Compressor Pedals

[Rackman]

I really like the Keeley 2-knob. The 4-knob is fine too, but the 2-knob is the sound of guitar compression as far as I'm concerned.

All my rigs either have that, or rack compression from an Eventide, available.

 

[Speeddemon]

Depending if you want neutral-ish tone, a brighter/thinner tone or a darker/thicker tone from your compressor, and if you're willing to go vintage.

Neutral: MXR M76 Studio Comp, Diamond Comp (and Mooer Yellow Comp, which is a Diamond clone)
Brighter: Ibanez CP9 (vintage). Boss CS-1 and CS-3
Darker/thicker: MXR Dynacomp, Boss CS-2, Ross Compressor (Keeley original was a Ross clone).

Those I've extensive experience with. I found the MXR Studio Comp a bit too clean; I wanted some more funky/country pick'n attack. The Diamond/Yellow compressor is a bit better here; still fairly neutral, but it adds some 'juice'.
Dynacomp is a Nashville staple for a reason, but very limited in its controls. I prefer the Boss CS-2 most of the time.

 

[CarlF]

Suhr Koji Comp or Woodshed Compressor.
I like the Boss CP-1X for Police- style squish

 

[rsm]

Boss CP-1X

...it does more than Police-style squish.

 

[ChurchHill]

I've been through a bunch, don't use them often, but finally settled on an AnalogMan BiComp. The old Keeley 2-knob is good as is the old as in 70s MXR Dyna Comp and most things based on an 1176, like the MXR M76 or the Boss CP-1X, among others. Boss CS-2 and Ibanez CP-9 were on my board for a number of years.

I've got three ways I use them. For the squishy stuff, I like the Orange Squeezer side, not that the Ross side can't do that since the Ross Compressor is based on the Dyna Comp. However, I used the Ross side with the sustain turned way down, almost off, and use the level as a boost. It's not a clean boost, but it's not an overdrive, either, and I like what it does for leads. The third way is in the loop and more as a limiter. For that, I've got a dbx 160a.

 

[japetus]

I thought bass players used more advanced things like dbx compressors and stuff

 

[phillybhatesme]

I like the MXR on bass. I won't likely be switching back and forth. The MXR stays on the bass board. I'm looking for something for the guitar board. I want subtle sustain and a little dynamic control. Something to even out my strumming and my picking.
I come from bass, where slap tone means slap volume, and finger tone seems quiet. I used a compressor as a crutch, but that's how I got the percussive sound without the peaks. Same for guitar (sorta). I just want a little balance and sustain when I don't have gain.

Yeah gotcha. So that falls under category 2 in my arbitrary numbering system from my previous post. Makes sense. Check out Charlie Robbins:

 

[NeubyWanKaneuby]

Alright, you Neo-Soul fuckers. What compressor pedals are you using to get those blooming clean tones?

On bass I've always used the MXR Bass Compressor because it sounds great and has an LED meter that helps me see when my knobs get bumped instead of having to stop and listen for compression. I'm looking for something on guitar. I have the Earthquaker Devices Warden currently and it's pretty good. What else is out there? Keeley 4 knob? MXR Studio Compressor? Dyna Comp? What do you use?

If you're going Neo Soul, you gotta get a PRS Mary Cries... #tanboardpants

 

[VonBonfire]

If you're going Neo Soul, you gotta get a PRS Mary Cries... #tanboardpants

Next contest starts sunday.

After seeing your acoustic work I wouldn't be surprised if you just composed a solo instrumental on that axe and swept the competition away. So much for @Shreddy Mercury and his binge purchasing hoping to raise the stakes!

 

[BeZo]

I thought bass players used more advanced things like dbx compressors and stuff

I used to use rack stuff in decades past. I still have some DBX compressors in my studio rack. Now it's all pedalboards into an SVT Classic head.

 

[Kelly]

FYI, the mxr bass comp and studio comp are the exact same pedal with different paint.

 

[CarlF]

Boss CP-1X

...it does more than Police-style squish.

Show me where I said it didn't.

 

[BeZo]

FYI, the mxr bass comp and studio comp are the exact same pedal with different paint.

You don't think they are setup to key off different frequencies? They are likely exactly the same otherwise.

 

[anomaly]

The only compressor pedal I've ever owned is the one Boss makes. Kinda wish I still had it cause my amps clean channel could use a bit of compression for sure. The only thing I didn't like about it was how it would make the pick attack exaggerated. Very clicky sounding at high settings.

 

[blackba]

I have an Empress compressor mk1 and an Origin Effects Cali76 compact deluxe, both are great. The Empress is more transparent of the two.

I used to have a diamond Bass comp and that was great with single coils, but didn't like it much with humbuckers. I used it with my jazz bass too.

 

[BeZo]

It sounds like the Diamond Compressor is the one I need to try. I gotta get the JR for space constraints though. I don't hate the Warden, I just don't want to crown it without trying something else.

 

[Kelly]

You don't think they are setup to key off different frequencies? They are likely exactly the same otherwise.

https://www.ovnilab.com/reviews/mxrbass.shtml

 

[mentoneman]

Suhr Koji Comp or Woodshed Compressor.
I like the Boss CP-1X for Police- style squish

i’d like to try the woodshed and the UA stuff to compare to my Cali 76 stacked

 

[rsm]

Show me where I said it didn't.

show me where you did.

 

[rsm]

Before getting the Boss CP-1X, I used the TC Electronic Nova Dynamics. It's a great compressor, often overlooked and forgotten.

I think I still have mine somewhere around here. It was discontinued for some reason before the other Nova pedals; it was also included in the Nova System and G-System (I had both of those too, back in the day)