need a compressor - MXR Dyna Comp?

tobereeno

tobereeno

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I've been playing my rig now, and I've decided I can't stand the XT Live - it kills the response even though I've got it surrounded by tubes before and after, although it's useful for getting copies of different amp sounds for recording.

So I need front end pedals, specifically a compressor. I've never been a pedal junkie; I just came across the MXR Dyna Comp because it's the "Nashville Sound" (whatever that is!), and seeing as Nashville is my new home, makes sense...?

But then there's original battery-powered units, the $69.99 new ones, and the "hand-wired reissue blah blah" for like triple the price.

Will the basic new one be fine? How about the Super Comp? Or are there other great compressor pedals I should be looking at? I'm basically just trying to improve on my basic amp's sound (Marshall Haze 40).

 
It's expensive, but I understand a lot of Nashville session guys are using the Wampler Ego Compressor. I've also heard good things about CMATMOD's compressor models (lower price points too, but I don't think they have a blend control like the Ego). There are sound clips and/or vids on their websites (wamplerpedals.com and cmatmods.com).

I don't have, and haven't played, any of these, but I do own one pedal each from these companies, and the ones I have are very good quality (Wampler Leviathan fuzz, and CMATMODS Deeelay). I don't know if this helps, but they might be worth checking into.

 
I didn't care for the MXR dynacomp because it seems to boost the mids. After quite a bit of research I went with a Line6 compressor as it has an optic mode sounds flat to the original signal (to me). My next choice has a BBE.

 
i liked the guyatone st-2 (?), the lil green one.

it has a "direct" switch that mixes in uncomp'd original signal, which removes the "squashed" feel; gives sustain but has a more "real" sound... i've heard that a few others do this, but this is the one i had, and i liked it better than mxr/boss/ibanez/ehx pedals i owned that didn't have that feature.

 
When ever you come over, check out my Diamond comp.... /emoticons/default_smile.png

 
I had a standard issue Dyna Comp that sounded like it never turned off, had some EH one that sucked, got a Barber Tone Press and have been happy ever since.

 
I've got a CMATMODS Deluxe Signa Comp compressor. They're inexpensive as hand-wired compressors go. It's basically a Ross clone with some nice refinements. The 'Deluxe' part is the separate Attack knob.

I've got no gigs or prospects of gigs - I'd be glad to ship it to you if you'd like to try it out. If you're not in a hurry, I could bring it when I eventually get up to see Jay (hopefully next month).

Otherwise, I've heard great things about the Ego (it seems well on its way to becoming the new 'in' thing in Nashville as far as I can tell -

a demo I was watching last night that seems pretty straight forward). When I was shopping for a compressor, the Demeter Ernie mentioned was highly regarded, along with the two- and four-knob Keeleys and the Barber. The demos on the Diamond Jay mentioned were fantastic but it was way over my budget (as I was just trying to get my feet wet).

 
gwayne said:
Barber Tone Press is a great one.
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Easily the biggest 'surprise' pedal on my board. You don't know it's there until it's not. If you're not a pedal guy, it is absolutely perfect.

Brooks' Guyatone description fits the Barber to a T.

 
I loved my old Tone Press, but my recommendation, since you're in Nashville, is to go to your local stores and just A/B a whole bunch, preferably with your main guitar and amp.

 
tobereeno said:
so...no one likes the MXR? Or is it just a too common and overused sound?
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I tried the MXR first. To me, it didn't have a 'natural' sound to it - kind of squishy and fizzy. More of an effect than an enhancement. And I suppose it depends on how you want to use it - if you want it as an 'effect', nothing sounds like a Dynacomp. The older ones seem to be better.

The Tone Press, on the other hand, is very transparent. If you like the sound you're getting and just want to improve on that, it's perfect. I haven't tried the Diamond or the Guyatone - or a bunch of the others for that matter - because I quit looking when the Barber showed up. It sounds like me, just longer and smoother. /emoticons/default_smile.png

 
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