Good compressor and phaser pedals?

[Zipper Neck]

Hey guys,

I'm in the market for a new compressor pedal. I had the MXR Dyna Comp, but it had a weak output when i plugged it into my effects loop.

I also had an MXR Phase 90, but it would overdrive my clean.

I know people like MXR pedals, but so far I haven't been satisfied. I was just wondering if there's anything better out there?

Paul

[Gino]

I think the MXR pedals were actually designed to be run in front of your amp, i.e. go from your guitar into the pedals and then into the amp's input. Their ins/outs won't drive your loop properly - that's why output is distorted/too weak. The Dynacomp is actually a very nice and very musical compressor for guitar and the Phase 90 / 100 have a nice analog phasing.

[Zipper Neck]

Yes, but I found that the Phase 90 would overdrive my sound even when it was in front of my amp. And they taint the tone a little bit.

[Brooks]

i like the guyatone comp. it has a direct switch that blends your uncompressed tone w/ the compressed signal, which gives a more natural tone, just fuller.

[seeker]

What's your price range?

[Steve Haynie]

Keeley compressors get great reviews, but a new one will cost you $200 or more.

[Ethan]

I love my EH Small Stone phaser, now they make the nano one so it doesnt take up a lot of space like the normal one does. I had a pretty good thread going a while back about compressor pedals but I never bought one so i dont have any advice for you

[RobB]

+1 for the Smallstone Nano. About the size of a Phase90, true bypass and has that switch that makes it sound sci-fi. I also use the EVH Phase90, which pretty much nails that sound. I prefer the "script" sound, but the modern mode cuts through a bit more.

[burningyen]

Barber Tone Press

Retro-Sonic Phaser

[teleman]

+1 on the Barber Tone Press. I've owned the Keeley and prefer the Barber. YMMV

[discountsounds]

I've been using the Maxon PH350. Pricey, but damn fine. Does flanging, too.

[FunkyE9th]

+1 on the Barber Tone Press, very happy with mine.

[flattop]

Get hold of a real MXR Phase 90 ,built around 1975-82 they were made,different beast to the dunlop shite thats made now ,they dont distort like the dunlop reissues.

Marshall ed1 compressor is the best cheap compressor you can buy,the Mxr Dynacomp looses the attack and distorts a bit

[RobB]

MXR Phase 90 ,built around 1975-82 they were made,different beast to the dunlop shite thats made now ,they dont distort like the dunlop reissues.

Huh? I must be doing something wrong with my Dunlop reiussue. Sounds clean, no distortion. Maybe I got a good one?

[santellavision]

Get a good compressor, the difference between a cheap one and good one is night and day.

I dig the Demeter Compulator and the Aphex Punch Factory

[DavidE]

+1 for the Smallstone Nano. About the size of a Phase90, true bypass and has that switch that makes it sound sci-fi. I also use the EVH Phase90, which pretty much nails that sound. I prefer the "script" sound, but the modern mode cuts through a bit more.

I bought one of the Nano Smallstones and it's great. Sounds like a good 70's small stone to me.

[flattop]

Hey RobB checkout this dudes webpage http://diy.erikhansen.net/phase90.htm ,this has lots of info on why the old MXR phase 90s are far better than the dunlop crap.They are also much better made,the footswitches dont crap out ,the pots dont crackle and snap the plastic shafts.The old phase 90,s are the shit man try one out youll be amazed at the difference.

[RobB]

Thanks for the link, flattop. I've been eyeing an old, beat-up block logo Phase90 at my local used shop and have been wanting to A/B it with the reissue. I enjoy fukkin' around with pedal mods, so maybe I'll try some the ones on the site.

[earachemyeye]

If ya like tinkerin I bought a used Boss CS-3 for fifty bucks and put in a Monte Allums "Opto" mod kit. Total cost: $74. It's a great pedal after the mod.

Joe

[Brooks]

Get a good compressor, the difference between a cheap one and good one is night and day.

I dig the Demeter Compulator and the Aphex Punch Factory

i had a punch factory. for what i use a comp for (solo boost), i prefer the guyatone. but the punch factory was excellent for bass, esp recording.

[nnajar]

analogman comprosser is a good comp with some headroom. I like the dynacomp but it farts out sometimes when you hit it too hard. and it's meant to be in front of the amp, not the loop.

the old phase 90 sounds great. The evh phase 90 with the script switch is really good. I have both- ab'd them and couldn't tell them apart.

The reissue phase 90 (the regular orange one dunlop currently makes) can get too swooshy and overdrive your signal. I hate that. That's why i got the old one.

Nate