challxyz Posted March 5, 2011 Share Posted March 5, 2011 I'm really interested to hear what compressors are being used by other bass chat dudes, I have 2 amps, one being a mesa mpulse which has a built in compressor, I love it because it's not too obvious when in use, very subtle, however my other amp, Ampeg svtII doesn't have compression built in, so I'd like to buy something along the lines of the mesa comp to use with the ampeg, any ideas or recommendations would be useful. I've tried a Boss pedal before (can't remember name of it, little blue one) but too harsh for me. Is anyone using tube compressors and if so what are your thoughts? Cheers Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hamster Posted March 5, 2011 Share Posted March 5, 2011 What style of music are you playing and how much do you want to spend? I use a Demeter Compulator which is my personal choice; I've also used a BBE Optostomp and EBS Multicomp which were both good. The Boss comp is OK as long as it's modded as it's a little hissy un-modded. The Aphex Punch Factory is also good. Several people rate the Trace Elliot comp if you can find one. Put the kettle on, grab some Hobnobs and have a read here - [url="http://www.ovnilab.com/index.shtml"]http://www.ovnilab.com/index.shtml[/url] Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kirky Posted March 5, 2011 Share Posted March 5, 2011 I have a DHA tube compressor. Personally I don't like it but then I haven't found any compressor I like yet. I work in Leeds. PM me if you'd like to try it. Martin Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
challxyz Posted March 6, 2011 Author Share Posted March 6, 2011 [quote name='Hamster' post='1150389' date='Mar 5 2011, 11:11 AM']What style of music are you playing and how much do you want to spend? I use a Demeter Compulator which is my personal choice; I've also used a BBE Optostomp and EBS Multicomp which were both good. The Boss comp is OK as long as it's modded as it's a little hissy un-modded. The Aphex Punch Factory is also good. Several people rate the Trace Elliot comp if you can find one. Put the kettle on, grab some Hobnobs and have a read here - [url="http://www.ovnilab.com/index.shtml"]http://www.ovnilab.com/index.shtml[/url][/quote] much food for thought mr Hamster sir :-) I must admit I've never heard of the Demeter Compulator, looks to be very interesting being an optical comp, good reviews too. I've used the Trace comp on a combo amp a few years ago and it was good, but as you say hard to come by. My style of music is rock, indie guitar stuff and blues, budget is probably £150- 200 Problem is I don't have any hobnobs.....just yet Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sean Posted March 6, 2011 Share Posted March 6, 2011 I use an EBS MultiComp. Great compressor, very versatile and has a nice tube mode too; it's well within your budget especially if you pick one up second hand. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chrismuzz Posted March 6, 2011 Share Posted March 6, 2011 I rate the Aguilar TLC very highly. Smooths out your sound beautifully without touching your sound. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PauBass Posted March 6, 2011 Share Posted March 6, 2011 (edited) [quote name='chrismuzz' post='1151466' date='Mar 6 2011, 02:09 PM']I rate the Aguilar TLC very highly. Smooths out your sound beautifully without touching your sound.[/quote] +1 Another Aguilar fan here. After trying different unit, Maxon, EBS, Boss, Demeter...the TLC is the one I'm liking the most, it's a very, very good floor comp. Edited March 6, 2011 by PauBass Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Doddy Posted March 6, 2011 Share Posted March 6, 2011 I use an Emma TransMORGrifier which is great. I've also got an Aphex Punch Factory which is nice but really subtle,an an old Ibanez CP-9 which is really good aswell. The Emma is the only one that lives on my pedal board though. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fettsman Posted March 10, 2011 Share Posted March 10, 2011 I use a Trace dual compressor and love it. Does the job pretty well and well built. I had an Ashdown one for a while but couldn't get on with it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lfalex v1.1 Posted March 10, 2011 Share Posted March 10, 2011 [quote name='Fettsman' post='1156658' date='Mar 10 2011, 02:24 PM']I use a Trace dual compressor and love it. Does the job pretty well and well built. I had an Ashdown one for a while but couldn't get on with it.[/quote] Are they [i]very[/i] different, then? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dan670844 Posted March 10, 2011 Share Posted March 10, 2011 [quote name='challxyz' post='1151100' date='Mar 6 2011, 02:16 AM']much food for thought mr Hamster sir :-) I must admit I've never heard of the Demeter Compulator, looks to be very interesting being an optical comp, good reviews too. I've used the Trace comp on a combo amp a few years ago and it was good, but as you say hard to come by. My style of music is rock, indie guitar stuff and blues, budget is probably £150- 200 Problem is I don't have any hobnobs.....just yet [/quote] If you guys like the Trace Compressor (SMX) and how it works on your signal, try the FEA labs Dual SMX www.fealabs.com Kind of a modern version of the SMX Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
voxpop Posted March 10, 2011 Share Posted March 10, 2011 I have a Tonefactor Pulp Mill for sale. It is based on the old Orange squeezers from the 1970's. It can go from funky hard compression to subtle levelling of your bass signal. I really love this compressor but no longer use it because my valve amps compressor naturally. Most compressors seem to take away some of the lower frequencies. This Pulp Mill has been modified to stop this and re wired with silver cable and a new orange LED. Check it out in the effects for sale section. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fonzoooroo Posted March 16, 2011 Share Posted March 16, 2011 I run a full rack one (a Samson since you ask) on my bass rig, that way, you can see what you're doing on the meters - I run one channel compressing, and the other limiting, overkill, perhaps, but it suits me! I wouldn't recommend the Samson though... I've got a Alesis 3630 and a Behringer Composer Pro in the "studio" rack, and both seem better! (the Samson has had a few random issues that turning each pot up/back down seems to "fix" ... but doesn't inspire musch confidence long-term!) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
51m0n Posted March 16, 2011 Share Posted March 16, 2011 He we go again If it has to be a pedal:- Markbass Compressore Joe Meek FloorQ If its in a rack then the usual subjects are:- dbx 160a Focusrite Compounder Transparent levelling is all about settings, and if you dont have all the comtrols and the meters to set up the device properly then you are on a hiding to nothing.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
deksawyer Posted March 16, 2011 Share Posted March 16, 2011 This is all you need. D. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shambo Posted March 16, 2011 Share Posted March 16, 2011 My money's on the Demeter Compulator for its ease of use versus quality of results. Only drawback being it picks up interference from my cheap power supply, (including a tuner, that's my only 2 pedals and I don't want to spend a fortune on a posh power brick thing), so I have to run it from a 9v battery. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BottomEndian Posted March 16, 2011 Share Posted March 16, 2011 [quote name='deksawyer' post='1164127' date='Mar 16 2011, 09:49 AM'][/quote] That's what I'm using these days, and I think it's lovely. My only gripe is that you can't control the different bands separately in "Studio" (i.e. multiband) mode, but it does a nice job anyway with whatever automatic settings it's using. It lets me whack out a bassline at the same time as leaving harmonics ringing on the upper strings... without getting muddy or swamping the harmonics. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dudewheresmybass Posted March 16, 2011 Share Posted March 16, 2011 (edited) I've used a few different comps, including most of the usual suspects, but as yet haven't found one that i really like. I'm waiting to try out the new MXR bass comp. It looks really cool and is due reasonably soon in the shops. Edited March 16, 2011 by dudewheresmybass Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
toneknob Posted March 16, 2011 Share Posted March 16, 2011 +1 for the Trace Elliot SMX Dual Comp. Had one in my chain for ages, still got it somewhere. It's been replaced in the last couple of years by the Analogman Bi-Comprossor - see [url="http://www.analogman.com/rossmod.htm"]http://www.analogman.com/rossmod.htm[/url] about half way down the page. Very happy with it. (18 month waiting list though) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BottomE Posted March 16, 2011 Share Posted March 16, 2011 I tried a few different ones and opted for the EBS Multicomp. Extrememly transparent if thats what you want. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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