Can anyone compare the Analogman Comprossor to the Keeley--n

Brewbaker · June 17th, 2003, 06:46 PM

I'm wondering which one is quieter regarding residual hiss. I use a compressor at the beginning of the chain so it wouldn't be amplifying any other pedal's noise--just the hum from single coils :-)

John E · June 18th, 2003, 08:55 AM

The Analogman comprossor and did not find it to be noisy at all... definitely less noisy than my CS-3 and clearer toned when A/B'ed. I really liked it A LOT... That being said I have not tried the Keeley(but boy do I want to) as I'm sure you know the reviews are always great and I remember people specifically recommending it as "quiet."
I personally think you can't go wrong either way, I'd even guess that they are probably similar sounding (just a guess!).

Brewbaker · June 18th, 2003, 09:41 AM

found it to be noisier (hiss) than I would have thought, based on it's revered status. It's at the beginning of the chain so the noise is definitely coming from its circuit. Controls are Sus.-11:00, Output-11:00.

The Keeley stresses its low noise but I wonder if it's really true--I'm not suggesting that it's BS, just that these descriptions are subjective. I had a Carl Martin and it was definitely quieter than the Analogman.

John E · June 18th, 2003, 10:14 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Brewbaker

I had a Carl Martin and it was definitely quieter than the Analogman.

Wow... I used a buddies Carl Martin for a while and liked it but it picked up radio stations and sent them thru my amp, didn't happen all the time but was so bad when it did I couldn't use it... Huh, go figure. I am definitely interested in checking the Keeley out, but I didn't find the AnalogMan noisy at all... I only run one pedal after the comp (Analog modded BD-2, Tone pump, or Nobels ODR-1) though, how many pedals are you using with it?

Brewbaker · June 18th, 2003, 10:55 AM

Mine did that too, which is why I sold it. Right after I did, I was told of a simple fix for the problem--starting to wish I hadn't let it go now. I'm running a BD2, a Bad Bob, DL4 and a MM4 after the CompROSSor. The Bad Bob BTW is wicked quiet, but because it's after the CompROSSor it boosts its noise as well.

John E · June 18th, 2003, 11:09 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Brewbaker

Mine did that too, which is why I sold it. Right after I did, I was told of a simple fix for the problem--starting to wish I hadn't let it go now. I'm running a BD2, a Bad Bob, DL4 and a MM4 after the CompROSSor. The Bad Bob BTW is wicked quiet, but because it's after the CompROSSor it boosts its noise as well.

Yeah that RF problem was the reason he was letting me use it, I heard there was a fix for it also but he had already sold it also. I dug it except for that, although sometimes I wished it had a little more, it was very transparent and I like the way my CS-3 can actually add some gain(just a hair) with the level about 3 o'clock and sustain about 2 o'clock. Some people think I'm nuts but I actually dig my CS-3 except that it sucks a little bit of my tone and is just a bit noisy... those are the things I liked better about the comprossor. Hey maybe yours has a fixable issue? Maybe try and talk to Mike about it... he seems pretty good that way. I actually live about 3 miles from his shop so I bounce in there every once in a while... that's how I bought my BD-2 and was able to A/B alot of stuff... I'm actually gonna A/B my BD-2 with Rob Distefano's as he has the Keeley modded BD-2 and we're dying to check out the differences... I think he used to have the Keeley comp, I'll ask him what he thought of it.

Primo Don · June 18th, 2003, 11:56 AM

having said that, I haven't had the priveledge of hearing first hand the aNaLoG.MaN... but I've had my Keeley running on stage next to guitar players with the CS-3, CS-2 and the Carl Martin. Compressors inherently add a bit of noise, half of their job it to bring up the "noise" floor, but it isn't bothersome at all. We all know what Boss does to your tone when they're off and both the Keeley and the aNa... are true bypass. To my ears, the Keeley is the most transparent of the lot. Oh, yeah, no radio stations in my amp.

Adam

Brewbaker · June 18th, 2003, 02:21 PM

Quote:

I'm actually gonna A/B my BD-2 with Rob Distefano's as he has the Keeley modded BD-2 and we're dying to check out the differences... I think he used to have the Keeley comp, I'll ask him what he thought of it.

Let me know how that goes--I have the Keeley Phat BD2 and like it a lot. I know Rob and respect his opinion--I'd be interested in hearing his take on the Keeley comp.
Thanks.

blu4co · June 18th, 2003, 04:36 PM

FWIW, I have the Keeley compressor, Keeley BD2, and a Bad Bob by Robbie Wallace. The only one that makes any noise is the BD2, and it's slight. I can't imagine a compressor could be any quieter than the Keeley. This nothing against the Analogman comprossor, but nothing can be quieter than no noise at all.

RKeeley · June 19th, 2003, 07:07 AM

Howdy!
I took a stock, off-the-shelf Keeley Compressor and my analogman bi-compressor and measured noise with an oscilloscope. Test conditions were using the same fresh carbon zinc battery, inputs shorted to ground through a 6 foot George L cable plugged into what else but a Telecaster. Both the Sustain and Level set to maximum. No load on the output except the scope. Granted, noise is hard to read because it's made up of many frequencies, changes with time, etc... Both units measure the same noise value. 5 divisions at 5mV/div = 25mVpp of noise. When amplifing a signal, the Keeley Compressor produced slightly more output. The Keeley put out 0.67 Vpp with a 1khz sine wave input (forgot the input voltage) and the analogman put out 0.65 Vpp. So, the Keeley produced an insignificant amount more amplification while at the same noise level.
For a reference to these noise figures: A stock SD-1 MIJ produced only 10mVpp of noise with Level, Tone and Drive cranked.
All compressors do produce noise, especially when there is no input as the comp is amplifing to its maximum potential. As soon as someone would play a note these noise figures would be greatly reduced. Those figures represent a worst-case, idle situation.
Hope that helps!
Rk

Brewbaker · June 20th, 2003, 09:11 AM

So based on your test criteria, if the controls were set say to S-11:00 and V-11:00 for both pedals, then the noise levels would be identical? Or, do the level settings have some exponential quality that causes the noise level to shift as the they're set lower--if you get my drift? Is the noise (hiss) in your pedal noticeably audible at those settings? Thanks for your input.

davidp158 · July 5th, 2003, 11:51 AM

I have a Carl Martin compressor, and like it a lot. On rare occassions, I've heard some RF noise, and wonder what the "fix" is for this. Could someone email info or a link on this?

thanks in advance,
Dave Patterson

Quote:

Originally Posted by Brewbaker

Mine did that too, which is why I sold it. Right after I did, I was told of a simple fix for the problem--starting to wish I hadn't let it go now. I'm running a BD2, a Bad Bob, DL4 and a MM4 after the CompROSSor. The Bad Bob BTW is wicked quiet, but because it's after the CompROSSor it boosts its noise as well.

Brewbaker · July 7th, 2003, 01:11 PM

I have a Carl Martin compressor, and like it a lot. On rare occassions, I've heard some RF noise, and wonder what the "fix" is for this. Could someone email info or a link on this?

thanks in advance,
Dave Patterson

I was told that a 40pf cap from the + side of the input jack to ground will filter the RF--I haven't tried it though. If you do, let us hear your results. Thanks.

RKeeley · July 10th, 2003, 07:25 AM

A 40pF cap might not be a bad idea at all to stop the occasional RF. I have seen many pedals with up to 220pF on the front end. With 220pF you notice just a slight loss in high frequency, so 33pF-56pf should be small enough to keep the gear hi-fi.
Thanks,
rk

davidp158 · July 10th, 2003, 08:34 AM

Brewbaker and RK,

Thanks for the info on the Carl Martin mod to fix RF noise. I'll give it a try.

Dave

June 17th, 2003, 06:46 PM	#1 (permalink)
Brewbaker Tele-Meister Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Cape Elizabeth, Maine Posts: 258	Can anyone compare the Analogman Comprossor to the Keeley--n I'm wondering which one is quieter regarding residual hiss. I use a compressor at the beginning of the chain so it wouldn't be amplifying any other pedal's noise--just the hum from single coils :-)

June 18th, 2003, 08:55 AM	#2 (permalink)
John E Tele-Afflicted Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Connecticut Posts: 1,396	I have only tried... The Analogman comprossor and did not find it to be noisy at all... definitely less noisy than my CS-3 and clearer toned when A/B'ed. I really liked it A LOT... That being said I have not tried the Keeley(but boy do I want to) as I'm sure you know the reviews are always great and I remember people specifically recommending it as "quiet." I personally think you can't go wrong either way, I'd even guess that they are probably similar sounding (just a guess!).

June 18th, 2003, 09:41 AM	#3 (permalink)
Brewbaker Tele-Meister Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Cape Elizabeth, Maine Posts: 258	I have the Analogman and... found it to be noisier (hiss) than I would have thought, based on it's revered status. It's at the beginning of the chain so the noise is definitely coming from its circuit. Controls are Sus.-11:00, Output-11:00. The Keeley stresses its low noise but I wonder if it's really true--I'm not suggesting that it's BS, just that these descriptions are subjective. I had a Carl Martin and it was definitely quieter than the Analogman.

June 18th, 2003, 10:55 AM	#5 (permalink)
Brewbaker Tele-Meister Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Cape Elizabeth, Maine Posts: 258	Radio--Carl Martin-yeah... Mine did that too, which is why I sold it. Right after I did, I was told of a simple fix for the problem--starting to wish I hadn't let it go now. I'm running a BD2, a Bad Bob, DL4 and a MM4 after the CompROSSor. The Bad Bob BTW is wicked quiet, but because it's after the CompROSSor it boosts its noise as well.

June 18th, 2003, 11:56 AM	#7 (permalink)
Primo Don Tele-Meister Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Orlando, FL Age: 31 Posts: 381	I have Keeley experience... having said that, I haven't had the priveledge of hearing first hand the aNaLoG.MaN... but I've had my Keeley running on stage next to guitar players with the CS-3, CS-2 and the Carl Martin. Compressors inherently add a bit of noise, half of their job it to bring up the "noise" floor, but it isn't bothersome at all. We all know what Boss does to your tone when they're off and both the Keeley and the aNa... are true bypass. To my ears, the Keeley is the most transparent of the lot. Oh, yeah, no radio stations in my amp. Adam

June 18th, 2003, 04:36 PM	#9 (permalink)
blu4co TDPRI Member Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: lafayette Louisiana Posts: 57	keelely comp FWIW, I have the Keeley compressor, Keeley BD2, and a Bad Bob by Robbie Wallace. The only one that makes any noise is the BD2, and it's slight. I can't imagine a compressor could be any quieter than the Keeley. This nothing against the Analogman comprossor, but nothing can be quieter than no noise at all.

June 19th, 2003, 07:07 AM	#10 (permalink)
RKeeley TDPRI Member Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: Oklahoma Posts: 54	Noise Measurements Howdy! I took a stock, off-the-shelf Keeley Compressor and my analogman bi-compressor and measured noise with an oscilloscope. Test conditions were using the same fresh carbon zinc battery, inputs shorted to ground through a 6 foot George L cable plugged into what else but a Telecaster. Both the Sustain and Level set to maximum. No load on the output except the scope. Granted, noise is hard to read because it's made up of many frequencies, changes with time, etc... Both units measure the same noise value. 5 divisions at 5mV/div = 25mVpp of noise. When amplifing a signal, the Keeley Compressor produced slightly more output. The Keeley put out 0.67 Vpp with a 1khz sine wave input (forgot the input voltage) and the analogman put out 0.65 Vpp. So, the Keeley produced an insignificant amount more amplification while at the same noise level. For a reference to these noise figures: A stock SD-1 MIJ produced only 10mVpp of noise with Level, Tone and Drive cranked. All compressors do produce noise, especially when there is no input as the comp is amplifing to its maximum potential. As soon as someone would play a note these noise figures would be greatly reduced. Those figures represent a worst-case, idle situation. Hope that helps! Rk

June 20th, 2003, 09:11 AM	#11 (permalink)
Brewbaker Tele-Meister Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Cape Elizabeth, Maine Posts: 258	About you test... So based on your test criteria, if the controls were set say to S-11:00 and V-11:00 for both pedals, then the noise levels would be identical? Or, do the level settings have some exponential quality that causes the noise level to shift as the they're set lower--if you get my drift? Is the noise (hiss) in your pedal noticeably audible at those settings? Thanks for your input.

July 7th, 2003, 01:11 PM	#13 (permalink)
Brewbaker Tele-Meister Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Cape Elizabeth, Maine Posts: 258	Re: Radio--Carl Martin-yeah... I have a Carl Martin compressor, and like it a lot. On rare occassions, I've heard some RF noise, and wonder what the "fix" is for this. Could someone email info or a link on this? thanks in advance, Dave Patterson I was told that a 40pf cap from the + side of the input jack to ground will filter the RF--I haven't tried it though. If you do, let us hear your results. Thanks.

July 10th, 2003, 07:25 AM	#14 (permalink)
RKeeley TDPRI Member Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: Oklahoma Posts: 54	A 40pF cap might not be a bad idea at all to stop the occasional RF. I have seen many pedals with up to 220pF on the front end. With 220pF you notice just a slight loss in high frequency, so 33pF-56pf should be small enough to keep the gear hi-fi. Thanks, rk __________________ Email: fx@robertkeeley.com Honk if you own a Telecaster!~

July 10th, 2003, 08:34 AM	#15 (permalink)
davidp158 Tele-Meister Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Bellevue, WA Posts: 354	Carl Martin mod Brewbaker and RK, Thanks for the info on the Carl Martin mod to fix RF noise. I'll give it a try. Dave