Boss CS-3 Compressor vs. Wampler Ego Compressor
- Thread starter mrfunnyman
- Start date
hermetico
New member
Re: Boss CS-3 Compressor vs. Wampler Ego Compressor
EGO verus CS3 and CS2:
I have both the EGO compressor, and a Monte Allums CS3 with Optomod plus mod. Both are good pedals, but they are different in fairly significant ways.
1) The Boss is far cheaper, you can get a used Monte Allums modded CS3 very inexpensive on Ebay- $50 or $60. Unmodded, even less. It has a distinctive squashed sound, although you can dial this back a good amount for much more subtle compression. With the mod it's reasonably quiet, until you push the compression. I have a friend with an unmodded CS2- and it sounds very similar, although it doesn't have quite the versatility of the CS3, and can't give you quite that pronounced attack/pop/squash that the CS3 can do if you're after that. I've also tried different chips in my CS3, and at present use the Ultramod chips instead, a pair of 5532's which I think gives me a little more neutral and natural sound- although, this is a very subtle difference over the standard Optomod Plus chips ( RC4558P and Burr Brown OPA2134PA )
2) The EGO compressor is noticeably quieter, and is a much more versatile pedal, mostly due to the Blend knob, which indeed allows a lot more choice of compressor tones- and it's not just like using less compression. It has to do with when the compression kicks in after the attack. The Ego does give you the choice of more intense attack/pop/squash like the CS3, although the CS3 has it's own very distinct super-squashy sound and I would say at the extreme end is even more pronounced than the Ego. Some people may not like this, as it is a pretty unnatural sound when dialed in to the extreme, it's a very processed kind of thing, but in some cases desirable. The biggest, and perhaps only drawback is that the ego will cost you $145 USED at cheapest. But this is a good price for this pedal, which would be $199 new. Worth $199, I'd say yes, if you want the best. Definitely worth it at $150 or so. I bought a used one, and it's great, and cost me $143 including shipping.
Is the CS3 modded worth $150? Not if you can get an Ego compressor for about the same price. A no brainer there.
Only one? The Ego is the clear choice if you have the extra bucks, or at the same price The modded CS3 is a good second choice, and much more affordable used. An unmodded CS3 or CS2 is good, but a third choice, albeit, a bargain. Unmodded will be sufficient for mild to moderate compression. Above that, it will introduce typical compressor noise.
One note- I've found that if I play a note with the Ego and then turn on the pedal at the same time I'll get an electronic pop. This doesn't occur if I DON'T play a note at the same time that I turn on the pedal. I don't know if this is a defect or not. It's a very minor point, and doesn't change how I feel about the pedal. I'm awaiting an answer from Wampler to see if this is not right. The Boss pedal on/off switching is silent, regardless of if you turn it on in the middle of playing a note/chord or not.
Neil Slade
http://www.BrainRadar.com
EGO verus CS3 and CS2:
I have both the EGO compressor, and a Monte Allums CS3 with Optomod plus mod. Both are good pedals, but they are different in fairly significant ways.
1) The Boss is far cheaper, you can get a used Monte Allums modded CS3 very inexpensive on Ebay- $50 or $60. Unmodded, even less. It has a distinctive squashed sound, although you can dial this back a good amount for much more subtle compression. With the mod it's reasonably quiet, until you push the compression. I have a friend with an unmodded CS2- and it sounds very similar, although it doesn't have quite the versatility of the CS3, and can't give you quite that pronounced attack/pop/squash that the CS3 can do if you're after that. I've also tried different chips in my CS3, and at present use the Ultramod chips instead, a pair of 5532's which I think gives me a little more neutral and natural sound- although, this is a very subtle difference over the standard Optomod Plus chips ( RC4558P and Burr Brown OPA2134PA )
2) The EGO compressor is noticeably quieter, and is a much more versatile pedal, mostly due to the Blend knob, which indeed allows a lot more choice of compressor tones- and it's not just like using less compression. It has to do with when the compression kicks in after the attack. The Ego does give you the choice of more intense attack/pop/squash like the CS3, although the CS3 has it's own very distinct super-squashy sound and I would say at the extreme end is even more pronounced than the Ego. Some people may not like this, as it is a pretty unnatural sound when dialed in to the extreme, it's a very processed kind of thing, but in some cases desirable. The biggest, and perhaps only drawback is that the ego will cost you $145 USED at cheapest. But this is a good price for this pedal, which would be $199 new. Worth $199, I'd say yes, if you want the best. Definitely worth it at $150 or so. I bought a used one, and it's great, and cost me $143 including shipping.
Is the CS3 modded worth $150? Not if you can get an Ego compressor for about the same price. A no brainer there.
Only one? The Ego is the clear choice if you have the extra bucks, or at the same price The modded CS3 is a good second choice, and much more affordable used. An unmodded CS3 or CS2 is good, but a third choice, albeit, a bargain. Unmodded will be sufficient for mild to moderate compression. Above that, it will introduce typical compressor noise.
One note- I've found that if I play a note with the Ego and then turn on the pedal at the same time I'll get an electronic pop. This doesn't occur if I DON'T play a note at the same time that I turn on the pedal. I don't know if this is a defect or not. It's a very minor point, and doesn't change how I feel about the pedal. I'm awaiting an answer from Wampler to see if this is not right. The Boss pedal on/off switching is silent, regardless of if you turn it on in the middle of playing a note/chord or not.
Neil Slade
http://www.BrainRadar.com
Last edited:
Re: Boss CS-3 Compressor vs. Wampler Ego Compressor
>>Yeah, the blend knob isn't totally necessary when you can just back off the compression to get a similar effect.
Not true- the blend knob on the Ego has a distinct function apart from an "amount" knob. It will change how and when the compressor kicks in. Read the pedal's short manual on the Wampler page for details.
>>Yeah, the blend knob isn't totally necessary when you can just back off the compression to get a similar effect.
Not true- the blend knob on the Ego has a distinct function apart from an "amount" knob. It will change how and when the compressor kicks in. Read the pedal's short manual on the Wampler page for details.
Re: Boss CS-3 Compressor vs. Wampler Ego Compressor
Also, Wampler is fixing the switch noise (not normal) for free.
Also, Wampler is fixing the switch noise (not normal) for free.
Re: Boss CS-3 Compressor vs. Wampler Ego Compressor
I still say, go for the Vise Grip. Best compressor I've ever used (and hey, its the home team).
I still say, go for the Vise Grip. Best compressor I've ever used (and hey, its the home team).
Aceman
I am your doctor of love!
Re: Boss CS-3 Compressor vs. Wampler Ego Compressor
I am philosophically AGAINST the blend. I think it is for people that really just want a sustainer. Any compressor with an attack control can do that.
That said - of the comps listed, I only have CS3 experience. However - you are an idiot if you don't think the Wampler or the Duncan are better in every way than a CS3.
Now - full disclosure - I have a Monte Allums modded CS3 and I could care less about having another.
As always - if you want an effect - get an MXR Dynacomp. If you need basic compression, get a CS3. If you need more....don'ty ask until you have figured out what to do with BOTH of those.
I am philosophically AGAINST the blend. I think it is for people that really just want a sustainer. Any compressor with an attack control can do that.
That said - of the comps listed, I only have CS3 experience. However - you are an idiot if you don't think the Wampler or the Duncan are better in every way than a CS3.
Now - full disclosure - I have a Monte Allums modded CS3 and I could care less about having another.
As always - if you want an effect - get an MXR Dynacomp. If you need basic compression, get a CS3. If you need more....don'ty ask until you have figured out what to do with BOTH of those.
dystrust
New member
Re: Boss CS-3 Compressor vs. Wampler Ego Compressor
Having a blend knob is the same idea as using parallel compression in the studio. A typical use would be the drum bus where you'd squash the signal with a fast, aggressive compressor and then mix it less than 100% to restore some of the attack. The squashed signal and makeup gain sounds big while the drum sound overall retains punch because of the clean signal. You could sort of fake it with attack and release controls, but it wouldn't sound the same.
For guitar I only like to use a compressor pedal when playing clean, and I use it as an effect (along with my CE-2) for that 80s Jazz Chorus sound. I have a MIJ CS-3 which is a totally different beast than the current version; it's essentially a CS-2 with a tone control.
Having a blend knob is the same idea as using parallel compression in the studio. A typical use would be the drum bus where you'd squash the signal with a fast, aggressive compressor and then mix it less than 100% to restore some of the attack. The squashed signal and makeup gain sounds big while the drum sound overall retains punch because of the clean signal. You could sort of fake it with attack and release controls, but it wouldn't sound the same.
For guitar I only like to use a compressor pedal when playing clean, and I use it as an effect (along with my CE-2) for that 80s Jazz Chorus sound. I have a MIJ CS-3 which is a totally different beast than the current version; it's essentially a CS-2 with a tone control.
6stringerguy
New member
Re: Boss CS-3 Compressor vs. Wampler Ego Compressor
I asked this in another thread but just wondering how you thought the Vise grip stacked up against the Ego?
I asked this in another thread but just wondering how you thought the Vise grip stacked up against the Ego?
Blille
New member
Re: Boss CS-3 Compressor vs. Wampler Ego Compressor
We’ve had the blend knob conversation a few times, most notably:
Compressors
https://r.tapatalk.com/shareLink?sh...om/forum/showthread.php?t=323193&share_type=t
We’ve had the blend knob conversation a few times, most notably:
Compressors
https://r.tapatalk.com/shareLink?sh...om/forum/showthread.php?t=323193&share_type=t
Blille
New member
Re: Boss CS-3 Compressor vs. Wampler Ego Compressor
They are both top quality compressors but different flavors. Vise grip is VCA IIRC and the Ego is a Ross, so OTA. You can’t go wrong with any but might like one more than the other.
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pro
They are both top quality compressors but different flavors. Vise grip is VCA IIRC and the Ego is a Ross, so OTA. You can’t go wrong with any but might like one more than the other.
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pro
Aceman
I am your doctor of love!
Re: Boss CS-3 Compressor vs. Wampler Ego Compressor
You mean like a CS3 or a Dynacomp with the level really low? OK - maybe not the Dynacomp....
Best Compressor advice ever - and I heard it here in this room: Set it until you just notice it, then turn it back a touch.
You mean like a CS3 or a Dynacomp with the level really low? OK - maybe not the Dynacomp....
Best Compressor advice ever - and I heard it here in this room: Set it until you just notice it, then turn it back a touch.
Re: Boss CS-3 Compressor vs. Wampler Ego Compressor
High Gain Metal;
For adding some thickness and mid-punch with only a tiny amount of extra squash and no filtering of the bottom or top I really like running my MXR EQ-6 right after the boost/od.
I leave the edges at 0db and then frown-up the mids to whatever sounds best.
Just kicking some extra dbs in the mids will push the amp's dirt more, thereby evening-out the picking dynamics slightly.
High Gain Metal;
For adding some thickness and mid-punch with only a tiny amount of extra squash and no filtering of the bottom or top I really like running my MXR EQ-6 right after the boost/od.
I leave the edges at 0db and then frown-up the mids to whatever sounds best.
Just kicking some extra dbs in the mids will push the amp's dirt more, thereby evening-out the picking dynamics slightly.
Last edited:
PFDarkside
of the Forum
Re: Boss CS-3 Compressor vs. Wampler Ego Compressor
Or... turn it up until you can just hear it, then turn it up even more and start chicken pickin’!
Aceman
I am your doctor of love!
Re: Boss CS-3 Compressor vs. Wampler Ego Compressor
Are you plucking with me? :lmao:
Are you plucking with me? :lmao:
Chickenwings
Alnico 6/8
Re: Boss CS-3 Compressor vs. Wampler Ego Compressor
a lot of country pickers don't use compressors at all. It was a real 90s thing.
a lot of country pickers don't use compressors at all. It was a real 90s thing.
