Yeah between this thread, the TB classifieds and Beato videos, not much time left for anything else. BTW, where does he get these “master” tracks, so that he can solo almost anything?
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Testing Compressors: Cali, Smoothie, Empress, Diamond, Keeley, FEA, Darkglass, Doc Lloyd, Lusithand & more
- Thread starter scubaduba
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Yeah between this thread, the TB classifieds and Beato videos, not much time left for anything else. BTW, where does he get these “master” tracks, so that he can solo almost anything?
A Southampton Ictineo paired with a OvniFX Smoothie opto is a marriage made in heaven IMO if you want fatter warmer sound.
Just a suggestion.
A lot of music that’s available for licensing usually provides “stem tracks” (aka submixes) so songs can be easily remixed for various purposes such as movie soundtracks, advertisements, etc. I’m guessing that’s what he’s using.
Out of curiosity, are you running the Smoothie before the Ictineo? I’m thinking it’s time for me to build another small board and I have both of these pedals but am using a Unit67 into a Broughton Super Stack on my current board...and loving it! Thanks @scubaduba for the DryBell hookup!A Southampton Ictineo paired with a OvniFX Smoothie opto is a marriage made in heaven IMO if you want fatter warmer sound.
Just a suggestion.
Still wanting a Doc Lloyd and JHS PnP because I’m loving the simplicity of my current compressors but always looking at trying other offerings. And a Diamond Bass Jr...that is probably my next purchase
I’m running my Diamond bass comp jr into the ictineo. It’s amazing
I run my Smoothie before every ( except Hpf )A Southampton Ictineo paired with a OvniFX Smoothie opto is a marriage made in heaven IMO if you want fatter warmer sound.
Just a suggestion.
And everything sounds awesome!
Had the FEA Labs - DB-CL for about 8 months now, the main light died and Frank repaired it for free and covered sending from Australia and back. Very glad I didn't get any of these other compressors.
A great dual compressor pedal, shame it's not more well known.
A great dual compressor pedal, shame it's not more well known.
All the FEA comps were on my wish list and it was really hard to narrow the choice down to just one. I loved the Rane DC24 dual-band compressor back when I was using rack rigs, which made it really tough to pass on the DB-CL. For various reasons I went with the DE-CL -- also a great comp.
I'd love to add the DB-CL to my collection but I already own four compressor pedals, which is extravagant given that I don't often use comp (I'm mostly a dirt guy). Cheers to you for having better willpower than me.
Frank and FEA are great.
The guys is always available for questions and is a great asset to this board too!
I spent Tuesday night at rehearsal trying just compression and then just limiting with my DE-CL.
Really interesting to listen back and here how the two modes work.
For the most part, the comression sides adds this thickness to the bottom that is hard to describe.
It's not just a low freq EQ bump as it adds power, definition, and a wee bit of whoop a$$ to whatever you're playing.
So if my general compression and limiting needs are covered, which way do I go for a comp with a bit of color or different compression balastics?
Had the original Diamond and Mark Bass units and they just didn't do anything for me.
I'm thinking that either the Ampeg, Darkglass HL, Doc Lloyd, Effectrode PC-2, Smoothie, or Union Tube and Trans. would offer one or both of the above to my FEA arsenal.
Any advice on my thinking?
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A Southampton Ictineo paired with a OvniFX Smoothie opto is a marriage made in heaven IMO if you want fatter warmer sound.
Just a suggestion.
Also a huge fan of the Smoothie with the Barber Linden. An amazing combo
The Effectrode PC-2A would warm things up. You might also check out a Pettyjohn Crush or a Basswitch/Lehle Dual Comp for tone sweetening. Good luck, DM
I used the Trace Elliot Dual band, built into their SMX heads, at a gig - very hand for 6 string bass.
...and when looking for my own dual band, I came across a talkbass thread...
I'm using the DB-CL mainly for smoothing out the volume difference across the strings on my Dingwall 6.
The B and E in particular have a powerful fundamental, so I have my pedal set for:
Bottom - light compression (barely noticeable) - Freq crossover set very low, zero gain.
Top - light compression (evens things out, adds a little percussive bite) Gain at 12 oclock
I don't really want to hear the compressor squashing things!
It works great, sounds just like my bass - but well behaved.
I couldn't really offer any advice on further Compressor purchases....maybe only, that one is probably enough
...and when looking for my own dual band, I came across a talkbass thread...
I'm using the DB-CL mainly for smoothing out the volume difference across the strings on my Dingwall 6.
The B and E in particular have a powerful fundamental, so I have my pedal set for:
Bottom - light compression (barely noticeable) - Freq crossover set very low, zero gain.
Top - light compression (evens things out, adds a little percussive bite) Gain at 12 oclock
I don't really want to hear the compressor squashing things!
It works great, sounds just like my bass - but well behaved.
I couldn't really offer any advice on further Compressor purchases....maybe only, that one is probably enough
I have a Barber Linden too.
That’s my everyday preamp. Can’t say enough good things about the Linden EQ.
My usual arrangement for that is:
Linden EQ > Keeley Bassist
I go a with a transparent limiting comp for the Linden because it supplies all the warmth and thickening I could ever ask for all by itself. Kinda a B-15N vibe on steroids.
The Ictineo is more for when I want to wander into SVT or Sunn tonal territory.
Another good choice for a preamp is the Supro 1310 Tremolo pedal. I don’t engage the tremolo stage with bass very often, although its harmonic tremolo setting is really nice on those occasions when I do want it. But where this box really sings IMO is that it has a Supro preamp and power stage circuit emulation in it (including an output transformer) that gives you that signature Supro class-A amp sound. So most times I’m using it I have the depth and speed knobs set to zero and only use the gain.
I have the Barber Linden EQ as well...looking like I’ll have to make that 2nd board soon. Got the Smoothie and a Duncan Studio Bass so maybe even a 3rd board is to be created. Like it’s been stated in this thread more than a few times, it’s a great time to be a bass player (I’ve actually enjoyed all 32 years of it tbh)!
Interesting post and an idea I had forgotten about (using a pre for warmth and transparent compressor for level control).I have a Barber Linden too.
That’s my everyday preamp. Can’t say enough good things about the Linden EQ.
My usual arrangement for that is:
Linden EQ > Keeley Bassist
I go a with a transparent limiting comp for the Linden because it supplies all the warmth and thickening I could ever ask for all by itself. Kinda a B-15N vibe on steroids.
The Ictineo is more for when I want to wander into SVT or Sunn tonal territory.
Another good choice for a preamp is the Supro 1310 Tremolo pedal. I don’t engage the tremolo stage with bass very often, although its harmonic tremolo setting is really nice on those occasions when I do want it. But where this box really sings IMO is that it has a Supro preamp and power stage circuit emulation in it (including an output transformer) that gives you that signature Supro class-A amp sound. So most times I’m using it I have the depth and speed knobs set to zero and only use the gain.
View attachment 3480566
I was completely unaware of the Supro pedals and understand the attraction of the tremolo with a real transformer in the signal path.
40Hz, do you have any experience with their drive pedal which sounds like it may use some of the same basic design ideas?
https://suprousa.com/drive/[URL="https://suprousa.com/drive/"]Drive[/URL]
No direct experience. Or any experience beyond a Pete Thorn video where he demoed one and it sounded pretty awesome. Which is what first put me on to Supro pedals.
From their literature it looks to be the same underlying circuitry (i.e. end to end Supro class-A amp emulation) difference being the drive pedal has the T/B tonestack whereas the tremolo has the modulation circuitry.
I opted for the tremolo because I do occasionally want tremolo, and my SO was looking for a good one for her own use. Plus I already had enough tonestack equipped gear so...the temolo seemed to have broader applications. (And modulation pedals are more fun anyway.
)(Note: when I use it with guitar, I run it into a Catalinbread Montevillian Echo for some extra throbbing goodness. Harmonic tremolo into some subtle delay is always a pretty sound to my ears. Sorta the way you wish reverb would sound with bass - unless you own an Iron Ether Nimbus which does get that tone.
But if something that’s more a straight pre is what you’re after, and you want standard T/B tone shaping, then the drive pedal should definitely fit the bill.
To tell the truth, the drive is also less expensive and easier to find used than the tremolo.
I suppose that the tremolo could be a better fit for bass and our uses so a demo would have to be in order if no one has had the chance to compare.
Never knew that Pete Thorn was involved with Trident consoles.
A local studio had one in the 90's that I adored.
That studio is now closed although the owner has it in his film production studio under a cover and never uses it.
I was visiting a friend at Media Sound in NY years ago (before they closed) and mentioned that an album that was produced by Mike Thorn had some really intersting textures.
Big dog Neve or SSL console?
Nope, an old Trident!
I suppose that the tremolo could be a better fit for bass and our uses so a demo would have to be in order if no one has had the chance to compare.
Never knew that Pete Thorn was involved with Trident consoles.
A local studio had one in the 90's that I adored.
That studio is now closed although the owner has it in his film production studio under a cover and never uses it.
I was visiting a friend at Media Sound in NY years ago (before they closed) and mentioned that an album that was produced by Mike Thorn had some really intersting textures.
Big dog Neve or SSL console?
Nope, an old Trident!
I have been enjoying the Becos Pro Stella lately.
