Help me choose Compressor Sustainer

[Kilf]

Hi guys I know nothing about fx pedals im using a Baja and a roland cube 60. these 2 pedals fit into my price range please help me choose Boss cs3 and the Digitech main squeeze.

thanks in advance kilf

[czech-one-2]

I'd take the DOD FX80B or guyatone st-2 over the Boss Or Digitech.
Or maybe a re-issue MXR dyna comp?
just giving you a few more options!

oh, whats a baja? you mean a baja telecaster?

[Kilf]

yes a baja telecaster

[07 road house]

I like my cs3

[flatout9]

Keeley!!!!

[SackvilleDan]

I hated my CS-3. It had this weird artifact where you could hear the compressor "pumping" on the lower notes. Terrible pedal, but at mild settings it did help to tighten up my solid state Marshall MG250.

[bobthecanadian]

The first compressor pedal that I bought was a BOSS CS-3. It's an okay pedal and from what I hear it's even a great pedal if it is modded well. On a whim I also bought a DOD FX84 series Milk Box. It's not nearly as splatty as the BOSS CS-3 and actually works quite well. Best to try a few out and pick the one that works best for you. I'd also be looking at private sales and pawn shops.

Cheers,

Bob

[Rusty]

After years of trial (MXR) and error (Keeley) I finally settled (and am perfectly happy) with the old three knob Boss CS-2...eBay prices are still pretty fair most days and that is one of the all-time great compressors!!!

[Pinball_Wizard]

I like my Guyatone compressor; small, green, and I like it when it's angry.

Gets a very satisfying squash/squish, has a setting where you can mix the main signal back with the compressed signal, but I use a compressor for that funky squish.

[schenkadere]

Originally Posted by Pinball_Wizard

I like my Guyatone compressor; small, green, and I like it when it's angry.

Gets a very satisfying squash/squish, has a setting where you can mix the main signal back with the compressed signal, but I use a compressor for that funky squish.

That is a good pedal...but i love the color of a good old standard Dyna Comp. The Guyatone ST-2 would be my second choice.

The DOD FX80-B is a great sleeper of a compressor too. Not a lot of squish but nice sustain...and quiet too.

[vjf1968]

Originally Posted by Kilf

Hi guys I know nothing about fx pedals im using a Baja and a roland cube 60. these 2 pedals fit into my price range please help me choose Boss cs3 and the Digitech main squeeze.

thanks in advance kilf

What style of music are you playing. Because that can have an effect on what you choose.

Since you have no experience with fx pedals I recommend the MXR Dyna Comp. They are cheap, readily available, easy to use, and a pretty much the standard compressor used by guitar players for decades.

[Jenix]

Im a huge fan of the MXR Supercomp. Very quiet and improved version of the dynacomp. I had a CS-3, Then I had a CS-3 with monte allums mod. Either way I still did not like the CS3.

[dusty tolex]

Originally Posted by Rusty

After years of trial (MXR) and error (Keeley) I finally settled (and am perfectly happy) with the old three knob Boss CS-2...eBay prices are still pretty fair most days and that is one of the all-time great compressors!!!

I certainly think you can't go wrong with a CS2, at least to start off with. I like mine a lot, but I've had it for a while and I'm about to try out a GoudieFX Ross clone, to see if I'm missing anything. Heard great things!

dt

[garytelecastor]

there is a CS-3 and a dyna comp for sale in the effects list in the classifieds. Both are cheap.

[drewsblues]

Another vote for the Keeley

[vjf1968]

I am going to go off topic a bit here and state that the OP wanted a compressor that fit within that persons budget. Now I have seen it a lot here on these forums that when somebody wants a particular pedal there are always folks who have to suggest the MOST EXPENSIVE one.

Sorry, but price does not always equate quality and sound. And some folks just do not have that kind of money to spend. And why would somebody who never had a compressor want to spend big bucks for one when there is something that is just as good for less.

If he asked for a good reasonably priced delay pedal there is no doubt that someone will either recommend the Fulltone TTE (over a grand) or the Empress Vintage Delay ($500).

Try the Dynacomp. Its got 2 knobs. Very simple and very easy to use.

[flatout9]

Originally Posted by vjf1968

Try the Dynacomp. Its got 2 knobs. Very simple and very easy to use.

And for $80 it wouldn't hurt too much.

[Kilf]

Thanks vjf1968 at least you understand what I was asking but does that dynacomp have sustain? Also is there anyone here thats tried the digitech main squeeze if so id like comments on it. I wont be spending more than the boss the digitech or the dunlop I have a 1yr old so it wont be happening.

thanks guys

[cjburr]

here's a youtube

[JayFreddy]

Originally Posted by SackvilleDan

I hated my CS-3. It had this weird artifact where you could hear the compressor "pumping" on the lower notes.

My CS-3's (I have two, one is a spare but I have not needed it yet) only do the "pumping" thing when the battery is dying, or it's not getting enough voltage from the power supply, for example, if you have too many effects running off the same AC/DC power supply.

I also use the CS-3 with a Roland Cube 60, and I find it is well-matched to that amp. BTW, I don't have any noise problems with my the CS-3, but I'm not using it as a booster, more like a limiter at the end of my effects chain.

BTW, I have a bunch of compressors. In addition to my Boss CS-3's, I also have an original Dynacomp, an MXR SuperComp, a Guyatone ST-2, and a Yamaha Compressor from the late 80's. I don't use my compressor as a line driver, more like a limiter, and provided I have fresh batteries, I don't have any noise issues with my CS-3's.

The original Dynacomp sounds nice and gooey, but it is incredibly noisy. The SuperComp is good too, but not as transparent as the CS3, IMHO. The SuperComp can emulate the DynaComp sound pretty well, but it's not quite as sweet. The Guyatone is probably equal to the CS-3 in terms of transparency, maybe even has a slight edge, but the CS-3 has more EQ options, so I still prefer the CS-3.

It's interesting how we all hear and like different things, kind of like we all listen to and like different kinds of music.

For a Cube 60, my first vote would be for the CS-3, since they're both Roland products, and the CS-3 is easy to find and cheap.

[KnopflerStyle]

If you have money --> Keeley

If not.. Boss CS2 or CS3

If not .. DOD Milk box. I have this and i am very happy with it.

[studio1087]

Another MXR Dyna Comp vote.

$59 - $69 brand new.
$40 used.

Built like a tank.

Super simple.

I would call it a classic....used and used and used on popular recordings.

One knob controls the degree of compression (from mild volume control to a Nashville Squish)

The other knob controls the output volume.



I have a CS3, the Dyna Comp, an MXR Super Comp, a BBE Orange Squash and a DOD Milk Box.

I come back to the Dyna again and again.

The cheapo sleeper is the Milk Box. If you ever see one on ebay for $20 - BUY! It's very warm and very easy to control.

I love compressors. I like to buy and try off ebay. The Dyna Comp is a classic that I'll never be without.

CS3's are nice. I've had a couple of them. I had one that was very noisy and have another now that is very quiet. I can fiddle with the knobs on a CS3 for an hour and not get a sound that is as pleasing as the good old Dyna.

Gotta love the classic stand-by boxes.

John

[ibobunot]

Originally Posted by vjf1968

Since you have no experience with fx pedals I recommend the MXR Dyna Comp. They are cheap, readily available, easy to use, and a pretty much the standard compressor used by guitar players for decades.

+1 For 60.00 it does everything a compressor is suppose to do.

[rocksteady Max]

Originally Posted by vjf1968

I am going to go off topic a bit here and state that the OP wanted a compressor that fit within that persons budget. Now I have seen it a lot here on these forums that when somebody wants a particular pedal there are always folks who have to suggest the MOST EXPENSIVE one.

.

yeah ! I've been had. But I don't regret that Diamond Compressor yet ...

[RomanS]

The Dynacomp is great, but a one-trick pony; the Marshall Edward The Compressor is also low-priced, sounds just as good as the Dynacomp, but is much more versatile; I personally don't like the Boss CS3...

[Mojohand40]

I'm no compressor expert, but I have a Boss CS2 that I've had for a long time, and I'll second others who recommend it.
Now on the even CHEAPER side of things, I recently picked up a Danelectro Surf 'n Turf comp. Really surprised me with how well it works. I'd see about getting one. They can be had for like thirty bucks.
I won't say if the Danelectro compares to the more expensive stuff, I'll leave that for others.
But I'll compare the Danelectro to the CS2 because I've used both recently. First the Dano is different sounding then the Boss, not worse or better, really just different flavor of compression.
I'd say the Danelectro is less "hissy". It's not as adjustable in scope as the Boss, however, and different compressors work differently with diff guitars and amps, so the Boss may have a advantage there.
Oh, and of those two, the Dano seems to eat batteries quicker and it's noticeable when the power is low.
The Boss CS2 is nice when dialed in for snappy country, (i.e. "Chicken Picken'") really seems more made for that style, IMO then the Dano. However the Dano seems nicer dialed back for more subtle compression. (i.e. when you set the level so volume doesn't boost when the pedal is off or on, you know what I mean?)
I haven't tried a Dyna Comp yet, but am anxious to try it. From what others have said, it sounds like it would suite me.
-

[surfco]

The Keeley has good reviews.
I don't use compressor, BTW.

[Parma_TeleMon]

I had an original DynaComp that I'd love to have back. I've also noted that it's a popular model in MFX units, which tells me something about its popularity over the decades.

[BadHorsie]

Originally Posted by RomanS

The Dynacomp is great, but a one-trick pony; the Marshall Edward The Compressor is also low-priced, sounds just as good as the Dynacomp, but is much more versatile; I personally don't like the Boss CS3...

I agree with RomanS. It took me a while to find my Edward The Compressor , but now I am satisfied. I am going to sell my Rocktron Big Crush.

[fezz parka]

Barber Tone Press.

[Telarkaster]

Originally Posted by RomanS

The Dynacomp is great, but a one-trick pony; the Marshall Edward The Compressor is also low-priced, sounds just as good as the Dynacomp, but is much more versatile; I personally don't like the Boss CS3...

What Roman said: thumbs up on Marshall's Edward the Compressor, a big thumb down on CS-3. One of the worst pedals I've ever tried. Oddly enough the CS-2 was pretty good, can't imagine why they would make a new model worse...