MXR Dynacomp or Keely Two Knob

[gguitar55]

I think I want to try a compressor as I am learning slide. Had a Pigtronix for a short time and didn't dig it or understand it. I am now considering a Dynacomp new or vintage re release or a Keely two knob which to me looks like another Dynacomp.

I would appreciate any input, especially from slide players. I do not play on stage so maxing out my amp is not an option.

thanks

 

[Lazloryder]

Dynacomp. I have a Keeley, and I don't think the extra money adds much.

 

[tbader]

Every demo I've heard of the Ego Comp has been awesome. It's pretty versatile it seems.

I have the newest Dyna, and it sounds great, but overdrives my ODs pretty easily. Gotta set it up just right.

Todd

 

[telefunken]

For what it's worth. Compressors suck big time..........but once you understand them and learn how to use them, it will be the best pedal you've ever owned!!

BTW, I have a Keeley 2 Knob.

 

[jondanger]

Don't know much about playing slide, but my Dyna Comp gets the job done. I did the Monte Allums mod, and for about $25 and 2 or 3 hours, it came out sounding noticeably better. Less noise and kind of a tubier sound. That mod won't work with the very newest ones though. It is only possible with ones that were made a few years back.

Most of the Dyna Comp complaints are going to be about noise issues, at least for the post-LED ones.

 

[JoshuaCLS]

I love my keeley, though I have the 4 knob - I typically leave it at the stock 2 knob settings.

It's dead quiet, a lot of lovely sounding squish on tap if you want it, it's just a magic mojo pedal. I leave it always on.

 

[Coop47]

I've used both and like them a lot, but for different reasons. My experience is that the Keely is a nice "always on" compressor that enhances your sound more subtly. The Dyna Comp is more of an effects pedal to me in that you really notice what it's doing in giving you a squashed, percussive sound. For a cover band where you're trying to ape different styles and change up your sound to simulate the record, the MXR is great. For that reason, I have an MXR, but it sounds like a Keely might serve your needs better.

 

[artdecade]

I like the Dynacomp a lot. The Keeley is also great, but pricey. Having used both, I'm not sure that the price : quality ratio makes it that much better than the ol' Dynacomp. (Oh - and to kinda piggyback the post above, I use a compressor as an always on effect, so keep that in mind.)

But, what do I know? I use the Boss CS-3....

 

[Vegetable Man]

The MXR is a decent pedal, definitely less expensive. Mine was kind of noisy, though.

I got rid of it when I found a 3 knob Analogman Comprosser on ebay. Less noise, and it sounded clearer to me. Plus, more knobs are better, right?

 

[scud133]

i strongly encourage getting a comp with a blend knob.

the dynacomp really clamps down on the attack anywhere past 1/4 of the way up. if you're laying down some funk and want to sound like a perfect machine then it might make sense... but you'll hear the initial attack get totally crushed when you slam on a big open cowboy chord. and then the dynacomp will bring up the back end/decay of the sound to provide the illusion of sustain.

having some level of "consistency" in volume is what you want for chicken pickin and funky stuff but a blend knob will really help in taming that volume "suck" that happens on the initial attack. everything in moderation, right? the dynacomp tends to overdo it, IMO, unless you set it just right.

 

[studio1087]

I would get the Dyna and save the cash. I have a Dyna and u have played many Keeley comps. I like the sound of the Dyna. The Dyna is very warm and I like how the attack is set.

Keeley is a great pedal guy....I have a "baked" mod TS9 that I love but the Keeley comp vs Dyna makes me choose the Dyna.

 

[Dr. Pants]

Since you're willing to consider a Dyna Comp, why not
an MXR Super Comp? It's a Dyna Comp with an attack control.
Or you could get the MXR Custom Comp which I like better than either
of its predecessors.

And they're all still less than a Keeley.

It's all quite subjective. Like ArtD and Vince Gill, I use a CS-3 and
it is, for me, a "magic mojo box" and all that blahblahblah kinda crap.

I have many other compressors, including those above and many more.
But I keep coming back to that stoopid blue box.

Wanna' buy a Super Comp?

 

[telebuc]

The Keeley 2-knob is the same pedal as the 4-knob, the difference being the attack and level trim are internal controls on the 2-knob. The Keeley is a great compressor, superior to the Dyna-Comp IMHO, which is noisy, but the very best guitar compressor I've used is the FX Engineering RAF Mirage.

 

[gguitar55]

Since you're willing to consider a Dyna Comp, why not
an MXR Super Comp? It's a Dyna Comp with an attack control.
Or you could get the MXR Custom Comp which I like better than either
of its predecessors.

And they're all still less than a Keeley.

It's all quite subjective. Like ArtD and Vince Gill, I use a CS-3 and
it is, for me, a "magic mojo box" and all that blahblahblah kinda crap.

I have many other compressors, including those above and many more.
But I keep coming back to that stoopid blue box.

Wanna' buy a Super Comp?

So Doctor, what's the difference between the Custom Comp and the Custom Shop reissue Dynacomp with the original IC? Is this the reissue with bypass switching and a power supply jack?

 

[Dr. Pants]

The Custom has an attack and tone control
inside. It is MUCH quieter than the Dyna, and
just plain sounds better to my ear.

Also keep the Biyang compress X in mind as a dyna
alternative. I've never tried it, but Dyna fans have been singing its praises.
it's cheaper and quieter than an MXR DC.

 

[gguitar55]

The Custom has an attack and tone control
inside. It is MUCH quieter than the Dyna, and
just plain sounds better to my ear.

Also keep the Biyang compress X in mind as a dyna
alternative. I've never tried it, but Dyna fans have been singing its praises.
it's cheaper and quieter than an MXR DC.

Keep in mind I am looking to use this for a slide rig. So I want lo compression sustain and I really don't mind and might prefer a little coloration if it is a useful tone. You know for slide it means it's ok to cut the highs and make a nice smooth and broad midrange with no peaks.
thanks.
PS. If the Custom Comp is what it says it is I might try one.

 

[Dr. Pants]

Well, the Custom is what MXR claims it is.

But if you want to cut highs I'd suggest either a compressor
with a tone control, or a BBE Bench Press. The BBE is a touch
on the darker side. And it is a Ross clone, which means it is in the
Dyna Comp family.

Just my taste, but for slide, if it were me, I'd go with
either an optical compressor, or an Orange Squeezer
clone with a tone control (if there is such a beast)

 

[gguitar55]

Thanks Pants

 

[Dr. Pants]

Never underestimate the power of pants...

 

[Middleman]

I had the MXR for years and recently switched to the Keeley. I like it's soft knee versus the MXRs hard knee approach to compression. Doesn't clamp as much unless you want it to.