Compressor that Will Work for Guitar and Bass

[ch willie]

I'm thinking of getting a decent compressor pedal. In the past, I used a dyna comp, and it colored the sound so much on my guitars that I just didn't care for it.

Is there a really good non-boutique compressor pedal out there either for both guitar and bass or just for bass.

Thanks!

[Moses]

I'm not really sure what specific guitar player requirements might be, other than baked in tone or lack thereof. Isn't a good compressor just a good compressor? Not surprised that you didn't like the dynacomp for that reason, you're probably going to want to look at comps with three or more knobs.

And if you want to get overwhelmed, there's this
http://www.ovnilab.com/

[DGentry]

The best website ever for compressors is Onvi Labs (http://www.ovnilab.com/).

[fivebass52]

The best website ever for compressors is Onvi Labs (http://www.ovnilab.com/).

Agreed; very impressive, and I know nothing about compressors! This is a great page to read through... theFAQ page. http://www.ovnilab.com/faq.shtml

[andrew]

My favorite affordable comp is the EBS Dynacomp. I hear good things about the new MXR Bass compressor too.

For a bit more money, FEA Labs make killer comp pedals. Diamond's comp is very well loved too.

[andrew]

...I've recently been using a Fairfield Accountant comp too. It sucks with active basses but is really cool/different on passive basses/guitars.

[ch willie]

Thanks for all the information. I'm going to look out for some of these next time I get to a music store big enough to carry a range of them.

[tim]

Just for fun I looked up my MXR bass comp. Here's what the review on that website says:

MXR M87 "Bass" and M76 "Studio": MXR has informed me that their new M76 "Studio" comp is exactly the same as the M87 "Bass" comp. They found that guitarists loved the sound of the M87, but were turned off by the word "bass" printed on it. So the M76 is for those guitarists.

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

Hell if I'd known that I might have bought the black one instead

[ch willie]

Just for fun I looked up my MXR bass comp. Here's what the review on that website says:

MXR M87 "Bass" and M76 "Studio": MXR has informed me that their new M76 "Studio" comp is exactly the same as the M87 "Bass" comp. They found that guitarists loved the sound of the M87, but were turned off by the word "bass" printed on it. So the M76 is for those guitarists.

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

Hell if I'd known that I might have bought the black one instead

That's really interesting. The Cali76 comes in both guitar and bass pedals. But I've talked to some bassists who say they use the "guitar" one for their basses.

I decided to hold off on the Cali76 for right now and ordered an Electro-Harmonix Bass Preacher Compressor. If it doesn't color my tone too much, I'll keep it. If not, I'll sell it and get the Cali76.

[Matt R.]

I'm really happy with my TC Electronic comp. I hear it works well for guitar as well, but I don't know for sure. I have the mini pedal. About $100USD if I remember.

[AzWhoFan]

I've been using the Ovni Smoothie pedal on my gigging board for at least 3 years, and on occasion use it on acoustic guitar. I find it pretty transparent depending on where you set the Tone control.
I also highly recommend a FEA Labs DE-CL (dual engine) if you can find one used in your price range. It's a great match with single coil pups (haven't tried it on humbuckers), and absolutely killer with any Taylor acoustic.

Hope the EH comp works out for you!

[ch willie]

Thanks. I'll give a report on it when it's delivered.

[pjmuck]

The only stand alone pedal compressor I've ever owned is a Keely modified Boss CS-3 compressor, but I wouldn't call it transparent. But I have several compressor styles in my various multi effects pedals and rack mounts, and my ears almost always gravitate to the Opto comp option for transparency.

[tim]

This damn thread made me GASy. I snagged an FEA DE-CL off the TalkBass classifieds today.

[rdavidson]

http://www.ovnilab.com/reviews/empress.shtml

I've been using this one for mostly bass and some guitar for years! It's totally transparent, so it only balances dynamics -- it does not modify your tone in any way. (And you have to know a bit more about attack, release, etc to set it. Not a big deal, just calling it out.) I know compressors are renowned for shaping tone, and I'm not knocking that, but I didn't want to mess with my tone at all, so this was the one for me!

[andrew]

This damn thread made me GASy. I snagged an FEA DE-CL off the TalkBass classifieds today.

That’s a great pedal.

[tim]

This damn thread made me GASy. I snagged an FEA DE-CL off the TalkBass classifieds today.

That’s a great pedal.

Good to hear!

[ch willie]

I've been using the EH Bass Preacher. It's a good pedal, but I need to fiddle with the settings and get to know it better. It really doesn't take much compression at all. Simple to hear when it gets slightly squashed so that you need to back it off more. I'll use it for a while but will wind up getting the Cali 76, which I can use for both guitar and bass.

[AzWhoFan]

Willie, there are a couple of OvniFx Smoothies available on the Talk Bass classifieds.

[pjmuck]

I just ordered the Darkglass Hyper Luminal. Can't wait. Will give my review once I receive it and put it to the test:

https://www.sweetwater.com/store/detail/HyperLuminal--darkglass-hyper-luminal-bass-compressor-pedal?mrkgcl=28&mrkgadid=3248788598&rkg_id=0&product_id=HyperLuminal&campaigntype=shopping&campaign=aaShopping+-+Core+-+Bass&adgroup=Bass+-+Bass+Guitar+Pedals+&+Effects&placement=google&adpos=1o1&creative=226299461024&device=c&matchtype=&network=g&gclid=CjwKCAjwqNnqBRATEiwAkHm2BMfmJwCGIegBjD7MuoBPayMZqpCBOdavaGdCkA-yBDGPZWR6bWfzARoCMfwQAvD_BwE