Compression Pedal Suggestions

[treyhaislip]

The compression tone/response I love is the MXR Dyna Comp. The issue I have is that it gets noisy...enough that it makes me look elsewhere. I have tried a Custom Comp that was not noisy but did not have the same feel and snap that I liked from the Dyna Comp.

The Keeley did not get me there either--and I know those have a high standard for guitarists. I currently am using a Pigtronix Philosopher's Tone Germanium Gold but that's for the singing drive that it gives than the clean compression. Mainly run through Fender Tube Amps (Hot Rod and Bassbreaker series) but also a Yamaha THR100HD.

Any thoughts/suggestions?

 

[Blille]

Sure!

Do you want recommendations for Dyna Comp/Ross pedals or you’re open to other kinds?

Check here for an overview of the different kinds: http://www.ovnilab.com/articles/comptypes.shtml Tell us a bit more about what you like/ how you want to use it.

 

[Aceman]

I just want to throw the warning out there; With compression, comes noise.

What exactly are you doing with the compressor?
- Squashing Attack?
- Boosting Sustain?

If it is mostly attack squashing , any THREE knob comp will probably get you there. Set sustain low (the source of boosted volume and noise) set the Attack fast/low/whatever for squashing attack, and there you go. Add level to taste.

 

[Dudeman7]

Until recently, I had never really used a compressor for electric guitar. The ones I had tried in the past were all pretty disappointing in one way or another.

Last week I picked up a used, Homebrew Electronics CPR Mini for around $50.00. It is based on the Ross circuit and I have to say, it really changed my opinion on compressors.

It doesn't add much noise and it doesn't mess with the tone of your guitar and amp. More than anything, it makes your guitar FEEL better. This is exactly what I had been missing and I find myself not wanting to turn it off.

The CPR, or ComPressor Retro, as it is actually named, can be found for cheap on the used market and they sound terrific.

 

[Mincer]

Wanna build something? The BYOC 5 Knob Comp is one hell of a compressor, able to do serious squishing or be as transparent as you want.

 

[Chistopher]

Have you considered that what you need might actually be a noise gate?

 

[NegativeEase]

A compression pedal raises the noise floor and quieter audio by definition, but it takes a more expensive compressor with a very low noise floor to run very clean at unity gain or above (equal input and output level after compression applied). Typically compressor below 120-150 dollars will get noisy trying to run at perfect unity because of the inherit S/N ratio -it's not that they are not awesome compressors, it's just the nature of the kinds of design, circuits, op amps and buffers you need to run a super clean signal to noise ratio requires more expense.

I recommend if you are having noise issues, to back off the sensitivity and or especially the output knob (Make up gain) on the MXR and boost the level at a later pedal stage to or on your amp instead to better manage the signal to noise ratio of your entire signal chain

That MXR is a great simple compression pedal, but if run aggressively (heavy compression or unity or above output) it will be noisy.

If you decide you want to step up levels:

Boss CP, Keeley 4 knob, and Wampler Ego are great mid range pedal if you want better cleaner control of the compression envelope and run at Unity.

and if you want studio grade compression -go Greer Lamplighter or Origin Cali76 (pretty much the top of the line)

 

[ErikH]

What did you not like about the Keeley? What's your goal? The blend knob on the Keeley is such a great feature to have. The pedal can be on but it may not feel like it's on.
As mentioned, with compression comes some noise depending on your gain structure so playing with the settings to find the sweet spot for you takes a little time.

 

[chadd]

I love the original full-size Philosopher's Tone.

 

[Erlend_G]

I've been looking for a good compressor pedal aswell.

My Carlsbro Sherwood 60R "acoustic" combo amplfier, has a "Comp" button on the instrument channel; which has made me "addicted" to that chewy, slightly coloured compression. But my other amps doesn't have a compressor built in :/.

I like the "blend" function that many newer units have; where you can seamlessly adjust the dry/wet signal mix. .

Too bad we only have 1!! (lol) real existing guitar store left in North Norway... so trying before buying is hard :/. I think the Fender "the bends" pedal seems nice, (from specs and pics),
-but I don't know :/.


... I'd like "my" compressor to work for bass guitar too.

 

[El Dunco]

I like the Boss CS-2 and the Digitech. Stops volume drop between pickups, keeps the signal very intact and keeps my cleans clean, then I kick it off if I want extra spank and grit.

 

[elelpe]

I use Diamond Comp Jr. It allows for subtle comp nicely and has useful EQ. I'd say it's not squishy and more subtle than Keeley's.

 

[treyhaislip]

Lots of great information and good questions here–work and school delayed me giving proper responses to everyone--thank you for all of the great posts!

The Keeley sounded too sterile as did trying to use a noise gate (granted, I am by no means an audio tech expert.)

Probably just need to practice on playing cleaner :smash:

There's been some great suggestions that I will check out–the Pigtronix Germanium Gold is staying on the board for sure (this pedal kinda reminds me of the MP Golden Cello.)

 

[GuitarStv]

I like the Xotic SP compressor - it's based on the Ross circuit which was an evolution of the Dynacomp if I remember my pedal history correctly. It's reasonable in the noise department (although does get noisy at high settings) and with the blend is very adjustable to how much squash and how much original guitar attack you let through. Might be worth checking out.

 

[Demanic]

I'm surprised that you think the Keeley's sterile. I think of it more as transparent. I could easily have it as an always on pedal. I especially like the way it sounds with the true singles in my Squire Strat.

Sent from my SM-A115A using Tapatalk

 

[treyhaislip]

I'm surprised that you think the Keeley's sterile. I think of it more as transparent. I could easily have it as an always on pedal. I especially like the way it sounds with the true singles in my Squire Strat.

Sent from my SM-A115A using Tapatalk

To be fair, this is compared to the Dyna Comp. Also, the hard part for me, Compression has been the hardest effect for me to describe what I am looking for.

 

[stevie_bees]

I'm contemplating adding a compressor to my board. I'm not sure what to look for, but I want it to behave in a similar way to the main overdrive I use. Everything on my board is built around that, so I want a compressor to behave in the same way. I'm using a Full Drive 3 as my main drive sound.

 

[Blille]

My recommendation with compressors is to always try different types and then look for your favorite within that category.

I would try:
- Ross/Dyna comp (OTA) - this is the vast majority of guitar comps (includes normal keeley, Wampler, xotic etc)
- VCA and limiters - Boss CS3 pigtronix philosopher
- Optical - Diamond, Mooer yellow

I like to use an optical when I play Jazz (Diamond), Ross with blend for the rest at the beginning of the chain (Xotic) and a limiter at the end (MXR M86). I think it’s a personal choice and it really depends on the application.

If you don’t have the time to do that, get any Ross based circuit with blend but fewer knobs. I like the Xotic. Set it to a point where you think it’s too much then blend it to 50%. You’re probably fine.