New compressor time. help.

I have a few bass ukes that have unbalanced volume string to string. I've replaced the piezo pickup assembly on a couple and modified the pickup on a couple, but neither worked on a couple of others, so reading about compressors that balance louder and softer notes, I bought a Kokko mini compressor. I don't find the balance to be different, just the volume and the background noise.

 

After going through a similar situation last month, I ended up going with the Empress Compressor. Its transparent sound, features and controls sold me. Having a sidechain input is quite handy. You can put an eq or hpf in the sidechain for better bass response or take a line from the kick mic signal to trigger a ducking effect for clarity. It also has a blend knob, led metering (input, gain reduction or both).

Overall, its a really transparent compressor capable of multiple applications. Empress even makes a 500 series version for studio rack applications. If you are after some character, I found that slightly over compressing in the 10:1 ratio while blending a 50/50 signal with the mix knob gave me a sound similar to my Boss CS-2, which I always loved for certain things.

I upgraded from the MXR compressor which was starting to annoy me. I found it sterile and not as transparent as MXR would have you believe. It also wasn’t the quietest, though not intrusive. The input control, on mine at least, was sometimes a pain to dial in. I found its metering inaccurate. Its only 50$ more for the superior Empress which has similar controls plus more.

The hyperluminal is not something im interested in because I don't believe in pedals with ‘firmware’. Dependency on computer interaction to get it to do what I want is not something I wished for. Also its unlabeled ratio control is something I may have to concentrate too much on. I like to set it and forget it.

In my opinion, the Origin comps have a bit to much of a distinct, dense sounding character (they sound thick to me, if that makes sense). They don’t sound like the 1176 they are meant to emulate IMO. An 1176 will add character, but I found them to be fairly transparent most of the time. I found that the Origin pedals exaggerate the aspects of the 1176’s sound to convince you thats its doing something to your tone. No metering, no distinct ratio control and being quite expensive, these were eliminated from my list of choices early on. The real 1176 has great metering via VU meters, why metering is not available on these comps is something I don’t appreciate. I borrowed one for a month and gave it back, satisfied that it wasn’t for me. They are also $100+ More expensive than the Empress.

 

Hi Josh,
You may want to check this thread. Lots of great info and the personal experience you seek.

Testing Compressors: Cali, Smoothie, Empress, Diamond, Keeley, FEA, Darkglass, Doc Lloyd, JHS & more

 

I have the MXR Bass Comp and I think it’s a really good option for what you describe. The controls can be a little tricky to dial in but not excessively so. I find it very transparent with the Basses I use it with most. Spectors with EMGs and a Dingwall NG-2. The meter is nice.

The examples I’ve heard from the Darkglass Hyper Luminal Compressor make me think it’s a good contender
I had the the Super Symetry in the past and it was a great unit.

Also I 2nd the Compressor review thread linked to above. Very good resource.

 

If you didn't like the Keeley, you most likely will hate the MXR. Imagine the Keeley, only it doesn't sound as good and is annoying to dial in.

Hyper Luminal is a nice unit, but it's not for the faint of heart. If you don't know much about compression it might not be the one for you.

If you can do without the full metering, you may like the Diamond Bass Comp Jr. Again imagine the Keeley, only fatter, juicier, and funkier. The Keeley is not really meant to be heard. The Diamond can easily be set to be heard. And there is no dip & swell, which I hate as well.

I have not used any of the others mentioned so far.

 

Yes, you can hear the Empress when its engaged. But you’re going to hear more punch in the midrange and a bit of sizzle in the top end via the compression. What it does well is allowing the character of your bass to shine. It’s not adding or taking away anything from your sound, its just bringing out whats already there. Some people go for the comp that adds character like an eq would, with the Empress I think you are just hearing high quality compression. It does have a ‘sound’, but its more in the effect rather than the tone, if you get my meaning. It is indeed transparent, but that doesn’t mean subtle in this case. Using a hpf in the sidechain is a noticeable difference, especially if you hit the low E with a heavy pluck, it tightens it up. I feel this compressor as much as I hear it.

If you are looking for a distinct character, Empress might not be for you. I find it has its own character in the clean and smooth compression it adds to my bass. I get more character from eq and other pedals, so for me it provides a good signal for getting the best out of those pedals. I keep my Boss CS-2 for a dirtier character.

If you’re going for peak limiting, the Empress at a 10:1 ratio and slightly over-compressed can be effective if combined with the mix knob to bring back some natural feel.

I used two comps for a while, one at the beginning and one at the end of my pedal chain. In my experience, while that comp at the end will tame some peaks and fatten the signal a bit, it also softens the the tone and some of that attack needed to be heard in the mix will be absent, especially if placed after my favourite eq’s. It will also make any signal noise more apparent. In the end, moving the comp back to the start of the chain got me a more satisfying tone.

In response to a previous suggestion for the diamond comp, my experience with it is that its mostly for tone. It has a fixed ratio of 3:1 which can be light for rock. This is the pedal you get for character. Its sounds great on a p-bass, but it is not a clinical comp. Not for tweakers. It would probably be great as a “to tape” comp.

 

If you were willing to cave in the metering, I’d suggest a Duncan Studio Bass. Well, since I’m posting in the thread I guess I am suggesting it regardless

The three “dry-blend” options are pretty useful. It’s not a bad price, and they’re easy to come by. They aren’t noisy. The tone is accurate/transparent.

I’d pass on the DG come based on my experience with their first model. I know the HL has more options. I’m curious about it and willing to be converted to being a believer, but I’m a tad skeptical.

 

Again, if you can forget the metering, I haven't found a better compressor than the Markbass Compressore.

 

Take a look at the EHX Platform. Great metering display and a lot of controls. Reasonably priced as well.

 

+1 on the Empress. It can be had for $ 219.00 on Amazon. I just bought it.
I do not have lots of experience with compressors but I have a Preamp DI which will color your music as one of the features. I didn’t want that. I wanted transparency but also a definite difference. The Empress does this for me. I’ve only had it a short time but it is so easy to dial in a good tone.
I would agree, read the compressor reviews Scuba did.
Here’s the link: Testing Compressors: Cali, Smoothie, Empress, Diamond, Keeley, FEA, Darkglass, Doc Lloyd, JHS & more

 

Maybe you should take a look at FEA labs compressors. The DE-CL might work for you : separate controls / footswitches for the compressor and limiter circuits, "warmth" knob to make it more or less noticeable, etc. Not full metering, but you have a LED that shows when the threshold is reached. Build quality is superb, too. I have been using their Opti-FET comp for a few years now and I'm extremely happy with it.

 

I have the MXR M87 Bass Comp. After about 6 months, I haven't had any issues with it. Sounds good. Its an always on effect, and I like how it smooths out my sometimes erratic technique.

 

The EBS multicomp seems a little slept on. Multiband compression really is the way to go to fill out your bass tone while keeping the lows tightened up. I use that mode and it’s just two knobs to dial up to get compression and volume levels set.

It’s LED is a meter as well, and is really all you will need. Using a compressor right is all about having the ears dialed in.

 

I use and love the Keeley Bassist.

It is pretty transparent and sometimes can actually sound like it isn't doing enough/anything.

Maybe not for you though.

I use two comps in my rig, the Keeley as a basic comp, and a second,home built VCA type that is set up for slapping and popping- you can clearly hear it pump and breath at times. it "sounds" compressed or crushed with finger-style, but sounds "like" a compressed slapping/popping studio track.

 

+1 for the EBS Multi-comp, very easy to use and nice range of compression. Also +1 for the Bassist but yes, it seems to go from barely there to way compressed. I tend to use mine as barely there,