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MXR M87 or FEA Optifet compressor?

K

kevin nowhow

Guest
Jan 24, 2012
75
3
#1
Hey guys,
This is not a question about what each pedal can or cannot do, in terms of features.I'm familiar with compression but since it's impossible for me to testdrive both...here we go:
I play mostly with a pick & while i don't slap a lot i do pop quite often.I went on safari on YT to listen to demo videos, read Ovnilab reviews as well as others' & all I can tell (so far) is that the FEA adds color, the MXR is quite transparent & it handles heavy compression very easily while the Optifet pumps a lot when driven harder.That last bit i didn't like.However the FEA video used a P-bass which is dirty enough on its own & levels were not always matched between effected/bypassed signals to make a critical claim.Loved it on guitar though.
Is it really pumping that much or was it due to bad settings?Is the tone coloration really worth it?I love warmth but will sacrifice such a feature if i have evident artifacts.Will it handle pick(although i don't pick hard) & slapping as well as the MXR?
I'll be using them with a Yamaha BB G5 with Bartolini single-coils, an Aria Magna series with stock P/J pups & a Harley Benton 6-string with stock humbuckers as well.Last but not least, some type of OD/Dist kicks frequently in, if not for the most part.
Thanx to all in advance!
 
#3
While I have not had the chance to play the MXR, I have the Opti-Fet and it is worth the wait and the money. Both precious commodities. I play Funk/R&B and a little rock and this compressor can do it all. From light compression to flat out clamping. very versatile. Bongomania hit the nail on the head with his review.
 
#4
Thank you guys for your replies.
What worries me about FEA the most is:
1)Whether it can handle heavy compression well.Between picks, slap & some thumb playing occasionally, i'll have a wide range to deal with.
2)I'm a bit worried that comp coloration might do injustice to the sound because of the overdrive pedal that'll come after it(an Ibanez Phat-Head probably, might get a Darkglass B3K too).
On the other side of the fence, how quiet is the MXR?
 
#5
While the Optifet can definitely handle slap and heavy playing well, especially if you dial in the sidechained EQ, the DECL might be a better choice.

The M87 is fairly quiet; not as silent as the FEA units, but not bad at all. You'll see some posts about hiss from the M87, but those units may have been defective.
 
#7
If you want a compressor in the next year or so, then the argument unfortunately is moot. I have been waiting patiently for an opti-fet since giving up on finding one in the classifieds and biting the bullet on the waiting list.

If the wait doesn't matter, then in my opinion, for what I need it for, there is no better compressor on the market than the Opti-fet. Thankfully I have access to one somewhat regularly so the wait is a bit more bearable. I ended up adding both the Diamond and the MarkBass to hold me over.
 
#8
Getting hold of an OptiFET won't be a problem as i am on the waiting list already.I just want to make sure this is what i want so in case it isn't i can clear up my spot so someone else who needs it can get it.One needs to play fair with rarities like this...
 
#9
bongomania said:
While the Optifet can definitely handle slap and heavy playing well, especially if you dial in the sidechained EQ, the DECL might be a better choice.

The M87 is fairly quiet; not as silent as the FEA units, but not bad at all. You'll see some posts about hiss from the M87, but those units may have been defective.
Click to expand...

I'm sure this is a stupid question but...DECL?
 
#11
kevin nowhow said:
Getting hold of an OptiFET won't be a problem as i am on the waiting list already.I just want to make sure this is what i want so in case it isn't i can clear up my spot so someone else who needs it can get it.One needs to play fair with rarities like this...
Click to expand...

I'll take your spot!

I would also think that FEA might be cool about changing your waiting list spot from an OPTI-FET to a DECL.
 
#15
kevin nowhow said:
Neat!
Let me know how it's working for you.Especially if you overdrive your sound with another pedal.If it's not too much trouble...
Click to expand...

I have to tell you that its almost come up too quickly and I am wondering whether I am going to follow through. I really was expecting it sometime next year and I just bought a Diamond and a MarkBass compressor towards the beginning of the summer.

Not sure what I am going to do.

And also - just for reference - I use my comps first in line so I am not sure I would be helpful with your question re: overdrive.
 

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