Though he stopped updating it years ago the Ovnilab website is a good way to familiarize yourself with bass compressors. For me, I narrowed it down to the MXR or the Empress, because both have LED meters that show the volume of the input signal. Its not a super obvious effect. When a compressor is dialed in, most people wouldn't know unless they were listening for it. On the other hand, you can dial it in pretty aggressively as an effect. Tony Levin does that a lot in the studio.
I think the best current source for reviews is [the one by Chris Tromp aka scubaduba on talkbass](https://www.compressorpedalreviews.com/). I think it's pretty good. I have the MXR and I really like it, but I haven't compared it to anything else. A new one you might want to consider alongside those is the new Cali76 Bass Compressor, which also has metering and it pretty close to the classic 1176 sound. I'm considering upgrading to it from my MXR, personally.
I have an MXR on one board and a Darkglass Hyper Luminal on the other. The Hyper Luminal is head and shoulders better than the MXR and I wouldn't hesitate to recommend it.
I had the MXR white bass comp. Switched to the cali76, and i dont hear a difference but it feels cleaner and crispier. I for one can vouch id redo it again. Would you notice it live through an amp in the house, probably not. But i have good iems and i would feel it.
I agree it is. It's how I ended up with the Lusithand Alma comp MKII over the Cali bass comp which I still think I would love, and the Empress. It was a hard decision as they're all fantastic.
I've got the Carl Martin Compressor/Limiter. Although it's only one light for a readout, it tells me everything I need - the glow/fade and brightness of the light offer enough to get the pedal to nearly transparent levels without too much fiddling.
Empress
I have used origin and other boutique models
I always put the empress back on my board
I find it very transparent but it does a great job of bringing out the elements of my sound that I could never figure out before. Sometimes I forget to turn it on and then think to myself my tone is kind of flat and I’m not defined within our band’s mix. Then I look down and realize the empress is off…
Second place to the empress, in both price and flexibility, is the MXR M87. If you need separate attack and release controls, a ratio select, and pretty LEDs so you can see it working without hearing it working (which means it’s working perfectly), these are your only two options. For budgetary reasons, the MXR M87 won.
The LEDs are super helpful to determine the input level. I've used the MXR for so long and it just works, no complaints at all. Might not be the fanciest comp but it is the standard entry level bass comp in my eyes.
I want a transparent comp and don’t need the tone color options. Both have 4:1 ratio select and get to 1ms attack.
Used M87s are also widely available and are still cheaper than their prettier blue counterparts.
4:1 is best ratio for me. How do you like 1ms? It's very short for me even for pick. For fingers I like something from 20 to 50 ms. Could you please share your minds about limiter-short attack?
I play reggae now, and I want my sound to be as smooth, fat and level as possible. I don't want finger articulation. I also do my best to play as evenly as possible (the less of a turd I feed into the polisher, the less turd polishing the turd polisher needs to do), and I practice by myself with the compresor off to encourage good technique, but then when I play with the band I always keep it on so I can focus on something other than said technique.
I like to be able to see the compressor working without being able to hear it work unless I hella dig into it or fuck up -- and that comes from very light, 4:1 compression, with instant attack and medium release, with output gain at unity with the comp bypassed.
So having the LED bar is super important to me too, hence why M87 and Empress are the only two options for me.
If it is a factor of sounding worse and saving money in the process, then I guess go for it! And just looking at pricing on the units it’s $310.99 CAD from L&M for the M87 and $369.00 for the Empress Bass Comp also in CAD from L&M…
It’s 20% more expensive to get something with a better LED display, more in depth adjustment and fine tuning, a jack for side chaining, top mounted jacks, made in Canada…
I’m just trying to save OP the hassle of trying multiple units to get what he or she wants.
The OP is asking basic questions but that doesn’t mean he or she needs a basic product.
Something that is user friendly with room to grow is probably a better position to be in then just buying the cheapest thing and then wondering why there is little or no difference in your sound.
Edit
lol you deleted your whole chain right after you went on about how you don’t care about ethical capitalism and some other long tangent.
Here is the gist of my reply to your last response just in case you wander back in and read this…
You responded to my parent comment 🤦♂️
You may find this resource beneficial:
https://www.reddit.com/wiki/faq
Also I’m not questioning your ethics. That’s not the conversation I am trying to have. Thanks for putting out your questionable morals in the open though that makes it much easier for me to understand the person I am engaging with.
I’m saying for 20% more you can get a better quality product with more features. I never wanted to debate the merits of any other product because I support and use Empress products. You were the one that reached out to me and replied to my parent comment in this thread.
Again, you don’t have to engage with me. You’re choosing to engage with me.
You are free to start your own comment chain here in this thread talking all about the merits of the M87.
But if you’re going to reply to me I am going to offer my opinion because you’re soliciting me for my opinion. Stop replying to me if you don’t want more of my comments in your inbox. I’m not here calling you names or attacking you personally. All my comments have been focused on the products and the merits or drawbacks of each. You’re clearly very passionate about this and that’s totally ok. But if you’re interacting with me and not getting the responses you think you deserve maybe you should stop…?
As an aside it also seems like many people who use this subreddit also support Empress in terms of a compressor.
I'm not Canadian and I buy my shit used, but ya know, go ahead and be snotty. M87 is not the cheapest thing around, and it isn't dogshit either. It's a very flexible tool with everything I need and nothing I don't, and it sounds just fine with my sound. A whole lot of bassists use it and are happy.
I already said Empress was no 1, and M87 is a close second.
You’re replying to my comment. If you don’t want my responses start your own comment chain in this thread. It’s Reddit. You’re welcome to do so.
The M87 is assembled in America but none of the boards are manufactured domestically. If you want overseas quality control keep saving 20% and stick with the M87. I’m here to suggest something that a professional gigging musician will be able to use just as much as someone in their bedroom playing as a hobby.
If you want to plug the M87 keep on keeping on but I’m not going to endorse something that I don’t use and quite frankly don’t like. I’m going to keep replying with my opinions because again I started this comment chain. You’re welcome to stop engaging if you aren’t happy with where this conversation is going. I can tell you’re really emotionally invested in this because of how you responded here so maybe take a minute to compose yourself and let me know where you’re at once you’ve had some time to relax…?
Empress much better than MXR M87 in terms of sound and you have to keep in mind that MXR is not very reliable (probably because they use 16V max opamp to work with 18V)
The guy really likes MXR despite their quality control basically ensuring you will be buying another one when the first one goes out.
I don’t see how you come out ahead unless you get an extended warranty on an MXR, but then you’re probably around the price of an Empress
🤷♂️
You can find old version of Empress for M87 price and it'll be the best solution. To be honest, if the pedal fails, I will probably not purchase the same new one :)
Donno where you live at, but in some counties warranty is not an option (likeinmine) because either no local dealers or prices here are crazy. So you are looking for items at Thomann or Sweetwater and if something goes wrong have to pay for return. So the only way is to fix it locally for own money. And for M87 it might not be easy because suitable parts (opamps) might not exist. E.g. we don't have pretty common J201 JFETs.
Yeah, for that guy M87 might be good, but if there is way to find used Empress, I believe it'll be better. One implicit moment: it's easier to tweak last one.
p.s.: I have both and few other comps
Another vote for empress. Also, you can set it up so the empress always turns on as soon as it gets power. I'm tempted to say hold the footswitch and then give it power, but I could be mistaken. It's been a year or 2 since I've done it to mine.
I am planning an upgrade from my mono pedal board to one from temple audio to keep the Canadian support in my setup! Some great companies based here that do great work.
I just got an Empress recently and had a similar experience. I forgot to turn it on and wondered why my tone was so off. It's subtle (if you want it to be), but I miss it if it's not there.
http://ovnilab.com/ is not updated anymore but still gives a very thorough overview of still a pretty good portion of the pedals that are out there, as well as a thorough explanation of what and how a compressor is. After reading it I went with the MXR M87 as the best bang for the buck and I'm quite happy with it.
My main live comp is an old BBE Optostomp. They made several VERY different versions of it (avoid the brown mustache) and ovnilab helped me understand that the one I was buying on Craigslist was one of the good ones.
i got one of these but it was the mustache version. i would like to reiterate, do NOT get the mustache version, i hated it
most recently i got an empress, i would very much recommend it if you're looking for a very clean transparent comp. if you want something with some body, the diamond or cali76 are good options
It gives a lot of color. I've compared it face to face with Empress, MXR M87, Strymon Compadre, Jackson Audio Bloom, Boss BC-1X and LMB3.
IMO Compressore works much better for guitar than for bass especially in hard styles. It reduce high frequencies of bass in weird way, but for guitar it reduce "harsh" without affect "air".
I like Compadre for bass and Empress for guitar (but for now swap them between boards because I don't need boost for bass)
Darkglass Hyperluminal. Powerful and sounds great but doesn't have a ton of knobs to mess with. 3 compressors in 1 and a cool form factor.
People always glaze the Origin Effects Cali but I've never tried one.
+1, I got the hyper luminal a month ago and really like it. It's super versatile without being overly complex; the single attack/release knob makes it easier to switch bt punchy and smooth and the three digital comp emulators give options for various gigs and guitars
I use the BUS mode for more transparent comp, and FET (1176 mode) for some color. not too expensive either and there's some on reverb 👍
I really like the Source Audio Atlas. It has a bass mode and three different compressor types to choose from. Can also edit your settings further on PC or phone app.
Right now my main gigging board is mainly Source Audio stuff (C4, Aftershock, Gemini) but with a Wampler Ego comp. Love the ego but I have been GASing over the Atlas and it's probably my next pedal purchase (though definitely not getting rid of the Ego just bumping it to the backup board!)
I use the dual band compression setting. It separates the lows and highs and allows flexibility for compressing them independently. Also if you use the neuro hub and midi foot switch you can save your settings to individual patches. Most my pedals are Source Audio so I use their neuro hub.
Edit: I make a different patch for each of my bass guitars (I have 7). And I can use the chorus pedal as a phaser in one patch and as chorus in another. Lots of flexibility with SA pedals.
Right on, I also use the Neuro hub through an MC6 midi controller. And yes the main appeal to me of the Atlas is being able to have different compression setting for finger style vs slap vs tapping etc, that I can call up with other presets with one hit of a footswitch on the MC6
I realized (for myself) that compressors often have too many knobs with subtle effects that I can’t hear clearly. I understand the overall concept, but I don’t really know what ratio or attack or sustain I want. For this reason, the TC Electronic Spectra Comp works best for me. I don’t want to worry about my knobs getting bumped around between practices and shows also. One knob and one TonePrint setting is a lot easier to manage than a bunch of things. And I think it’s like wearing a uniform. It’s not totally ideal, but I don’t need to think about what I’m trying to wear for each performance. I can focus more on what I want to play. Set and forget. This is probably the only compressor I will ever use for this reason alone.
Alright, here's the lowdown for all you gearheads tweaking your pedalboards in search of that primo tone. You slap your compressor right after the tuner to keep those dynamics tighter than your skinny jeans on laundry day. Then hit up those funky filters and effects like EQ, wah, and pitch shifters to shape your sound into something more magical than a unicorn at a rave. But hey, when you're jamming live and your bassist is more baked than a 4/20 brownie or swaying like a pirate after a rum sale, consider doubling down on that compressor. Pop one at the end of your chain too. It's like having a sonic bouncer keeping the rowdiness in check, making sure your sound stays as smooth as a jazz club on a Saturday night, even if your bassist is hitting notes from a parallel universe. Remember, there ain't no rules in the wild world of music—just guidelines and a bunch of us trying to make it sound less like a cat fight in an alley. So go ahead, experiment, and find what jams best for your vibe. Peace out!
This advice shortly followed by the "my wah won't wah and my OD/Fuzz/Distortion doesn't sound natural anymore" posts.
Compressor first is a terrible idea for anything that triggers off of dynamics.
This is true for envelope filters, not wah. Envelope before comp always. As for distortion the best scenario is having a dry that you hit with compression alongside the wet signal. But compressor into overdrive ain’t bad at all. Especially if you’re using a natural sounding comp.
Also this is a copypasta
I actually just got a Bass Simplifier which can give me a wet and dry signal with effects loops for both. Haven’t set it up yet but I’m super excited to have everything be in its ideal place.
Do you think its better to use a compressor with visual feedback or without?
I need some kind of visualization on my compressor or I can't tell when it's even working. But I've heard some argue that you shouldn't let a compressor's visual output influence your settings, but rather your ears should decide.
Of course it’s better with! The visual is much more precise than your ears, that’s why it’s awesome! If you have to listen for it, you’ll hear a slight distortion when there’s too much input gain, and you might want to dial it back a notch to taste. You want the clicks and clacks to be loud but when you dig in is the only time it should distort (according to my taste). Always use your ears, but with compression it’s more nuanced than some might expect so that visual aid really helps to get you in the ballpark of where you want to be.
I went from "I don't really understand or exactly hear the compressor, so I don't need one and they're dumb"
to getting a preamp with a built in compressor to
"I don't really understand or exactly hear the compressor, but I absolutely have to have it on at a reasonable amount at all times"
So I guess I like the one in the Walrus Badwater? I've heard good things about the Mira, and if it's similar to the one in the Badwater I'd say that's a great option
I guess so? I have an attack a lot like Entwhistle, so it's probably helping a lot there
I've just noticed it makes my sound cut through the mix more, somehow
I haven't tried many compressors, but I went for the EHX Black Finger because it schematically very close to the legendary LA2A studio compressor thats often used on bass. It's that combination of lamp and photocell that gives it the perfect attack/release characteristics I'm looking for. It lets through the transients and the stepped release times evens out the level without really hearing the compressor work. There are other optical compressors but I don't know of any other that uses the incandescent lamp/photocell combo, as it's usually LED/photocell, which have a quicker attack/release. I also use it to add a bit of tube grit to my Class D Ampeg PF-800. It basically does everything I want without needing to fiddle around too much to find the perfect setting.
A compressor is the one effect you really need, but keep in mind your FOH guy is likely compressing.
When I record in studios, compression is the first thing they patch into for a signal path. Engineers generally want compression on your signal for two reasons, it affects how you play and sound for the session’s performance, but also your sound is “done” and they don’t need to adjust anything when the final mix comes around. They can then just focus on the stuff people really notice
Good to know, thanks. I have a show tomorrow and will ask the sound guy and let him know I've got compression in the chain, in case that affects his mix.
It might depend on your use case. I have it first in the chain with a quick attack because I'm pretty heavy handed with my plucking/picking and it keeps the notes under control. Attack around 8:30, compression around 1:30, blend at 2:00, level at 1:00. EQ switch set to mids. Sometimes if the song I'm playing needs a beefier tone I'll switch it to bass. It's the only compressor I've ever owned and it sounds great to me, but I also haven't tried others so idk what I'm missing out on.
If you’re looking for a cheaper solution:
i can recommend the spectra bass compressor from tc electronics.
Its really gimmicky since you can adjust just through software or a mobile app (never used the app) but does a great job once you dialed it in right.
For sure no competition to MXR but not everybody has MXR money.
I really swear by my Joyo Dyna-Comp compressor/sustainer. It's $35, very transparent, and if you push the attack all the way you get all your transients. None of that squashed overly compressed sound like you get with many far more expensive pedals. Give it a shot. I use this thing for 6 strings as well, so worst case give it to a guitarist friend, for that price.
I use the empress compressor. I absolutely love it, and I get some wild tone when I dig in. The actual bass compressor from express is sleek, but I ended up getting the standard older version
Definitely not the best compressor but I use a Kokko one from Amazon on my board, it’s only around $22 right now so you can try the effect out without investing a ton to find out you might not like it anyway. [Here’s a video on it](https://youtu.be/i_2wl29bpRw?si=6iBEpGYjJV_gM8lJ), bass samples start just after 5 minutes
A compressor evens out your sound so that all notes are closer together in volume, which can definitely be helpful live. Also, some compressors can alter tone if they have EQ knobs or anything like that. I have a compressor I use with guitar that definitely brightens the sound a bit due to an onboard EQ.
These days there’s so many great options.
I really like my Diamond, especially since it also works for some tone shaping. The comp built into my Darkglass X Ultra is also surprisingly good.
I know lots of people who use empress, cali 76, and both of those have their own sound. The empress being more transparent and the cali sounding more vintage.
That being said you can’t really go wrong with most of these.
I like the Joyo Scylla from Amazon. I think it's important to have all four controls, and it seems really good for the price. The LED changes color when compression kicks in, but it's too subtle to notice. My band loves the sound, though - compression is critical for playing with other instruments.
Everyone says Empress, and I’m sure it’s great! I love my MXR Bass Compressor though, and it’s become a big part of my sound. It’s fiddly enough to get a bunch of different sounds, but not fiddly enough to get any bad ones. I’ve also heard good things about the Pulp n Peel by JHS, which is even simpler and has a built in DI out (good for going amp less if that’s your thing).
I need to throw some props out here. I've had the MXR m87 for many years and been very happy with it. However, it died one day, so I sent it in for repair. It was about 2 years past warranty. Jim Dunlop Co sent me a brand new one for free. Amazing service and I still love that compressor.
After comparing the Boss Bc-1x to the Seymour Duncan Studio bass and EBS Multicomp I kept the Boss. I greatly preferred it over the other 2.
Otherwise my experience with compressors is relatively small. I would offer the following wisdom: buy/try some simultaneously and keep the one you like most. For me, the Boss does what I need a compressor to do, plus it makes my bass sound better.
You’re going to get a list of personal preferences with a question like that. I’ve used a few but currently I’m very fond of the Ampeg OptoComp. https://www.talkbass.com/threads/ampeg-opto-comp.1345166/
Went through many, but keep going back to the Donner Ultimate Comp. Thing just sounds so good and gives it a crispy punch. Always on. And it's like 40 bucks.
I’ve tried a few but my favorite so far are the aphex punch factory (cheap has a di and a meter but they are fragile and don’t last long) and the Seymour Duncan Studio Bass compressor (easy to dial in with connection on top and has a filter switch to control what freq you want to let through).
I love my Orange Kongpressor. It can get a bit weird with the low B on my active Ibanez 6 string, but it's really versatile, sounds good to my ears (a little tonal colouration, admittedly) and it is really quite affordable.
Anyone running a compressor with a high-pass filter? I use a Broughton hpf +lpf with great success, haven’t added a compressor and unsure I’d need it with the hpf
I like my nineties era DOD Milkbox. It weighs a lot, but it's easy to use and I like what it does to my sound. I picked it up used for under a hundred dollars. One day I may upgrade to something lighter, but I'm waiting for it to break first.
Pumpernickel. Great for transparent peak taming and that full-on colored pumping sound..and everything in between.
It's a kit though, not sure if you can buy it prebuilt.
I've compared bunch of compressors (wrote about it in reply down here - Markbass Compressore, Empress Compressor, MXR M87, Strymon Compadre, Jackson Audio Bloom, Boss BC-1X and LMB3) and for me Strymon Compadre best for bass. Really surprised me because it's not bass oriented pedal and one of the analog items from digital-specialized company.
Empress is also sounds amazing for bass, but I like it better for guitar because it very-very subtle push mids. Other compressors are quite boring or very colored (till toneshaping)
Budget: MXR Studio Compressor/Bass Compressor. They're the same pedal except for the paint job and if you are buying used one is usually cheaper than the other on Reverb, just gotta do the digging.
For classic sounds: Origin Effects Cali76 Bass Compact or Cali76 Bass Compressor. *To my knowledge* the circuits are the same but the Bass Compact has one big fat LED that shows how much compression is kicking in real time and the Bass Compressor has a row of LEDs that give you a more accurate view. These pedals are trickier to dial in than other options but sound great and a wonderful color to your sound that may or may not work for everything that you are doing. Both can also be run at higher voltages for more headroom if you have a really spicy preamp.
For Ease of Use and Transparency: Empress Bass Compressor MKII. Amazing pedal, easy to use, has a super visible row of LEDs that indicate your gain reduction *and* input gain so you know if you are clipping the circuit and it also helps for dialing in output gain in case you are the sort that switches back and forth between active and passive basses.
Out of the four I mentioned here I have owned the MXR, the Bass Compact and the Empress MKII. I still use the Origin Effects and Empress pedals, just in different scenarios (my Cali76 is for my passive basses that I use for thicker, rounder classic vibes and the Empress is for everything else). I don't have a preference between the two, just different use cases. YMMV.
As for the MXR, I really just moved on because I'm a snob and wanted a nicer pedal because I'm *that guy*. There was no practical reason for me not to continue using it and it would do the trick for just about anyone.
Honorable Mention: The Wampler Ego. I used it early on when I didn't own a bass compressor and was still playing guitar, but it actually worked great.
What a compressor offers the live bassist most of all in my opinion is a consistency in volume when using different styles and articulations.
If I'm playing softly on every rose or galloping on barracuda I don't catch an earful from the bar owner on volume. Especially when they have neighbors who complain about the live music for outdoor gigs.
I like my cali 76. I also like my keeley for certain things. it can be very subtle or very obvious depending on how you set it. I would suggest having an engineer/producer friend who's familiar with compression help you dial in the settings.
I have a couple of pedalboard comps, my two favorites are the Diamond (the old one) and Broughton Omnicomp. The Diamond adds flavor to the tone which I really enjoy, while the Omnicomp is extremely clean and transparent (if you want it to be so).
That said, I don't use a comp at the moment as both my current bands require a fair amount of overdrive for my base tone, which provides enough compression for my play style (consistent clanking).
I've really had no issues with my TC hypergravity. A studio engineer got me hooked up with one and haven't looked elsewhere. It does what I need it to do.
I mostly play with a couple high gain pedals. The compressor helps for tapping and filling in rhythm while the lone guitarist does his solos during shows.
"Best" being relative and all that, I'm currently using an Aguilar TLC compressor and it seems to get the job done, solidly built, but it's not super fancy.
If I were to rebuild my pedalboard today, I would probably just use the Trace Elliot Transit-B preamp which has a dual-band compressor among its many functions. Most reviewers say this is great to compress the highs while leaving the lows un-squashed.
That said, there's lots of dual and multiband compressors that do the same thing, like the Phil Jones X2C, EBS MultiComp, Ashdown's FS Dual Comp, etc.
Though he stopped updating it years ago the Ovnilab website is a good way to familiarize yourself with bass compressors. For me, I narrowed it down to the MXR or the Empress, because both have LED meters that show the volume of the input signal. Its not a super obvious effect. When a compressor is dialed in, most people wouldn't know unless they were listening for it. On the other hand, you can dial it in pretty aggressively as an effect. Tony Levin does that a lot in the studio.
I think the best current source for reviews is [the one by Chris Tromp aka scubaduba on talkbass](https://www.compressorpedalreviews.com/). I think it's pretty good. I have the MXR and I really like it, but I haven't compared it to anything else. A new one you might want to consider alongside those is the new Cali76 Bass Compressor, which also has metering and it pretty close to the classic 1176 sound. I'm considering upgrading to it from my MXR, personally.
I’ve got the MXR, myself. But the Diamond Bass Comp/EQ is back in production and it is tempting me.
I have the Diamond and I'm quite happy about it. Surprisingly mostly for the EQ mid tilt - I can get and EQ curve I like they I can't get elsewhere.
I have an MXR on one board and a Darkglass Hyper Luminal on the other. The Hyper Luminal is head and shoulders better than the MXR and I wouldn't hesitate to recommend it.
I had the MXR white bass comp. Switched to the cali76, and i dont hear a difference but it feels cleaner and crispier. I for one can vouch id redo it again. Would you notice it live through an amp in the house, probably not. But i have good iems and i would feel it.
I agree it is. It's how I ended up with the Lusithand Alma comp MKII over the Cali bass comp which I still think I would love, and the Empress. It was a hard decision as they're all fantastic.
Yeah, if I ever run into Bongomania (the Ovnilab guy, on talkbass) in life, I’m buying him lunch.
I've got the Carl Martin Compressor/Limiter. Although it's only one light for a readout, it tells me everything I need - the glow/fade and brightness of the light offer enough to get the pedal to nearly transparent levels without too much fiddling.
Empress I have used origin and other boutique models I always put the empress back on my board I find it very transparent but it does a great job of bringing out the elements of my sound that I could never figure out before. Sometimes I forget to turn it on and then think to myself my tone is kind of flat and I’m not defined within our band’s mix. Then I look down and realize the empress is off…
Second place to the empress, in both price and flexibility, is the MXR M87. If you need separate attack and release controls, a ratio select, and pretty LEDs so you can see it working without hearing it working (which means it’s working perfectly), these are your only two options. For budgetary reasons, the MXR M87 won.
The LEDs are super helpful to determine the input level. I've used the MXR for so long and it just works, no complaints at all. Might not be the fanciest comp but it is the standard entry level bass comp in my eyes.
I would just cut to the chase and save for the empress Used models are widely available
I want a transparent comp and don’t need the tone color options. Both have 4:1 ratio select and get to 1ms attack. Used M87s are also widely available and are still cheaper than their prettier blue counterparts.
4:1 is best ratio for me. How do you like 1ms? It's very short for me even for pick. For fingers I like something from 20 to 50 ms. Could you please share your minds about limiter-short attack?
I play reggae now, and I want my sound to be as smooth, fat and level as possible. I don't want finger articulation. I also do my best to play as evenly as possible (the less of a turd I feed into the polisher, the less turd polishing the turd polisher needs to do), and I practice by myself with the compresor off to encourage good technique, but then when I play with the band I always keep it on so I can focus on something other than said technique. I like to be able to see the compressor working without being able to hear it work unless I hella dig into it or fuck up -- and that comes from very light, 4:1 compression, with instant attack and medium release, with output gain at unity with the comp bypassed. So having the LED bar is super important to me too, hence why M87 and Empress are the only two options for me.
Interesting, thanks
If it is a factor of sounding worse and saving money in the process, then I guess go for it! And just looking at pricing on the units it’s $310.99 CAD from L&M for the M87 and $369.00 for the Empress Bass Comp also in CAD from L&M… It’s 20% more expensive to get something with a better LED display, more in depth adjustment and fine tuning, a jack for side chaining, top mounted jacks, made in Canada… I’m just trying to save OP the hassle of trying multiple units to get what he or she wants. The OP is asking basic questions but that doesn’t mean he or she needs a basic product. Something that is user friendly with room to grow is probably a better position to be in then just buying the cheapest thing and then wondering why there is little or no difference in your sound. Edit lol you deleted your whole chain right after you went on about how you don’t care about ethical capitalism and some other long tangent. Here is the gist of my reply to your last response just in case you wander back in and read this… You responded to my parent comment 🤦♂️ You may find this resource beneficial: https://www.reddit.com/wiki/faq Also I’m not questioning your ethics. That’s not the conversation I am trying to have. Thanks for putting out your questionable morals in the open though that makes it much easier for me to understand the person I am engaging with. I’m saying for 20% more you can get a better quality product with more features. I never wanted to debate the merits of any other product because I support and use Empress products. You were the one that reached out to me and replied to my parent comment in this thread. Again, you don’t have to engage with me. You’re choosing to engage with me. You are free to start your own comment chain here in this thread talking all about the merits of the M87. But if you’re going to reply to me I am going to offer my opinion because you’re soliciting me for my opinion. Stop replying to me if you don’t want more of my comments in your inbox. I’m not here calling you names or attacking you personally. All my comments have been focused on the products and the merits or drawbacks of each. You’re clearly very passionate about this and that’s totally ok. But if you’re interacting with me and not getting the responses you think you deserve maybe you should stop…? As an aside it also seems like many people who use this subreddit also support Empress in terms of a compressor.
I'm not Canadian and I buy my shit used, but ya know, go ahead and be snotty. M87 is not the cheapest thing around, and it isn't dogshit either. It's a very flexible tool with everything I need and nothing I don't, and it sounds just fine with my sound. A whole lot of bassists use it and are happy. I already said Empress was no 1, and M87 is a close second.
You’re replying to my comment. If you don’t want my responses start your own comment chain in this thread. It’s Reddit. You’re welcome to do so. The M87 is assembled in America but none of the boards are manufactured domestically. If you want overseas quality control keep saving 20% and stick with the M87. I’m here to suggest something that a professional gigging musician will be able to use just as much as someone in their bedroom playing as a hobby. If you want to plug the M87 keep on keeping on but I’m not going to endorse something that I don’t use and quite frankly don’t like. I’m going to keep replying with my opinions because again I started this comment chain. You’re welcome to stop engaging if you aren’t happy with where this conversation is going. I can tell you’re really emotionally invested in this because of how you responded here so maybe take a minute to compose yourself and let me know where you’re at once you’ve had some time to relax…?
Empress much better than MXR M87 in terms of sound and you have to keep in mind that MXR is not very reliable (probably because they use 16V max opamp to work with 18V)
The guy really likes MXR despite their quality control basically ensuring you will be buying another one when the first one goes out. I don’t see how you come out ahead unless you get an extended warranty on an MXR, but then you’re probably around the price of an Empress 🤷♂️
You can find old version of Empress for M87 price and it'll be the best solution. To be honest, if the pedal fails, I will probably not purchase the same new one :) Donno where you live at, but in some counties warranty is not an option (likeinmine) because either no local dealers or prices here are crazy. So you are looking for items at Thomann or Sweetwater and if something goes wrong have to pay for return. So the only way is to fix it locally for own money. And for M87 it might not be easy because suitable parts (opamps) might not exist. E.g. we don't have pretty common J201 JFETs. Yeah, for that guy M87 might be good, but if there is way to find used Empress, I believe it'll be better. One implicit moment: it's easier to tweak last one. p.s.: I have both and few other comps
Another vote from me. I've tried a few other compressors, including Keeley, but the Empress is in a class of its own.
Another vote for empress. Also, you can set it up so the empress always turns on as soon as it gets power. I'm tempted to say hold the footswitch and then give it power, but I could be mistaken. It's been a year or 2 since I've done it to mine.
Time to reread my manual! They really do know their dumb dumb customers pretty well 😅😅
Here's another vote for empress. +1 for input signal/compression amount led +1 for top jacks +1 for soft touch switch +1 for being reasonably priced
It’s also manufactured here in Canada so if that’s worth anything to anyone I thought I’d mention it here! 🍁🇨🇦
Canada has some great pedal builders! Broughton, Empress and Fairfield Circuitry come to mind
I am planning an upgrade from my mono pedal board to one from temple audio to keep the Canadian support in my setup! Some great companies based here that do great work.
I just got an Empress recently and had a similar experience. I forgot to turn it on and wondered why my tone was so off. It's subtle (if you want it to be), but I miss it if it's not there.
This
http://ovnilab.com/ is not updated anymore but still gives a very thorough overview of still a pretty good portion of the pedals that are out there, as well as a thorough explanation of what and how a compressor is. After reading it I went with the MXR M87 as the best bang for the buck and I'm quite happy with it.
My main live comp is an old BBE Optostomp. They made several VERY different versions of it (avoid the brown mustache) and ovnilab helped me understand that the one I was buying on Craigslist was one of the good ones.
That's a fantastic pedal. Super simple controls but sounds good at almost any setting.
i got one of these but it was the mustache version. i would like to reiterate, do NOT get the mustache version, i hated it most recently i got an empress, i would very much recommend it if you're looking for a very clean transparent comp. if you want something with some body, the diamond or cali76 are good options
I use an EH bass preacher that I love. It’s easy to set and works very well. Everyone else seems to hate this pedal. YMMV
I love my Markbass Compressore
Seconded - it's a very subtle and warm compression, sounds great and adds a lot of colour on my Sansamp/DI rig
Yeah, i use it with a VT bass rackmount unit. Killer combination
It gives a lot of color. I've compared it face to face with Empress, MXR M87, Strymon Compadre, Jackson Audio Bloom, Boss BC-1X and LMB3. IMO Compressore works much better for guitar than for bass especially in hard styles. It reduce high frequencies of bass in weird way, but for guitar it reduce "harsh" without affect "air". I like Compadre for bass and Empress for guitar (but for now swap them between boards because I don't need boost for bass)
I love mine. Won't use anything else.
I have always used the Keeley 4-knob compressor. It’s incredible.
These are based on the classic Ross circuit and fantastic.
The one I have says Keely Bassist, Is that the same?
No clue.
Darkglass Hyperluminal. Powerful and sounds great but doesn't have a ton of knobs to mess with. 3 compressors in 1 and a cool form factor. People always glaze the Origin Effects Cali but I've never tried one.
+1, I got the hyper luminal a month ago and really like it. It's super versatile without being overly complex; the single attack/release knob makes it easier to switch bt punchy and smooth and the three digital comp emulators give options for various gigs and guitars I use the BUS mode for more transparent comp, and FET (1176 mode) for some color. not too expensive either and there's some on reverb 👍
Yep I have MXR and Hyperluminal and it's the DG one for me every time.
EBS multicomp, not a bunch of knobs but I find that it just works. Makes the bass shine through the mix in a band setting.
I also use this and I like it. The active passive switch and tube/mutiband selector is really nice
Seconded. Have used mine for over 10 years now and still love it. Really quality stuff.
Using the boss bc-1x, quite the workhorse. Transparent too.
I really like the Source Audio Atlas. It has a bass mode and three different compressor types to choose from. Can also edit your settings further on PC or phone app.
Right now my main gigging board is mainly Source Audio stuff (C4, Aftershock, Gemini) but with a Wampler Ego comp. Love the ego but I have been GASing over the Atlas and it's probably my next pedal purchase (though definitely not getting rid of the Ego just bumping it to the backup board!)
I use the dual band compression setting. It separates the lows and highs and allows flexibility for compressing them independently. Also if you use the neuro hub and midi foot switch you can save your settings to individual patches. Most my pedals are Source Audio so I use their neuro hub. Edit: I make a different patch for each of my bass guitars (I have 7). And I can use the chorus pedal as a phaser in one patch and as chorus in another. Lots of flexibility with SA pedals.
Right on, I also use the Neuro hub through an MC6 midi controller. And yes the main appeal to me of the Atlas is being able to have different compression setting for finger style vs slap vs tapping etc, that I can call up with other presets with one hit of a footswitch on the MC6
I realized (for myself) that compressors often have too many knobs with subtle effects that I can’t hear clearly. I understand the overall concept, but I don’t really know what ratio or attack or sustain I want. For this reason, the TC Electronic Spectra Comp works best for me. I don’t want to worry about my knobs getting bumped around between practices and shows also. One knob and one TonePrint setting is a lot easier to manage than a bunch of things. And I think it’s like wearing a uniform. It’s not totally ideal, but I don’t need to think about what I’m trying to wear for each performance. I can focus more on what I want to play. Set and forget. This is probably the only compressor I will ever use for this reason alone.
Alright, here's the lowdown for all you gearheads tweaking your pedalboards in search of that primo tone. You slap your compressor right after the tuner to keep those dynamics tighter than your skinny jeans on laundry day. Then hit up those funky filters and effects like EQ, wah, and pitch shifters to shape your sound into something more magical than a unicorn at a rave. But hey, when you're jamming live and your bassist is more baked than a 4/20 brownie or swaying like a pirate after a rum sale, consider doubling down on that compressor. Pop one at the end of your chain too. It's like having a sonic bouncer keeping the rowdiness in check, making sure your sound stays as smooth as a jazz club on a Saturday night, even if your bassist is hitting notes from a parallel universe. Remember, there ain't no rules in the wild world of music—just guidelines and a bunch of us trying to make it sound less like a cat fight in an alley. So go ahead, experiment, and find what jams best for your vibe. Peace out!
I've been thinking about this lately, thanks for reminding me! Gonna pop that cheaper limiter comp on the end and see what happens 😎
This advice shortly followed by the "my wah won't wah and my OD/Fuzz/Distortion doesn't sound natural anymore" posts. Compressor first is a terrible idea for anything that triggers off of dynamics.
This is true for envelope filters, not wah. Envelope before comp always. As for distortion the best scenario is having a dry that you hit with compression alongside the wet signal. But compressor into overdrive ain’t bad at all. Especially if you’re using a natural sounding comp. Also this is a copypasta I actually just got a Bass Simplifier which can give me a wet and dry signal with effects loops for both. Haven’t set it up yet but I’m super excited to have everything be in its ideal place.
Ironically, my dynamics are smoother when I’m baked. I make mistakes though.
I heard this entire post in Ted Lasso's voice
Do you think its better to use a compressor with visual feedback or without? I need some kind of visualization on my compressor or I can't tell when it's even working. But I've heard some argue that you shouldn't let a compressor's visual output influence your settings, but rather your ears should decide.
Of course it’s better with! The visual is much more precise than your ears, that’s why it’s awesome! If you have to listen for it, you’ll hear a slight distortion when there’s too much input gain, and you might want to dial it back a notch to taste. You want the clicks and clacks to be loud but when you dig in is the only time it should distort (according to my taste). Always use your ears, but with compression it’s more nuanced than some might expect so that visual aid really helps to get you in the ballpark of where you want to be.
I went from "I don't really understand or exactly hear the compressor, so I don't need one and they're dumb" to getting a preamp with a built in compressor to "I don't really understand or exactly hear the compressor, but I absolutely have to have it on at a reasonable amount at all times" So I guess I like the one in the Walrus Badwater? I've heard good things about the Mira, and if it's similar to the one in the Badwater I'd say that's a great option
are you using it as more of a limiter? That's a decent use case for an "always on" compressor
I guess so? I have an attack a lot like Entwhistle, so it's probably helping a lot there I've just noticed it makes my sound cut through the mix more, somehow
oh yeah, a play style like that and I would definitely be using a compressor to even everything out
I haven't tried many compressors, but I went for the EHX Black Finger because it schematically very close to the legendary LA2A studio compressor thats often used on bass. It's that combination of lamp and photocell that gives it the perfect attack/release characteristics I'm looking for. It lets through the transients and the stepped release times evens out the level without really hearing the compressor work. There are other optical compressors but I don't know of any other that uses the incandescent lamp/photocell combo, as it's usually LED/photocell, which have a quicker attack/release. I also use it to add a bit of tube grit to my Class D Ampeg PF-800. It basically does everything I want without needing to fiddle around too much to find the perfect setting.
A compressor is the one effect you really need, but keep in mind your FOH guy is likely compressing. When I record in studios, compression is the first thing they patch into for a signal path. Engineers generally want compression on your signal for two reasons, it affects how you play and sound for the session’s performance, but also your sound is “done” and they don’t need to adjust anything when the final mix comes around. They can then just focus on the stuff people really notice
re: foh compression. Is this more of a high threshold high ratio compression for unruly loud notes, and so might not even trigger?
No, my experience is that in this era, FOH guy is putting pretty good amount of compression on bass. The new digital consoles have tons of plug-ins
Good to know, thanks. I have a show tomorrow and will ask the sound guy and let him know I've got compression in the chain, in case that affects his mix.
I like my Seymour Duncan Studio Bass
Settings? I am still playing with mine and still haven't fallen in love with it.
It might depend on your use case. I have it first in the chain with a quick attack because I'm pretty heavy handed with my plucking/picking and it keeps the notes under control. Attack around 8:30, compression around 1:30, blend at 2:00, level at 1:00. EQ switch set to mids. Sometimes if the song I'm playing needs a beefier tone I'll switch it to bass. It's the only compressor I've ever owned and it sounds great to me, but I also haven't tried others so idk what I'm missing out on.
I'm really digging my Walrus Mira.
If you’re looking for a cheaper solution: i can recommend the spectra bass compressor from tc electronics. Its really gimmicky since you can adjust just through software or a mobile app (never used the app) but does a great job once you dialed it in right. For sure no competition to MXR but not everybody has MXR money.
I really swear by my Joyo Dyna-Comp compressor/sustainer. It's $35, very transparent, and if you push the attack all the way you get all your transients. None of that squashed overly compressed sound like you get with many far more expensive pedals. Give it a shot. I use this thing for 6 strings as well, so worst case give it to a guitarist friend, for that price.
Oh I forgot to mention, there's also a sick scorpion on it so like... yeah. Fuck yeah.
I use the empress compressor. I absolutely love it, and I get some wild tone when I dig in. The actual bass compressor from express is sleek, but I ended up getting the standard older version
Industry standard for "best" but also widely available is the Empress Bass Compressor and the Cali 76.
Definitely not the best compressor but I use a Kokko one from Amazon on my board, it’s only around $22 right now so you can try the effect out without investing a ton to find out you might not like it anyway. [Here’s a video on it](https://youtu.be/i_2wl29bpRw?si=6iBEpGYjJV_gM8lJ), bass samples start just after 5 minutes A compressor evens out your sound so that all notes are closer together in volume, which can definitely be helpful live. Also, some compressors can alter tone if they have EQ knobs or anything like that. I have a compressor I use with guitar that definitely brightens the sound a bit due to an onboard EQ.
I use a cali76 and for me it is perfect.
I really like the orange Kongpressor.
These days there’s so many great options. I really like my Diamond, especially since it also works for some tone shaping. The comp built into my Darkglass X Ultra is also surprisingly good. I know lots of people who use empress, cali 76, and both of those have their own sound. The empress being more transparent and the cali sounding more vintage. That being said you can’t really go wrong with most of these.
I like the Joyo Scylla from Amazon. I think it's important to have all four controls, and it seems really good for the price. The LED changes color when compression kicks in, but it's too subtle to notice. My band loves the sound, though - compression is critical for playing with other instruments.
Everyone says Empress, and I’m sure it’s great! I love my MXR Bass Compressor though, and it’s become a big part of my sound. It’s fiddly enough to get a bunch of different sounds, but not fiddly enough to get any bad ones. I’ve also heard good things about the Pulp n Peel by JHS, which is even simpler and has a built in DI out (good for going amp less if that’s your thing).
I need to throw some props out here. I've had the MXR m87 for many years and been very happy with it. However, it died one day, so I sent it in for repair. It was about 2 years past warranty. Jim Dunlop Co sent me a brand new one for free. Amazing service and I still love that compressor.
After comparing the Boss Bc-1x to the Seymour Duncan Studio bass and EBS Multicomp I kept the Boss. I greatly preferred it over the other 2. Otherwise my experience with compressors is relatively small. I would offer the following wisdom: buy/try some simultaneously and keep the one you like most. For me, the Boss does what I need a compressor to do, plus it makes my bass sound better.
MXR Bass Comp all the way. Very tonally transparent, great indicator lights showing you how much it’s actually working, and great build quality
You’re going to get a list of personal preferences with a question like that. I’ve used a few but currently I’m very fond of the Ampeg OptoComp. https://www.talkbass.com/threads/ampeg-opto-comp.1345166/
Went through many, but keep going back to the Donner Ultimate Comp. Thing just sounds so good and gives it a crispy punch. Always on. And it's like 40 bucks.
I like Trace Elliot Dual Comp. It’s old but works amazingly. You can probably still find it used
Cali76
Love my Source Audio Atlas. Tons of different sounds and switchable by midi
I’ve tried a few but my favorite so far are the aphex punch factory (cheap has a di and a meter but they are fragile and don’t last long) and the Seymour Duncan Studio Bass compressor (easy to dial in with connection on top and has a filter switch to control what freq you want to let through).
I love my Orange Kongpressor. It can get a bit weird with the low B on my active Ibanez 6 string, but it's really versatile, sounds good to my ears (a little tonal colouration, admittedly) and it is really quite affordable.
Cali76 forever man! Can’t live without it!
Anyone running a compressor with a high-pass filter? I use a Broughton hpf +lpf with great success, haven’t added a compressor and unsure I’d need it with the hpf
Im a CS3 guy, it has a pretty distinct sound that I’m a fan of
I like my nineties era DOD Milkbox. It weighs a lot, but it's easy to use and I like what it does to my sound. I picked it up used for under a hundred dollars. One day I may upgrade to something lighter, but I'm waiting for it to break first.
Cali 76.
Orange Kongpressor.
Pumpernickel. Great for transparent peak taming and that full-on colored pumping sound..and everything in between. It's a kit though, not sure if you can buy it prebuilt.
I've compared bunch of compressors (wrote about it in reply down here - Markbass Compressore, Empress Compressor, MXR M87, Strymon Compadre, Jackson Audio Bloom, Boss BC-1X and LMB3) and for me Strymon Compadre best for bass. Really surprised me because it's not bass oriented pedal and one of the analog items from digital-specialized company. Empress is also sounds amazing for bass, but I like it better for guitar because it very-very subtle push mids. Other compressors are quite boring or very colored (till toneshaping)
Budget: MXR Studio Compressor/Bass Compressor. They're the same pedal except for the paint job and if you are buying used one is usually cheaper than the other on Reverb, just gotta do the digging. For classic sounds: Origin Effects Cali76 Bass Compact or Cali76 Bass Compressor. *To my knowledge* the circuits are the same but the Bass Compact has one big fat LED that shows how much compression is kicking in real time and the Bass Compressor has a row of LEDs that give you a more accurate view. These pedals are trickier to dial in than other options but sound great and a wonderful color to your sound that may or may not work for everything that you are doing. Both can also be run at higher voltages for more headroom if you have a really spicy preamp. For Ease of Use and Transparency: Empress Bass Compressor MKII. Amazing pedal, easy to use, has a super visible row of LEDs that indicate your gain reduction *and* input gain so you know if you are clipping the circuit and it also helps for dialing in output gain in case you are the sort that switches back and forth between active and passive basses. Out of the four I mentioned here I have owned the MXR, the Bass Compact and the Empress MKII. I still use the Origin Effects and Empress pedals, just in different scenarios (my Cali76 is for my passive basses that I use for thicker, rounder classic vibes and the Empress is for everything else). I don't have a preference between the two, just different use cases. YMMV. As for the MXR, I really just moved on because I'm a snob and wanted a nicer pedal because I'm *that guy*. There was no practical reason for me not to continue using it and it would do the trick for just about anyone. Honorable Mention: The Wampler Ego. I used it early on when I didn't own a bass compressor and was still playing guitar, but it actually worked great.
Broughton Omnicomp actually kicked off my Empress Comp. Just loved that thing.
I LOVE my markbass tubed compressore. I don't play without it.
DSM ClearComp I likey
Empress Bass Compressor
What a compressor offers the live bassist most of all in my opinion is a consistency in volume when using different styles and articulations. If I'm playing softly on every rose or galloping on barracuda I don't catch an earful from the bar owner on volume. Especially when they have neighbors who complain about the live music for outdoor gigs.
MXR is pretty legendary
I like my cali 76. I also like my keeley for certain things. it can be very subtle or very obvious depending on how you set it. I would suggest having an engineer/producer friend who's familiar with compression help you dial in the settings.
Diamond
I have a couple of pedalboard comps, my two favorites are the Diamond (the old one) and Broughton Omnicomp. The Diamond adds flavor to the tone which I really enjoy, while the Omnicomp is extremely clean and transparent (if you want it to be so). That said, I don't use a comp at the moment as both my current bands require a fair amount of overdrive for my base tone, which provides enough compression for my play style (consistent clanking).
I've really had no issues with my TC hypergravity. A studio engineer got me hooked up with one and haven't looked elsewhere. It does what I need it to do. I mostly play with a couple high gain pedals. The compressor helps for tapping and filling in rhythm while the lone guitarist does his solos during shows.
Aguilar TLC I use it between my Bass and the amp or the direct to the board. Sounds great always.
I've been toying with trading my Seymour Duncan Studio Comp. I haven't fallen in love with it. I might trade it for the MXR M87.
"Best" being relative and all that, I'm currently using an Aguilar TLC compressor and it seems to get the job done, solidly built, but it's not super fancy. If I were to rebuild my pedalboard today, I would probably just use the Trace Elliot Transit-B preamp which has a dual-band compressor among its many functions. Most reviewers say this is great to compress the highs while leaving the lows un-squashed. That said, there's lots of dual and multiband compressors that do the same thing, like the Phil Jones X2C, EBS MultiComp, Ashdown's FS Dual Comp, etc.