp it is a great balance of low and mid frequencies and tamed highs. I do adjust the side chain according to gigs. go ahead and buy it i paid much more than the actual price i live in the middle east and i got it, it is now my only pedal i take it everywhere

 

[superdick2112]

I have an FEA DE-CL on order, and it was a tough choice between it and the Opti-FET.
The main reason I didn't go with the Opti-FET was because I got to hear a live demo of a DE-CL at a local club, and it was simply amazing. The moment I heard it, I knew I had to have one.
That, and the limiter in the DE-CL is a more desirable feature (for me) than the Opti-FET's side-chain EQ.

 

[Stevorebob]

View attachment 2769340

That came out a little big. But then again, I have big feelings for the Empress compressor of joy. . .

This. I used to run an MXR M87. Replaced it with the Empress. No more compressor GAS.

 

[Bodeeni]

I just went through the same thing, I was noticing form gig tapes my live sound was a bit more uneven than I thought. I picked up a used Carl Martin Comp/Lim. I am really happy with it and glad I went with a more advanced 4 knob comp. It takes a bit of work to figure it out but it allows for a wide variety of options from basic leveling to effected squashed. There are many options that can do similar things. I am happy I pull the trigger.

 

[bongostealth]

Yeah, the Opti-Fet is pure magic-sauce in pedal form!

 

[Hand slap]

First off: Yes, I know about www.ovnilab.com, I have read quite a few of his reviews, so no need for the traditional one-liner reply with the link.

Ok, so here's the thing: I'd like to add a compressor to my toolbox for certain situations and I'm a "buy right / buy once" kind of guy. Some data:

• These days I play mostly a P-type passive bass (LB-100) through a very transparent amp (PJB Suitcase). Sometimes I play a HH active bass (L-2500), but not as often.
• Stuff I play: Jazz, funk, R&B, some pop oldies, the occasional Jamiroquai cover, the occasional (and dreadful) disco cover, some rock once in a blue moon.
• What I'm looking for: Something to even things out between strings, add punch and sustain, that can be subtle or comically squishy and everything in between, and warm things up a bit tonally without necessarily putting a huge blanket over the natural character of my bass, if that's at all possible.

From the reviews and the stellar comments about customer support I read, I'm leaning towards a FEA lab Opti-Fet. So a question to TBers who own / used to own / tried one: Does it sound like a good pick for my application? I've read the content on Bongo's site and from what I gather, it seems like a "can't go wrong with" option...but this would cost me a bunch (I'm in Canada and would get hit both with shipping cost and currency exchange rate), so I'm asking for more input here before I commit to this choice.

Other compressors I've considered (in no particular order):

• Fairfield Circuitry's "The Accountant" : Less expensive, seems interesting but also less flexible, plus I already have dirt / boost covered on my board;
• Markbass Compressore : Good reviews, but yuuuuuge box and needs its own power supply;
• Ovnifx Smoothie: Loved what I heard in the demo, but not sure when the next batch will be available;
• MXR M87: On the plus side, easier to obtain and more affordable than most others. Mixed reviews, seems like a good clean comp, but adds no magic;
• I've tried a TC SpectraComp in the past but really didn't get along with the convoluted editor and its trainwreck of an interface, so I promptly returned it. I guess I'm a "knobs > Software" guy when it comes to stompboxes...

Let me know what you think.

I had a Dark Glass, very nice, bigger food print, if size in an issue, I have gone back to the Keeley 2 times now, its range is subtle to total squashing, which can be a cool effect in itself.