Testing Compressors: Cali, Smoothie, Empress, Diamond, Keeley, FEA, Darkglass, Doc Lloyd, JHS & more

@scubaduba
Thanx for the review! The work is highly appreciated.

Is the low frequency clipping with the new Humboldt better or worse than with the Humboldt DE?
It’s all going to be based on what you are driving through Humboldt. It will react differently to different preamps and pickup combos and playing style. I doubt you’d notice much difference between Humboldt and the former DE.
 
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I’ve got one of these bad boys coming. I can’t wait to try it with my Ampeg SVP-CL and SVT II-P simultaneously.

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Here it is! My review of the brand new Warm Audio Pedal76: Warm Audio Pedal76 Compressor Review

I know many have been waiting for this review. With the Pedal76 Compressor, Warm Audio seeks to accurately reproduce one of the fastest and most powerful studio compressors of all time — the UREI 1176 — in a pedalboard friendly format. One look at the pedal and its apparent that careful design direction gives off the UREI 1176 vibe. The knobs, the enclosure, and the meter that illuminates orange all pay homage to the original.

When I learned it was FET-driven and CineMag transformer-equipped and I knew I had to get my hands on one. The fact that it is priced at just $269 seemed too good to be true. Is it?

This one has several nice features including balanced out that sends proper signal to the mixer or live recording rig, with an available high gain mode adding a level boost with more grit and richness. That high gain mode does bring out the richness of the transformer tone. It is possible to push the Pedal76 to breakup, but it is dependent on gain settings, how strong of a signal you are feeding into the compressor, and how high you have the input gain set.

It isn't a small pedal but I think photos on the web make it look bigger than it really is. I have a photo in my review showing the Pedal76 beside a couple of other standard pedalboard size compressors for comparison. Check that out if you are worried about pedal board friendliness.

How does the Warm Audio Pedal76 Compressor sound and respond? Like a great 1176 style compressor should I'd say. I do share some thoughts in my review about comparing Pedal76 to other 1176 inspired compressors. There are differences.

Read my full review here: Warm Audio Pedal76 Compressor Review

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Here it is! My review of the brand new Warm Audio Pedal76: Warm Audio Pedal76 Compressor Review

I know many have been waiting for this review. With the Pedal76 Compressor, Warm Audio seeks to accurately reproduce one of the fastest and most powerful studio compressors of all time — the UREI 1176 — in a pedalboard friendly format. One look at the pedal and its apparent that careful design direction gives off the UREI 1176 vibe. The knobs, the enclosure, and the meter that illuminates orange all pay homage to the original.

When I learned it was FET-driven and CineMag transformer-equipped and I knew I had to get my hands on one. The fact that it is priced at just $269 seemed too good to be true. Is it?

This one has several nice features including balanced out that sends proper signal to the mixer or live recording rig, with an available high gain mode adding a level boost with more grit and richness. That high gain mode does bring out the richness of the transformer tone. It is possible to push the Pedal76 to breakup, but it is dependent on gain settings, how strong of a signal you are feeding into the compressor, and how high you have the input gain set.

It isn't a small pedal but I think photos on the web make it look bigger than it really is. I have a photo in my review showing the Pedal76 beside a couple of other standard pedalboard size compressors for comparison. Check that out if you are worried about pedal board friendliness.

How does the Warm Audio Pedal76 Compressor sound and respond? Like a great 1176 style compressor should I'd say. I do share some thoughts in my review about comparing Pedal76 to other 1176 inspired compressors. There are differences.

Read my full review here: Warm Audio Pedal76 Compressor Review

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Great review. I'm ok with the lack of parallel compression, you really buy WA for the sound of the device, I love their jet phaser as well.
 
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Here it is! My review of the brand new Warm Audio Pedal76: Warm Audio Pedal76 Compressor Review

I know many have been waiting for this review. With the Pedal76 Compressor, Warm Audio seeks to accurately reproduce one of the fastest and most powerful studio compressors of all time — the UREI 1176 — in a pedalboard friendly format. One look at the pedal and its apparent that careful design direction gives off the UREI 1176 vibe. The knobs, the enclosure, and the meter that illuminates orange all pay homage to the original.

When I learned it was FET-driven and CineMag transformer-equipped and I knew I had to get my hands on one. The fact that it is priced at just $269 seemed too good to be true. Is it?

This one has several nice features including balanced out that sends proper signal to the mixer or live recording rig, with an available high gain mode adding a level boost with more grit and richness. That high gain mode does bring out the richness of the transformer tone. It is possible to push the Pedal76 to breakup, but it is dependent on gain settings, how strong of a signal you are feeding into the compressor, and how high you have the input gain set.

It isn't a small pedal but I think photos on the web make it look bigger than it really is. I have a photo in my review showing the Pedal76 beside a couple of other standard pedalboard size compressors for comparison. Check that out if you are worried about pedal board friendliness.

How does the Warm Audio Pedal76 Compressor sound and respond? Like a great 1176 style compressor should I'd say. I do share some thoughts in my review about comparing Pedal76 to other 1176 inspired compressors. There are differences.

Read my full review here: Warm Audio Pedal76 Compressor Review

View attachment 7056597
Curses. Just when I was hoping you would give it a terrible review 🤣
 
Just discovered your review website, and it was your review that made me want to pull the trigger! Hoping to see someone crazy enough to let go of theirs!

I got mine because of this review, too. And no, you cannot have it :)
Next to the big box Cali, it is my preferred comp. Due to its size, it stays at home though.

I got it via the DocLloyd website using their e-mail alert. Took some time, but it got me one. It seems they don't sell out in seconds like other brands. I had time to think it through and have a kidney removed and sold before hitting the "buy me now and think later" button.
 
The Clean looks really cool. If I hadn't bought the Alma just two weeks ago.. :) My bass pedalboard needs are covered, but maybe I will get it in future for sampler and synth experimentation with all those extra settings.. One thing that would interest me - because I now have the dual compressor setup (Alma first, Empress almost last) - if it could be used similar way as double mono. I mean using for example left channel at the beginning, use the left output as an FX loop out, then return to the right channel. I know they can't be set independently, but still worth the experiment I think.. There are not many two channel compressors in compact pedal form - I can't recall any other (analog) except this one and the new Polyend.