PJB Compressor/limiter ...

[JussiBass]

I've had my PJB briefcase for a couple of months now.
Since I don't play in a band I've used it for "practicing" and home recording (bass, guitar, lapsteel ...).
I find it perfect for my use !
Small, sounds good and more than loud enough for me !

Love the +-18dB EQ !
BUT ! The compressor/limiter is a bit of an annoyance ...

It tends to "squash->SWELL--->"crackle out" ... I can deal with the "squash" and the "swELL" ...
(I actually like it when playing my lapsteel through the amp ... )
But I could do without the odd "crackle" sounds ...

Is this a common "feature" for PJB amps ? (bass buddy, suitcase, sixpack e.t.c ...)
Or have i bought a "dud" ?

 

[Funk&Disorderly]

I use a Suitcase and i must say i've never had it crackle. I tend to have the compression turned way up, since i use a few unpredictable effects pedals.

 

[David Jayne]

Mine crackles too. I've read that this is a defect which can be fixed, I just haven't bothered yet.

 

[JussiBass]

Mine crackles too. I've read that this is a defect which can be fixed, I just haven't bothered yet.

???

Any more info ?

 

[bongomania]

I experienced the "squash and swell" too, that is a normal part of how that compressor was designed. The "crackle" is a defect, not normal. I've seen others post about it, but mine didn't have that problem.

 

[Bassman 100]

I have the Brief Case & the Flight Case. I've not experienced this problem. May I ask if your setting the compressor correctly.
Just to be sure:
1.) When powered off Turn the compressor up to the max (as we normally know max)- i.e. fully clockwise.

2.) Then power up.

3.) Then slowly turn it towards zero (anticlockwise) until you reach the desired amount of compression.

Phil Jones gives an excellent back up service - so if there's a problem it will be sorted fast.
Great amps - life changing. They are wonderful.

 

[JussiBass]

Thanks for the replies !

I have the Brief Case & the Flight Case. I've not experienced this problem. May I ask if your setting the compressor correctly.

In 9 cases out of 10 the answer to that question would be : probably not !

Great amps - life changing. They are wonderful.

I agree! Both my Jazz Bass, and my newly aquired HW1 P-Bass sound great through it ! Especially the P-Bass ! Strung with D'Addario half rounds it sounds really nice and "woody" !

But it seems that I'm not the only one wondering/concerned about the compressor ...

 

[David Jayne]

???

Any more info ?

Fraid not. But I do remember a thread about it awhile back, and the poster got it fixed. I seem to recall that it had to do with the mechanical construction of the amplifier power supply section.

 

[JussiBass]

Fraid not. But I do remember a thread about it awhile back, and the poster got it fixed. I seem to recall that it had to do with the mechanical construction of the amplifier power supply section.

I recall reading something about turning the transformer 90 degrees ... But that was in order to cure the 50/60Hz hum ... Which also sounds odd to me since it's a toroidal transformer ...

And I recall reading a review of the Bass Buddy (could it have been at Harmony Central?) where one reviewer wrote that the compressor "fuzzes out" ... And the BB runs from an adapter ? or ?

I'll have to try to find another briefcase and doublecheck/compare ...

 

[JussiBass]

#1 : Sorry 'bout bumping an old thread ...

But this "issue/feature/bug" still bothers me a bit ...

I replaced the first briefcase I had with another one (a blonde one ). It sounds just as good, both for bass and for acoustic guitar !
But the compressor still crackles & "fuzzes out" ... Especially when playing chords, but also on the occasional single note. Sounds a bit like semicnductor clipping ...

I don´t really use the onboard compressor/limiter that much, so it's not a showstopper (othervise I wouldn't have kept the amp ...) but it just bothers me a bit ...

Anyone got this fixed / confirmed to be a bug/feature or ?

 

[WingKL]

Have you tried contacting Phil Jones tech support?

 

[JussiBass]

Have you tried contacting Phil Jones tech support?

Yes. Sent them a mail yesterday ...

Just thought I'd check here aswell !

Thought I'd stop by the local store again to test the Bass Buddy and some other PJB amps they've got and see if they show the same behaviour ...

If so, then I know it's my sloppy playing that's to blame !

 

[metanoiastudios]

Hey guys,

Just got my PJB Briefcase and I seem to be having a similar issue...the compressor seems to saturate/crackle/etc the signal when the compressor is activated at ANY setting. It also seems to muddy up the signal even when the compressor is not working.

Someone mentioned that there's a fix for this...any idea what it would take?

As a recording engineer, I know how a compressor should sound like, and this isn't it

 

[countrybass007]

I use a Suitcase and a BG800 on a regular basis and I've never got any crackle from the compressor. Call Phil and ask him about it, he's always happy to help. If he's tied up, Steve is great at helping with any problems you might have. Great company and great people who's main aim is 100% satisfied customers.