Opto compressor to pair with Cali76?

[Jammy Jellyfish]

A few years back, I ended up with a Cali76 CB and an LA-1A. I liked putting the Cali76 first to catch the peaks followed by the LA-1A to smoothen things out.

I eventually sold the LA-1A. I’m not interested in getting another, but I have some cash and was thinking of trying something like it again.

However, I was reading up on the technique, and it says to use a fast attack and release on the Cali76. I have the bass version with the att/rel knob, maybe it wasn’t working as well as I remembered?

Anyway, what are some opto compressors that would work well to do just that? I was thinking maybe the LAB? Or the Broughton? The Alma?

 

[BassikBrad]

The Alma

 

[Treyheartsweed]

My man, definitely take a look at the Union Tube and Transistor Lab Compressor. I use mine towards the end of my chain for this exact purpose!

 

[gonzkal]

I second the Alma.

 

[_One//Man//Mutiny_]

Diamond Bass Comp, which is the inspiration for the Alma!

 

[jacoby75]

I run an Empress Bass Comp and an Alma back to back. Not necessary, but it sure is fun. They sound great together. The Alma is a great fattenator. And I like the tilt eq for super easy tone fixes to adjust to various rooms.

 

[carsonchilders]

I have videos on the DLA-2A, Alma, and Union LAB.

I do this a lot in the studio on vocals (LA2A into 1176 or vice versa). I would prefer to have the slower compressor first (sort of like overdrives are nice before compression) to get the maximum amount of flavor out of the slower compressor for bass. I do think two compressor pedals is a little overkill, but I have considering doing this in the Quad Cortex domain.

TLDR:
If you need flexible get the Alma, if you need flavor/tone get the Lab, if you need the holy grail get the DLA-2A

 

[el murdoque]

I have videos on the DLA-2A, Alma, and Union LAB.

I do this a lot in the studio on vocals (LA2A into 1176 or vice versa). I would prefer to have the slower compressor first (sort of like overdrives are nice before compression) to get the maximum amount of flavor out of the slower compressor for bass. I do think two compressor pedals is a little overkill, but I have considering doing this in the Quad Cortex domain.

TLDR:
If you need flexible get the Alma, if you need flavor/tone get the Lab, if you need the holy grail get the DLA-2A

I actually had the DLA-2A and the LA-1A for a while and sold the DLA-2A. I like a deep bass sound with boosted lows and play a 6 string and I felt the LA-1A can handle that a lot better - plus on the used market you get the Effectrode for around 350 while the Doc Lloyd is 1200 or thereabouts.

I did run drives first, then Cali76 for peak limiting, then other stuff (EQ and such), then the tube comp for fattening up a little.

 

[jsixties]

I’ve owned dozens of compressors. I sold them all and only kept this one:

The FAT GENERAL Parallel Compressor MKII

The FAT GENERAL MKII is an evolution of the critically acclaimed OTC-201 compressor. ThorpyFx and the original designer (Dan Coggins) have collaborated to deliver the next level of compression for guitarists. Unlike many other compressors, the FAT GENERAL MKII adds sustain and balance to your...

thorpyfx.com

Punchy and warmth in both modes (parallel and juicy). I love it, it’s my always-on pedal.

 

[thisSNsucks]

I really only have experience with the LAB and it’s great. Adds a nice warmth and low mid bump.

 

[carsonchilders]

I actually had the DLA-2A and the LA-1A for a while and sold the DLA-2A. I like a deep bass sound with boosted lows and play a 6 string and I felt the LA-1A can handle that a lot better - plus on the used market you get the Effectrode for around 350 while the Doc Lloyd is 1200 or thereabouts.

I did run drives first, then Cali76 for peak limiting, then other stuff (EQ and such), then the tube comp for fattening up a little.

Nice! I don't have an LA-1A, would love to try it. I play a low tuned 4 string and roll the HPF detection really high. DLA2A is definitely my favorite compressor ever, even more than my Stam rack LA2A clone with NOS tubes.

 

[carsonchilders]

I’ve owned dozens of compressors. I sold them all and only kept this one:

The FAT GENERAL Parallel Compressor MKII

The FAT GENERAL MKII is an evolution of the critically acclaimed OTC-201 compressor. ThorpyFx and the original designer (Dan Coggins) have collaborated to deliver the next level of compression for guitarists. Unlike many other compressors, the FAT GENERAL MKII adds sustain and balance to your...

thorpyfx.com

Punchy and warmth in both modes (parallel and juicy). I love it, it’s my always-on pedal.

That looks really cool

 

[Alper Yilmaz]

If you can find a used Walrus Audio Mira, that is a fantastic optical comp. On the other hand, UAFX’s Teletronix LA-2A is another economical one worth giving a shot.

 

[InkCow]

If you can find a used Walrus Audio Mira, that is a fantastic optical comp. On the other hand, UAFX’s Teletronix LA-2A is another economical one worth giving a shot.

I have the Mira and Alma and they’re both really nice sounding, but I like the Mira more, which surprised me given the raves about the Alma. It requires 250ma, though, so the Alma has an advantage there. It not only requires less than 100ma, it can also run on the 12/18v 100ma port that I otherwise have no use for.

 

[TheArchitect]

A few years back, I ended up with a Cali76 CB and an LA-1A. I liked putting the Cali76 first to catch the peaks followed by the LA-1A to smoothen things out.

I eventually sold the LA-1A. I’m not interested in getting another, but I have some cash and was thinking of trying something like it again.

However, I was reading up on the technique, and it says to use a fast attack and release on the Cali76. I have the bass version with the att/rel knob, maybe it wasn’t working as well as I remembered?

Anyway, what are some opto compressors that would work well to do just that? I was thinking maybe the LAB? Or the Broughton? The Alma?

Pedals or no? I have a Warm Audio 1176 clone and a Lindell Audio LA2A clone I use for a number of things when recording. Both bring something nice to the table on bass guitar.

 

[SactoBass]

The Alma is a great fattenator.

"Fattenator." Now *THAT* is a good word! I think "Fattenator" would be an excellent name for a pedal!

 

[agrestic_sound]

Nice! I don't have an LA-1A, would love to try it. I play a low tuned 4 string and roll the HPF detection really high. DLA2A is definitely my favorite compressor ever, even more than my Stam rack LA2A clone with NOS tubes.

The moment I started messing with the emphasis knob was when I completely fell in love with the DLA2A on bass. It starts to breathe and sounds sooo fat and full. I’ve never used a Noble, but I’m thinking it does something similar, in regards to richness of tone and feel? While it was a pretty costly decision, I don’t regret it. I’ve never been happier with a pedal compressor - that is more than just a pedal and getting used as a hardware LA-2A on various sources in the studio. Win win for years to come. It’s exceptional.
I’ve used both of the Effectrode pedals but I find they get squishy pretty quickly with bass. Any compression above 10 o’clock and I really felt it starting to clamp down. They’re great on everything - bass included - but not my first choice for bass. A blend and some metering would make them more versatile IMHO. The boost on the LA-1A is wonderful and the HF switch sounds great with acoustic instruments. PC-2A has more color - very similar to the LAB but more analog and tube sounding. It does squish quickly though, but can be adjusted with the internal switches which are not really tweakable on the fly. The LA-1A just makes everything sound better. Kinda like a good clean tube preamp before dialing in noticeable compression.

 

[carsonchilders]

The moment I started messing with the emphasis knob was when I completely fell in love with the DLA2A on bass. It starts to breathe and sounds sooo fat and full. I’ve never used a Noble, but I’m thinking it does something similar, in regards to richness of tone and feel? While it was a pretty costly decision, I don’t regret it. I’ve never been happier with a pedal compressor - that is more than just a pedal and getting used as a hardware LA-2A on various sources in the studio. Win win for years to come. It’s exceptional.
I’ve used both of the Effectrode pedals but I find they get squishy pretty quickly with bass. Any compression above 10 o’clock and I really felt it starting to clamp down. They’re great on everything - bass included - but not my first choice for bass. A blend and some metering would make them more versatile IMHO. The boost on the LA-1A is wonderful and the HF switch sounds great with acoustic instruments. PC-2A has more color - very similar to the LAB but more analog and tube sounding. It does squish quickly though, but can be adjusted with the internal switches which are not really tweakable on the fly. The LA-1A just makes everything sound better. Kinda like a good clean tube preamp before dialing in noticeable compression.

This is great, I’m glad you like it! In comparison to the Nobel, the Nobel actually does not give you the same level of richness. It’s much more subtle. The EQ is fantastic and there’s a 3D sound with a little tube feel. The DLA2A is more like (to use dumb food terms) like butter, rich/etc. When used right it’s amazing but you can really overdo it too (like all compressors).

 

[agrestic_sound]

@carsonchilders Last night I had a 1966 Guild Starfire going into the OE ‘64 Black Panel into DLA2A. Simple. The comp brought up the noise floor on the OE, but in the mix it was one of those…Great Scott! moments. (Nerdy Doc Lloyd reference ) I was lucky and got one from the last drop of 10, thinking that if I needed to sell it I’d have no problem. Now it’s a matter of how quickly can I pay off my CC?! It’s not going anywhere.