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What compressor do you use, and why?

EBS Multicomp v3. I have this first up in my chain, straight after tuner. I like the EBS as it smooths peaks nicely, but the tubesim mode also just adds a bit of fat to the tone.

I also use an EBS Billy Sheehan Deluxe Drive for a bit of always on grrrr, and I'll be honest I really like the built in comp of this pedal too. I did use it for a while without a separate compressor.

Lastly, for how I use a compressor the Ampeg Optiocomp also gets the job done very nicely on a budget.
 
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Decisions, decisions..

I’ve been happy with the Becos and that’s the one I’d choose if I could only keep one.

Just got a Diamond and an Accountant, and they both sound great. Different flavors though.

I’m considering to use both, the Diamond first and the Accountant last as a dirt boost. But not sure if it’d be noticeable in a rock band context.

The Accountant sounds great with the s/s Gibson with flats.


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I use the Seymour Duncan studio bass compression. I really like it because of the three-way low, full, and high toggle switch which really adds a lot of punch to whichever selection you choose.

But the biggest reason I choose it is the blend knob so I can send as much dry signal through as I want

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Since this thread has started I've gone through a lot of comps... Walrus Mira, Boss CS-2, Effectrode PC-2A, back to my Cali76 CB and finally landed on the Collaboration Effects "The" Compressor. I have to say my Compact Bass isn't going anywhere, living on my big board, but the Collaboration Effects could easily be the one I use all of the time. Love the parallel blend, auto attack and release, and the added gain circuit that adds a nice 3D element to your sound while retaining the characteristics of your bass.
 
I’ve tried the Empress, Cali76 CB, Monocomp, Doc Lloyd PDR, Smoothie, Alma BUT there’s something about the Niche Humboldt that just works for me and my setup. It’s simple to dial in and that transformer is the added sauce that just seems to work. I highly recommend it.

Got one on the way. Can’t wait to get it on the board.
 
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Keeping this thread a live because maybe I can get some help with questions later.

I originally bought the Becos compiq mini pro to put after my envelope filter to tame spikes. When I ordered I ordered the mini pro one. The one with less options. Couldn't send it back to romania and ordered the one I wanted. Still haven't figured out how to flip pedals in Japan.

I later figured out how to tame the spikes on the filter, so I stuck the mini pro in front. I love this thing. I have the ratio set pretty low and blended 50/50. It's one of those I don't really need it, but I feel pretty sad when it's off.

It lives on my compact pedalboard right now. The one thing I hate about it is the size. Because of the side jacks, it takes up about the same space as a 1590b pedal. I'm thinking of putting that back on my big board and getting something else to fill the space.

I have several compressors, but the only real reason is because I have a couple of pedalboards and I need a compressor on each. I have a Broughton Omnicomp, an Empress Bass Compressor, a 903 Effects Meridian Bass, and a Cali76 Compact Bass which I'm going to sell.

For a while I used the Cali. It's a good compressor, but when I got the Omni, I just found myself preferring that. The Cali has a nice sound on its own, but the Omni has a thumpy punch to it that just fits better to me. It's easier to me to make the Omni sound more like the Cali than the other way around. The highpass filter on the Omni is not adjustable, but I like its setting and don't feel like I would need to change it.

I got the Empress recently to serve on my second board. I got it for several reasons. It allows a better ability to monitor the compression (which the Omni has to a certain degree; the LED strip and the LED on the Omni just work better than the Cali's jewel LED), and it also operates at 18v internally from a 9v input (as does the Omni). I also like the color switch; i don't use it all the time, but the option is nice. I'd also agree with the assessment that the Empress is 'ridiculously transparent', which I think is fine. That just means good sound in = good sound out.

The Meridian is a recent addition that I haven't gigged yet. It's basically a Bass Dynacomp, a tilt EQ, and the harmonic distortion from a BBE Stomp all in one box. It's quite a neat little box, and gets some good sounds. The name of the game with it is color, which it does pretty well. The Meridian is a DIY kit that you can buy, but this one was just assembled and finished by 903 Effects. There's a bass version and guitar version. I happened to get one for like $60, which is not bad at all.

I'm thinking to get either the empress or the omnicomp. I've read scubaduba's reviews and I think he said the closest thing you can compare the mini pro is the empress. The thing I would miss is that I like my ratio at about 3:1 and the empress is fixed. Also if they're similar, it might be a good idea to try something a little different since I keeping the mini pro. Omnicop?

Now that you've had the empress a little longer, how do you feel about both?
I only have one so far. I just began using pedals and almost everyone says get a compressor so I'm rocking a Nine Volts/Animals Pedals 1927 Home Run King Comp. It's easily attainable here in Japan and has gotten some good reviews. I will admit I still do not know what exactly a compressor does to my sound but it's always on and it makes my sound "fatter".



I am very interested in this one, although not the handwired one since it's too expensive, mostly due to bongo and scuba's reviews on them. Also they non handwired one is quite accessible here as well.
How do you flip pedals?
 
Keeping this thread a live because maybe I can get some help with questions later.

I originally bought the Becos compiq mini pro to put after my envelope filter to tame spikes. When I ordered I ordered the mini pro one. The one with less options. Couldn't send it back to romania and ordered the one I wanted. Still haven't figured out how to flip pedals in Japan.

I later figured out how to tame the spikes on the filter, so I stuck the mini pro in front. I love this thing. I have the ratio set pretty low and blended 50/50. It's one of those I don't really need it, but I feel pretty sad when it's off.

It lives on my compact pedalboard right now. The one thing I hate about it is the size. Because of the side jacks, it takes up about the same space as a 1590b pedal. I'm thinking of putting that back on my big board and getting something else to fill the space.



I'm thinking to get either the empress or the omnicomp. I've read scubaduba's reviews and I think he said the closest thing you can compare the mini pro is the empress. The thing I would miss is that I like my ratio at about 3:1 and the empress is fixed. Also if they're similar, it might be a good idea to try something a little different since I keeping the mini pro. Omnicop?

Now that you've had the empress a little longer, how do you feel about both?

How do you flip pedals?
Can't help with flipping pedals but I really like my Broughton Omnicomp I'd recommend it but I was already use to single LED metering it's easy to adjust to honestly.