Anyone favor optical compressors???

[E5RSY]

Pros?
Cons?
Favorite units?

 

[Vibroluxer]

I've had only a few consisting of 1 or 2 of the various types and I settled on an original 3 knob Diamond. I had one, foolishly sold it, tried the new one, returned it and bought my 2nd original one.

Why? It just adds a sweetness to my various tube amps. I love it and heartily recommend it.

Let us know what you decide and good luck. It's a freaking rabbit hole to be sure.

Here is a very accurate review:

Diamond Compressor Review

First impressions. I selected the Diamond over others for the following reasons: I was looking to try a compressor to see if it gave me a more defined robust tone note to note, not for getting a highly processed or altered sound, simplicity/ease of use, reliability, build quality. Reviews of the ...

www.heritageownersclub.com

 

[Rich_S]

Most of my favorite players used heavy Dyna Comp (Andy Summers, Jamie West-Oram) or Boss CS (Johnny Marr, James Honeyman-Scott) compressors. However, I’ve never gotten along with compressors in general.

The only one I have and occasionally use is a Mooer Yellow Compressor. It’s a mini-sized sound-alike of the Diamond. I A/Bed it against a friend’s real-deal Diamond and it’s close-enough-for-the-money.

 

[E5RSY]

Let us know what you decide and good luck. It's a freaking rabbit hole to be sure.

I have one of the "new" updated DOD 280 that I've been happily using with bass for a few years. I am now giving it a shot with the guitar since I've started playing at mostly lower volumes recently.

 

[Dan German]

I don’t use compressors, but I will always go with an optical circuit if it’s an option, because that’s just so freakin’ cool.

 

[Killing Floor]

There’s no best.

 

[SlideGuy123]

Optical comps are my preference. I don’t get along with Dyna Comps, but I’m not looking for squish, just a little evening out of string balance (I’m playing lap steel with fingers/thumb).

My fave is the Mad Prof Forest Green on the sustain setting. It can be subtle or not but I don’t crank the compression. Another one I like is a FET comp, the Bearhug. You need to build it yourself though

 

[kbold]

I don't have a compressor (except for ones built into amps).
If I were to choose one, it would be an optical compressor.
The one I would choose is:

I think it's a rather good idea, on compressors, to have knobs to twiddle.

 

[Hoodster]

I find them very boring - you can barely even hear that they are on.

But, I prefer an obvious compression effect.

 

[edvard]

I find them very boring - you can barely even hear that they are on.

But, I prefer an obvious compression effect.

You might like the Univox Uni-Comp. Two knobs, and there's an inherent "bite" that happens when you first dig in, before the LDR has time to react to your pick attack and limit the signal, that a lot of people like for it's un-subtle-ness.

If you're into building your own, it's also dead simple to build; one op-amp, one LDR, one transistor, and a handful of supporting parts. See here, if you're interested, and use the files in the last post (there's an error in the schematic that OP posted, but these files are correct):
https://www.freestompboxes.org/viewtopic.php?t=12731

 

[Hey_you]

This- Effectrode

 

[E5RSY]

There’s no best.

Who mentioned "best"?

 

[Sean65]

I bought an Ampeg Opto Comp for bass duties but it sounds just as excellent with guitar. Don’t ask me to describe its qualities, all I know is that it sounds very good.

 

[Wooly Fox]

I've liked the ones I've tried (don't use them much).

The Union Tube & Transistor LAB is a fantastic optical compressor and not too expensive.

I use a Jackson Audio Bloom (mostly for the EQ) which has 5 set compression thresholds so it can feel more "comfortable" under the fingers.