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Testing Compressors: Cali, Smoothie, Empress, Diamond, Keeley, FEA, Darkglass, Doc Lloyd, JHS & more
- Thread starter scubaduba
- Start date
I only see a output switch for mic/line. For sensitivity there is only a screw, but that would be annoying having to adjust it every time. That is why I want to ask if someone tested it on vocals. Don't want to screw around it too often
As I read through these pages, I find myself wondering why there aren't more current, modern, (relatively inexpensive) offerings for real tube compression? Like on the Markbass Compressore; compressors where the tube itself is compressing, with a similar price range.
Picked up a Broughton Omnicomp recently as my first foray into compression. Curious if any of y'all have setting suggestions to try, or advice on which knobs I am going to want to be tweaking more than others to maximize my compression experience.
At the moment, I am running it early in my signal chain (in front of an Octaver, Envelope filter, OD, Phaser, Pre-Amp ) w/ everything at noon, for the purpose of fattening up my signal, which it does. But I assume those knobs are there for a reason and any advice on how I might effectively learn how to use them would be appreciated.
At the moment, I am running it early in my signal chain (in front of an Octaver, Envelope filter, OD, Phaser, Pre-Amp ) w/ everything at noon, for the purpose of fattening up my signal, which it does. But I assume those knobs are there for a reason and any advice on how I might effectively learn how to use them would be appreciated.
heres a couple I like, one with fast attack and slow release for slap or just limiting generally and another with slow attack and quicker release for a vintage/warm compression with a nice bloom
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edwinhurwitz
Supporting Member
- May 13, 2003
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- Endorsing Artist: DR Strings, SMS
I recently bought a NUX Sculpture, since I'm putting together an "affordaboard" of mini pedals. It has two modes: a clean mode which is indeed very clean, and a "clip" mode that is still pretty clean, just with a little "hair" on it. It's been called a clone of the Xotic SP, a Ross compressor with a blend control. So far I haven't found a setting that sounds obviously compressed, and it reminds me of the Boss CS-3.
The Cali 76 doesn't have an XLR input, but works well for vocals. A friend of mine had a gold record where the vocals went through it.
However again, not every pedal can do that because it depends on the resistance of the input if it distorts the signal.
That is why I was asking. The Cali is super clean, so if I can have an 1176 with some nice saturation on vocals and bass that would be epic.
Interesting, thanks for the input/headroom clarification. -- I've never heard the Cali being considered super clean but perhaps that's not the same saturation you are wanting.
I have played with it some, and I think it's very good. The optional 2 stage compression/limiting/sag, adjustable attack and release with different operating modes, parallel compression, side chain EQ, output EQ, it all works great. The controls have the feel of a Chase Bliss x Origin Effects collab. I have not played with the extra options too much yet, but the "dusty" mode for added drive is quite nice. Combined with MIDI, presets, and stereo? I think it's a great compressor, even for the price (compared to other high end compressors in the same price range). I haven't used it too much yet though, not enough to really give a solid opinion, but if I was making a pedal board it would be my compressor.
As mentioned above, the Chase Bliss Clean compressor engine itself is nice. If you are considering purchasing it based on wanting a good compression circuit, go for it. I will certainly share a lot more details in a full review forthcoming.
It's clean for an 1176 compressor style. Those tend to be quite distorted
I've owned one for 7-8 years. It had been sitting on the sidelines in favor of newer ones I'd acquired (Empress Bass, Becos Stella, Alma to name a few) so I considered selling it. Then I gave it a "final" try, and realized I need to hang on to it. Built like a tank, and it's useful to have an independent compressor and limiter in the same pedal. It's clean and quiet, and I'd also call it transparent, with a certain mid presence (my subjective take). It's larger than the comps currently on my smallish pedalboards, but I could fit it into one of them and will rotate it back in at some point.
I received today the new Fender Bassman compressor, and the first impression is good. It rounds the tone quite naturally.
The features are well though; Blend, two ratios (4,8) and two release modes (auto and adjustable). There are two trimpots inside to adjust attack and release. The led changes color when the compression hits.
Oh, it's also super quiet.
Not sure when it will be available worldwide, but thumps up
The features are well though; Blend, two ratios (4,8) and two release modes (auto and adjustable). There are two trimpots inside to adjust attack and release. The led changes color when the compression hits.
Oh, it's also super quiet.
Not sure when it will be available worldwide, but thumps up
Finally made a compressor change on my board. I've been playing a Cali76 CB for about 7 or 8 years....probably the longest standing pedal on my board.....but decided I really wanted to try the API TranZformer CMP. After now playing several sets over the last few weeks with a couple of different basses....it's absolutely everything people say it is. Punchy, present, edgy but not harsh....just brings everything out in a very pleasing way.
I had always stuck with the Cali76 because of this sort of upper midrange brightness or presence (I don't know how to describe it, but it just had something that brought out the attack nicely). None of the other compressors I had used did that, and it seemed like what a lot of other compressors were shooting more for (and what people seemed to be wanting) was adding warmth and thickness....so most other comps didn't really pique my interest that much (but I still followed this thread just because I still love learning about them and seeing what new things are happening in the comp pedal world).
But man....the API still delivers that brightness in the upper midrange, and at least with how I have it dialed in, gives me even more clarity and punch as well. I even feel like my string to string balance is better. I still love my Cali, and I miss the metering (even though its implementation tends to be criticized).....but I'm starting to wonder if the features the API doesn't have that the Cali does, are actually helping me dial it in. Perhaps I was relying too much on the HPF, and I really needed the lower frequencies to be triggering the compressor more. I also think I'm probably hitting the threshold a lot harder now that I don't see that it's being hit. With the Cali, I would dial it in based on the jewel to where I would be hitting it a fair amount of the time, but not super hard.....and to get the API to where I'm dialing it in by ear, I'm probably hitting it a lot harder and compressing more (but allowing it do more, and making the blend more effective).
Anyway, the Cali76 isn't going anywhere - it will remain on my travel board (it has served me well many times overseas).....but I can't recommend the API TranZformer CMP highly enough - just a great piece of gear. Thanks to @scubaduba for all of the reviews and insights - you really are helping us make more informed decisions....and even when we aren't making decisions, expanding our knowledge of what's out there.
I had always stuck with the Cali76 because of this sort of upper midrange brightness or presence (I don't know how to describe it, but it just had something that brought out the attack nicely). None of the other compressors I had used did that, and it seemed like what a lot of other compressors were shooting more for (and what people seemed to be wanting) was adding warmth and thickness....so most other comps didn't really pique my interest that much (but I still followed this thread just because I still love learning about them and seeing what new things are happening in the comp pedal world).
But man....the API still delivers that brightness in the upper midrange, and at least with how I have it dialed in, gives me even more clarity and punch as well. I even feel like my string to string balance is better. I still love my Cali, and I miss the metering (even though its implementation tends to be criticized).....but I'm starting to wonder if the features the API doesn't have that the Cali does, are actually helping me dial it in. Perhaps I was relying too much on the HPF, and I really needed the lower frequencies to be triggering the compressor more. I also think I'm probably hitting the threshold a lot harder now that I don't see that it's being hit. With the Cali, I would dial it in based on the jewel to where I would be hitting it a fair amount of the time, but not super hard.....and to get the API to where I'm dialing it in by ear, I'm probably hitting it a lot harder and compressing more (but allowing it do more, and making the blend more effective).
Anyway, the Cali76 isn't going anywhere - it will remain on my travel board (it has served me well many times overseas).....but I can't recommend the API TranZformer CMP highly enough - just a great piece of gear. Thanks to @scubaduba for all of the reviews and insights - you really are helping us make more informed decisions....and even when we aren't making decisions, expanding our knowledge of what's out there.
Agree completely. I love mine, and it has a permanent position on my main board. My other in-use compressor is the Drybell Module 4, and between the two, I think I'm covered. Also thanks to @scubaduba, whose review took a lot of the guesswork out of both purchases.
Finally made a compressor change on my board. I've been playing a Cali76 CB for about 7 or 8 years....probably the longest standing pedal on my board.....but decided I really wanted to try the API TranZformer CMP. After now playing several sets over the last few weeks with a couple of different basses....it's absolutely everything people say it is. Punchy, present, edgy but not harsh....just brings everything out in a very pleasing way.
I know