Compressor comparison/opinions?

[Demanic]

I use Keeley. It has a ratio control, threshold and make up gain, which are requirements for me to use a compressor. For clean guitar, having control over the knee of the compressor is also a huge help. Soft knee is generally better.

Is that the newer model that they make?

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[Demanic]

Yeah, he probably just got the old 4-knob and the newer Comp Plus confused. Easy enough mistake to make.

I was just wondering. I would love to get one of the newer one's for bass, but can't really justify it right now.

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[Coma]

I was just wondering. I would love to get one of the newer one's for bass, but can't really justify it right now.

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Only ever tried it on guitar. But was well worth saving up for, really converted me from a compressor hater to a devoted cultist.

 

[Demanic]

I'm not surprised, I've been a fan of Keeley for about 15 years.

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[ErikH]

I have a Keeley four knob. I don't see any of the knobs labeled "blend".

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I just got it in fall 2020. So yes, Compressor Plus. Honest mistake. They don't have the original 4-knob anymore. It's either the Plus or the Pro. I love the original 2-knob but so glad I snagged the Plus.

 

[Bogner]

Empress makes a very nice one. I hear very good things about the Keeley Compressor Pro. Diamond, Carl Martin, Walrus audio make great options as well. Origin effects is the gold standard. I currently use the DryBell Unit 67 and quite like it.

 

[alex1fly]

I've used compressors in many forms - pedals, racks, in mixers, in recording suites, in software - and I'd be happy with something real basic, one knob even. Compression for me is just a little glue to make things pop. You can go much further than that, obviously, but there's nothing wrong with starting with a well regarded cheapo pedal like Behringer or MXR or Boss and giving that a go. I can't imagine paying hundreds of dollars for a first compressor pedal, unless you just really want to. I gigged a Walrus for a while and it was great, but for all the slick features I found that I pretty much just found a setting and went with it.

 

[Demanic]

I just got it in fall 2020. So yes, Compressor Plus. Honest mistake. They don't have the original 4-knob anymore. It's either the Plus or the Pro. I love the original 2-knob but so glad I snagged the Plus.

I think that the Pro is the one I was looking at. I seem to recall a hard knee/soft knee switch.

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[ErikH]

I think that the Pro is the one I was looking at. I seem to recall a hard knee/soft knee switch.

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Yup, the Pro has that switch. The Plus has the Humbucker/Single release switch.

 

[Demanic]

I'd love to try a Pro with my bass sound. I used to use the 4 knob, but found that I lost too much low end. It did bring out a lot of definition though.

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[Coma]

Empress makes a very nice one. I hear very good things about the Keeley Compressor Pro. Diamond, Carl Martin, Walrus audio make great options as well. Origin effects is the gold standard. I currently use the DryBell Unit 67 and quite like it.

Just caught wind of the Empress mk II the other day. Prohibitively expensive, but I'd love to give it a try once they start appearing on the second hand market.

 

[Gtrjunior]

I love the Vise Grip and the BYOC 5 Knob compressor. i find a blend knob really helps maintain the initial attack of the note. I tend to like compression on acoustic guitar, too.

I also have the Vise Grip. Excellent compressor.

 

[beaubrummels]

Is that the newer model that they make?

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I'm using this one:

https://robertkeeley.com/product/gc-2-limiting-amplifier-compressor/

 

[Demanic]

This for guitar.

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[misterwhizzy]

I think I'm going to build Aion's Aurora project. I found a matte green enclosure at Tayda, so I can call it the Military Press. It's basically an improved version of the DynaComp.

 

[eclecticsynergy]

My boards use two comps - one as an effect and a subtler one downstream, so clean backlines can feel more like a pushed tube amp.

Big board has the Barber Tone Press for squeezing and a Unit67 after the drives - extra handy since it also gives me a master EQ that's far more musical than what the amps offer.

Small board has the Bearfoot Pale Green for an effect, and a Rothwell Love Squeeze for feel. The Pale Green is fairly gentle in terms of audible squeezing but works fine for my tastes; I don't need anything too squashy.

Also have the 6-knob VFE White Horse on a minimalist blues board. Pretty unique compressor with theusual blend, sustain, & level, plus knobs for bass cut, response speed, and a Drive control that adds grit right in the comp circuit.

 

[jimzucco]

I just grabbed a JHS 3 series compressor and I love it.