dmccombe7 Posted December 2, 2022 Share Posted December 2, 2022 Just a quickie mention. Bought one of these this week and tried at home and found it a very impressive little pedal. Absolutely no change in tone between off / on and it doesn't squash your sound at all. Only 3 knobs ....... Compression, Threshold and Gain and very easy to set up. I only use a little compression approx 2:1 or 3:1 and set to smooth out my volume more than anything else. First gig this Sat night with Glam band will put it thru its paces. Expensive pedal but for me its worth it. I've tried a few others over the years and they've always affected my tone in some way except the inbuilt Mesa one which was 2 knobs and also quite subtle. Dave 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
thodrik Posted December 2, 2022 Share Posted December 2, 2022 I have had one for 5/6 years. Really great transparent compressor. The best thing about it is that I have never thought ‘I need a new compression pedal’ once since I bought it. Highly recommended unless you need a compressor that really has an affect on the overall tone. Works great on guitar too! 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Elfrasho Posted December 2, 2022 Share Posted December 2, 2022 I never understood the benefits of a transparent compressor until I used one! Never tried the keeley but I understand the love for it! 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dmccombe7 Posted December 2, 2022 Author Share Posted December 2, 2022 I've tried a few over the years, EBS, Mesa, Aphex, Boss and some others i cant remember They've all had a noticeable change on my tone some more than others but the Keeley so far i haven't noticed any tone change at all. Maybe if i was using a lot more compression but i tend to set most compressors the same settings or thereabouts. Dave 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dmccombe7 Posted December 5, 2022 Author Share Posted December 5, 2022 Worked an absolute treat on Sat nights gig. I forgot to switch it on for first 2 songs in 2nd set and i could hear the difference thru the songs before i realised what was different from 1st set. Its so subtle at the settings i have which is exxactly what i was looking for. No change in tone which is why it took me a while to figure out what was different. All on all i'm very happy with this wee pedal. Need to get myself a decent power supply now Any thoughts on 9VDC power supplies. Dave 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
thodrik Posted December 5, 2022 Share Posted December 5, 2022 I use it with a Dunlop brick. No issues. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
moley6knipe Posted December 5, 2022 Share Posted December 5, 2022 It is a great pedal. Noiseless and tone neutral, love mine. It only needs 15mA so pretty much anything will power it! Obvs the standard boss style centre negative dc Jack. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Japhet Posted December 5, 2022 Share Posted December 5, 2022 One of the very best compressors I've ever had. Only moved it on in the quest for a smaller footprint pedalboard. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dmccombe7 Posted December 5, 2022 Author Share Posted December 5, 2022 Was gonna go for a One Spot and a jumper lead for power to my TC tuner and jump it from that to my Keeley. The TC has its own power out socket to jump pedals. Dave Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
moley6knipe Posted December 5, 2022 Share Posted December 5, 2022 That’ll do you fine, good choice! They also sell DC cables with many plugs on them if you need to power more 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
moley6knipe Posted December 5, 2022 Share Posted December 5, 2022 15 hours ago, dmccombe7 said: Worked an absolute treat on Sat nights gig. I forgot to switch it on for first 2 songs in 2nd set and i could hear the difference thru the songs before i realised what was different from 1st set. Its so subtle at the settings i have which is exxactly what i was looking for. No change in tone which is why it took me a while to figure out what was different. All on all i'm very happy with this wee pedal. Need to get myself a decent power supply now Any thoughts on 9VDC power supplies. Dave You’ve made me spend some time with my settings again this evening. I think I’ve been squashing too much… backed off the ratio and raised the threshold a little, see how that sounds on Saturday! 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dmccombe7 Posted December 6, 2022 Author Share Posted December 6, 2022 8 hours ago, moley6knipe said: You’ve made me spend some time with my settings again this evening. I think I’ve been squashing too much… backed off the ratio and raised the threshold a little, see how that sounds on Saturday! Got mine set at 3:1 compression and Threshold set where red light is flickering ON more than OFF but not on constantly. That allows me to play softer for quiet parts limits the harder hits. Gain set same level as when pedal switched off which just happens to be 12 o'clock I'm not keen on an over compressed squashed tone but its down to personal preference. I rtied the compressor at 4:1 setting first and it seemed a little squashed. At 2:1 it wasn't doing quite enough for me. A little bit of trial and error will get you there. I had to experiment a bit with the compression on my Mesa amp which has same controls as the Keeley. Now its set i never touch it. With the Keeley i now know exactly where it sits. Dave 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Woody1957 Posted January 13, 2023 Share Posted January 13, 2023 On 06/12/2022 at 07:59, dmccombe7 said: Got mine set at 3:1 compression and Threshold set where red light is flickering ON more than OFF but not on constantly. That allows me to play softer for quiet parts limits the harder hits. Gain set same level as when pedal switched off which just happens to be 12 o'clock I'm not keen on an over compressed squashed tone but its down to personal preference. I rtied the compressor at 4:1 setting first and it seemed a little squashed. At 2:1 it wasn't doing quite enough for me. A little bit of trial and error will get you there. I had to experiment a bit with the compression on my Mesa amp which has same controls as the Keeley. Now its set i never touch it. With the Keeley i now know exactly where it sits. Dave Exactly how I have my Keeley set and its perfect! 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BassAdder60 Posted February 22, 2023 Share Posted February 22, 2023 On 02/12/2022 at 07:39, dmccombe7 said: Just a quickie mention. Bought one of these this week and tried at home and found it a very impressive little pedal. Absolutely no change in tone between off / on and it doesn't squash your sound at all. Only 3 knobs ....... Compression, Threshold and Gain and very easy to set up. I only use a little compression approx 2:1 or 3:1 and set to smooth out my volume more than anything else. First gig this Sat night with Glam band will put it thru its paces. Expensive pedal but for me its worth it. I've tried a few others over the years and they've always affected my tone in some way except the inbuilt Mesa one which was 2 knobs and also quite subtle. Dave I’ve just ordered one of these to use in front of my CTM100 valve head I’m aiming to use it as a limiter really but I like the fact it claims not to colour your sound at all 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
thodrik Posted February 22, 2023 Share Posted February 22, 2023 43 minutes ago, BassAdder60 said: I’ve just ordered one of these to use in front of my CTM100 valve head I’m aiming to use it as a limiter really but I like the fact it claims not to colour your sound at all It works great with my Trace Elliot V6. I also recommend trying it as a boost by turning the compression all the way down and turning the gain all the way up. Instant clean boost. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BassAdder60 Posted February 22, 2023 Share Posted February 22, 2023 52 minutes ago, thodrik said: It works great with my Trace Elliot V6. I also recommend trying it as a boost by turning the compression all the way down and turning the gain all the way up. Instant clean boost. The V6 is a tube amp I believe ? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
thodrik Posted February 22, 2023 Share Posted February 22, 2023 Just now, BassAdder60 said: The V6 is a tube amp I believe ? A tube amp and a half! 6 x KT88 output tubes. It is a monster. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BassAdder60 Posted February 22, 2023 Share Posted February 22, 2023 7 minutes ago, thodrik said: A tube amp and a half! 6 x KT88 output tubes. It is a monster. Probably sounds like the CTM range as they are KT88 driven albeit with passive EQ I wanted a neutral sounding comp / limiter and the Keeley appears to be good Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
thodrik Posted February 22, 2023 Share Posted February 22, 2023 12 minutes ago, BassAdder60 said: Probably sounds like the CTM range as they are KT88 driven albeit with passive EQ I wanted a neutral sounding comp / limiter and the Keeley appears to be good I’m sure that there is a bunch of the Trace V-type DNA in the CTM line in terms of the EQ controls. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dmccombe7 Posted February 22, 2023 Author Share Posted February 22, 2023 The Handbox WB-100 is an all valve amp and i use mine more as a limiter for when i hit a string a little bit hard. I dont have it set in a way its working all the time. I occasionally see the compression light flicker when i hit the strings that bit harder. With regards the tone. I honestly can't hear any difference when i switch ON/OFF. Recently in the punk band the guitarist said he liked to hear the changes in volume when i dig in as its more expressive in some songs. So last gig with the punk band i didn't use it and it sounded good. Another reason i wanted one was that when i use my P bass the volume change when going from tone ON to tone OFF was significant and i had to adjust volumes to compensate. With the Keeley i set it on the lower volume and if i turn the tone full up the compressor limits my volume to keep it all more even. Its by far the best compressor/limiter i've ever used. Dave Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BassAdder60 Posted February 22, 2023 Share Posted February 22, 2023 Thanks Dave sounds like my needs are similar In particular when playing loud rock I tend to pluck harder and of course I’m trying to protect the speakers With the CTM you can see this “ surge” on the output VU meter and I guess doing nothing is fine but I thought add a limiter now before I later wish I had ! 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dmccombe7 Posted February 22, 2023 Author Share Posted February 22, 2023 5 minutes ago, BassAdder60 said: Thanks Dave sounds like my needs are similar In particular when playing loud rock I tend to pluck harder and of course I’m trying to protect the speakers With the CTM you can see this “ surge” on the output VU meter and I guess doing nothing is fine but I thought add a limiter now before I later wish I had ! You can set the Keeley up solely as a limiter with no compression however i use it more as a compressor than purely limiting. Some of the youtube clips show you the difference between the two functions. No matter how i set it i like the fact the tone itself doesn't change. The signal can change with over compression and additional sustain like any compressor but with this i'm not seeing tonal changes. I'm very happy with it. Dave 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BassAdder60 Posted February 25, 2023 Share Posted February 25, 2023 It arrived today and it’s a very nice sounding compressor No colouration or loss of tone Compressor works very well as does Limiter Takes seconds to set up and the Green / Red led makes it simple to see what’s happening. I like it a lot and feel it will do just as required in front of my valve amp I m running a TC Spark Booster after it as a gentle clean boost and that seems to pair nicely especially with the CTM100 head 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BassAdder60 Posted February 25, 2023 Share Posted February 25, 2023 Update .. I’ve taken the Spark Booster off and will just use the Keeley Sounds more natural and the tone of the CTM100 sounds better 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BassAdder60 Posted February 26, 2023 Share Posted February 26, 2023 Ok further update mines going back Ive noticed a faint noise when the compressor @ releases the signal IE Led goes red to green Very minor but it’s present and I’ve eliminated the power supply and tried batteries Such a shame as I liked it fine up to then !! For a £200 compressor I expected better Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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