• 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.

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

#2,682
scubaduba said:
I really like the Unit67... miss that one.
Click to expand...
I’m glad to say it’s found a good home with me:)... I had a good feeling it’d be a great pedal for me based on your review of it. Glad also to say that I own the one you reviewed and the compressor part of it is as useful as the boost and eq parts, as you wrote of. Which brings me to ask you a question @scubaduba : how would you compare the Unit67 to the Emerson Duke Silver? I’m about to call him to see about making me a custom harness for my main double P bass and I enjoyed your review of the Duke. I’m also thinking that my SO, being a big fan of Parks and Rec show, will have more understanding of this purchase than she did for the Unit67...haha! My curiosity abounds...
 
  • Like
Reactions: 40Hz, scubaduba and Low Down Brown
#2,683
I know we are not talking about the Cali this week, but I have to say I fully get it as a bass pedal. It actually weirdly gets more impressive as you push it further, like the real thing, minus the transformers. Its ability to clamp is the polar opposite of a VCA comp. It’s a very impressive, well-designed pedal.
 
#2,690
Tom Bomb said:
It takes two (Unit67s) to tango :smug:
Click to expand...

Probably. Why settle for one when you could have two for twice as much money, right? ;):laugh:

sonofshel said:
What a nice Christmas gift that could be! Along with some tango lessons for two...
Click to expand...

Actually I know* she’s semi-jonesing for a Magnatone Twilighter. So a Unit 67 would be a bargain by contrast.

*(I know because when she tried one out at Rudy’s I saw the expression on her face. However, when I asked her what she thought of it she only said: “It’s ok. Nice amp.” Translation: major jones in progress.) :whistle:
 
  • Like
Reactions: frankzap, sonofshel and Tom Bomb
#2,692
sonofshel said:
@scubaduba : how would you compare the Unit67 to the Emerson Duke Silver? I’m about to call him to see about making me a custom harness for my main double P bass and I enjoyed your review of the Duke. I’m also thinking that my SO, being a big fan of Parks and Rec show, will have more understanding of this purchase than she did for the Unit67...haha! My curiosity abounds...
Click to expand...

There are similarities in how they feel and react. The compressor circuit is more versatile on the Emerson. I'd describe the Drybell as more of a boost EQ with nice subtle compression. More of a tone sculpting tool. I think I prefer the EQ circuit on the Drybell.
 
  • Like
Reactions: sonofshel
#2,693
scubaduba said:
Thoughts on the Taurus Tux:

View attachment 3135961

This is a review of the MK-2, which is the newer and smaller optical pedal design from this boutique Polish pedal maker. There was a more budget Black Line model that appears to have been discontinued and the larger Silver Line still in production. The MK-2 has the same Level, Comp, Range, and Punch knobs as the Black Line and Silver Line. However, the MK-2 has a switch to change the character of the compression between solid state and Tube like. More on this later.

The build quality seems very good with solid metal housing. The knobs turn with authority and the switch has a solid feel and is true bypass. The LED lights green when powered and flashes various shades of red as gain is reduced (signal over threshold). The LED functions almost exactly like the LED on the Diamond.

View attachment 3135963

The Level controls the output of the compressor pedal. All the way counter clockwise is original signal level.

The Compress knob controls the compression ratio level. The manual does not define the ratio range but it is pretty wide. Capable of pretty good squish on the high end and very nice and subtle on the lower end.

Punch essentially controls the attack level. All the way counter clockwise is called "sharp" which is the slowest attack allowing more initial transient in. All the way clockwise is called "soft" which is the fastest attack clamping on the initial transient harder. I found the range quite useful all the way across knob twist.

The Range knob is interesting. Per the manual it controls the band threshold. In other words, it adjusts the frequency range at which your signal triggers the compressor. To my ear it functions a lot like the filter control on the XTS Fermata. Higher (more clockwise) settings trigger the compressor at a wider range, more clockwise opens up the compressor and squishes the highs and mid range less. The more rotation counter clockwise the more articulate the tone becomes. It works very well.

The Punch and Range knobs are highly interactive so you can dial in a pretty vast variety of compression sounds and feel. The MK-2 really juices up the sound considerably. It covers a wide variety of compression types from subtle to more rubbery vintage type limiting. You can dial in super punchy, fast, articulation or pretty even and even squashy. It is quite versatile and pretty quiet unless you dial in more dramatic effect.

View attachment 3135962

To my ear the MK-2 is pretty neutral or transparent. Highs and lows are consistent. I wouldn't say it brings a huge level of "fatness" but that Range knob really allows you to dial in a real punchy, lively, and "wider" sound. Really, really nice actually.

I really like the Character switch. Solid is a little more open sounding with a more modern punch. When you flip to Tube you can hear the pedal allow a little more harmonic content through. A little more wooly and vintage sounding. This makes an already versatile compressor even more so. The difference between the two settings might seem subtle at first, but you quickly realize the compressor knob interacts differently in Tube mode and so does the Punch dial. Previous Tux models had a compressor/limiter switch. I think I would much prefer this Character switch. You can still dial in the MK-2 as more of a limiter with the Punch and Comp knob.

View attachment 3135964

The Tux MK-2 runs on 9 - 12 volt and has an internal voltage converter that adjusts the voltage from 9 volt to 18 volt or 12 volt to 24 volt for plenty of headroom. I had absolutely no issue with any of my basses. The Tux also automatically switches to "bypass mode" in case of disconnection or low voltage. Nice feature for protecting from loss of signal. Top mounted power and input/output jacks.

While the Tux is larger than some other compressors, it still is pedal board capable though a bit tall. It's about the same height as the Cali76 CB.

View attachment 3135966

This one really surprised me. It is inherently transparent but can be super punchy and does add that special something in a more dramatic way than say the Empress or Keeley which are considered to be transparent compressors. If you are looking for something a little off the beaten path that is still pretty transparent with some unique features this is a nice package all the way around.

View attachment 3135965
Click to expand...
Excuse me but does the mk-2 have the same circuit as the Silver line? Thanks
 
#2,695
jacoby75 said:
On a side note, I messed with the Corset a bit more tonight. Turning off the pad helps mitigate some of the aforementioned "dulling" factor. It's still there, but not AS prevalent. It sits just right. And it gives the signal a little more bite. It's a keeper for me . . . for now . . . until I find something else cheap that I like. Or sell 5-6 pedals and buy a Cali.
Click to expand...
Update . . .
Well, since I liked the Corset a bit, I decided to order a Bass Preacher so I could compare the two. Holy crow! The distortion! I don't know what's going on. I only used passive basses, and the thing farts out like crazy, especially in "fast" attack mode. It's totally unusable. I don't know what I'm doing wrong, but it definitely did not sound like that in the demo video I liked online. I pulled the battery out to make sure it wasn't that, and just used my OneSpot, and isolated it from everything else in the chain, but could not get rid of the distortion. It was far less prevalent in "slow" attack mode, and only really there if I dug in in certain settings, but the other two attack modes were just out there. No way.

That made me give the Corset a second listen. It's way more subtle with the Corset due to the pad switch, but the distortion is definitely there. And it's also worse - of course - when I dig in. Again, just with passive basses so far. (a 5-string Lakland 55-60 jazz, and Yamaha BB1025x . . . it's barely there with the 55-60, but very prevalent with the BB). And only in my ampless pedalboard. I didn't try it with an actual amp. With an amp, it's probably unnoticeable. It's very subtle. But it's undesired. (There's no denying the distortion with the Bass Preacher, though. You'd have to be stone cold deaf not to hear it.) Once I heard the distortion, I couldn't unhear it. I didn't notice it at first, but after the experience with the Preacher, when I turned off my preamp and everything else in my setup, and listened to just the Corset, it's definitely there. I tried the Fairfield Accountant again and did not get distortion out of either bass. Same distortion-free results with my TC Spectracomp. The EHX stuff just doesn't have a high enough input tolerance or something. It's going back.

I had a similar issue with a Zoom MS-60B which was getting distortion in my ampless setup. I sent it in for service, but they could not replicate the problem. And they say they tried it with headphones. Maybe my passive basses are just particularly hot, or my playing technique is just particularly hard. I dunno. I only play in worship settings, for crying out loud, lol. I'm not jamming out RHCP or something.
 
#2,696
I bought a new big board and had everything apart, so I thought I'd take the chance for a photo op for this group. It's all powered up but too late to make any noise.
20191016_201629.jpg
 
  • Like
Reactions: Ricardo Rodriguez, DrMole, cardinal and 9 others
#2,697
Drucifer said:
I bought a new big board and had everything apart, so I thought I'd take the chance for a photo op for this group. It's all powered up but too late to make any noise.
View attachment 3567690
Click to expand...
Dang. That ain't right. Leave some compressors for the rest of us!
 
  • Like
Reactions: DrMole, Drkwdsman@yahoo, Jason Hollar and 3 others

Latest posts

Top Bottom
Back