Simple Two-Knob Compressor?

[Stan_da_man]

What is out there that isn't too difficult to operate?

 

[GMC]

What is out there that isn't too difficult to operate?

The most versatile but simple compressor that I've found is the EBS multi-comp. One knob for compression amount, one knob for gain level and a really sweet switch to click between three different voicings (normal, tube and multi band). There's an internal pot to adjust the cross over frequency for the multi band...but I leave mine stock. Oh and it's got a red LED that glows brighter proportially to the compression amount.

 

[Vinny_G]

There are many choices but I was going to suggest the same thing as GMC. The EBS MultiComp is a simple, efficient, versatile and great sounding compressor.

 

[Diamond_Dave]

TC Electronic Spectracomp bass compressor. One knob, but it works off a smartphone app or your PC. I have one. Set and forget.

 

[bigsnack]

Keeley Bassist is simple too, and IMO is fantastic sounding. Ratio (how much compression), threshold (when it kicks in), gain. I know the gain is technically a third knob, but that's not exactly super hard to figure out, at least I don't think it is.

 

[mmbongo]

Diamond Bass Comp Jr. Like the Keeley, the third knob is ‘volume’ so not hard to grasp what it does.

 

[skyline_01]

+1 for Multicomp. Keeley Bassist is simple and really good too.

 

[JKos]

Rothwell Audio Love Squeeze. Not only two knobs, but there are no bad settings.

- John

 

[Jamvan]

Find yourself an old BBE Opto Stomp (yellow with red letters). Great compressor for not a lot of money. It needs to be this version because BBE made changes to it in later years that ruined a great product. Can be had used for $50-$75. If money isn't an issue, I agree with @mmbongo, go with the Diamond if can.

If you're looking for simple, don't fall for TC's Spectracomp 1 knob pedal. Requires a significant understanding of how compressors work in order to set it up for your use. See my review and go in with eyes wide open.

 

[blmeier7]

The Spectracomp worked well for me up to a point, but it seemed to not be consistent after I went away from the factory tone print setting and then came back to the original setting. I ended up trying a Xotic SP and it is very consistent and easy to set and forget. The Xotic and a tuner are the only pedals I use.

If I was in the market for a new compressor I would check out the Keeley.

 

[crankypants]

Get the Keeley Bassist, you'll be happy.

 

[40Hz]

The Keeley Bassist and Mad Professor Forest Green both have more than two knobs. But if simple is determined more by how easy it is to: (a) get things dialed in, (b) sound really good, and (c) also be almost impossible to do anything with it to make yourself sound bad, then it doesn’t get much easier or simpler than those two compressors.

 

[Janforth]

Whirlwind bass oc compressor

 

[vvvmmm]

I also like the EBS and the non-'stache BBE Opto.

If "two knobs" applies to the compressor controls, then:

Pigtronix Bass Philosopher is easy and good - effectively two knobs plus 1 for distortion and a 3rd knob for level. The Ampeg Opto is good, with a 3rd knob for level.

At US$20 it's hard not to love the Chinese-made Kokko, altho' it's pretty colored I really like it sometimes, again with a 3rd knob for level. Don't think of it azza toy, rather as a really cheap compressor that does what it do.

 

[jthisdell]

I have a Bassist and it is good, can go from barely there to really heavy compression. I mostly use my EBS Multi Comp which is super simple to use.

 

[tradryan]

Curious why there's never a recommendation for the Ehx bass preacher? I've never used one but it appears very simple and inexpensive. Just acquired a Keeley, couldn't be happier

 

[JPaulGeddy]

+1 SpectraComp. Found the Nathan East preset, and haven't touched it since.

 

[bearhart74]

even simpler is the durham sex drive. All it has is a switch for comp off, comp soft, comp hard. Plus you get some good overdrive gain control

 

[Roland GR 88]

Don't be mystified by how a compressor works. They're really very simple, it's just the million and a half opinions on how, when and where to use them that muddle things up.
Here's a link from a recording standpoint but the basics are the same for pedals.
The Beginner’s Guide to Compression

 

[ThunderV]

I use the EBS Billy Sheehan Sig drive, it has a built in compressor controlled by a small switch externally (off, mid, and high). The mid setting can be adjusted internally by a rotary pot......I have not touched the rotary pot, and the switch stays on mid......doesn't get any easier than that. It's a great pedal because you can blend in drive if you want. If not you can leave the pedal engaged and turn the drive control to zero (the compression will still be active).