In my view, the Lusithand Alma has made any other Diamond-pattern compressors obsolete. It has a clean blend.
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Testing Compressors: Cali, Smoothie, Empress, Diamond, Keeley, FEA, Darkglass, Doc Lloyd, Lusithand & more
- Thread starter scubaduba
- Start date
Do you think that's the case more for the greater functionality and flexibility it offers or because you prefer the tone it imparts more than the Diamond?
I didn't own the Diamond Bass Comp Jr (the old 3-knobber) and Alma v2 at the same time, but my experience tells me they are very close tonally, perhaps indistinguishable with similar settings. The flexibility in ratio is less important, at least for my needs, than the dry blend. The Alma had all the tonal juice of the Diamond with a dry blend, which is what I wanted at that time.
I read all of @scubaduba's reviews of the different Alma models so I see now that some folks feel that the Alma actually corrects some of the quirks of the Diamond.
All three versions of the Alma compressor are really good. If you are considering a Diamond Bass compressor definitely look carefully at Alma.
I’m curious to know what are the main differences between the Union Lab and Lusithand Alma. Alma really catches my attention, but I’ve also seen people who are very devoted to Union Lab, which makes me wonder what it is that makes it special.
The Union Lab is KISS and super easy to set up. The sound of the Union has a bit more "goo" to it than the Alma IMHO. Both are really good optocompressors.
The Whirlwind OC is excellent and has La2A all over it. 18V and tons of headroom
Alma is a fantastic compressor! As close to the original Diamond as I’ve found but with the clean blend and(especially on the new models), more ratio options.
On the Lusithand Alma, is there a noticeable difference in hiss/noise between the MKII and MKIII?
Scuba's review mentioned a higher noise floor on the MKIII.
Scuba's review mentioned a higher noise floor on the MKIII.
Here's the relevant excerpt from Scuba's review. The Cons section said "Not a whole lot to complain about, really", so I wouldn't worry about noise.
The second new piece of functionality is –6 dB input attenuator switch which is ideal for high-output basses to avoid overloading the circuit. The Alma compressor already has plenty of headroom and an internal voltage doubler (9-18 Voltage in can = up to 36 volts of headroom). Headroom is not an issue. But now you can attenuate the input if you desire. Technically Nuno had to increase the output gain to compensate for the -6db attenuation, which will, inevitably slightly increase the noise floor (the more gain the more noise) but the noise levels are still really good. Probably wouldn't even notice much of a difference in noise floor.
Full review of Alma MKIII here
Exactly. I have the Lab and love it.
I look at the Alma. I see four knobs and four switches, and I start to sweat. Do I look like a rocket scientician?
If anyone has had the chance to try Becos (especially the Yuna), do you know whether it’s possible to get an optical-like sound with the Yuna? Even to compare it with the Alma.
Becos is another brand that really catches my attention, and I know they're different types of compressors. The question came up after recently watching a review of the Yuna, where it was mentioned that in certain settings you can achieve a sound similar to an optical compressor. Just to be clear, it’s not that I’m always looking for an optical compressor sound (for that, I’d just go straight for an optical compressor), but rather I’m trying to find out whether the Yuna truly has enough flexibility to also deliver sounds that come close to that type of compressors.
Becos is another brand that really catches my attention, and I know they're different types of compressors. The question came up after recently watching a review of the Yuna, where it was mentioned that in certain settings you can achieve a sound similar to an optical compressor. Just to be clear, it’s not that I’m always looking for an optical compressor sound (for that, I’d just go straight for an optical compressor), but rather I’m trying to find out whether the Yuna truly has enough flexibility to also deliver sounds that come close to that type of compressors.
I was just looking again at the Becos FX Yuna last night, never used it though, so I cannot speak to the Yuna, but I can go on forever about the Twain.
I have been using the Becos FX Twain Mk2 for a while and in "Stacked" mode (series) you get an optical-like sound. I go back and forth between the "Stacked" and "Dual-Band" Modes. I will say that the Lo SCF and Hi SCF knobs have cured my need for an eq pedal on my passive Stingray. The ability to boost/cut the Lo SCF (70Hz) and Hi SCF (3kHz) a bit has really, really helped me find the tone I need. You can also eq with the cross-over and the individual gain knobs. The other thing is the ability to control the knee/timing for lows and highs and the ability to select Feed-Foward, Feed-Foward/Feedback (lows/highs), or Feedback modes is amazing. In addition there is an preamp imput trimmer so you can boost/cut your imput. It can also serve as a buffer/boost with the mix set 100% dry.
The Becos Twain Mk 2 is really a lot of things in one box. After spending a lot of time just focusing on using the Twain solo I have found that I am using it as an preamp/eq and a compressor, which is really like having two compressors with the dual-band and stacked modes. Currently I like to run my Twain in Dual-Band, Cross-over at noon, Lows: Threshold 10 oclock, Ratio Noon,Feed-Forward/Hard/Fast with gain at 9:45, Highs: Threshold 10 oclock, Ratio Noon, Feedback/Soft/Slow highs with gain at 9:45, I keep the preamp imput trimmer at noon, and I boost the Lo SCF & Hi SCF a couple of dots = magic. Boosting the LoSCF/HiSCF was the missing link for me. Keep in mind you can tweak for hours if you let yourself, but you will find something useful, this thing is very flexible.
Note I am using my Twain as a preamp/eq/compressor. I am plugging my bass into the Twain Mk2 and into my Jule M700 power amp, simple and effective. I keep the tuner separate.
End of love note to BecosFX Twain Mk2.
I have been using the Becos FX Twain Mk2 for a while and in "Stacked" mode (series) you get an optical-like sound. I go back and forth between the "Stacked" and "Dual-Band" Modes. I will say that the Lo SCF and Hi SCF knobs have cured my need for an eq pedal on my passive Stingray. The ability to boost/cut the Lo SCF (70Hz) and Hi SCF (3kHz) a bit has really, really helped me find the tone I need. You can also eq with the cross-over and the individual gain knobs. The other thing is the ability to control the knee/timing for lows and highs and the ability to select Feed-Foward, Feed-Foward/Feedback (lows/highs), or Feedback modes is amazing. In addition there is an preamp imput trimmer so you can boost/cut your imput. It can also serve as a buffer/boost with the mix set 100% dry.
The Becos Twain Mk 2 is really a lot of things in one box. After spending a lot of time just focusing on using the Twain solo I have found that I am using it as an preamp/eq and a compressor, which is really like having two compressors with the dual-band and stacked modes. Currently I like to run my Twain in Dual-Band, Cross-over at noon, Lows: Threshold 10 oclock, Ratio Noon,Feed-Forward/Hard/Fast with gain at 9:45, Highs: Threshold 10 oclock, Ratio Noon, Feedback/Soft/Slow highs with gain at 9:45, I keep the preamp imput trimmer at noon, and I boost the Lo SCF & Hi SCF a couple of dots = magic. Boosting the LoSCF/HiSCF was the missing link for me. Keep in mind you can tweak for hours if you let yourself, but you will find something useful, this thing is very flexible.
Note I am using my Twain as a preamp/eq/compressor. I am plugging my bass into the Twain Mk2 and into my Jule M700 power amp, simple and effective. I keep the tuner separate.
End of love note to BecosFX Twain Mk2.
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I love my Twain (V1). For some time, I was using it as you describe. Just tuner, Twain and DI box.
Currently, I am using Twain in stacked mode in my crossover setup to compress lows...
