Which compressor would you use?

[multivir]

Hey there,

I have a Boss CS-3 compressor, which I'm not really happy with.
I had a look online at some other brands like MXR, Analogman, Rothwell, ElectroHarmonix, Keeley etc. but I don't really have a chance to try them out since most guitar stores here in Switzerland mainly carry Boss, but there's no way to compare an MXR or anything to a "boutique" model.

I also noticed that there's a 70ies reissue MXR and a new one.

What are your experiences? Any comparisons / suggestions etc?

Thanks

Mat

[octatonic]

Check out Telenordia pedals.
They are made in Berlin- I have all of them- they kick bottom.

[jmcw]

I wasn't happy with my CS-3 either until I did the Monte Allums Opto+ mod to it. Check it out if you are decently handy with a soldering iron and want to turn your current CS-3 into a usable pedal.

EDIT: And it's only like $30 :)

[callaway]

What are you looking for in a compressor? Something really clean, studio-like, and transparent sounding? (Any Ross-style compressor such as the Keeley or BYOC will do this.) Or do you want something with its own sound that warms up and gives you that classic "warm compressor sound"? (MXR.)

[Roli]

Marshall ED-1

[castpolymer]

I have a Keeley 2 knob and have been very happy with it. Tends not to color my " tone." My tone is not all that much to brag about from day to day.

[ckeathley14]

I wasnt happy with my cs-3 so i got a dynacomp and then I found I was VERY happy with my cs-3. Live and learn...I also set my CS-3 like redd's cs-2 and its perfect!

[cber1517]

Originally Posted by jmcw

I wasn't happy with my CS-3 either until I did the Monte Allums Opto+ mod to it. Check it out if you are decently handy with a soldering iron and want to turn your current CS-3 into a usable pedal.

EDIT: And it's only like $30 :)

+1 - excellent mod

[multivir]

Thanks for all the prompt replies.

To be a little more precise: I want the compressor to have a better sound on my clean lead / solos.

So how does Redd set his CS-2?

Thanks,

Mat

[ckeathley14]

Take a look here...

http://www.tdpri.com/forum/telecaste...edalboard.html

WHEN he uses one its like these pics show. Attack dimed, sustain 9 oclock and level 3 oclock...then i set tone to taste on my cs3...works for

[jjh37854]

depends on the amp, with fenders I like the CS-3, with my Z the Keeley is way better

[guit30]

Wampler Ego Compressor(Ross variant)

Take a listen!!!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8l_2jMWK3WY

Jim

[garytelecastor]

I use a Carl Martin and I love it.

http://www.carlmartin.com/product_compressor.htm

[guit30]

Wow,
Really liked the clip on the website,nice sounding compressor!!
Jim

[scooteraz]

Make me another vote for the Keeley. I have the two knob. There is no circuit difference between the two and four knob, just the location of the pot adjustments (two of the adjustments are internal on the two knob).

[guit30]

I used to love Keeley Compressors, will never forget the first one I played, I was sent one to review, fell in love with it, wrote a great review, I sent the Review model back(wish I hadn't, could have bought it for a discount), but have tried 2 4 knobs plus another 2 knob since then and they don't do anything for me.
Jim
Review
http://www.countrystarsonline.com/CS...hootout_JM.htm

[multivir]

So Jim - are you saying that the Keeley Compressors are not consistent in quality?

Since I live in Switzerland, there's nobody around that carries Keeley (except for one boutique guitar shop that has a Keeley 2-knob that he sells for 420). If that's the case, I'd definitely want to try before I buy one and wouldn't consider buying it online.

I just ordered the Monte Allums kit the other day since it's only 30 bucks and right now I do have a little more time than money...

Has anyone ever A/B tested the Keeley compared to the Monte Allums mod?

[Nick Fanis]

The best one I have ever used is this one (& I've used most of them :) )

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XdCmovzTx98

unfortunately it is too big & needs a separate power supply so this makes it a n0-no for most pedalboards.

[JayDee]

So how does Redd set his CS-2?

Maybe Redd will chime in and correct me, but I don't think he uses a regular compressor anymore. I know he runs a Durham Sex Drive (Great pedal IMO). I THINK he just uses one of the compression settings in it. It has a really cool compression option. It's hard to explain unless you've played thru one. It doesn't squash at all (to my ears). It just kind of tightens everything up.
As far as an actual compressor, my vote goes to the Wampler Ego Compressor (or Ego Squasher depending on when you bought it).

[octatonic]

Originally Posted by multivir

So Jim - are you saying that the Keeley Compressors are not consistent in quality?

Since I live in Switzerland, there's nobody around that carries Keeley (except for one boutique guitar shop that has a Keeley 2-knob that he sells for 420). If that's the case, I'd definitely want to try before I buy one and wouldn't consider buying it online.

I just ordered the Monte Allums kit the other day since it's only 30 bucks and right now I do have a little more time than money...

Has anyone ever A/B tested the Keeley compared to the Monte Allums mod?

I have.
I prefer the Keeley but there isn't much in it.

[badmelonfarmer]

I tried a CS-3 and did not like it.

I then used a DynaComp for 18 months and recently got a Keeley.

Personally I like them both, I find the Keeley to be more natural sounding but I also love the DynaComp tone colour.

Bottom line, I would be more than happy with either... they do sound different but both are great.

Cheers

BMF

[vanguard]

Originally Posted by ckeathley14

Take a look here...

http://www.tdpri.com/forum/telecaste...edalboard.html

WHEN he uses one its like these pics show. Attack dimed, sustain 9 oclock and level 3 oclock...then i set tone to taste on my cs3...works for

that's the magic CS-2 setting for a tele. that's what i use on my cs-2 unless i'm going for that pumpy BIRDS tone.

i've owned the analogman bi-comp, a juicer, an original and reissue MXR script dyna comp and now a BOSS CS-2.

i liked the in this order:

original script dyna
BOSS CS-2
bi-comp (the ross side is great)
juicer (too much of a one trick pony)
RI MXR script (way too much treble added)

[dan1952]

I like the compressor (and the overdrive, for that matter) in the Visual Sound Route 66 pedal.

[mojoming]

The Baja Tech Da Squeezer ended my search.

http://www.bajatechcustom.com/catalo...products_id=69

[guit30]

To multivir,
Yes, I have played one Keeley that I really loved, could never find another one, I've always wanted to try a modded Boss CS-3, I have never even played a CS-3, the samples are enough to make me run, the pedal that Brent Mason used before the Keeley was a Wampler modded Boss CS-3, I have heard the modded ones and they sound good, Wampler has an Indyguitarist mod, which I think Brent used til He got his Keeley. If you look at the post above me, The Baja tech orange squeezer is supposed to be one of the best, I played a Hartman Compressor for a while, another nice pedal.
There is a new pedal from overseas called The Rothwell, they make a pedal that sounds good, really good, but I have what i need for now, This Rothwell Compressor has a real unique vibe to it
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UgI9jrDd3E4

Best
Jim

[Ormond]

I have the Boss CS3 and do not hear it doing anything unless I kick the sustain to full on. Should not have to be that way I do not think. But I really do not hear that explosive pop unless I hit it 100%.

I have run the CS3 through my Egnator 30 and also through my Prescription Extra Strength. (I really cannot crank up the ES without blowing out all the windows - so I am using the Air Brake) - so I do not think it is the amps.

I guess I want to know if the CS3 needs to be modded to really work well.[/i]

Probably should have gone with the Keeley.

[guit30]

Yours might be bad!!
Jim

[drjordan]

Originally Posted by Roli

Marshall ED-1

+1

I have a friend's MXR at my house now. He bought it and let me borrow it so I could A/B it with my Marshall. The Marshall was far superior to my ears.

[Stringbender.dk]

Does anyone know something about the Dan armstrong Orange squeezer compressor?

I use a Dyna comp now. But only for my Tele. I don't like the sound of the dyna and my strat. I'm looking for a Mark knopfler sound. And I read that he "maybe used the orange squeezer" in the old days...

[redstringuitar]

Originally Posted by drjordan

+1

I have a friend's MXR at my house now. He bought it and let me borrow it so I could A/B it with my Marshall. The Marshall was far superior to my ears.

Give it a few days to a couple of weeks, then see what you think.

[Kojack]

I pulled my CS3 out of my pedal board shortly after I purchased it. It simply wasn't transparent, and the artifacts it added weren't musical. I sent it to Mark Humphrey and was very pleased with the results. Outstanding customer service at reasonable costs. As of February 2008, the cost for modifying my CS-3 was $55.00. I would have paid twice that amount and considered it a bargain. If you have, as I did, a CS-3 that sits around unused, send it to Mark Humphrey. You will be amazed at the pedal that comes back to you.

Cheers,
Kojack

[zombuswoof]

I have a Keeley and an MXR Dyna Comp. For country, I actually prefer the Dyna Comp. I can't really explain why. I'm looking into getting one of the MXR Custom Shop 1976 Dyna Comp reissues. It's about double what a new Dyna Comp runs, but I've heard it is quite worth it. I should have it in a week or so and I'll let you know.

[guit30]

Hi,
Yes
Knopler used the Dan Armstrong on his early recordings anyway(Sultans Of Swing) There are Many good clones around, Hartman, Analogman, Baja Tech, Google those names and you will get info, Analogman's Juicer is probably the most popular for around 165
Jim
-i had a real nice Hartman that was recently stolen in the mail, don't know if I'm going to replace it

[Stringbender.dk]

Hi Jim,
thank you very much for your help :-)
I'll try google them

Thanks,
Flemming

[Flewis]

The CS-3 is probably the most solid compressor for live work, I used one and have for years. The CS-2 lacks the full sound of the CS-3. Same with the MXR, and the MXR can get really squishy sounding. Diamond makes a great opto based compressor with a true by pass which is worth checking out, its not as aggressive as some of the others.

Try these settings on your CS-3 Volume 12'oclock - Tone if its a tele 11 o'clock, if its a humbucker in the bridge 2 o'clock, then you sustain and attack between 1/2 o'clock

[Gary in Boston]

Has anybody used the Jangle Box compressor ?

Gary

[tele-jack]

I've used the Boss, Keeley and Dynacomp and have settled on the Barber Tone Press with no urge to go back to any of the others.

[guit30]

I have found out about one, a new one by Nick Greer called The Fish Press, it is supposed to be like a Pedalworx Mcsqueeze which is awesome. I'll get you a link
http://www.pedalspluseffectswarehous...eer-fshprs.htm


Best
Jim

[nixpix]

I'm curious about the Fish Press...anyone play one yet?

[Gary in Boston]

There is also that one by Joe Meek I think I saw.... again no expaerience.

My Boss has been fine sound wise, the pot are noisy and the "on" l e d is not working currently.

Gary