Using an Ampeg Opto Comp with an active bass

[Bortron]

I've been using an Ampeg Opto Comp compressor pedal for a while, and have only used it with passive basses (Squier Rascal and Squier Paranormal Jazz '54). However, I'll soon be getting an Eastwood Hooky Viking Pro, which is active (albeit switchable to passive).

The Opto Comp has an internal -15 dB pad jumper, which can be moved to reduce the input signal for higher output basses. However, as you need to open the thing up to switch it over, it's not exactly something I could do mid-gig if I switch from the Rascal to the Viking.

Does anyone have experience using active basses with this pedal, and if so, is the pad jumper really needed, or can the pedal cope OK with it in the default position for passive basses?

 

[scubaduba]

When conducting my review of the Ampeg Opto comp I found I didn't need to mess with it at all with any of my basses (passive or active).

Ampeg Opto Comp Review

This new compressor from Ampeg is an optical circuit ranging from pretty subtle compression to pretty squishy and a lot in between. It's easy to use with only 3 dials. Let me say up front that this one surprised me in a good way. With the compression dial past noon it is definitely not...

www.compressorpedalreviews.com

 

[KevInDaBassment]

Not to be facetious, but if it's coming in too hot with the active bass, you should have no tonal loss or attenuation by using the volume knob on your bass to turn it down. That's not the case with passive basses, as there will be treble roll-off and such when doing that. I'd just leave it at what works on your passive basses, then turn down master volume on the active bass if the signal is too hot.

 

[TrevorR]

Your better solution is to have a switcher pedal which allows you to equalise the volume of the two basses and then feed that to the compressor. Then the compressor will see similar input volume from both. Something like a Boss Line Switcher would do. I used a Lehle 3@1 to switch between my very hot Wal and less poky basses. It has the added advantage that it reduces bass change time to literally 3 or 4 seconds and so reducing dead air time in a gig, stops the chance of dropping a cable and scrabbling around on a dark stage to find it etc etc.

 

[FirewalZ]

I've been using an Ampeg Opto Comp compressor pedal for a while, and have only used it with passive basses (Squier Rascal and Squier Paranormal Jazz '54). However, I'll soon be getting an Eastwood Hooky Viking Pro, which is active (albeit switchable to passive).

The Opto Comp has an internal -15 dB pad jumper, which can be moved to reduce the input signal for higher output basses. However, as you need to open the thing up to switch it over, it's not exactly something I could do mid-gig if I switch from the Rascal to the Viking.

Does anyone have experience using active basses with this pedal, and if so, is the pad jumper really needed, or can the pedal cope OK with it in the default position for passive basses?

I used it on passive Fenders and Stingrays, just have to keep the compression knob down. I loved it for its simplicity, however have since switched to an Empress Bass Comp, even though it has a lot more knobs, adjusting the input and output on the fly is pretty easy.