Not Your Typical Compressor?

[Wfrance3]

Pretty sure I see a 3rd knob

You are right, I missed the w-d knob. Dooh!
either way, I still recommend the mini pro over the mini one…

 

[Tom Bomb]

Got one of these a while back.

​

Hard to fault, gets me reasonably close to the MP forest green that I can't get enough of. The link above, to a CP-01, gives a little more detail. The newest versions are pretty bloody pricey. I may just start saving my pennies ​

 

[sunbeast]

If you can find one, I recently ditched my Hyper Luminal (which wasn't bad at all) for a Photo Death Ray, which happens to be much more simple (but not why I switched). Very simple with only three knobs (one of them being output volume). The Human Ear sidechain is pretty special too (it works automatically).

Review 1

Review 2

Curious why you switched?

 

[sunbeast]

Accountant is simple.
It does however have a 'tone' of its' own and is not the quietest at certain settings...

Still...I like it a lot!

Definitely- if he released a noise-reduced version of the Accountant I'd jump on it in an instant! I still have mine but the hiss relegates it to special effects (I use it as a gritty booster for example on one of the low-noise settings)

 

[cnltb]

Definitely- if he released a noise-reduced version of the Accountant I'd jump on it in an instant! I still have mine but the hiss relegates it to special effects (I use it as a gritty booster for example on one of the low-noise settings)

I agree that a clean compressor would be something nice to come from Fairfield circuitry. I'd buy it.
That said; I like the accontant as a breakup pedal. At the moment however I really enjoy the relatively clean-ish 0/0 setting.

 

[Mushroo]

Back when I owned an Accountant, my favorite setting was 0/0 with the pedal powered at 18v. There was very little compression, but some nice, subtle overdrive.

 

[halcyo]

My Ampeg PF800 head has a single compression knob, and to be honest, it sounds great. I have a very fancy handmade Mad Professor Forest Green Compressor pedal that sounds fantastic too, but sometimes the simple “Compression” knob on the amp head works better haha.

If Ampeg sold that exact comp in a ONE knob pedal, I’d buy it, just to be able to switch it on and off with my foot haha

 

[sunbeast]

Back when I owned an Accountant, my favorite setting was 0/0 with the pedal powered at 18v. There was very little compression, but some nice, subtle overdrive.

Ah I didn’t know 18v was safe- must try!

 

[Mushroo]

Ah I didn’t know 18v was safe- must try!

With any manufacturer's pedals, you're smart to assume it isn't safe, until verified!

I was curious a while back, so I emailed Fairfield, and here was their response (hopefully Dana shouldn't mind me posting this info here for you):

You can safely power your Accountant at 18v for additional volume, though it won't necessarily be clean, as the Accountant isn't a clean pedal in the first place. Additionally, the pedal will become more of a boost pedal than a compressor, as the ratios were calibrated at 9v. From what I could tell when I tested it out there wasn't much compression happening at 18v. I don't think it will work well under 9v or over 18v, but anything in between is fair game.

So basically to paraphrase, "It's not designed to work at 18v, but it won't damage the pedal, so feel free to experiment."

 

[sunbeast]

With any manufacturer's pedals, you're smart to assume it isn't safe, until verified!

I was curious a while back, so I emailed Fairfield, and here was their response (hopefully Dana shouldn't mind me posting this info here for you):


So basically to paraphrase, "It's not designed to work at 18v, but it won't damage the pedal, so feel free to experiment."

I like it quite a bit at 9V apart from the noise at some Pad settings, but I love to experiment with different options when they exist!

 

[Les Fret]

What about the new Aguilar compressor? Not sure if it is good.

 

[40Hz]

I have a Whirlwind OC bass comp. 2 knobs, a 3 position attack switch and a 2 position comp/limit switch. Plus metering. Very easy to use, sounds great.

Agree. One of the best choices out there IMO for a “just sounds good” compressor. Another piece of gear that simplifies its control interface without compromising any of its performance.

 

[beaglesandbass]

Curious why you switched?

The Death Ray was on my short list, but I couldn't find one when I bought the HL. Finally found one and did an A/B comparison. They both sounded good, but the Death Ray just sounded fuller.

 

[zacharybass76]

Tell us what you are looking for in a compressor and then I’ll share some recommendations.

Basically, I want a compressor that will add a little sustain and help even out my notes. I don't want a pedal that I have to tinker with a lot. My current EBS Multicomp is great and simple to use, but it's very noisy. Basically, I want something that's easy to dial in some sustain and even things out, and that is QUIET. Thanks!

 

[scubaduba]

Basically, I want a compressor that will add a little sustain and help even out my notes. I don't want a pedal that I have to tinker with a lot. My current EBS Multicomp is great and simple to use, but it's very noisy. Basically, I want something that's easy to dial in some sustain and even things out, and that is QUIET. Thanks!

For the purpose of sustain and low noise (and your requirement of only two dials) I would recommend you look at the Valbruch Quantum.
Here’s my review: https://www.compressorpedalreviews.com/post/vahlbruch-quantum-compressor-review

Also check out the
Tsakalis Audio Works Zipper MKII which is my favorite two dial compressor (though sustain is not its forte compared to the Quantum.
https://www.compressorpedalreviews.com/post/tsakalis-audio-works-zipper-compressor-review

 

[Bassmike62]

I use an ART Tube MP/C. Tube preamp and compressor. Aside from the input and output levels, you get a threshold knob, a speed switch (fast or auto) and a slope switch (compressor or limiter). It doesn’t get easier then that for an always on compressor. Cheap, sounds great!

Ah ouin ?
Ah bin ta...

I love their stuff, I've been using a Studio V3 for ages and a other mic preamps here and there and had an MP/C that I used for acoustic guitar for a short while, didn't like what it did, but never thought using it on bass...
Is it good for light compression ?
How about the low end ?

 

[beaglesandbass]

Basically, I want a compressor that will add a little sustain and help even out my notes. I don't want a pedal that I have to tinker with a lot. My current EBS Multicomp is great and simple to use, but it's very noisy. Basically, I want something that's easy to dial in some sustain and even things out, and that is QUIET. Thanks!

For the purpose of sustain and low noise (and your requirement of only two dials) I would recommend you look at the Valbruch Quantum.
Here’s my review: https://www.compressorpedalreviews.com/post/vahlbruch-quantum-compressor-review

Also check out the
Tsakalis Audio Works Zipper MKII which is my favorite two dial compressor (though sustain is not its forte compared to the Quantum.
https://www.compressorpedalreviews.com/post/tsakalis-audio-works-zipper-compressor-review

Scuba is the one person in this thread that probably has the most experience with testing compressors. That’s whose opinion I would hold above anyone else.

 

[Inconnu]

Ah ouin ?
Ah bin ta...

I love their stuff, I've been using a Studio V3 for ages and a other mic preamps here and there and had an MP/C that I used for acoustic guitar for a short while, didn't like what it did, but never thought using it on bass...
Is it good for light compression ?
How about the low end ?

Ben quin!

No problem with the low end, seems intact and balanced to my ears (maybe a bit of roll off on the low B, or is it just the comp working?). The compression is subtle at “auto” mode when you select “comp”, not “limit”. It’s a set and forget type of thing. I changed the tube in mind and it improved the clarity. Went for a NOS Phillips or GE 12ax7a I had in a box in the basement.

 

[lowfreqgeek]

Basically, I want a compressor that will add a little sustain and help even out my notes. I don't want a pedal that I have to tinker with a lot. My current EBS Multicomp is great and simple to use, but it's very noisy. Basically, I want something that's easy to dial in some sustain and even things out, and that is QUIET. Thanks!

Union Tube and Transistor Co LAB. 2 knobs, can be as subtle as you want, and it's QUIET.

 

[scubaduba]

Union Tube and Transistor Co LAB. 2 knobs, can be as subtle as you want, and it's QUIET.

But not ideal for one seeking a compressor to add sustain.