Hey fellow Rig-Talkers, which compressor?

[nevusofota]

I wouldn't dare ask this question in most other forums for risk of being bombarded with every overly country spankin boutique compressor known to man, but I know that most of my fellow rig-talkers are into basically the same kind of music as I (hard rock and metal). I find that I need a compressor in front of the clean channel of my 5150III (for the few times I play clean ) because I need to balance out the strings when strumming chords. A little extra sustain wouldn't hurt either. I do not like overly compressed sounds and I'm not a big fan of the Boss compressor (sounds to fake and screws with my dynamics too much). I think I have narrowed it down to either the Diamond compressor or the Keeley. Any input would be greatly appreciated.

 

[glpg80]

eric johnson used an MXR vintage compressor for his cleans. i have seen him live and his tone was great - so i bought the reissue. i also love the MXR because it does more of what i believe a compressor should do. i dont like the way keeley compressors sound - they tend to add a country type of vibe to your tone and unless that is the purpose or aim of the tone - its not what i would recommend.

another option is just a clean boost pedal.

 

[The Hoff]

I had a two knob keeley compressor and LOVED it. I've heard that the four knob is better though

Either way, I really do not think you'd be disappointed

 

[CaseyCor]

I was just going to start this thread before I saw this one.

I'd like to add a compressor to my rig. I need something to enhance the cleans on my Rectifier, as I play clean a lot. I like both sterile sounding (think Petrucci on "Awake"), and warm clean tones ala Fender/Vox.

 

[moltenmetalburn]

I wouldn't dare ask this question in most other forums for risk of being bombarded with every overly country spankin boutique compressor known to man, but I know that most of my fellow rig-talkers are into basically the same kind of music as I (hard rock and metal). I find that I need a compressor in front of the clean channel of my 5150III (for the few times I play clean ) because I need to balance out the strings when strumming chords. A little extra sustain wouldn't hurt either. I do not like overly compressed sounds and I'm not a big fan of the Boss compressor (sounds to fake and screws with my dynamics too much). I think I have narrowed it down to either the Diamond compressor or the Keeley. Any input would be greatly appreciated.

if you want "twang" and coloration the keeley is king. if you want barely there but miss it when its gone" and transparency then the diamond.

two different types of compressors, I prefer the diamond optical types when compressing before dirty or clean channels.

 

[ACShreds]

i used to have the mxr custom comp and thought it sounded great especially after having owned the boss cs-3

 

[nevusofota]

Thanks for the responses.

I had the MXR custom comp on my radar also. I like the optical type compressors, ala Diamond, because I have heard, as mentioned, that they are very transparent and subtle. Downside is it appears huge and I don't know if I have enough real estate on the pedal tray.

 

[Giga]

I've read up on compressors a while ago and it seemed the Barber Tonepress was in high esteem. I don't have any hands-on experience with compressors (other than in my L6 AX2 ), so that's all I can tell you.

Giga

 

[R.D.]

I don't usually like ( or use ) compressors ..., but if I were going to pick one up I think it'd be this one ....

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EpZ_LXzm ... r_embedded

demo'ed by Peter Thorn !

Seems like it'd be perfect in a classic rock rig !

 

[JakeAC5253]

The BYOC optocomp is one of the only compressors for guitar I have ever heard that didn't bury the fundamental. I suppose it's more along the lines of a 'colored' sound as opposed to 'spanky' but I also suppose that's my gig where compressors are concerned. Another more traditional style compressor that caught my ear is the Pigtronix Philosopher's Tone.

 

[Marshall Law]

keeley is killer

 

[Ancient Alien]

I have a Keeley 2 and 4 knob, vintage Ross, vintage TC, MXR and Barber Tone Press.
The Tone press is the best if you don't want to squash your sound completely.
The Keeley would be second choice if you want to compress the hell out of your sound.
YMMV

 

[155]

I have the maxon and it works great for what you need. I dont use it other then with my clean sound helps control the strings when stumming nicely.

 

[some dude]

I use a Dyna-Comp.

The trick is to use it first in your chain. They sound most natural when being fed off your guitar direct. Putting a buffer before the compressor fucks with the dynamic range and gives a more squashed sound/feel.

 

[nevusofota]

Holy Shit!! After picking up my '91 Davies N4 from having fretwork and a PLEK job from Philtone (it is now fuckin amazing, but thats another thread) I decided to make a quick stop at Guitar Center. I walked out a.........wait for it............ happy customer! Well it was almost a perfect consumer experience until the guy who checks customers receipts upon exit walked up to me, while I was still looking around, and said that he didn't see me come in the store and he had to look in my bag (??).

They had a "used" MXR Custom Comp for $70 (new are $130). I snatched it up knowing that if I don't like it with my rig I can bring it back in 30 days. I won't have to resell it. I think that this feature is the only good reason to go to GC.

So, back to the douche who thought I was stealing. He saw that I had a loose pedal not in a box through the bag. Why didin't he just wait until I was leaving to check the bag and receipt like he was supposed to? I'm sure I'm not the first person to buy something used w/out the box.