Dynacomp vs Supercomp?

[Psykel]

I'm planning on getting a compressor pedal, and I'm set on one of the MXR's. They seem to be the most bang for the buck (or swedish krona, really). However, I can't find a comparison of the two. Is the Supercomp essentially a Dynacomp with the additional knob? If so, it's the given buy, since thomann.de sells them for exactly the same price...

Edit: Gonna use it for clean electric 6 and 12 string stuff.

[Aceman]

Re: Dynacomp vs Supercomp?

No! No no no no!!!!!!!!!

Compressors are peculiar things. There is the musical use of a compressor, and then there is the "effect" of compression.

Effect of Compression example: The Police "Every Breathe You Take" or most any plucky country Telecaster. The classic Squashed note envelope.

Musical Use of a Compressor: Taking an acoustic guitar with some slightly uneven string response (construction, wood, wound G string) and a live performance somewjhat uneven picking situation, and setting a compressor to even out the levels so that certain notes don't boom stupid loud and ruin the performance.

There is more, but you get the idea. The MXR is a pedal for those wanting the "Effect" and I'm not seeing that for an acoustic. What I suspect you want is an extremely transparent Compressor. One that does it's job and does not sound like it is pumping/squashing/quashing or adding a lot of noise. MAybe you want it to get an acoustic to sit in the mix well with other instruments.

Maybe you want more sustain - if so, you'll want a dead silent one because comps often add noise along with sustain and that can really crap up an acoustic sound.

I use a Monte Allums modded Boss CS-3 with my acoustic. I would not use an MXR, the basic or the Super models. And, above all learning about the attack, sustain, and level functions is key (or more). I like the Boss with the Acoustic also because it has a tone knob.

Tell us more about what you want it to do and why MXR?

[Aceman]

Re: Dynacomp vs Supercomp?

Think:

Kelley 4 knob
Carl Martin
Modded Boss
Wampler Ego

Do not cheap on the comp with your acoustic. And learn how to use them!

[Psykel]

Re: Dynacomp vs Supercomp?

It's the effect part you mentioned, especially for electric 12.Think The Byrds, Tom Petty, R.E.M. kind of stuff. Arpeggio rhythm playing and riffs/solos. Also for spanky funk rhythms and plucky picking on a 6 string. I'm not interested in using it on acoustic. Seeing as the MXR is hailed as one of the best around, it was my first choice.

[TwilightOdyssey]

Re: Dynacomp vs Supercomp?

It's a sight more expensive, but it does the squish thing REALLY well, plus it has a treble control -- the Pigtronix Philosopher's Tone. I have one and REALLY love it. It will totally do what you are looking for. I don't have a 12 string guitar, but I have a Nashville guitar that I use to double standard tuned 6 string parts and it sounds great in that application. It is also my go-to comp for bass guitar.

It is NOT subtle and NOT transparent, however.

[the guy who invented fire]

Re: Dynacomp vs Supercomp?

I love my Dyna Comp BUT... The MXR Dyna Comp has changed a lot over the years.

The script reissue is great and the white Custom Comp is good too...don't live the Super Comp.

The Philosophers Tone is great too, different but great.

I also love Orange Squeezer comps too...I use the Hartman version myself but I don't think that's gonna fit your needs based on what you want.


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[LesStrat]

Re: Dynacomp vs Supercomp?

I like the Dynacomp. I have not used the Supercomp.

[LesStrat]

Re: Dynacomp vs Supercomp?

Also, take your guitar into a store and plug into one using a similar amp to yours. If you like it, go for it.

You'll likely get the cork sniffers telling you to only buy xyz compressor for $300, because it's the holy grail. Or only get THIS version of a particular pedal.

Maybe that's true. Then again, if you're satisfied with a $60 compressor, why waste the Benjamins?

Script, block, who cares if you like the sound

[Zombiwoof]

Re: Dynacomp vs Supercomp?

I have found that having the attack control makes a comp a lot more versatile. The old Dynacomps were pretty much a one-trick pony, in that the preset attack made it pump at higher compression (sensitivity) settings, so most guys set the sensitivity low and cranked the level. In that respect, the Super Comp would be better, if you are limiting yourself to MXR stuff, as it has the attack control.
My two favorite comps are both BBE pedals: The Orange Squash, which is based on the Orange Squeezer, with added true bypass, LED, and attack pot, and the Bench Press, a Ross Comp (which was an "improved" DynaComp) clone also with TB, LED, and attact pot. The Orange Squash sounds great at any compression setting, with no "pumping", the Bench Press is a great Ross comp-sound, with the improvements. For the old DynaComp sound, I use a Whirlwind Red Box, which is a handwired script DC clone with LED and TB, designed by a guy from the original MXR company. No attack pot on that one, so I use it as described previously, sensitivity low and level up.

Al

[Psykel]

Re: Dynacomp vs Supercomp?

Well, I'm mostly looking at the MXR ones because of the small footprint and the low price. Also, some pedals are hard to come by in Sweden. Which means expensive boutique pedals will be super expensive if I order from the US. However, I've been considering the Xotic SP Compressor (retails at about twice the price of the MXR's, but still at a non-mind boggling amount). Anyone got an opinion on those?

[Boogie Bill]

Re: Dynacomp vs Supercomp?

I know some pros who like the Carl Martin. I use stock Boss CS-3 pedals on both my acoustic and electric pedalboards. I also have the BBE Bench Press and their Opto-Stomp.

Bill

[Aceman]

Re: Dynacomp vs Supercomp?

It's the effect part you mentioned, especially for electric 12.Think The Byrds, Tom Petty, R.E.M. kind of stuff. Arpeggio rhythm playing and riffs/solos. Also for spanky funk rhythms and plucky picking on a 6 string. I'm not interested in using it on acoustic. Seeing as the MXR is hailed as one of the best around, it was my first choice.

In that case - go for it.

Been there, used that extensively in the 80's, you'll like it.

[Psykel]

Re: Dynacomp vs Supercomp?

In that case - go for it.

Been there, used that extensively in the 80's, you'll like it.

Sweet, thanks!

[ratherdashing]

Re: Dynacomp vs Supercomp?

If you want a very obvious, in-your-face compressor, the Dyna Comp is perfect. It's the preferred choice for country chicken pickin' for that reason. The script logo version is very slightly "softer", and for that reason I prefer it.

Custom Comp is very nice too, basically a high-spec version of the Dyna.

I don't know anything about the Super Comp.

[Psykel]

Re: Dynacomp vs Supercomp?

Well, I do love the classic and the old school. The script logo version is almost three times as expensive as the regular one. As far as I can tell, the Supercomp is a Dyna with an additional knob. It's not too obvious what it does tho, so the Dyna should be enough for what I'm after.