I need an inexpensive compressor..........

Re: I need an inexpensive compressor..........

I also have the Line 6. I'm pretty happy with the sounds but it's really annoying that you can't use it daisy chained with the rest of your pedals. I have to use a separate power supply. I've decided to pick up a used Boss CS-3 for $40. There don't seem to be many rave reviews about it, but I liked it quite a bit played with a fat strat into a clean Hot Rod. I don't see or hear many outright negative things about it so I went for it. It's also got tons of mods than can be done, which is always a bonus if you want to get the most out a pedal you aren't crazy about.
 
Re: I need an inexpensive compressor..........

It was the standard one. GC had a sale....not a bad comp...just too much for my needs.

The current block logo is a tad squishy and with no attack control it's not great for using with a lot of different instruments or players.

I know you got one you dig but next time you are at a CG check out the 76 Reissue Dyna Comp, big improvement over the standard block logo in my mind and also check out the MXR Custom Comp...it's a killer Dyna Comp with an LED, true bypass and internal control (including an attack!).

Also, if you want a more transparent comp check out the new MXR Bass Compressor...really!
 
Re: I need an inexpensive compressor..........

The current block logo is a tad squishy and with no attack control it's not great for using with a lot of different instruments or players.

I know you got one you dig but next time you are at a CG check out the 76 Reissue Dyna Comp, big improvement over the standard block logo in my mind and also check out the MXR Custom Comp...it's a killer Dyna Comp with an LED, true bypass and internal control (including an attack!).

Also, if you want a more transparent comp check out the new MXR Bass Compressor...really!

I second the Custom Comp and Bass Compressor recommendations. The Bass Compressor in particular is more like a studio rack unit than a guitar pedal, which is a plus IMO.

I am also a big fan of the Barber Tone Press. The blend control lets your pick attack come through as little or as much as you want, and it's a high quality unit.

I'd love to try the Xotic SP Comp, as the demos I've heard are pretty nice.

But at the moment I have a MIJ Boss CS-2 on my board. It's a very smooth, musical compressor. I would probably love it even more if it had a dry blend knob.
 
Re: I need an inexpensive compressor..........

The current block logo is a tad squishy and with no attack control it's not great for using with a lot of different instruments or players.

I know you got one you dig but next time you are at a CG check out the 76 Reissue Dyna Comp, big improvement over the standard block logo in my mind and also check out the MXR Custom Comp...it's a killer Dyna Comp with an LED, true bypass and internal control (including an attack!).

Also, if you want a more transparent comp check out the new MXR Bass Compressor...really!

Believe it or not....the joyo is pretty nice and fairly transparent. It does what I need it to do...i used to have one of the old plastic cased dyna comps....must have been almost 30 years ago....I remember it being not so squishy.
 
Re: I need an inexpensive compressor..........

The MXR Bass Comp really is a very powerful unit for a stomp box!

I almost pulled the trigger on one but on the rare occasions I use a compressor I use it more like an effect so things like the Dyna Comp and the old Armstrong Orange Squeezer work better for me.
 
Re: I need an inexpensive compressor..........

I second the Custom Comp and Bass Compressor recommendations. The Bass Compressor in particular is more like a studio rack unit than a guitar pedal, which is a plus IMO.

I am also a big fan of the Barber Tone Press. The blend control lets your pick attack come through as little or as much as you want, and it's a high quality unit.

I'd love to try the Xotic SP Comp, as the demos I've heard are pretty nice.



But at the moment I have a MIJ Boss CS-2 on my board. It's a very smooth, musical compressor. I would probably love it even more if it had a dry blend knob.


I would love to have the Barber....but....money is tight and I only use a comp for a few tunes.
 
Re: I need an inexpensive compressor..........

Believe it or not....the joyo is pretty nice and fairly transparent. It does what I need it to do...i used to have one of the old plastic cased dyna comps....must have been almost 30 years ago....I remember it being not so squishy.

Those latest plastic MXR pedals were funny...the comp was pretty much the same as the Dyna but comp squish really depends on a lot of other factors.
 
Re: I need an inexpensive compressor..........

What about a Modtone Lemon Squeeze?
 
Re: I need an inexpensive compressor..........

I have a Boss CS-3 for sale in the trading post. $50.00 shipped in the Con US.
 
Re: I need an inexpensive compressor..........

HArd to argue a used CS-3. It will do everything you want and then some.

I'm actually not a fan of the CS-3. It feels more "robotic" (hard to describe) than its predecessors, and I wish it didn't have a tone knob.
 
Re: I need an inexpensive compressor..........

It just has a faster VCA chip, I like the tone...a CS-3 can get to sound really good with a few changes..
Used to dable around with those...Hoss has it now:)
 
Re: I need an inexpensive compressor..........

This thread has made me look into the CS-2 circuit, and I discovered it uses an old Roland VCA chip that isn't made any more. They also put it in the Jupiter synths. I suppose this is where the "magic" of the CS-2 comes from.

Maybe I should just build myself a compressor pedal and see what I can come up with. I've been wondering about doing an effect project again.
 
Re: I need an inexpensive compressor..........

I'm actually not a fan of the CS-3. It feels more "robotic" (hard to describe) than its predecessors, and I wish it didn't have a tone knob.

I'm not gonna argue about the awesomeness of the CS-2, and for the record, my CS-3 is a Monte Allums mod....

Still, I think it works just fine in stock form.
 
Re: I need an inexpensive compressor..........

I'm not gonna argue about the awesomeness of the CS-2, and for the record, my CS-3 is a Monte Allums mod....

Still, I think it works just fine in stock form.

There are certainly worse compressors (I really dislike the block logo Dyna for example), but stock I just don't like it as much as others that are similarly priced. It will do in a pinch.

Now I've never tried a modded one, but I've heard many good things.
 
Re: I need an inexpensive compressor..........

I have alot....well they are off the grid....bugs me more than helps me these days...
But I get the useage.
Anyways there is like a gazillion of them out there these days...they blend, the squish, they are slow or they are fast, they are "transparent" or induces more character to your sound.
I use three different ones, a cheap Soul Preacher( has a life of it's own, but sounds good) one old Boss CS-1 that is optical, and very very much on, keep the compression down and modded it for more volume, then I have this old Guyatone comp, a driving Box one...like an old MXR and the clone of the MXR...a Ross....sweet oldschool thing...

Get an MXR or alike, one of the models that resembles the old ones the most soundwise, keep the compression rate down and it is good!

But as said, there is plenty out there....
 
Re: I need an inexpensive compressor..........

DYna comp, while simple, is really a compressor "effect" IMO.

It is for those who want to here/feel the squish. Which in the 80's was what everything was about.

And as for the noise issues, alone in front of your amp? Sure. Long drawn out notes in silence? Yeah.

In a band, in a mix, or general playing? As has been said here many times. Set it until you know it - then back off. No one will hear or notice anything except for the awesome.
 
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