NPD - Cali76CD

[NegativeEase]

I’m no doubt hopeful

I outlined on some threads before all of the compressor's ive tested.

Cali 76, Greer Lamplighter we some of the very best

BUT -most compressor make the dynamic range effect you want and sound good -when you talk about "best" compressor -once you get over around 150 or 200 bucks you are paying for super low noise floor, super clean make up gain control and resolution and control features.

Mid range Keeley, Wampler Ego, Xotic etc will make the great compressor effect you want all day long.

sub 100 dollar compressor generally cant be run at unity or above without a bit of noise -honestly thats find for most people and scenarios with playing live anyways. Honestly the classic Boss CS is a bit noisy too.

 

[Blille]

I outlined on some threads before all of the compressor's ive tested.

Cali 76, Greer Lamplighter we some of the very best

BUT -most compressor make the dynamic range effect you want and sound good -when you talk about "best" compressor -once you get over around 150 or 200 bucks you are paying for super low noise floor, super clean make up gain control and resolution and control features.

Mid range Keeley, Wampler Ego, Xotic etc will make the great compressor effect you want all day long.

sub 100 dollar compressor generally cant be run at unity or above without a bit of noise -honestly thats find for most people and scenarios with playing live anyways. Honestly the classic Boss CS is a bit noisy too.

Completely agree.

At the beginning of the chain I liked Ross/Dynacomp style for rock or CCM. My favorite is the Xotic SP and for value I also like the MXR Custom. But they are all quite similar. The Cali is my first departure from it in a bit. I used a modded CS3 (to improve the noise floor) for a while. I still keep the same unit I bought in the 90s

For classic Jazz I like optical. I have a Diamond but prefer the Maxon CP101. For bass I also like optical and currently use the Ampeg opto comp.

I have an MXR Studio Comp at the end of the chain (I used to have an old dbx unit) to glue things together a bit and give a bit more prominence to reverb and delay trails. If I save up a bit more I may put an empress there but that works great.


In addition to what you point out, many of the units have a subtle EQ that you may like or not. Sometimes because of the way they compress others because they drop some frequencies.

 

[Aceman]

My compressors are, in order of awesome, least to most:

Modtone Lemon Squeeze; It works.

MXR Dyna COmp; If I need an 80's "effect" squash

Boss CS 3 Monte Allums Modded; My always on Acoustic compressor

Wampler Ego; My "I need really good compression" compressor. With a blend.


I'll never need a Cali76 - not that I wouldn't like one. I've been playing around with the LA-2A model in my Pod Go lately.

 

[Blille]

Played with it at Church today with a direct to PA setup, a Vox model with Silver Bells in the Helix. It was great. Really nice performance and tone. I spent quite a bit fine tuning it and I think I get it better now.

 

[NegativeEase]

Played with it at Church today with a direct to PA setup, a Vox model with Silver Bells in the Helix. It was great. Really nice performance and tone. I spent quite a bit fine tuning it and I think I get it better now.

Reminder to my fellow compressor ethusiast -incase you broke it out and played before reading the stuff from Origin -the knobs are a bit different than many familiar pedal compressors because it's mocking the knobs of an 1176 -make sure to study that manual if you get confused playing around -also Origin has some technical articles and videos on using it that are fun.

Also, if you want an album mix sound it works really great as an FX insert or post chain compressor due to not only the "sound", circuit, and features but also the low noise -which some pedal compressors always sound better foe any of those reasons only at the front of the chain to me.

Lastly, single coil harmonics can be other worldly with that baby -try it out.

 

[NegativeEase]

Played with it at Church today with a direct to PA setup, a Vox model with Silver Bells in the Helix. It was great. Really nice performance and tone. I spent quite a bit fine tuning it and I think I get it better now.

Also, that guitar and rig are BA Baracus!

 

[Blille]

Reminder to my fellow compressor ethusiast -incase you broke it out and played before reading the stuff from Origin -the knobs are a bit different than many familiar pedal compressors because it's mocking the knobs of an 1176 -make sure to study that manual if you get confused playing around -also Origin has some technical articles and videos on using it that are fun.

Also, if you want an album mix sound it works really great as an FX insert or post chain compressor due to not only the "sound", circuit, and features but also the low noise -which some pedal compressors always sound better foe any of those reasons only at the front of the chain to me.

Lastly, single coil harmonics can be other worldly with that baby -try it out.

I was indeed very confused when I got it! I thought I had to get the light yellow and the unit started distorting that made me check the manual.

I use the other compressor in the pic, the MXR, for end of chain. I think it does a good job but I will try this one. Maybe I could get one of the older simpler models for cheap.

And I’ll definitely try the harmonics, thanks for the tip

Also, that guitar and rig are BA Baracus!

Thanks! I may even risk an Ace review