compressors with SR5

[shakinbacon]

I've been trying different compressors over the last several years.

Most aren't great and I'm still on a search. However, I've found one I like for live playing that works well with the SR5 and wanted to share. It is the BBE optostomp. $99

Pros: relatively cheap
solid build quality
dead quiet
nice mild compression
handles a wide range of input signals
unity gain setting seems to be consistent regardless of signal level coming in (this isn't the case with other units)
No rolloff of low or high frequencies
Very transparent (except for below)
True bypass

Cons: *very very* slight distortion artifact regardless of setting (not noticable in a band setting)
not a huge amount of compression (I don't mind this myself)


I'm A/B'ing it with the much more expensive ($199) EBS Multicomp and it is frankly holding its own. I probably wouldn't record a quiet tune with it with it due to the distortion artifact, but if I'm recording I hope to have better equipment at my disposal anyway. For a loud rock tune I might.

Thanks to bongomania on the Talkbass forum for his excellent reviews on compressors

Anyway, if you're looking for a compressor for your Stingray I suggest this. It might work well for the Bongo too, but that 18V headroom might be a bit much for it.

 

[Spectre]

I have been using an Aphex 1404 Punch Factory Optical Compressor .

It is very clean, sturdily built, and I have never detected any distortion.
Has true bypass and also DI out, wet or dry.
Same price point as the BBE optostomp

 

[Psycho Ward]

I just bought a dbx 160A, it "looks" great in my rack with lots of LED's and stuff!

 

[b-unit]

The issue with the slight artifacts in the sound with the BBE pedal does not surprise me as I owned a BBE BMax solid state pre amp with the same problem. It didn't matter if I bypassed the compressor, and the BBE circuit, there was this fizzy little buzzy sound that could be heard as the notes would decay that drove me insane.

No one else would likely ever notice in a live situation but in a quiet listening environment, it drove me nuts so i moved on to something else.

 

[ghunter]

I have both an EBS Multicomp and a Demeter Compulator, and use them to either add a level of smoothness to the fretless or to ever so slightly tame the attack from a pick. No slapping here.

The EBS is an amazing all-round great compressor, and has so much control over the tone. It's ultra-clean and definitely the compressor that I'd recommend to anyone wanting to stop fooling around with lower-end compressors but they aren't quite sure what they want.

The Demeter is silkier and adds a little more warmth to the tone. Its two knobs are very subtle, and it's definitely not a powerhouse compressor or one that you can use to much creative effect. Oh, but what a gorgeous job it does with fretless!