- Feb 16, 2008
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- John K Custom Basses
i have a lot of nice ones (like more than 10!) but i use my Cali76CB the most. mostly because it's easy to dial in and sounds great.
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What compressor do you use, and why?
- Thread starter H K
- Start date
Quick question for you: what tone/“sound” does the Cali bring over your others? Would you classify it as warmer or more high end sparkle?
- Feb 16, 2008
- 21,240
- 23,633
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- John K Custom Basses
i've always loved my original Urie 1176 rackmount comps so that's what i'm used to using. The cali76CB does add a little top end (not really needed though) and overall color to it but it reacts and sounds like i expect it to and is super easy to dial in.
when i need a really clean and uncolored comp i use my Bass comp limiter http://johnkvintageguitars.homestead.com/Effects/Compressors/THATCOMP/THATCOMP-01.jpg, or my comp 160: http://johnkvintageguitars.homestead.com/Effects/Compressors/Pumpernickel/comp160-01.jpg both are DBX compressor style, or my Empress Bass MKII bass comp.
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I’ve been really pleasantly surprised by the compressors in the Zoom MS-60b. I did not foresee it becoming an “always on” pedal when I got it but here we are.
I use a DBX 163X compressor circuit copied and built into a Boss-sized pedal, with an added a ratio control to obtain the equivalent OverEasy compression characteristics of a DBX 160XT at various ratios (from 1:1 through infinity-to-one). The sidechain HPF frequency is also equivalent to the 160XT. I built this 24 years ago, but had the Keeley Bassist or Compressor Pro existed back then, I would have been happy to use either of those.
163X was a great, simple bass compressor and I had one with me in the clubs back in the day. I'll bet it still sounds great.
When people say the Bassist (or my preferred GC-2) are boring, I can see they are working with different priorities. Bassist adds weight to your loudly-played notes, and just generally sounds great, in a dbx kind of way. There is definite mojo, but it's not an "effect" pedal.
I tried one at a music store to the same effect. It was the bass comp with the metering. I think there were a bad run of them.
I don’t like lots of knobs. I have an MXR M87. Five knobs. I don’t use it.
Lots of love here for the Origin Effects Cali76. Six knobs. Four models. Two Single models and two Dual stage models. Too daunting. I’d need a full time tech.
Keeley Bassist. Three knobs. Always on. Seems just right. Maybe.
If I have to think about any of this stuff after initial set up I won’t use it.
This could be why.
Lots of love here for the Origin Effects Cali76. Six knobs. Four models. Two Single models and two Dual stage models. Too daunting. I’d need a full time tech.
Keeley Bassist. Three knobs. Always on. Seems just right. Maybe.
If I have to think about any of this stuff after initial set up I won’t use it.
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I've been a fan of the Union Tube & Transistor LAB. 2 knobs. Works great for my needs, which is very subtle always-on to thicken things up, but not squish or color the sound in a noticeable way. I keep the threshold set so it just kisses the loudest notes. You can hear the added sustain, but it doesn't negatively alter the attack unless you crank it up, and I don't hear any weird artifacts that some opto-compressors have - very smooth. Other people may want something else from compression.
Pino apparently agrees with the LAB; it's been spotted on his board. I'm obviously now a cool kid because of it.
Thanks for the tip. Only compression and gain. Nice.
And if works for Palladino, I’ve admired his rigs. A Cali76 is often on his pedal and so is an Alien Bass Station. Although he has techs on pro tours.
LAB — Union Tube & Transistor
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BCP Jr-the last iteration before the original company closed.
- Feb 16, 2008
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- John K Custom Basses
Diamond Bass Comp Jr (original, not the SGFX version) @ 18v.
I use this one because: simple/easy to use, compact, sustain for days, top jacks are nice.
I use this one because: simple/easy to use, compact, sustain for days, top jacks are nice.
Two nice comps you got there. Any experience with the Diamond Bass Jr by any chance (the original Jr.)? I have the jr. and quite like it but have a little GAS for the Alma. Would have to sell the Jr. in order to order the Alma.
To me they’re quite similar. I use comp on bass more like a limiter. And I like the clean blend of the Alma but other than that I’m not sure I’d trade one for the other. In my wholly dumb opinion the Alma is basically a Bass Comp Jr with clean. Is it worth trading? I don’t know. So similar. In my observation Alma is a little quieter.
Thanks for the comments. Great to hear from someone with experience with both.
You really have to get your hands dirty with the TonePrint app to get the most from the SpectraComp. As is comes from the box it is little more than a fancy paper-weight, IMHO.
I use a Hyper Luminal, its great and lots of versatility. If I hadn't got it just before I heard about the Lusithand Alma I'd have got that but still pretty happy.
I use compression very minimally on my board, my drive pedals also have a little squishiness so I have it set to be barely perceptible. If I had room with physical pedals I'd have it set up as I did with the GT Core where I had super light compression at the start and end of the chain.
I use compression very minimally on my board, my drive pedals also have a little squishiness so I have it set to be barely perceptible. If I had room with physical pedals I'd have it set up as I did with the GT Core where I had super light compression at the start and end of the chain.
