The Rane DC24 is a nice 2 band rack mount compressor with a crossover that can be found for about $100 used. Works very well with bass. No hiss at all.
Enjoy the benefits of a premium membership!
Upgrade Account
-
TalkBass has been independent since 1998. Add your voice.
Create a free account to reply to discussions, view embedded media, and browse with fewer display ads.
Join free Log in
Want zero display ads or expanded classifieds tools? Compare plans.
recomend a bass compressor
- Thread starter Mytt88
- Start date
Empress Compressor or the Diamond. Both pedals, both dead silent, both made in Canada and both about as good as it gets in a pedal.
What he said.
The Empress is great on bass, and with the Diamond you can get the bass specific version if you like.
I tried a bunch of off the shelf and I finally settled on the Carl Martin Comp/limiter.
It does take some learning, but once you know how all the knobs interact with each other you can quickly change your settings.
It is super transparent. It doesn't try to color your tone at all. You can get the compression "punch" out of it. I have yet to experience any hiss, hum, or buzz.
I love the indicator LED that shows how much limiting or compression is going on.
I love the way it works. I like how much head room it has. I pump super deep low B through it and it doesn't even hesitate.
Now that the lovey dovey is done, there are a few cons. Although the cons don't impact the functionality at all.
First, its a weird size very tall compared to other pedals. THat annoys me.
THe worst thing about it is the included power cord. It's not a wall wart type power source like everyone else. It's just a power cord, like the type that comes out of the toaster. It's hard wired to the pedal. It's long enough to get to an plug, its just weird and annoying.
Edit: Oh yeah. I play a five sting with a +/-15db boost with the onboard three band EQ. The Carl Martin holds up against whatever I can through at it and never farts out.
It does take some learning, but once you know how all the knobs interact with each other you can quickly change your settings.
It is super transparent. It doesn't try to color your tone at all. You can get the compression "punch" out of it. I have yet to experience any hiss, hum, or buzz.
I love the indicator LED that shows how much limiting or compression is going on.
I love the way it works. I like how much head room it has. I pump super deep low B through it and it doesn't even hesitate.
Now that the lovey dovey is done, there are a few cons. Although the cons don't impact the functionality at all.
First, its a weird size very tall compared to other pedals. THat annoys me.
THe worst thing about it is the included power cord. It's not a wall wart type power source like everyone else. It's just a power cord, like the type that comes out of the toaster. It's hard wired to the pedal. It's long enough to get to an plug, its just weird and annoying.
Edit: Oh yeah. I play a five sting with a +/-15db boost with the onboard three band EQ. The Carl Martin holds up against whatever I can through at it and never farts out.
SirMjac28
Patiently Waiting For The Next British Invasion
I second a vote for the diamond bass specific compressor. It has eq on it as well, lets you get some really deep sounding stuff. Drawback I suppose is that it will change your tone a bit unless you are careful with your settings. Can go from mild to extreme squish. Runs on 18v.
I also own the pigtronix bass compressor, also a very nice unit, even less coloration of tone than the Diamond. Can also go from mild to extreme squish. Runs on 9- 18v but strongly prefers 18v.
My favorite ( I think! ) is the JHS lime aid bass compressor. Very transparent and has a blend control. No tone coloration. Doesn't get quite the same level of extreme squish as the other two though. 9v.
Check the TLC Compressor by Aguilar, I think is the best alternative to compressor pedals.
Cheers.
www.enricogaletta.com
on youtube
on twitter
[Invalid or Expired Link Removed]
Cheers.
www.enricogaletta.com
on youtube
on twitter
[Invalid or Expired Link Removed]
Sounds like gain hiss to me. My MXR is very loud, I keep it about 10:00 for unity gain, and if I go much higher it adds quite a bit of volume. Maybe hiss too, but I wouldn't know since I don't use it that way. I'd be happy to test it, but it's not here at the moment.
RaginRog
Last guy you want to see is Employee Relations guy
I just tried out the EBS Multi comp, Markbass Compressore, and MXR M87 and settled on the EBS because of the tone and because of its ease of use. However, the MB Compressore would have been my choice if it would have been compatible with my pedal board power. The M87 sounded cold too me...perhaps a little too transparent.
If you like the m87 seems like you would want to sort out the problem there before you go spending $200-300 on some other unit. As others have said, contract MXR and ask them to make it right.
I love the Empress. Quiet, doesn't color your tone much but gives a subtle fatness and warmth that is appealing. It's not bass specific which for me is a plus as I play guitar too. I also considered the Diamond which sounds to be a great unit. I chose the Empress as likely to be the more versatile for my needs and because it has an LED that tells you exactly what the unit is doing, helpful with a subtle effect like compression and especially for recording. Should be a standard feature on every higher end unit IMO.
I love the Empress. Quiet, doesn't color your tone much but gives a subtle fatness and warmth that is appealing. It's not bass specific which for me is a plus as I play guitar too. I also considered the Diamond which sounds to be a great unit. I chose the Empress as likely to be the more versatile for my needs and because it has an LED that tells you exactly what the unit is doing, helpful with a subtle effect like compression and especially for recording. Should be a standard feature on every higher end unit IMO.
If you use more than one pedal do yourself a favor and try a ZoomB3. If you don't like it you can always return it .. It has multiple compressors.. multiple other effects.. multiple amp models.. all done decently.. it has a great DI.. is very clean and has a small foot print.
I love my Hofner vintage compressor. It's my only 'always-on' pedal. It has a nice transparent vintage tone.
Everytime I say that it spells death for any thread.
Everytime I say that it spells death for any thread.
I was super impressed with the new fairfield circuitry comp on bass. it also has a tiny footprint which is nice. there is a wide variety of compression sounds to be had with the super simple switching system. very cool.
http://fairfieldcircuitry.com/products/the-accountant
http://fairfieldcircuitry.com/products/the-accountant
+1 for the Pigtronix Philosopher Bass Compressor. Switched to it from the MXR M87 and have been very happy with it.
While not a rack compressor, it is quieter that the M87, has more headroom with 18V, and the controls are simpler and very intuitive. Works great on a pedalboard.
Pigtronix has decent videos online to give you a feel.
While not a rack compressor, it is quieter that the M87, has more headroom with 18V, and the controls are simpler and very intuitive. Works great on a pedalboard.
Pigtronix has decent videos online to give you a feel.
I also play on the Carl Martin Compressor/Limiter.
Great piece of gear, you can can go from a subtle compression to a really heavy one. And I never had any noise issue on it.
Great piece of gear, you can can go from a subtle compression to a really heavy one. And I never had any noise issue on it.
+1
I went the same path - using the B3 as a preamp and going from it's DI direct into the mixer. On stage I power the B3 by rechargeable Panasonic Eneloop NiMH cells which eliminates any potential source of noise from external power supplies. I recommend the B3s dbx160A comp model which is my favourite one.
