EBS MultiComp Blue Label or Keeley Bassist Compressor?

#21
BASS YODA said:
I'm looking for a compressor that offers tone enhancement / tonal coloring with jacks on the sides of the pedal...

Do you have any other suggestions for me, please?
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It's hard to beat the original Diamond Bass Comp for that purpose. Other suggestions that get good reviews are the Hyper Luminal, Ampeg Opto-comp, Fairfield Accountant, and I really recommend the GC-2 (although it's transparent), maybe the M87 (also transparent) but tonally it's just a Keeley that's harder to dial in.
 
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#22
Big box Cali76 is the only compressor that I’ve really liked. But it’s pretty spendy. Compressors in the normal price range - I like the older EBS blue line comps. But some of those have an issue with the switch, unfortunately.
 
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#23
Using EBS here in the multiband mode. Helix does a lot but the EBS makes LIVE mixes much better(even vs Helix comps). FOH and monitor folks can worry about limiting if it's needed.

My "rack rig"(wireless>Helix>SansAmp RBI> dbx 166xL > power amp > speakers). has a dbx 166xL that does both(comp and limit) nicely, EBS is not used with that setup.
 
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#24
Johnny Crab said:
Using EBS here in the multiband mode. Helix does a lot but the EBS makes LIVE mixes much better(even vs Helix comps). FOH and monitor folks can worry about limiting if it's needed.

My "rack rig"(wireless>Helix>SansAmp RBI> dbx 166xL > power amp > speakers). has a dbx 166xL that does both(comp and limit) nicely, EBS is not used with that setup.
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OP: Note that the Keeley is quite literally a DBX160 in stompbox format. It uses the same VCA chip and everything. (I know the 166xl has many more features, but I believe the compression is similar tonally)

That being said, and to help provide another datapoint towards the original question, @Johnny Crab which setup do you prefer?
 
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#25
It may have already been noted on here, but I’ll credit a guitarist friend of mine who quoted a bassist friend of his who said:
“The Keeley Bassist is the compressor for bassists who don’t like compression.” As a sound guy for a lot of years and a bass player, I can attest to this. I had a KB on the last pedalboard that I curated, and yes (in keeping with many of the above comments) it was an easy, dial-in-my-preference, set-and-forget, always-on compressor that presented the sound presented to it, rather than adding a new layer of tonality or texture profile.
I am not a fan of big-squeeze tones, because there isn’t a lot I can do with that from behind the console… you’ve taken that tool out of my hands as a sound guy. But for slicing the rough edges off surgically, and presenting the tonality you feed it in a more polished fashion? With simple controls? Keeley Bassist all day.
 
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#27
BASS YODA said:
I'm looking for a compressor that offers tone enhancement / tonal coloring with jacks on the sides of the pedal...

Do you have any other suggestions for me, please?
Click to expand...

My understanding is the Keeley is not meant for tone enhancement but I haven't tried one.

Pigtronix has a few models with side jacks and coloration, like the Philospher's Gold.
JHS Pulp n Peel has side jacks and a tilt EQ though it is promoted as transparent. TB users seem to like it.
MXR M87 has side jacks but might be too transparent. MXR Dynacomp Bass has a tone control and might be worth a look. I use a Dynacomp based compressor and it isn't colorful but I do like it.
Fairfield Accountant has tons of personality and side jacks. Not the most adjustable of compressors but it is interesting.
 
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#28
I have both and love'em. If you need some coloration and fattening, the EBS might be the right choice between those two. Also, it's pretty much impossible to make it sound bad. Not very versatile since the maximun ratio is 5:1, and in older versions the input gain/threshold is located inside the pedal, wich is a PITA if you change basses (the external lateral switch not always solves that issue). The Keeley is more versatile (goes from 1:1 to ○○:1), and is VERY transparent. I think it takes better hotter signals and adjustments couldn't be easier. Also, the attack and release times are dynamic (the harder you play, the faster the attack and the longer the release, and vice versa), whereas the EBS has fixed times for both parameters (wich can be good or bad depending how you play). It's very simple to operate, but it requires to know a little more about compression than the EBS does.

Currently, I have the Keeley on my board since I need a transparent compressor (there's enough coloration in the rest of the signal chain) and I think it is an overall better sounding/easier to set pedal; but I'd be very happy with the Multicomp if it was the only compressor available. I've had the oppotunity to replace the Keeley with other compressors, like the Empress i.e., but at the end of the day the thing just sounds good and it's a joy to adjust; it works for what it's needed, and adding anything else to it would take away one of its charms.
 
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#29
DangYankee said:
OP: Note that the Keeley is quite literally a DBX160 in stompbox format. It uses the same VCA chip and everything. (I know the 166xl has many more features, but I believe the compression is similar tonally)

That being said, and to help provide another datapoint towards the original question, @Johnny Crab which setup do you prefer?
Click to expand...
With my current setup/band format using RCF's for everything, no stage amps, no IEM's the EBS "wins" because in the MB function it makes the patches I've developed in the HELIX sound "better"(more clarity & definition).

With ANY other "HELIX > stage amp and cabinet(s) " setup, the dbx wins. Keeley would probably win here.

I've not tried a Keeley but I'm aware of the "tone" factor of dbx, spent a couple of hours at stage volume running a QSC 2402 into 4 ohm ACME B2's(Andy with ACME told me to be VERY CAREFUL) to make it basically not audible but did protect the speakers.

I've not run our RCF monitors in a head-to-head sound test against ACME B2's. Thinking ACME would win the frequency response/low end gut punch fight and RCF would win the "peel skin off your face" with very clean decibels in the mids/highs. RCF has a 15" in the monitors but ACME did some nice cabinet and speaker magic with the B2's for bass guitar.
 
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#31
DangYankee said:
OP: Note that the Keeley is quite literally a DBX160 in stompbox format. It uses the same VCA chip and everything. (I know the 166xl has many more features, but I believe the compression is similar tonally)

That being said, and to help provide another datapoint towards the original question, @Johnny Crab which setup do you prefer?
Click to expand...

Are you saying the Keeley is a dbx160 or a dbx166 in stompbox format? The 160/166 are VERY different quality units.

The dbx160. now often referred to as the dbx160VU to avoid confusing it with the later and less desirable dbx 160X/XT/A, was a classic compressor. Really good if you like the characteristic and rather "hard" way it can clamp down on your signal, and if you can live without adjustments for attack/release. It's not my personal favorite style of compression, but at least the 160 does it really well. I think I could probably enjoy having a "dbx160 in a box" on my pedalboard, when used at moderate settings.

The dbx166 is something I wouldn't let near my bass signal path or my studio. I guess the 166 can be decent as a budget option for less important channels in a PA system, like toms or something... But I definitely wouldn't want a "dbx166 in a box" (minus the attack/release controls) on my pedalboard.

Btw, is there a concensus on whether the Keeley Bassist or GC-2 is the best option for bass? I definitely don't want a compressor that "overshoots" on low notes. Does that mean the GC-2 would most likely be the better choice for me?

The thing is, I'm looking for a reasonably priced "one knob" compressor for my pedalboard. I'm sick of repairing my EBS Multidrive and can't trust it anymore (have they improved the build quality of these by now?). The MXR M87 is great, but too fiddly on a dark stage. The Markbass Compressore is also great, but too dark/colored to be my allround "always on" compressor.

This Keeley Bassist (or GC-2) seems like it could be an interesting option, but not if it's a "166 in a box". I like some of dbx's higher end gear, but their lower end comps (166/266) make the Behringer Composer seem like a boutique compressor by comparison.
 
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#32
S.F.Sorrow said:
Btw, is there a concensus on whether the Keeley Bassist or GC-2 is the best option for bass? I definitely don't want a compressor that "overshoots" on low notes. Does that mean the GC-2 would most likely be the better choice for me?
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No, I don't think there is a consensus.

On one hand, some claim that GC-2 is less sensitive to lows and, hence, a better comp for bass guitar.

On the other hand, many others are happy using the Bassist...

I am in the latter camp.
 
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