software

I was wondering if anyone has any suggestions for an excellent quality Compressor. Any tips, opinions, or ideas would be most helpful.

-Watroba

you know, I hardly ever use one .. I have a Dyna Comp, and that's nice and simple

a few good current ones are the Keeley pedal, the Barber (Tone Press?), I think Analog Man has one, and Teese has a new comp pedal

The Barber gives you the ability to mix the compressed sound with your dry signal. I'm like Curly though, I have a Dyna Comp, hardly ever use it. It sounds pretty good though, used to think I couldn't play without it.

If you can find an old DOD compressor, those work pretty well for me. Digitech are okay, too.

Sorry for sounding stupid, but I have no idea what a compressed sound is.

Could anyone describe the difference it makes to the tone?

ha-ha I'm such a putz I thought you where talking about airbrushes.

I've got an MXR Dyna Comp that I'm thinking about selling, if you're interested! or I may even trade..PM me


Originally Posted by MephisSorry for sounding stupid, but I have no idea what a compressed sound is.

Could anyone describe the difference it makes to the tone?

A compressor is suposed to make quiet sounds louder and louder sounds quieter. It helps to smooth out your sound so that you don't have huge drops or spikes in volume. Compression might have some other effect on yuor tone (someone please chime in ) but this is the simplest way I can descibe it.

I have an Aphex compressor. I use it in combination with my Les Paul and my Peavey Classic 30. Because both the guitar and amp are a bit dark in nature I use it to get more presence from the clean channel when using both pickups combined, or just the neck pickup. Add's a beautiful clarity to the sound.

I'm currently testing out a Marshall ED-1 compressor that Thames sent me... I can't really tell if it's enough of quot;myquot; flavor to keep it yet but one thing I'll say is that its REAL quiet.

I'm also looking to test out a Barber Tone Press and even the Line 6 Constrictor in the near future.


Originally Posted by MephisSorry for sounding stupid, but I have no idea what a compressed sound is.

Could anyone describe the difference it makes to the tone?

Please don't apologize and don't be afraid to ask questions.

Having said that, I'm not sure what it is either but I can tell you I use it (in the Boss ME-50) and this is how I perceive it...

I work in the graphics field and the easiest way I can explain it is it seems to have the same effect that the contrast setting seems to have on an image. Applying more compression (or contrast) seems to narrow the overall range of the sound or color. Take a grayscale image (B/W photo) for example. Imagine that a photo consists of shades ranging from solid black to bright white and many grays inbetween. If you increase the contrast of that image, you'll decrease the amount of inbetween grays and replace them with either blacks or whites.

In other words, it'll either increase the extreme highs and lows while decreasing the mids. This adjusting (or compressing) helps to narrow the overall spectrum of sound, making it more black amp; white (highs and lows) which can help define the sound. While doing so you run the risk of disregarding all the subtle mids that can help define your unique tone and personality. But sometimes you don't want to be subtle...you just want it to sound black amp; white, crunchy or chimey, loud or soft, heavy or mellow.

I hope that helps. And if someone can offer a better explanation I'd be interested in learning.

I like the Marshall ED-1 compressor.

A compressor effects dynamics and a good compressor will not change your frequency responce. Basically a compressor limits your signals peaks, quot;squishingquot; it. This is particulary helpful when playing acoustic guitar, clean electric guitar or any other application that has a wide dynamic range.

In a nutshell a compressor makes your lowest signal level and highest signal level come closer together so that your overall volume becomes more consistent.

When you use a compressor under gain they can add sustain, because your amp receives a stronger signal for a longer period of time. When you hear a guitar player whos signal stays very consistent over large passages you are probably listening to a compressed signal and the compression may have been added at the amp but there is a lot of compression used during recording and mixing as well. Most engineers like a stable signal during recording without transient peaks and valleys.

Tube amps when run hard have natural compression. A tube has a ceiling and after you reach a certain level the tubes just can't put out any more signal. As your signal starts to clip (distort) you'll notice that you get a more distorted tone but not more volume past a certain point. That is compression. The amp puts out the same volume regardless of how soft or hard you play the guitar.

Some compressors will change your tone but the really good ones sound fairly transparent. While you might like the change in tone that some compressors cause, it's not a result of compression but instead a characteristic of the circuit design.


Originally Posted by FenderBoyA compressor is suposed to make quiet sounds louder and louder sounds quieter. It helps to smooth out your sound so that you don't have huge drops or spikes in volume. Compression might have some other effect on yuor tone (someone please chime in ) but this is the simplest way I can descibe it.Ive always known that this is what a compressor is supposed to do. I have an MXR SuperComp and just dont know how to use it. I couldn't get all my pedals to evenly match in volume (and that is what Ive always thought COMP's were supposed to do. So by default, I just use it to boost my signal/volume for solos.

But isn't a compressor supposed to make all the pedals in your chain equal volume regardless of the setting of the output of each individual pedal?

TC Electronics Triple-C. Stereo or mono versions. I have the stereo, it is the BEST. It even has an envelope mode where you can modify the gain at any point.

What's your price range/pain threshold? Music Toyz has a pretty broad selection of booteek squash boxes.


Originally Posted by WatrobaI was wondering if anyone has any suggestions for an excellent quality Compressor. Any tips, opinions, or ideas would be most helpful.

-Watroba

For the love of god, go to from : localhost/RIGHT ... NOW!!!!

[EDIT] Oh yeah, you should check out the compROSSer pedals and its sister pedals. Analog man is pretty much the best place to find boutique pedals and mods for a decent price. They've also got great links to other boutique pedal sites.


Originally Posted by Boleslaw Gers 666A HIGH quality one would be the Ross Compressor (not Boss, but Ross) that Trey Anastasio uses.

BTW, Analog Mike of analogman.com makes exact replicas of the Ross Compressors for much cheaper than the real ones go for these days. They are also more reliable than the originals, as well as infinitely easier to get ahold of. In fact, Trey Anastasio has been using these for quite some time now, and has essentially retired his old Ross.

As far as name dropping, Kenny Wayne Shepard also uses analogman pedals. Check out their Sun Face Fuzz pedals! Germanium! Warm and soft like a wool blanket!


Originally Posted by FenderBoyA compressor is suposed to make quiet sounds louder and louder sounds quieter. It helps to smooth out your sound so that you don't have huge drops or spikes in volume. Compression might have some other effect on yuor tone (someone please chime in ) but this is the simplest way I can descibe it.

Lol ! Awesome thanks a lot. I had no idea until now what the heck a compressor is. And i've been wondering for 2 years. I might just get one for my strat!

1 on the Dynacomp. Best bang for the buck in comps, IMHO.