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Simple Two-Knob Compressor?

#41
Diamond_Dave said:
Not true. You download the app and pick from a wide variety of presets created by artists who explain their particular tone and provide a sound sample. Then you beam the setting from your phone to the compressor via your pickups. It’s idiot proof.

Should you choose, you can take a deeper dive into the settings via your PC or mobile. But that’s completely optional, and most people consider it a feature, not a problem. I love the presets I’ve used and have never once done the deep dive.
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I’m giving the benefit of the doubt you’re not implying I’m an idiot but if it works out of the gate, I agree, it’s simple. If, however, you can’t find a preset that works, there’s absolutely no other way to tweak it without using the editor. It gave me nothing but headaches but that may because I REALLY love the simplicity of the 1 knob Spectracomp in my TC RH750 head and expected similar behavior in pedal form.
 
#43
Having owned several Compressors I finally settled on a TC Electronic Spectracomp which has only one knob. It is also a Multiband Compressor which is obviously important and better than a single or dual band which a lot of compressors are. There are many presets that come with this compressor and I am sure you will find one that suits you. The only negative is that if you use it when gigging you cannot really change presets, but that is not a big problem methinks!
 
#45
Stan_da_man said:
What is out there that isn't too difficult to operate?
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I've used a ton of different pedal compressors (including the majority mentioned in this thread). Currently using a Walrus Audio Deep Six,....4 knobs, but very simple. It doesn't hang with my all time favorite rack mount DBX 160A, but it's the best pedal compressor I've found for my playing style.

EDIT: It works well with guitars and acoustic bass as well.
 
#47
The ART Tube Levelar as is an excellent affordable 2 knob compressor that is easy to understand and use .
I picked up another one this year at the online auction site for less than $40 new in the box.
They are discontinued but available used..
It is reviewed and recommended at the previously mentioned large compressor review.
You can upgrade the tube, like I and lots of others have . It's not the best compressor , but is a good value unit that sounds good.
 
#50
Diamond Bass Compressor with the internal EQ dip switch turned off. Only the comp and volume knobs work, bypassing the eq tilt.

I absolutely love this option, use it in my signal chain even though my preamp pedal has the comp dimed (Tech 21 DP-3x).

Try running that Diamond on 24 volts if possible, it's a clean monster.
 
#51
Curious (and I hope this is not a thread hijack), but what kind of compressor was used in the old Hartke 7000/3500s?? Is there anything close to what those were?? I remember loving the "squish" it gave when it got to around 7 o'clock, and it was long before I understood the ins and outs of compression... I just plain ol liked the final product. If there was any equivalent to that in a single/dual knob pedal, I'd be very interested...
 
#53
+1 more for the Whirlwind Bass OC or the Union T&T LAB opti-comp...both simple to use and sound fantastic.

The Accountant gets a lot of love, but I've never owned one. Those Effectrode tube comps....:drool::drool::drool::drool:

Becos CompIQ Mini might also be one to check out. I've got a Becos Stella and that thing is a tiny beast.
 
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#54
Stan_da_man said:
What is out there that isn't too difficult to operate?
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I acknowledge the general need and usefulness of a compressor pedal. I have tried a few and I just don't get along with them. I decided to try it one more time and I went with the Seymour Duncan Studio Bass Compressor. Simple to operate. Been using it for a year now in my live rig with great success.
 
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#55
Jamvan said:
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.

View attachment 3621033

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.
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+1 on the BBE and this specific model.
It's a simple, efficient, very transparent compressor.

Alternatively, the EBS Multicomp does colour the sound a bit but it sounds great and again is super intuitive to use.
 
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#56
T-boneParish said:
Wow, this is cool. I didn't know anyone made a true optical comp in pedal format.

I gotta stop hanging out on this web site if I ever hope to have any $$ in my bank account!
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Oh
A03441A0-4347-4530-A13F-7AF20249E950.jpeg
they’re out there. I built this one about two years ago. It’s a Madbean PCB that was a super easy build, even in a 1590A enclosure. Decent little compressor, but I usually have the Smoothie on the board instead of this one.
 
#60
DOD 280 reissue, cheap and works great. I spent seconds with it to get sounds I like and it doesn't seem to color your tone much at all. Two knobs and nothing you don't need.

GMC said:
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.
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I just started using compression, now of course that sounds like a great next step.
 

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