Rackmount vs. Pedal compressor?

Apples vs oranges anyone?

 

I think the technology is there to make them equal. The fact is that most rack mount compressors are designed with the studio or serious sound re-enforcement in mind where as pedal compressors are designed with bass and guitar players in mind.

 

Depends... the Retrospec Squeeze Box is a slammin' compressor, and is a pedal. Although it's the largest pedal I've ever seen...

 

While the technology may be available, I doubt that it's utilized in most pedals.

The problem with pedals is that you end up with a lot of things to muck up the sound. You now have two long instrument cables, which adds more resistance and capcaitance to the signal chain, as well as double the potential for poor connections. You either have a power supply cord, with more potential problems, or a battery (which is worse).

My guess is that most rack compressors are better quality than most pedals, and have less of the associated problems of pedals. I'll take a rack-mount componet over a pedal every time. And if you don't want a huge rack case to haul around, get two small ones.

JD

 

Depends on which pedal and which rackmount you're talking about.

Retrospec Squeeze box (tube), the new Electro Harmonix Black Finger (dual tube), and Demeter compulator (tube), Trace-Elliot, and EBS Multi Comp are all very good pedal compressors.

I own an Art Levelar - the results of compressor searches from this web site. Its not a rackmount or a pedal. But it's a killer, tube compressor. Simple to operate and works very well with bass. They're $70.00 new. Do a search on the Art Levelar and read the reviews at Harmony Central.
Maybe not the best packaged for giging - but workable and an incredible compressor buy.

 

It may not be true any more, but some pedals running on a 9 volt battery may not have the gain structure or headroom that some rack mount units have. Some effect pedals with good headroom and gain will eat batteries quickly. Many of the better sounding effect pedals don't use batteries (they use a power supply) and don't have the headroom or gain problems.