Recommend a good compressor please

[pjmuck]

I have a built-in compressor on my Eden Navigator preamp, so I've never needed to own a compression pedal, though I do also own a modified Boss CS-3 with the Monte Allums mod, which sounds great on guitar. I was dabbling with my Wal fretless through the CS-3, and I immediately heard the potential, though the pedal couldn't handle the active input as it was overdriving the pedal. But distortion aside, the bass just sang!

Can anyone recommend a great TRANSPARENT bass compressor that can handle the hotter input of active PUPs?

[AzWhoFan]

I use a Demeter Compulator on my Ken Smith, MMSR5 and occasionally on the Mouse 30 and love it to death. I'm using an LMII Berg HT/EX112 rig.
My second choice is a DBX160A.
My 3rd choice is a JangleBox II, tho it's not so transparent as the above two.

I never liked the compressor on my old Navigator, so i never used it. Not that it was bad or anything, it just never turned my crank.

[Yail Bloor]

Hmmm, I've actually just recently started using the same thing (a CS-3 with the Allums mods) but haven't noticed it distorting and I use actives as well. How high are you running the output level on the pedal?

[pjmuck]

I'll check it again with a fresh battery, but I am running the Level at about 1 o'clock, Tone at 3 o'clock, Attack fully on, and Sustain at about 3 o'clock and I was finding it distorting and also much lower in volume than when the pedal's off. If I go any higher with the Level the distortion gets even worse.

[gravesbass]

EBS MultiComp hands down.... I own the DBX 160A and it sits in a rack. This little stomp box compressor does al you need and has several modes. Check the reviews. Killer little compressor and works great in a live situation. The latest ones are true bypass but if you own one, you might never turn it off. For compressed slapping.. oh my!!!!

[gravesbass]

Whoops.. failed to add that YES, this handles the HOT inputs. I used a Roscoe 18v Aguilar Pre (GAIN GAIN) and Spector EURO's with the blown out TonePump electronics and it works flawless. I own 2 of them and never seen a gig without it in the last 3+ years.

[jordie65]

i use the demeter compulator as well and have had good experiences with using hot basses. not only that but it sounds fantastic! much better than the eden onboard comp in my opinion (i used to have an eden ith the 1 knob comp)

[andrew]

Aguilar has a new comp pedal out next month.

[fat fret]

I know it's old, but just wanted to add a +1 to the EBS compressor. I had the old version and was really keen on it..