Whirlwind OC Optical Bass Compressor

laklandplayer

laklandplayer

Supporting Member
Jul 10, 2001
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USA - Memphis, TN
#1
I'm currently using the Keeley Bassist and GC2 and they are essentially dbx 160's in a convenient package. They are really effective compressors and do the job well, transparent, quiet, very easy to setup and use with no loss of tone. I am a fan of Keeley and quite happy with these.

But, the old LA2A Optical Compressor has been my all time favorite from working in the studios. They have a warmth and roundness to their sound that I can't describe but know it when I hear it. Real LA2A's are tube rack mount and start at around 5K, they aren't practical outside of the studio.

Reading Ovnilab's web page I ran across the Whirlwind OC and researched it here on Talk Bass. The comments look good so I took a chance ordered one from James at Sweetwater.
I just received it and immediately plugged it up to test it, all I can say is WOW!

It has a silent switch which is a huge plus for me in the pit gig world that I usually work.

The OC is dead quite regardless of any of the settings that I've tried. It has a mini switch setting for Compression or Limiting and a 3 way mini switch for signal attack modes Slow, Medium and Fast. It has a gain reduction knob and a a level knob that perform like the LA2A.
Included are 3 LED's for metering so you can see what the pedal is doing.

There is no loss of of Lows or Highs in my signal but the OC fattens the sound nicely, makes it sound bigger and more present. It's giving me all of the LA2A sound and vibe I could ever want.

True, the OC does not have tubes like an LA2A but that fact does not seem to matter with this pedal. It runs on a very small 18V power supply that will only take one spot on a power strip, very considerate of Whirlwind to do.

Whirlwind would have to be the very last place I'd ever look for an effect device but the OC blows away everything I've tried, so far, in regards to optical compressor pedals.

I've played the Effectrode, the hassle of not readily accessible internal trim pots (for setting your attack and knee) and the rarity of the tube they use give me pause. But its an excellent device.

The Diamond is polite and does a good job for what is designed to do but it's range is, in it's design, is somewhat limited.

Like the Keeley products, the Whirlwind is made in the USA and appears to be a handmade product that is built like a tank.

The dimensions are NOT on the Whirlwind web site or in the Manual.
For pedal board planning they are 3.5" W x 5"D and 2" H. All plugs are on the top side edge so you can squeeze it pretty close to an adjacent device.

I'm keeping and will continue to use the Keeley's for gigs on the go for their excellent transparent sound, build quality and 9V battery option. But, the OC will definitely find a home and a lot of good use.
 
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#4
chaak said:
Thank you for this review,

could you please share your settings ?
Click to expand...

I ilke a fast attack and used as a limiter for funk and slap playing.
For my "normal" playing I use a medium attack and light compression.
For ballads and slow tunes I use the slow attack and moderate compression for sustain and a fat warm sound.
You just have to experiment, most of it depends on the input to the pedal from your bass... your touch and how hard you play sort of dictates how you set things to get the results you want. It's nearly impossible to make the OC sound bad at any setting. Good Luck.
 
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#5
laklandplayer said:
I ilke a fast attack and used as a limiter for funk and slap playing.
For my "normal" playing I use a medium attack and light compression.
For ballads and slow tunes I use the slow attack and moderate compression for sustain and a fat warm sound.
You just have to experiment, most of it depends on the input to the pedal from your bass... your touch and how hard you play sort of dictates how you set things to get the results you want. It's nearly impossible to make the OC sound bad at any setting. Good Luck.
Click to expand...
Thank you so much
 
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#6
I recently got one of these. I love it.

I far prefer it to the Empress Bass Compressor I used to own. I know the Empress is really popular, but there were several things I didn't like about it. First of all, I felt it brightened up my tone even with the "colour" switch in the off position. Second, it added way too much noise to my signal chain. I have a bass with a noisy bridge pickup, and my amp is also prone to humming. The compressor was grabbing the hum from my bass and making it louder. For whatever reason, the Whirlwind doesn't really do that. The tone also seems less colored to me. It adds a warmth and fatness while preserving the overall tone. You may get a little bit of harmonic saturation if you really dig in, but even that sounds pleasant.

Favorite setting is medium attack with the input and output both up about halfway. That applies around 3db of gain reduction unless I'm playing really hard.
 
#8
8CE7931E-125E-4D3E-9C3A-26EDF166B53A.jpeg

Love mine.
Ash P bass with Emg GZR’S setting.
 
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#9
A year later, I still love it. I never touch the settings, and I never turn it off. It's amazing to me that this pedal doesn't get more love when people talk about bass compressors. I'd actually never heard of it until I randomly stumbled across it on Sweetwater.
 
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#10
I got it over this past summer, and I love it a lot! It's so simple to use and every setting sounds great on it. Each attack setting is incredibly useful (3 way switch is a great idea), and i dont miss having a release knob. I tend to keep it pretty mild, with gain around 9-10 o'clock.

I also really like it on electric guitar too
 
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