• 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.

Small Compressor

KidAmnesia

KidAmnesia

Jul 13, 2022
1,030
1
1,583
Buenos Aires
#1
After a fairly long time playing without any effects, I want to put together a very small pedalboard. So far I've got a tuner and a ROG Ginger to act as a preamp, and I want to ad a chorus and a compressor, mainly intended to tame the transients when playing with a pick and fattening things up a bit in general (might or might not end up being an always on). I might ad something else at some point (octaver or synth maybe) but, adding a Radial DI for whenever I have a PA to go through, that's mostly it.

I want to keep it as compact as possible so it fits inside a gig bag pocket along with cables and stuff. So I've been looking at small footprint pedals. So far, the Fairfield Accountant and the Aguilar DB599 are intresting options. I also considered the TC Spectra Comp but I don't want to deal with the app; already had the HOF back when I played guitar and found out analysis paralysis is a very real thing; so the simpler, the better.

Is there anything I should know about those? What other good options are there?
 
  • Like
Reactions: Zbysek
#2
Other small options.
Wampler Mini Ego
Henretta Orange Whip (smallest option I am aware of)

Never tried the Henretta. I had the Mini Ego for a while. Not my favorite comp, but if space is tight it worked reasonably well.
 
  • Like
Reactions: KidAmnesia
#4
A tiny comp with side jacks will take up about as much (or more) "width" on a board as a conventional sized comp (2.6" wide) with top jacks. I suggest buying a comp based on how it sounds/what it does, since a comp that doesn't work well for you will be as useful and enjoyable as sucking thumbtacks ;) My fave is the Empress Bass Comp.
 
  • Like
Reactions: MaxSpinrun, HolmeBass, Bushhog and 3 others
#5
becosfx.com

CompIQ MINI Pro Compressor Pedal for Bass & Guitar

The CompIQ MINI Pro MK2 is an exceptionally powerful analog compressor/limiter packed with unique features in an ultra-compact mini pedal format, perfect for detailed control of dynamic signal processing. It delivers outstanding results with all instruments, especially with guitar and bass.
becosfx.com becosfx.com

Small footprint Comps usually lack a lot of functionality (Attack/Release Time) that I find crucial to dial in for a good sound. However the Becos gives you at least some options in that regard.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Zbysek, darev, el murdoque and 3 others
#8
lomo said:
A tiny comp with side jacks will take up about as much (or more) "width" on a board as a conventional sized comp (2.6" wide) with top jacks. I suggest buying a comp based on how it sounds/what it does, since a comp that doesn't work well for you will be as useful and enjoyable as sucking thumbtacks ;) My fave is the Empress Bass Comp.
Click to expand...

That's a good point about the width. However, I'd also really like to keep it as simple and foolproof as possible. I don't want to spend time dialing knobs when playing in a band setting, and I feel the temptation of doing it if I have the knobs there! I like more complex comps for studio work, but whenever I record something there's usually some nice comp there or a bunch of good plugins to chose from.

So, I accept suggestions of normal sized comps with top jacks as long as they have no more than two or three knobs and some nice flavor.

I'll check the Becos.
 
#9
lomo said:
A tiny comp with side jacks will take up about as much (or more) "width" on a board as a conventional sized comp (2.6" wide) with top jacks. I suggest buying a comp based on how it sounds/what it does, since a comp that doesn't work well for you will be as useful and enjoyable as sucking thumbtacks ;) My fave is the Empress Bass Comp.
Click to expand...

Hey! I suck thumbtacks and I find it quite useful and very enjoyable! Not only that, but my father sucked thumbtacks and so did his father before him! In fact, in our town thumbtack sucking is a very popular pastime that dates back a century or more! It's hard to believe that in this day and age, people still think it's okay to casually slander thumbtack suckers in public, as though we didn't exist. Well, we do exist, and we deserve just as much respect and consideration as anyone else!
 
  • Haha
Reactions: FretRiff, moles, red_rhino and 1 other person
#14
Analogman Juicer always on.

1746235932927.jpeg
 
#15
One Control Lemon Yellow. Very small, but still enough room for a battery. Doesn’t do extreme compression, and no control over attack/release, but does have a blend and an interesting gain circuit which seems to function as a threshold control and does overdrive somewhat. Quite different from my other compressors; probably not as quirky as The Accountant (which I will get one of these days), but has its own thing going on.
 
  • Like
Reactions: midichlorine
#18
The Accountant is more of a tone coloration device than a compressor. The controls are limited so you have to be okay with the fixed settings. The gritty distortion is really what makes it interesting, so if you’re after clean, precise control look elsewhere. If you want to spice up the sound and aren’t overly detailed then it’s a fun ride if you like what it does.
 
  • Like
Reactions: triviani
#19
For compressors, I’ve owned the Empress Bass Compressor and a few others. I didn’t really gel with the Empress. Ended up with a Keeley Bassist and really loved it; very easy to find a good setting for an all around sound. The Empress had more control, but I personally found it overwhelming and unintuitive.

As far as a chorus, this will probably be an unpopular opinion, but I love the TC Afterglow. Again, very simple to use and sounds really great. It’s also extremely well-built and budget priced.

If you’re looking at preamp/DI, I highly recommend the Genzler Magellan. Fantastic transparent preamp with tons of very usable tone shaping. Really lets your bass shine through while enhancing the sound.
 

Latest posts

Top Bottom
Back