Compressors with band or eq adjustable

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Bio-Bassist

Jan 17, 2011
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#1
So I've been looking to get the DigiTech bass squeeze with the dual band compression, I was just curious if anyone has or knows about any brand of pedal similar to this kind. The reason I ask is cause I kinda like the idea of being able to put more punch into a certain range of the instrument, I know you could do that with an eq pedal, but would be interesting if there's other pedals like this one out there.

Unfortunately is a downfall with this pedal is that there's no attack, sensitivity etc., so I was thinking of getting another compressor to possibly add on or have as a decent well rounded one, but inexpensive that doesn't sound like crap, been looking at the caline pressure point, any thoughts?
 
#2
First that comes to mind is the TC Electronic $99 Spectracomp (1 knob) or $128 Hypergravity (4 knobs). I know the spectracomp is a 3 band fully programmable compressor, and I assume that the Hypergravity is essentially the same, but with more knob/switch options on the pedal itself (better for on the fly adjustments).

The question with these is finding the toneprint that works for your intended purpose. It's a little bit more work to understand how to program your own settings and knob interactions.

In theory, the 3 band multicomp can act as a pseudo-EQ, causing certain frequencies to stand out (less compressed), while gain reduction happens to other frequencies, and in different amounts. Unfortunately, this isn't newbie stuff, but rewarding if you're up to the task and/or have a good understanding of multi-band compression. You might not have to do this if you find a good toneprint (lots available) or can work with the stock settings.
 
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#5
The unfortunate reality with compressors - being an evasive sort of animal to quantify in terms or effect and tone alteration - is that you can spend a lot of money on them, searching from pedal to pedal, and still not be certain of what they're doing and whether you actually appreciate how they treat your sound. It's also very easy to reject a poorly set compressor (in the isolation of your home without a band playing) when it appears to mangle the sound in a live performance.

If the OP thinks he can get it accomplished with a low budget comp pedal, then who am I to say? Personally, I'd sooner look at an EQ or drive pedal (with certain key features) to get the job done.

No doubt the TC pedals are something of a crap shoot regarding tone print searching and programming, but no more or less than if you were doing the same search for a non-programmable compressor. The main advantage to the programmable TC pedals is that you can fundamentally change the settings if you don't like what you're hearing, whereas you may be quite limited by analog pedals in this respect. Yes, certainly the programming of a 3 band multi-comp is not a trivial exercise, and for many bassists an unappealing undertaking. But to my knowledge, the Spectracomp & Hypergravity have features that are VERY RARE in a mass-produced pedal at that price.

Good luck with the hunt!
 
#7
jimfist said:
The unfortunate reality with compressors - being an evasive sort of animal to quantify in terms or effect and tone alteration - is that you can spend a lot of money on them, searching from pedal to pedal, and still not be certain of what they're doing and whether you actually appreciate how they treat your sound. It's also very easy to reject a poorly set compressor (in the isolation of your home without a band playing) when it appears to mangle the sound in a live performance.

If the OP thinks he can get it accomplished with a low budget comp pedal, then who am I to say? Personally, I'd sooner look at an EQ or drive pedal (with certain key features) to get the job done.

No doubt the TC pedals are something of a crap shoot regarding tone print searching and programming, but no more or less than if you were doing the same search for a non-programmable compressor. The main advantage to the programmable TC pedals is that you can fundamentally change the settings if you don't like what you're hearing, whereas you may be quite limited by analog pedals in this respect. Yes, certainly the programming of a 3 band multi-comp is not a trivial exercise, and for many bassists an unappealing undertaking. But to my knowledge, the Spectracomp & Hypergravity have features that are VERY RARE in a mass-produced pedal at that price.

Good luck with the hunt!
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That's the thing, im looking to put some articulation on some parts where as others kinda want to dial it off, like just a real nice just girthy and warm low end, bright punchy mids and some high to give it some flavor but don't want it to over take anything, so thought of dialing the compression down on the highs to make them just stand back a bit and have the low and mids cut through. I'm just thinking as far as maybe more of a clean sound with good attack and articulation but again kinda with like to shift bringing up the low and mid.
 
#9
There’s the new dual band compressor from Becos Electronics called the CompIQ Twain that is due to be reviewed shortly over on Scubaduba’s ongoing review thread you may be interested in waiting for. Post can be found here.

79EBA140-3417-463F-B101-E5988E02315C.jpeg


Lots more info and reviews to be found in that thread. It’s also where the compressor geeks hang out so it may also be a good place to ask for recommendations and opinions. ;)
 
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#11
So long story short, might be having to spend more on decent multi band comps, I mean some of them seem within budget, but im also looking at something possibly temporary as well as building up a nice rig, thanks for the suggestions everyone, but as FaithNoMan said it was noisy, would a noise gate pedal still work on it if the noise gate in it sucks?
 
#15
I recently researched and purchased a compressor. I tried out the mxr m87, Keeley bassist, markbass compressors, TC Spectradrive and Empress compressor. The Spectracomp was nice having just one knob and many preset toneprints to program (was also the cheapest of the bunch) the problem I found was when I switched basses the sound needed to be adjusted and it's hard with only one knob, I would have to load a different preset from my phone which sometimes was annoying. I ended up spending a little more and went with the Empress. It was a close decision between the Markbass and the Empress
 
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#16
Bio-Bassist said:
So long story short, might be having to spend more on decent multi band comps, I mean some of them seem within budget, but im also looking at something possibly temporary as well as building up a nice rig, thanks for the suggestions everyone, but as FaithNoMan said it was noisy, would a noise gate pedal still work on it if the noise gate in it sucks?
Click to expand...
Imagine you have a hot dog with all the toppings, and you drop it on the beach, and it gets covered in sand. The hot dog vendor says "no problem, just throw away the bun." You do that, but the rest of the dog and toppings are still all dirty. Another guy says "no big deal, just scrape everything off the weiner, it'll be fine." OK I guess, but what you're left with is not even close to what you started with.
 
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#17
Having sprung for a dual band compressor recently, I’d say don’t even try to go cheap. Skip the Digitech. Personally I’d go with either the Spectracomp if the whole programmable/toneprint thing sounds interesting to you, or if you prefer using plain old knobs like me just spring for the Lehle or FEA pedal. I recently tried the EBS Multicomp, wanted way more control and just sprang for the FEA. It’s not cheap, but consider how many pedals you may go through trying to find a less expensive solution? IMO, best just to go right to the great stuff where compression is concerned and save yourself some potentially expensive and stressful faffing around.
 
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#18
Bio-Bassist said:
So long story short, might be having to spend more on decent multi band comps, I mean some of them seem within budget, but im also looking at something possibly temporary as well as building up a nice rig, thanks for the suggestions everyone, but as FaithNoMan said it was noisy, would a noise gate pedal still work on it if the noise gate in it sucks?
Click to expand...

No. It’s trash. @bongomania on this very thread wrote the review for it and I bought two compressors based on his reviews and am very happy with the Maxon cp9 Pro+.

Here is his review of the Digitech
Digitech Bass Squeeze
 
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