My compressor search continues . . .

Are you set on a pedal? Because I would steer you to a few rack units, maybe the Joemeek MC2 as a first stop. Pedalwise I think the Fat Burner is worth a try but you might be put off by its potential for noise at higher settings; and I definitely think the CP9Pro+ would suit you except it's not as fattening as you might like.

 

See if any shop around has a T Rex Squeezer you could try out and return if needed. I hated it chiefly because of noise problems, but a few other guys here say its the bomb and has no noise for them, so perhaps you'll get lucky with it.

 

Hello:

My favorite compressor pedal is the Humprey’s Mod Boss CS-3, in my opinion, one of the best there is. In my rack I have an Aphex 661 compressor which is amazing; great transparent tone and full of handy features.

George

 

Bongo:

By the way, I bought those two because I read the great reviews in your compressors page. Keep up the good work!!!

George

 

Get a Demeter Compulator and be done with it.

 

You're welcome, George, I'm glad to be of help. I'm also glad you mentioned the Humphrey CS3- to TheBigO, you might like that one. PM me your address and I'll send you one of mine to try out. Edit: the one thing is I'm not sure the modded CS3 would be quite fat enough on the low end for the "effects heavy dub/acid jazz project". It's a bit tight and restrained on the bottom end.

 

Hey, you are right (typo error again , thanks for bringing it up). I hated the stock CS-3 as well, very noisy unit. However, the Humprey mod makes it usable (granted you don’t use it at extreme settings) and smooth. I highly recommend you to try one.

George

 

Oh geez, I need some sleep.

 

Believe me, if I could say any one comp was without flaws and compromises, I'd be preaching it from the rooftops. As you know there are several that I like a lot, but every single one of them "falls down" in one way or another. Too noisy, not fat enough sounding, too physically big or heavy, too finicky about input levels, etc. etc.

The Jacques is capable of limiting as well as the Demeter does, but at those settings it may be too noisy for you- depending on the rest of your rig, EQ settings, cab voicing, etc.

Re: the CS3 emphasizing midrange, the modded one does too, just to less of an extreme degree because more lows are allowed through.

 

I think a question to ask, is, do you want a transparent compressor for the three points of use you mention in your OP, or do you want something that will color the sound? if it's the latter, get a pedal. If it's the former, then what about a small unit that can be rackmounted or also just sit on your amp?

For $200 you can get the FMR Audio RNC:

http://www.fmraudio.com/RNC1773.HTM

Small enough to fit in your gig bag and just set it on your amp or heck, even on the floor with your pedals. An EXCELLENT compressor suitable for pro studio use. Check out the reviews. I have one and the RNLA too and often use all the time, and I have other MUCH more expensive units in my studio. These are that good. They could charge 4 times as much for these.
Then you've got a studio-quality unit small enough and affordable enough(so you don't have to worry about it too much) to take out for gigs, but can perform great when recording(and not just on bass--it kills on vocals, guitar, drums--anything really). Pedal compressors are too noisy and not at all transparent enough to be useful other than as an "effect". You'd never use one of those noisy pedals in the studio for compression/limiting.
If you ALSO want this compressor to be a tone box too, as you mention, give you a more "aggressive" sound, then that's another story altogether. I wouldn't look to a compressor for that. I'd get my sound, and then use compression/limiting for dynamics(FWIW, I don't use one in my live rig anymore personally, I let the FOH handle that, but I don't have a bunch of pedals I'm trying to tame either).

 

I have nowhere near the expirience with compressors that Bongo does, but I have tried about half a dozen or so, and stopped looking after the Squeezer. I'm one of those users that has expirieced no noise, or unwanted anything with this pedal. It has all the controls you need, and no more. I have mine set up slightly higher than unity gain, fast attack, slow release, mild comp, and my tone is the shazizzle. No kidding. Now, I do also use noise reduction in my signal chain, but as I remember, the TRex wasn't the problem. Also, I run my comp first in line, always on. I love all my pedals, but this one is extra special, my wife bought it for our anniversary last year. As always, ymmv.

 

Sorry, but that's not accurate. I have used a great many compressors, from $15 to $1500, and TBH a great many of the rack units I've used, at all price points, had similar noise to pedals. And the main thing stopping me from buying an original LA2A (one of the most frequently-used bass comps in serious professional studios) is not the price, but the fact that they are known for being noisy. Even the 1176 (the other "big gun") and other "character" comp/limiters can often be noisy. Contrasting that with the Carl Martin, the new TC Nova Dynamics, or the Maxon CP9Pro+, which are essentially noiseless.

Yes there are low-noise rack comps, the RNC among them, but generalizing about rack versus pedals is not sensible.

Also while it is possible to set up the RNC for bass, one of my chief complaints about it is that setting it for multiple instruments or different genres/tasks is heinous, taking several minutes to find useful settings that don't distort on the low frequencies. Yes, it can work, and I know lots of people use it, but to me it is one of the worst possible choices for a bassist due to its finickiness.