Testing Compressors: Cali, Smoothie, Empress, Diamond, Keeley, FEA, Darkglass, Doc Lloyd, Lusithand & more

[ChaseBassism]

Anyone tried the tc electronic forcefield? Any "tone magic" or hiss?

 

[BurningSkies]

So you think the Cali compact bass adds a sound? I didn’t think so, but I did think it had the capacity to add gobs of punch to the feel. I’m curious how you think the Cali alters the tone, so I can listen for it closer.
But definitely the Diamond adds “magic tone.” I love mine.

I had a Cali76-CB, and it seemed to accentuate the highs and high-mids. It was a bit harsh sounding to my ears, so I sold it. Just too much added in those shrill frequencies for my taste.

I don't find it 'harsh' but I find that it did 'wake up' my overall tone a bit. Of course you can massage your sound anyway you want with it in your signal chain. I really love the CB for being a Compressor that noticeably does stuff without every being overbearing and also giving you lots of latitude to twist knobs without ever feeling extreme, tweaky or ugly.

I hadn't seen this before! Anyone used one yet? Seems almost too much goodness in a small pedal.

Cali76 Stacked Edition – Origin Effects

That's pretty rad, but not having the sidechain filter would saddenate me.

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.

My answer to this is to run a LA-2A clone (non-tube) after my 76CB. It's dialed way back so really is hardly triggering even when pushing but it definitely adds some tone and shaping magic.

I've just bought Becos Compiq Mini Pro Compressor, it will arrive mid august. Will try it and share my bass world newcomer thoughts about it.
Here you have a 10€ coupon they send me to share: Invalid Link Removed

This is the only one that I get any real desire for these days. If you flip it let me know. Not sure it will replace my Cali but I've been pondering a smaller board with some compact things.

 

[speedball3]

I find that "fattening" can happen even with a transparewnt compressor.
My FEA-DECL in compression mode adds a rounder bottom sound that is just flat out big sounding

Interesting... that “big” sound is a great way to describe what I loved about my little garageband experiment. I described it as “fat” but I think we are talking about the same thing Appreciate your feedback!

I just wanted to say (again) that the Accountant makes me smile everytime I turn it on.

It’s caught my eye, mainly because it could potentially act as both a compressor and a makeshift Barbershop OD, which I use often. Does Accountant do that big/fat/rounded bottom sound?

 

[Hypercaffium]

I don't have a Barbershop and I never played one, but the Accountant surely can do both compression and light dirt. It fattens up the tone, bass is tight and punchy.

 

[silky smoove]

Regarding the Doc Lloyd Photon Death Ray: Does anyone have accurate dimensions for the pedal? They're not listed on the website. I'm only concerned with the width of the pedal as I'm putting together a new compact board and this one is high on my list if it ever becomes available again.

 

[NKBassman]

Regarding the Doc Lloyd Photon Death Ray: Does anyone have accurate dimensions for the pedal? They're not listed on the website. I'm only concerned with the width of the pedal as I'm putting together a new compact board and this one is high on my list if it ever becomes available again.

Does anyone have any info on the "if" or "when" these will come available again? That one's near the top of my list from this thread.

 

[silky smoove]

Does anyone have any info on the "if" or "when" these will come available again? That one's near the top of my list from this thread.

There's a wait list you can sign up for on his website, but that's as much as I know.

 

[scubaduba]

Does anyone have any info on the "if" or "when" these will come available again? That one's near the top of my list from this thread.

I've conversed with the builder and he has indicated he is working on building more.

 

[mmbongo]

Regarding the Doc Lloyd Photon Death Ray: Does anyone have accurate dimensions for the pedal? They're not listed on the website. I'm only concerned with the width of the pedal as I'm putting together a new compact board and this one is high on my list if it ever becomes available again.

Standard 125a size, 2.6" wide. I had one for a few days.

Check out the Diamond Bass Comp Jr. which is the same size.

Earthquaker Warden and Seymour Duncan Studio Bass also have the same footprint.

Becos CompIQ is good as well. Much smaller, but has side jacks.

But none of these do what the Diamond does

 

[silky smoove]

Standard 125a size, 2.6" wide. I had one for a few days.

Check out the Diamond Bass Comp Jr. which is the same size.

Thanks! Now if I can find the dimensions of the @fdeck HPF-3 I’ll be all set.

EDIT: Just bought an HPF-3 to confirm the dimensions I owned one previously and should have never sold it.

I had the full sized Diamond before and really loved it. I’d like to try the Doc Lloyd before buying another Diamond. If I don’t dig the Doc I can always flip it and buy a Diamond.

Further EDIT: Oh screw it... just bought a Diamond Bass Comp Jr. If the Doc Lloyd ever becomes available I’ll probably buy that as well and sell the one I like less

In this post all I do is lust after pedals I used to own and then buy them, haha.

 

[BurningSkies]

Thanks! Now if I can find the dimensions of the @fdeck HPF-3 I’ll be all set.

EDIT: Just bought an HPF-3 to confirm the dimensions I owned one previously and should have never sold it.

I had the full sized Diamond before and really loved it. I’d like to try the Doc Lloyd before buying another Diamond. If I don’t dig the Doc I can always flip it and buy a Diamond.

Further EDIT: Oh screw it... just bought a Diamond Bass Comp Jr. If the Doc Lloyd ever becomes available I’ll probably buy that as well and sell the one I like less

In this post all I do is lust after pedals I used to own and then buy them, haha.

You know, a few of us could have measured the HPF-3 for you, but if buying one is your best way of getting measurements, I'm not against it.

 

[javi_bassist]

I'd love to hear a review of the TC Electronic Hypergravity by @scubaduba .

I've been changing compressors a lot for the last couple of years (and this thread has something to do with it). However, despite of awesome and more expensive compressors I have used, the Hypergravity comes back to my board. I am currently using the Pigtronix Bass Compressor (not the mini) and I really like it, but the Hypergravity has something.

Maybe if he reviews it ,then he says it's garbage haha

Anyway, the effort you have made is amazing. This thread is pure gold.

 

[jdc866]

I'd love to hear a review of the TC Electronic Hypergravity by @scubaduba .

I think the biggest issue with TC Electronic is customer service. Or rather the complete lack of it.

I have several TCE pedals and I like them. However I sold my SpectraComp due to the noise added into the signal...and lack of support when I couldn’t initially get it working (not connecting to computer, etc). Got it working finally and was impressed with all the controls and such, but too many settings for a n00b like me. Plus the noise. Wasn’t the worst ever but way more than my Compressore, and I like physical control knobs. Bought it used and sold it for no loss. Glad I tried it and managed to do so for $0.

Response from Scuba was that he’s not keen on the TC pedals due to lack of support, and usually avoids them for that reason.

I have heard usually decent reviews on the Hypergravity but never used one. I’ve mostly had good luck with my TCE minus the comp.

 

[silky smoove]

You know, a few of us could have measured the HPF-3 for you, but if buying one is your best way of getting measurements, I'm not against it.

I was going to buy one anyway. I've owned one previously and liked it more than the current HPF I have on my board.

 

[Drucifer]

There are few threads on this site that give me as much GAS as this one. And I already own probably eight compressors. I believe there is something wrong with me.

 

[NKBassman]

There are few threads on this site that give me as much GAS as this one. And I already own probably eight compressors. I believe there is something wrong with me.

The only thing wrong is that you don't own 10 compressors.

 

[javi_bassist]

I think the biggest issue with TC Electronic is customer service. Or rather the complete lack of it.

I have several TCE pedals and I like them. However I sold my SpectraComp due to the noise added into the signal...and lack of support when I couldn’t initially get it working (not connecting to computer, etc). Got it working finally and was impressed with all the controls and such, but too many settings for a n00b like me. Plus the noise. Wasn’t the worst ever but way more than my Compressore, and I like physical control knobs. Bought it used and sold it for no loss. Glad I tried it and managed to do so for $0.

Response from Scuba was that he’s not keen on the TC pedals due to lack of support, and usually avoids them for that reason.

I have heard usually decent reviews on the Hypergravity but never used one. I’ve mostly had good luck with my TCE minus the comp.

I heard about the customer service but I hoped they did something and changed. It's a pitty. I really like their pedals.

Regarding the SpectraComp, I heard that the noise it's because it has the Auto Makeup Gain engaged in the software. People usually turn it off using the editor. I haven't tried one so I cannot tell. What I can say it's that the Hypergravity is also noisy at extreme Sustain levels. I never set it past noon, so I never had any problem, but I know. Still an awesome compressor, especially at this price tag. Sometimes we found something that really works for us, even though it's not that expensive.

But I must admit that I regret selling my JHS Pulp N Peel and that I will buy one again in the future

 

[jdc866]

Regarding the SpectraComp, I heard that the noise it's because it has the Auto Makeup Gain engaged in the software.

Yeah the makeup gain is rubbish on it. Like I said, not the worst, but even at moderate levels added way more noise to signal chain than the MB Compressore. Got both super cheap so kept the one that worked better for me. Plus indicator LED...necessary for me.

 

[Fuzzbass]

There are few threads on this site that give me as much GAS as this one. And I already own probably eight compressors. I believe there is something wrong with me.

Thanks to this thread I just ordered my 5th comp pedal*, and I don't often use compression! So, there's something wrong with me, too.










*Yeah I know, gotta spill the beans: Becos Stella Pro. I DON'T NEED IT: already own Empress, Smoothie, FEA DE-CL, and a big box Cali76 G-P. These are all amazing compressors... but the Stella Pro pushed all my buttons and gets great reviews so I had to try it. I still have Darkglass Hyperluminal and Doc Lloyd Photon on my wish list as well, but hopefully my willpower can hold out for the rest of 2019.

Ordered the Stella Pro on the 19th. The shop was on vacation thru the 24th, but I took advantage of the 10% off anyway. According to tracking the pedal left Romania last Saturday. Not sure if I'll get any more notifications from that shipper, but regardless, I hope the pedal comes in next week.

 

[scubaduba]

Thanks to this thread I just ordered my 5th comp pedal*, and I don't often use compression! So, there's something wrong with me, too.










*Yeah I know, gotta spill the beans: Becos Stella Pro. I DON'T NEED IT: already own Empress, Smoothie, FEA DE-CL, and a big box Cali76 G-P. These are all amazing compressors... but the Stella Pro pushed all my buttons and gets great reviews so I had to try it. I still have Darkglass Hyperluminal and Doc Lloyd Photon on my wish list as well, but hopefully my willpower can hold out for the rest of 2019.

Ordered the Stella Pro on the 19th. The shop was on vacation thru the 24th, but I took advantage of the 10% off anyway. According to tracking the pedal left Romania last Saturday. Not sure if I'll get any more notifications from that shipper, but regardless, I hope the pedal comes in next week.

The Becos line are great compressors. In my experience, shipments from Becos usually take two weeks or less to arrive. Last one was about 1.5 weeks. Worth the wait!