Compressor Pedals: What Say Ye?

[VH4_BigRig]

I've owned the MXR and the Keeley.
Could never figure out what they were good for.
Took up a slot on the board and added noise.
Sustain? Eh, turn it up.
Even levels? Eh, practice your technique.

Yeah, exactly how I felt. I've only tried the Boss and MXR and none of the boutique stuff, but I was not a fan of either. On guitar at least- on bass they sounded a bit better for getting that "glassy" bass tone, but being a minimalist when it comes to pedalboards and gear, I make out just fine without 'em!

 

[dfrattaroli]

I want one for clean tones only.

 

[tripstan]

Just pick one that has blend knob or is a parallel compression. I like the Barber Tone Press myself. It's not necessary for everyone but if you know how to use it, its' a great tool. I have mine in the loop and I only use it when I'm rolling down my volume for cleaner/semi dirt tones.

 

[steve_k]

i sometimes use a rackmount dB compressor/gate in the loop to smooth out the volumes a little and to gate the attack and release a bit. works well with some higher gain, loose amps. compression is tricky though on the front end of gain.

 

[Aidanspaghetti]

I use a boss blue cs and use it as a boost... Works for me!

 

[lordriffenstein]

Over the past 7-8 years, I have owned/tried at least 20 different compressor pedals.
In all that time, I owned a Barber Tone Press and still have that.
However, I have another one that has pushed the TP to 2nd place, my favorite is the Empress compressor.
I also like the Diamond compressor and the MXR Bass compressor.

 

[lordriffenstein]

I've owned the MXR and the Keeley.
Could never figure out what they were good for.
Took up a slot on the board and added noise.
Sustain? Eh, turn it up.
Even levels? Eh, practice your technique.

So I guess Nile Rodgers needs to work on his technique?

 

[blackba]

I have a diamond comp and a barber tone press and I can recommend both. That said I do have an empress compressor and origin effects cali 76 on my wish list. Darn gas

 

[Badronald]

I've owned the MXR and the Keeley.
Could never figure out what they were good for.
Took up a slot on the board and added noise.
Sustain? Eh, turn it up.
Even levels? Eh, practice your technique.

So I guess Nile Rodgers needs to work on his technique?

Yeah, good for funk and chickin' pickin'. Good thing you pointed out the funk.
Lot's of that happening these days.

 

[rupe]

I've owned the MXR and the Keeley.
Could never figure out what they were good for.
Took up a slot on the board and added noise.
Sustain? Eh, turn it up.
Even levels? Eh, practice your technique.

So I guess Nile Rodgers needs to work on his technique?

Yeah, good for funk and chickin' pickin'. Good thing you pointed out the funk.
Lot's of that happening these days.

Apparently nobody told these guys

 

[Purpleibby]

I'm gassing for the sp comp......this vid shows some cool stuff you can use a comp for, and more how i'd use it for.... don't do funk..