Barber Tone Press, or... ?

[JohnnyCrash]

OK, if you haven't seen my recent posts, I am looking for a compressor for my Clean tones.

I want something SUPER-transparent and natural...

In my last post it was suggested I buy the Barber Tone Press.

DOES ANYBODY HAVE ANY THOUGHTS ON THIS PEDAL?

I'm down to either the cheap MXR Dynacomp, or Boss CS-3 - OR the Barber... I hate these kinds of decisions! I've read a ton of reviews (the Barber's concept sounds interesting), and I'm stuck - reviews are VERY subjective (while the reviewers are NOT!).

[Ringo]

I've owned all of the compressors that you listed, Boss CS2,vintage and RI MXR Dynacomps, and the Barber.
Of those the Tonepress will definately be the most transparent.

[telel6s]

I used to have a CS-3. It does what it does but I always knew when that pedal was on. The little red light was pretty much unnecessary. I found the CS-3 hard to set up in that what worked for one or two songs sounded terrible on anything else; plus, it did not seem to play well with other pedals.

I sold the CS-3 I am saving my pennies for a Tone Press. I've just read a huge number of good reviews. I like the idea of the blend. From the reviews I've read and responses to a question or two, you can set the compression level and then setting the Blend knob goes a long way to determining if your sound is highly effected (squished) or more transparent.

[rcrecelius]

Crash,
For your needs, a Boss CS3 or Dynacomp will not be transparent. I use a CS2, which is the older Boss offering but I cant say it is transparent either.
To be perfectly honest, it may take a studio quality compressor to provide you with truly transparent limiting/compression capabilities.

I havent tried one yet but the Tone Press does sound like it would be a nice pedal and you probably wouldnt lose much (if any) if you didnt like it and had to re-sell.

[sabby]

+1 on the Tone Press.

I don't use mine much, but I'm not a big compression fan. But It can be very transparent.

The thing I didn't expext is that I use the internal trim pot that allows you to dial in the squishy compressed tone. Oddly, I like a touch of squish. It makes the pedal a bit more "effect like," and I discovered that it suits me.

Go figure. Never say never, and all that.

[Johnir]

I tested a Tonepress last week thinking about replacing my MXR SuperComp and decided the SuperComp suited my needs better than the Tonepress because the Tonepress was TOO transparent.

There's no doubt that the Barber pedal is one of the most transparent compressor pedals around even on full mix. If that is not enough transparency you can reduce the mix of compression and let less of it through.

The Tonepress has as Sabby says an internal tone knob that can add a bit more rubbery tone if you think it's too transparent.

[ruger9]

I've never played one, but the Keeley Compressor is very popular. When I was researching compressors awhile back, it came down to the Keeley & the Barber. Of course, I never bought one... too busy with my "overdrive quest" (which I have finished), and "delay quest."

[telel6s]

I recently sold off my CS-3 after never really being happy with it. I was saving my pennies for a Tone Press and then saw a Marshall ED-1 in the garage sale earlier this week. Read some good comments about it here and elsewhere so I figured at $35, might as well give it a try (thanks, Larry).

It showed up yesterday and I brought it straight to a show. Considering I had all of 8 minutes to set it up, it sounded great. I won't use the term transparent, but inobtrusive fits the bill.

I'd still like to try the Barber's Blend control, but the Marshall has an Emphasis control that kind of sweeps the compression from low to high frequencies. I set it so that it comped the high end but let the lower notes ring normally. Comp was about 1/2 way and volume had just a very little boost. Worked really well. I'm looking forward to messing around with this more to get a better feel for it.

[JohnK24]

The Tone Press is an amazing compressor. With his "magic dust" for single coils settings my strat becomes Knopfler in all it's crystal clarity and touch of bite. With my tele...I can get a vintage Volkaert like compression or crank up the gain/volume and cut the sustain (comp), dial in a health slice of original signal (blend knob) and I can get into the Paisley throaty twang...sure, I'm not saying the Tone Press is the magic box, but it's hands and feet another the CS2, CS3 and Dyna Comps I've had.

The internal trim pot allow you to dial the "voice" on the pedal to a modern clear and punch (my favorite) or a vintage comp with a rounder compression.

Great pedal, super build and inexpensive compared to Keely and Analog man.

hth,

J

[ruger9]

Originally Posted by JohnK24

The internal trim pot allow you to dial the "voice" on the pedal to a modern clear and punch (my favorite) or a vintage comp with a rounder compression.


J

Didn't know about the internal trim. A very nice feature, indeed! Leave it to Dave Barber...more function at less price. You know, I swear some people don't take Barber pedals "seriously" because they don't cost what most boo-teek stuff does...you know, the whole "get-what-you-pay-for" thing. With Barber, you seem to get as much or more features/functionality than mosts boo-teeks, and and a better price. Rock on, Dave!

[Deacon Blues]

I currently don't use compression, but if i had to use it I would use the Tone Press. I've tried the MXR, the Boss a Rt. 66 and a couple of others. The Tone Press is the best compressor I've ever owned.

[BillyK]

I am with the Deacon on this. The TP is the best, most versatile comp on the market.

That said, I also own a McSqueeze for that Orange Squeezer-type comp the TP can't do. But the TP is the best all-round. It's also a killer class A boost.

[valleyartsman]

i had a cs3 comp and i liked it and all but i got a keeley compressor. this thing is the best. it dosn't color your tone any at all. you won't be sry with a keeley. hope this helps.

[Sounds like Roy]

Being positively overwelmed by the amount of raving reviews for the Barber tone press, I finally ordered one, I hope my expectations don't ruin it for me....
I have had the ibanez CP-9, and an old grey Ross (paying an insane $250 for and then selling for an even insaner $410 - not even close to worth either amount). Currently own the Guyatone ST-2 (which has a blend switch along the lines of the TP's blend pot), and the TC Electronic Sustain+ parametric EQ, which is one of those leave it on all the time pedals for a certain hi-fi sparkle it adds, though I wish I could find a manual to better understand how all the knobs and switches work together...
Honestly I wonder if I even really like compression, but I do like the sound of that Tele snap for country style playing. If the TP does not work out, I'm going to try the orange squeezer or Dyna Comp route. Then there's also the Menatone JAC (LN-1A) rack comp emulation option...

Ahhh Freedom! Choices and throwing $20's at the situ....

[Big Lug]

How did the Barber Tone Press work out for you?