Has anyone else experienced this...?

Has anyone else had problems with compression being too transparent with a DRRI? I've always preferred more saturation in my comp and am finding it to be lacking quite a bit along with the DRRI. I use a Diamond compressor which I used to love with my ol' M80 Stereo Chorus (I miss that amp!). I've tried it on both channels and can't seem to get that jangle to shine through. Would an EQ/Boost pedal help to color the tone maybe?

-Jagg

I can't imagine an amp could affect compression THAT much since compression, especially how you have it set up is primarily working the guitar signal, i.e. not being used after overdrive to keep levels consistent, or after a wah or volume-boosting modulation effect.

Personally, I've never had an issue when I've plugged my board into a DRRI provided by a club (don't own one, but apparently they're everywhere). And, in my experience, solid-state amps (even ones as good as the classic M80 is) react very differently to pedals compared to their tube-based cousins.

How loud are you playing the DRRI? If you're playing it at bedroom or kid-sleeping-friendly levels then the DRRI is starving for signal and you're likely not going up the mojo to the degree you're expecting. Remember, in general, solid state amps produce the same EQ range and therefore "tone" over their volume range - a solid-state amp's clean tone on "1" is essentially the same as said amp on "11" (again, in general), just louder.

I seem to be able to get better results with my SS amps that with my tube amps. It seems the compressor doesn't work as well with the tube amp........JH in Va.

[QUOTE=lefty73;4211111]
Personally, I've never had an issue when I've plugged my board into a DRRI provided by a club (don't own one, but apparently they're everywhere). And, in my experience, solid-state amps (even ones as good as the classic M80 is) react very differently to pedals compared to their tube-based cousins.QUOTE]

You mean the old fuzzy,grey,nicotine smellin' Fender M-80 is a classic? Who knew? I owned one many years ago [when the were still in production]and couldnt get rid of it fast enough.Looks like yet another classic tone gem has slipped through my fingers...:roll:

I'm very happy with my Dunlop Dyna Comp [set with sustain almost off/level full up] into my Roland blues cube or JC-120. A non-transparent compressor like the dyna comp gives a little bit of tube amp sag feel to a tight,clean solid state amp, IMHO anyway.

How loud are you playing the DRRI? If you're playing it at bedroom or kid-sleeping-friendly levels then the DRRI is starving for signal and you're likely not going up the mojo to the degree you're expecting. Remember, in general, solid state amps produce the same EQ range and therefore "tone" over their volume range - a solid-state amp's clean tone on "1" is essentially the same as said amp on "11" (again, in general), just louder.

Usually around 4 or 5. We don't play loud on stage - which might be a contributing problem. I will experiment with that at home.

-Jagg

Has anyone else had problems with compression being too transparent with a DRRI?

The only way I could imagine this being the case is with the following setup:

- optical comp

- EV speaker or similar in a DR(RI)

- higher output power tubes (e.g. JJ 6V6S), SS recto, other mods...

A DR just doesn't have enough power to "marginalize" a comp like that, and most 12's in a DR will also typically be a little more "overt" than a 2X10/2X12/etc. Fender BF/SF amp.

If anything, a DR that is a bit shrill or ratchety sounding (especially at gig volumes), even a light bit of compression is usually noticeable in a desirable way.

I usually have less "problems" with the 1X10 in a PR or similar, since it doesn't have a long tailed phase inverter, and you can't get the cone rattling around like you can on a 12. The P.I. in a PR is only capable of unity gain. The P.I. in a DR is a significant source of gain going into the power section.

If anything, the stock speaker in a DRRI usually elicits some negative impressions until it breaks in, and even then lots of folks might trade up for something a little softer, or with more "vintage honk."

If you do have an optical comp, give a Dyna Comp or Orange Squeezer a whirl, and hear if that isn't easily noticeable.

Maybe a bigger OT

The only way I could imagine this being the case is with the following setup:

- optical comp

- EV speaker or similar in a DR(RI)

- higher output power tubes (e.g. JJ 6V6S), SS recto, other mods...

A DR just doesn't have enough power to "marginalize" a comp like that, and most 12's in a DR will also typically be a little more "overt" than a 2X10/2X12/etc. Fender BF/SF amp.

If anything, a DR that is a bit shrill or ratchety sounding (especially at gig volumes), even a light bit of compression is usually noticeable in a desirable way.

I usually have less "problems" with the 1X10 in a PR or similar, since it doesn't have a long tailed phase inverter, and you can't get the cone rattling around like you can on a 12. The P.I. in a PR is only capable of unity gain. The P.I. in a DR is a significant source of gain going into the power section.

If anything, the stock speaker in a DRRI usually elicits some negative impressions until it breaks in, and even then lots of folks might trade up for something a little softer, or with more "vintage honk."

If you do have an optical comp, give a Dyna Comp or Orange Squeezer a whirl, and hear if that isn't easily noticeable.

I do have an opto comp. I will try a different one to see the difference. Thanks!

-Jagg

Too Transparent?!!!

You do know why some people spend a fortune trying to find the perfect compressor don't you?! The Diamond comp gets a pretty good rap in the transparency stakes. Just about any comp should colour the sound a little more than that one. As 11 Gauge says the Orange Squeezer or Dyna Comp (most pedals are based on this one) or even a Boss CS-3 should give you plenty of squish and colour. The struggle with comps is usually in completely the other direction to yours!:wink:

Orange Squeezer sounds great with a DRRI. for that matter so does the dyna comp.