Compressor advice needed for somebody that’s never had one.

markj

Quite interested in a compressor, I have completely no experience of one . Quite interested in a Keeley compressor plus. Is it worth buying something like this or go for a cheap made in China one. 

benmurray85

Don’t a lot of people on here rate the Mooer one? Very cheap to have a try and gauge whether their for you?

why do you want one?

munckee

i asked this and based on recommendations bought a used marshall edward the compressor and does exactly what i wanted it to.

NorthernStomps

I’d be loathe to buy a cheap one. Compressors can be noisy at the best of times and really think you’d be risking it with a cheapo one

rze99

I have the Wampler Ego Comp.

You can set it from barely there to squishy. It is quiet and sounds excellent .The Blend control is needed to use both unaffected and affected signals. 

PeterOne

My advice whichever you choose is if you've got no experience at all with compressors, simpler (i.e. less controls) is probably better - I had no idea how to set the attack on my first compressor and it just convinced me for a long time I didn't like compressors.

Philtre

Mooer Yellow. I prefer it my Xotic SP.

markj

PeterOne said:

My advice whichever you choose is if you've got no experience at all with compressors, simpler (i.e. less controls) is probably better - I had no idea how to set the attack on my first compressor and it just convinced me for a long time I didn't like compressors.

Which ones do you suggest?

HAL9000

Are you buying because you need a compressor? Or just because you like the idea of one? 

The reason for asking is that they are Marmite - some people love the way they smooth out the sound and the slight increase in sustain; others hate the way they can kill any picking dynamics. Before spending your hard-earned go and try a few and make sure it's really what you want.

Fretwired

rze99 said:

I have the Wampler Ego Comp.

You can set it from barely there to squishy. It is quiet and sounds excellent .The Blend control is needed to use both unaffected and affected signals. 

^^

This. Best compressor I've used. Cheap ones are noisy and nasty.

gibsongretschfan

Mooer Yellow is cheap but it's awesome 

if you're looking for a transparent compression 

if you're looking for that classic "guitar" compression ala Nile Rodgers or Dave Gilmour then get a Dyna Comp to try, they are cheap second hand

JezWynd

Maybe start with a Dyna Comp. There's a reason it's a classic. Apart from the mxr versions (they do a few, all basically the same sound), there's also a good cheap clone from Biyang, a upmarket version by one of the original designers, the Whirlwind Red Box and the Keeley 2 knob comp. The Dyna Comp can apply heavy compression, loved by funk players and country guys for its plucky attack and by rockers wanting added sustain or dialled back it can apply some levelling and the signature Dyna Comp tone/boost. It's a simple 2 knob design - Sensitivity and Volume, the attack and release is pre set so it's an easy place to start.

tone1

I’ve tried various compressors but found they just rob Bass end. They didn’t do anything for me. 

Brocco

I have just invested in the Origin Effects Cali76 Compact which is always on - definitey worth considering imho.

PeterOne

markj said:

Which ones do you suggest?

It's all down to personal preference. I'm not a fan of some of the really aggressive types, but I do really like Orange Squeezer-style compressors - I've got a JHS Pulp N' Peel which is based on that circuit and I really like the sound of it, but it's something I only use occasionally for that particular sound.

I've not used one but the Diamond Compressors (standard and Junior) sound really nice on Youtube.

Having a blend/mix control gives you a lot more flexibility.

fandango

Its likely to be way too much, but I would highly recommend a Fat General - top notch and quiet as you like. Because the Fat General proved so good, I sold my Keeley 4-knob.

Grunfeld

markj said:

Which ones do you suggest?

My compressor journey (the ones I can remember) went:

Boss CS-2 and CS-3

Marshall Ed the Compressor [this was v. good btw but with the most stage-unfriendly controls ever!]

Mooer Yellow

MXR Dynacomp

Wampler Ego

They're all slightly different and my journey ended with the Wampler -- mainly cos of that blend control.

As it happens it came off my board a few months back because I didn't need it any more (because I changed other things) and that goes right back to:

What is your problem that you're trying to solve with a compressor?

They can be entirely underwhelming if you don't have a problem!

Beexter

Having tried a few, I have found that a blend or mix knob is essential. I currently use a Suhr Koji but also like the Xotic SP.
It wasn't until I tried one with a blend knob that I "got it"

breezytele

Can’t go wrong with the Cali76.

builttospill

Boss CP-1X one of the easiest comps out there,it’s hard to make it sound bad, fantastic with drives and great for slide

markj

Looking to play some Mayer so I would benefit from a compressor.