favorite compressor

[misterwhizzy]

Re: favorite compressor

I don't have any experience with compressors, but I do have experience with Monte Allums. And the experience is very, very good. What his mod did to my SD-1 is incredible. If you already have a CS-3, I would highly recommend going that route.

 

[PVFan]

Re: favorite compressor

Tube Screamer.


I can squash my tone with all kinds of pedals; for example, certain phasers have some of my favorite compressed sounds as byproducts. But I think of tube screamer style "overdrive" pedals as really more of a class of compressor pedals, not overdrive units per se. Same thing arguably, but whatever, not trying to define things for a minute.


Tube Screamers offer a wide range of compression, from the loud "limiting" type to the squashed flat murky type. For chicken pickin', or, for fat, hairy leads.


I just got an Ibanez Tube Screamer Amp. All these *compression* options plus a great big clean tube amp, with an additional boost, and an FX loop so I can place more gadgets before or after the (optionally) footswitchable compression I pour on by kicking in the Tube Screamer circuit.

 

[saladin]

Re: favorite compressor

The only one I've ever liked is the one in my amp. I run all my pedals up front and it gives a "smooth" compression, very pleasing to the ear!

 

[ryUK]

Re: favorite compressor

I'm very picking on compressors. I have 2 for the 2 "compressed" sounds I use.

+1 on the Dod Milk Box. IMHO this is a severly underrated compressor. Its does the "is it on?" thing for me real well. It balances any differences in the strings, especially when Im finger picking.

The other is a demeter compressor. Optical circuitry. I use that for the extreme squishy stuff.

I've never got on with the classic CA3080 type compressors (MXR Dyncomp, keeley and variants).

 

[sbecker67]

Re: favorite compressor

Visual Sound Rt 66. The only one I've ever owned. I always run it before dirt and use it more as a sustainer than a compressor. Goes really well with the Big Muff.

 

[Vasshu the humanoid typhoon]

Re: favorite compressor

^^Both your comps are optical.

 

[guitfiddle]

Re: favorite compressor

The only time I really like to use one is if the amp I'm playing is very punchy, without any sag. Just a smidge of squish with a loud level and a super fast release makes notes give a bit on the top, then spring back right away. DOD FX80B works for me.

 

[ryUK]

Re: favorite compressor

^^Both your comps are optical.

Vasshu - if you're referring to the my Milk Box/Demeter post. The DOD is not an optical compressor.

 

[Vasshu the humanoid typhoon]

Re: favorite compressor

Well then it is the one with a THAT chip in it....hehe cannot remember all the pedals I have opend up....
So it is back to the old layout of the MXR and alikes, just with a THAT chip instead of the old OPA...

 

[ryUK]

Re: favorite compressor

Well then it is the one with a THAT chip in it....hehe cannot remember all the pedals I have opend up....
So it is back to the old layout of the MXR and alikes, just with a THAT chip instead of the old OPA...

Exactly - however the sound difference and control of the THAT-driven milk box, compared with a 2 knob 3080 circuit is like night and day... to my ears I will add.

Lol - I sense you're a pedal hound also!!

 

[frankfalbo]

Re: favorite compressor

I have a favorite.

 

[ErikH]

Re: favorite compressor

I never got in to using compressors much at all and don't own one but I have tried out a bunch. The only two that worked for me were the Keeley Compressor and the compressor side of the Visual Sound Route 66 (which is a Ross clone).

 

[guitfiddle]

Re: favorite compressor

Lol - I sense you're a pedal hound also!!

Maybe a bit of one...Vashu builds pedals for a well known company.:cool2:

 

[ryUK]

Re: favorite compressor

Maybe a bit of one...Vashu builds pedals for a well known company.:cool2:

Thanks for the heads up guitfiddle!!

Vashu - no idea I was in the presence of greatness!?? :1:

 

[Gr8Scott]

Re: favorite compressor

Thanks for the heads up guitfiddle!!

Vashu - no idea I was in the presence of greatness!?? :1:

Indeed. He's a great player and an awfully nice guy as well. Fount of pedal knowledge.




[I expect my check to be in the mail soon...] :scratchch :naughty:



To put in my .02 about what I use and where...

I have a Boss CS-3 with a very slight but very effective mod (almost stock) and a Line 6 Constrictor. I think the constrictor is heads and shoulders above any compressor I've seen thus far. It has loads of compression available and it's quiet. It can be subtle and it can squeeze like nothing I've ever heard as well. I don't know of any other compressor on the market that can do so much so well for so little money.

 

[ryUK]

Re: favorite compressor

I have a Boss CS-3 with a very slight but very effective mod (almost stock) ...

Ok - I'm curious - what's the mod?

I owned a CS3 for a spell. Something wasnt quite right - it just made my otherwise twinkly the highs sound flat.

 

[Gr8Scott]

Re: favorite compressor

Change the input cap to a .2 uf poly film cap IIRC. Essentially double the size of the input cap and change it to poly film instead of whatever it is. Really improves the sound of the unit. I can verify later if you need me to.

 

[scottish]

Re: favorite compressor

I use an Analogman Bicomp, mostly on the ross side. I run it after my dirt because that is one of the keys to some of those phishy tones that i love so much.