Compressor Recommendation, FWIW

**MondoKen** · 11-06-2007, 10:30 AM

I have a Sterling HS. Recently, I purchased and tried out a series of compressors. First an MXR Dynacomp, followed by an Aphex Punch Factory, followed by an EH Nano Soul Preacher, followed by an EBS MultiComp. I'm an amateur but I found the EH and EBS to work really well with a preference for the EBS. Using the EH produced a more noticeable percussive sound to the Sterling. The EBS is more transparent. I liked both, but prefer the EBS. No scientific data to support my choice, just my ears. I set the EBS on active and my GK Backline 210 non passive to get the best results. I sometimes run an EH Nano Baseballs after the EBS and into an MXR M-80. I tried the Baseballs before the EBS, which is recommended, but I prefer the sound when it follows the EBS.

**Hellboy** · 11-06-2007, 10:52 AM

I too use a EBS MultiComp and it´s fantastic. As most of their stuff. It´s very reliable and rugged and it sounds great. Good thing to have on gigs. But my favorite compressor is my old Retrospec Sqeezebox. Electro optic tube compressor. Big white pedal. Absolutely amazing. They don´t make them any more and Retrospec is no longer around I´ve heard but I found this web site the other day:

retrospec, inc.

Must be old news but hopefully not. Fantastic stuff. Hope that they are up and running again. Highly recommended.

//Jan

**Aussie Mark** · 11-06-2007, 02:05 PM

I'm not going to be much help, as I like the Aphex, because it's transparent and not overdone.

**Jimmyb** · 11-06-2007, 02:12 PM

I've not tried it through a bass, but I've just got a Demeter Compulator, which is great with my 6 stringers.

**kasimka** · 11-07-2007, 03:37 AM

after I got my Sterling I realised that I don't need compressor any more!

**oli@bass** · 11-07-2007, 04:11 AM

I used to use compression a lot during all my bass playing career, and after a couple of years with an old Ashly SC-50, it was by means of an old trustworthy DBX 160X. It offers different sorts of compression, all of them rather sublime but effective.

However, recently (somehow in coincidence with coming back to MusicMan basses

) I got away from compression in favor of slight tube overdrive... which in its early stage is a very nice sort of compression.

So I'll be swapping my DBX for an SansAmp RBI within the coming months. (SansAmp instead of the real thing simply because I neither can afford nor be able to lug around an Ampeg all tube head).

But then again, I'm addicted to overdriven bass sounds... (and own the totally wrong gear for that purpose... all SWR...

)

**Psycho Ward** · 11-07-2007, 04:22 AM

I have a Sears Craftsman compressor, rated up to 150psi and a 33 gallon tank. But it’s too big for small gigs. I like it a lot for all my basses, there will never be any dust under my saddles!