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Compressor advice

Bennyboy-UK

Asked by Bennyboy-UK,

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Bennyboy-UK Veteran HFCer

Bennyboy-UK

Posted
Posted

Hello!

I'm thinking about compressors again after having a bit of a jam with my mate Paddy on New Years Day at reasonable volumes.

I'm loving my meaty tones I'm getting out of the Marble SS1, Phase 90 when appropriate, Boogie 5:25 and TC FB in the loop for a bit of tape-ish delay.

I was getting a spot of bark, and remembered that I had a bash with a friends Keeley Comp, that was an instant sound-better pedal, so was thinking about getting one myself to smooth things out a smidge.

However, based on the advice I've previously had on the HFC concerning pedals, I'd do the same, and canvas some opinion.

Keeley? MXR? Something else? Not knowing much about this stuff, what do you reckon?

Cheers,

Ben.

28 answers to this question

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zenmindbeginner Veteran HFCer

zenmindbeginner

Posted
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The Keeley and Diamond compressors are really a step up away from most of the available compressors out there.

But... you should try the Joe Meek pedal first since you're in the UK.

I use a Barber Tone Press and it's really subtle and not the timbre altering pedal I'd hoped it would be. I still use it though, since it still is an improvement.

I never been able to use compressors without also employing noise reduction... a compressor purchase usually means an ISP Decimator purchase as well.

The volume knob tends to not work quite well with compressors... if you're a constant knob fiddler, you better get a good one (you're already considering one of the best though).

Most compressors when driven to the point of actually changing your sound for the better will alter the taper of your volume knob and can make it quite useless.

I was a CS-3 user back in the day and just used that to drive my Marshall back in the early 80's-90's (with a HUSH in the FX loop).

The CS-3 is insanely noisy but squashes and squishes quite effectively and works great for timbral alteration.

I like to think of my Tone Press as a "confidence booster". lolz.

Bennyboy-UK Veteran HFCer

Bennyboy-UK

Posted
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Posted

I very much value your points on this, as I'm not au fait to a huge extent on this stuff.

I do use the volume control a lot when I'm playing to regulate dirt as well as volume so that's makes a lot of sense that comps might bugger that up a bit.

Mind you, it's not the worst to switch it in and out for various parts, to squash a rhythm sound, or for a lead break at full chat.

Good stuff, more please!

B

murkat Veteran HFCer

murkat

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Diamond user here for a many year,

and have tried most of them.

Guitar non comp friendly :)

kenjones Veteran HFCer

kenjones

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I've tried a bunch. Some of the best were:

Keeley 2 knob: I bought one of the first ones. Great, great sound but it really kills the attack. It colors the tone, but not in a bad way. It kinda made my rig sound like Trey from Phish - which is not a bad thing IMO.

Barber Tone Press: I was really hoping that this would be the one, but it made my guitar sound lifeless. The blend knob just didn't work as well as the...

Guyatone ST2: It has a "direct" on/off switch that just flat out nails it. Does not color the tone. No negative effect to the front end of the note (attack). Does not really sound like you are playing with a compressor, but with the direct switch engaged you get the best of both worlds. I thought I would like the Barber Tone Press better since I could dial in the amount of compression, but the direct switch is a perfect blend.

tomteriffic Veteran HFCer

tomteriffic

Posted
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Guyatone ST2: It has a "direct" on/off switch that just flat out nails it. Does not color the tone. No negative effect to the front end of the note (attack). Does not really sound like you are playing with a compressor, but with the direct switch engaged you get the best of both worlds. I thought I would like the Barber Tone Press better since I could dial in the amount of compression, but the direct switch is a perfect blend.

Same here. I got 2, one for each side of my Duotone.

hamerhead Veteran HFCer

hamerhead

Posted
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Barber Tone Press

I like to think of my Tone Press as a "confidence booster". lolz.

I haven't tried a bunch because after getting the Tone Press I stopped looking . The 'Blend' knob is a perfect way (for me) to get compressed without a ton of noise or sounding like an effect. If you're looking for a DynaComp-type effect, the Tone Press ain't it. It's pretty subtle, but does the trick.

Jeff R Veteran HFCer

Jeff R

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I am another big fan of the Barber Tone Press. I keep mine on for the most part when I'm running clean.

I also had great luck for many years with an old three-knob Boss MIJ CS-2 Compressor. But it had a very pronounced clip to it. It was great for country music to my ears but not the all-around stay-on compressor I found in the Tone Press.

tbabinec Inner Circle

tbabinec

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I like the Analogman Comprossor.

Hamer95USA Veteran HFCer

Hamer95USA

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I am another big fan of the Barber Tone Press. I keep mine on for the most part when I'm running clean.

I also had great luck for many years with an old three-knob Boss MIJ CS-2 Compressor. But it had a very pronounced clip to it. It was great for country music to my ears but not the all-around stay-on compressor I found in the Tone Press.

I had the Barber Tone Press for awhile, but I found it too subtle in the way it compresses and didn't like how the blend knob interacted with my sound. I still have my old Boss CS-2 compressor. That's the classic compressor tone for me, but is slightly noisy.

Guitar George

Jakeboy Veteran HFCer

Jakeboy

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I am not a pedal guy but I bought my first compressor ever....a Janglebox for use with my Ric......it likes Strats and Teles too! I use it for cleans and for slide sometimes.......

RCM78 Outer Circle

RCM78

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Check out the Rothwell Love Squeeze. Great transparent compressor and built in the UK...

ProGuitar shop has a nice video demo on it...

Jimbilly Veteran HFCer

Jimbilly

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I use an EBS Multicomp for bass, it's very good, I'll have to try it with guitar now that I'm starting to play again (9 months off after stupid arm injury).

kevinbower1959 Inner Circle

kevinbower1959

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I just bought a Mooer BlueComp.

All-analogue with a proper optical circuit, in a tiny, half-sized jewel-like pedal - and it sounds absolutely killer.

.....and just £59 English pounds brand-new, Benny. Put it in the ebay search box :)

gorch Veteran HFCer

gorch

Posted
Posted

I just bought a Mooer BlueComp.

All-analogue with a proper optical circuit, in a tiny, half-sized jewel-like pedal - and it sounds absolutely killer.

.....and just £59 English pounds brand-new, Benny. Put it in the ebay search box :)

The other day I had HFC reportedly bought the Mooer phaser through Ebay and can confirm on quality, sound, and price for the Mooer. Seems to be a very good line of products they have created.

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