The FEA would be more versatile. The Photon would add more color but it is not an extreme color box.
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Testing Compressors: Cali, Smoothie, Empress, Diamond, Keeley, FEA, Darkglass, Doc Lloyd, Lusithand & more
- Thread starter scubaduba
- Start date
The FEA would be more versatile. The Photon would add more color but it is not an extreme color box.
The Photon is the next on my list. I emailed the good Dr. about a month ago and he said that he would like to (and will try) get another batch out this summer. He didn't make any promises but did mention that he'll notify everyone signed up on the wait list whenever the new batch is ready to go.
I added myself to the list. Hopefully he gets some cranked out soon!
After @scubaduba posted his review, I wanted to try the Doc Floyd. None in stock at the time and then I finally found one on the classifieds a while back, and jumped on it. Haven’t seen any since. Different than the other comps I have for sure.
This thread is the darkest rabbit hole of all time. I’ve regrettably spent hours.
Q: Cali76 on a budget??
Is there anything that will get me close for 1/2 the price?
It needs to be quiet - that would appear to eliminate the EBS in tubism mode...as the consensus seems to be it’s a the biggest noisemaker on the list.
I want it to bring some vibe/fatness to the tone which would eliminate the m87 which the general consensus seems to be that it’s very transparent.
So...of what I think are probably the three remaining quality contenders: Keeley Bassist? Diamond Bass Compressor? SD Studio Bass.
What would get me closest to cali76 territory?
Thanks!!
Q: Cali76 on a budget??
Is there anything that will get me close for 1/2 the price?
It needs to be quiet - that would appear to eliminate the EBS in tubism mode...as the consensus seems to be it’s a the biggest noisemaker on the list.
I want it to bring some vibe/fatness to the tone which would eliminate the m87 which the general consensus seems to be that it’s very transparent.
So...of what I think are probably the three remaining quality contenders: Keeley Bassist? Diamond Bass Compressor? SD Studio Bass.
What would get me closest to cali76 territory?
Thanks!!
You should consider the Pettyjohn Crush or Markbass Compressore as well. My 2 cents.
- Apr 20, 2009
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- Endorsements: your name could be here, Mr. Sadowsky!
Don't forget the Smoothie
Yup. The tilt EQ allows you to emphasize highs or lows, so you could do brighter or warmer if you wanted to.
Well, I can only say that the Cali 76 is all of what you think it is. You could be like me and try one or more compressors in an effort to quench your G.A.S. for the Cali only to eventually succumb and get the Cali. So if you have any doubt about that, just save longer and buy the Cali...it will save you money in the long run.
YMMD
Which Cali 76?
They make a Compact Deluxe ($325), Compact ($225), and the original which is only available on the used market from $850 - $2,500 (based on todays Reverb listing)
I don't think you will find a compressor that gets close to this performance at the $112 budget.
But if I'm wrong, please let me know!
Wow!
Didn't know anything about it, but I do know that running compressors in series has been a common studio technique for a long time.
I would not call this common but it is something that is done occasionally.
Individual track compressing and then a stereo buss at the mix is pretty common.
I run multiple compressors all the time on channels when running live sound...depends on the input and what I have available, but will often use a very fast comp setting at the beginning of the chain on a vocal and then use an LA-2A style comp for (sustain/tone/helping it sit in the mix) later in the chain.
