Recommend a cheap compressor pedal!

Octafish

Thinking about trying a compressor pedal in my live set up. I use a Strat through a Hot Rod Deville and find that I'm not always cutting through the mix consistently when I use clean sounds (which I do a bit). I assume using lowish output single coils through an amp with not a lot of mid may also being an issue?

I'm aware of the Joyo Dynamic Compressor (dyna comp clone?) and Mooer Yellow Compressor, any opinions on these or other recommendations. Ideally don't want to spend more than £60.

Thanks

Gassage

Accept nothing other than this

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/MXR-Dyna-Comp-Compressor-Sustainer-pedal-/122318735681?hash=item1c7ac3c941:g:pjoAAOSwZQRYgisn

guitarfishbay

You could also look out for a used Visual Sound Comp 66 - it's basically a modded Dynacomp I think.  Quite a nice sounding pedal.

ICBM

Second hand Boss CS-3. Typically around £40-£45.

english_bob

I wasn't a fan of the CS-3. Quite noisy at higher settings and seemed to add a kind of plasticky quality I didn't like.

What I did quite like was the Marshall ED-1 "Edward the Compressor". 

Octafish

Gassage said:

Accept nothing other than this

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/MXR-Dyna-Comp-Compressor-Sustainer-pedal-/122318735681?hash=item1c7ac3c941:g:pjoAAOSwZQRYgisn

Cheers, as used my Mr Gilmour himself I understand. Didn't realise they're only £79 new, so maybe I need to lookout for a 2nd hand one.

Octafish

ICBM said:

Second hand Boss CS-3. Typically around £40-£45.

Ahh thanks, trying to tempt me into the world of Boss

ThePrettyDamned

Just to warn you, a compressor can often do the exact opposite - by reducing the dynamics it can help you sit in a mix, but not cut through. 

Definitely try one, but I preferred using mine as an effect rather than for a "normal" purpose, if that makes sense. 

I like dyna comps. Boss ones are really nice and underrated, but very squishy - which I like. 

benmurray85

I'd be tempted to try an EQ before you try a compressor. Boss GE7 is superb

Octafish

ThePrettyDamned said:

Just to warn you, a compressor can often do the exact opposite - by reducing the dynamics it can help you sit in a mix, but not cut through. 

Definitely try one, but I preferred using mine as an effect rather than for a "normal" purpose, if that makes sense. 

I like dyna comps. Boss ones are really nice and underrated, but very squishy - which I like. 

Maybe cut through is the wrong term. It's mainly clean stuff, particularly when picking arpeggios when the rest of the band are at full tilt, some notes come across stronger/have more presence than others. It's the sort thing I'd use a compressor to sort when mixing in cubase. I see my local guitar shop has both an MXR and Boss in stock (looks like they've also just sold some 2nd hand ones ) so might need to go and try them out.

Octafish

benmurray85 said:

I'd be tempted to try an EQ before you try a compressor. Boss GE7 is superb

Have been thinking that way as well, wondering whether more mid-range might help?. The EQ on my amp doesn't seem to have a massive amount of cut/boost, particularly at higher volumes.

Beexter

If you're considering a Dyna Comp, you'd be mad not to check out the Biyang Baby Boom Compress X. It's a clone of the Dyna but is less noisy. Cheap as chips too. 

Seriously, I was put onto it by rave reviews on another forum and owned it at the same time as a genuine Dyna Comp. The Dyna was sold shortly after acquiring the Biyang.

Having said all of the above, I'd strongly recommend looking for a comp with a mix/blend control. I struggled to get a comp that didn't make it sound like i'd thrown a blanket over my amp until I got one with a blend control. The 2 i have now are over your budget but I'm really pleased with them - Xotic SP and Suhr Koji.

VJIves

I'd been playing about a decade or so before I first tried a compressor, and I instantly felt like an idiot for not getting one way sooner. I have an Xotic SP on my main board and a Seymour Duncan Vise Grip on my practice board, but like Beexter said, they're above your stated budget. Really good though.

ThePrettyDamned

Octafish said:

ThePrettyDamned said:

Just to warn you, a compressor can often do the exact opposite - by reducing the dynamics it can help you sit in a mix, but not cut through. 

Definitely try one, but I preferred using mine as an effect rather than for a "normal" purpose, if that makes sense. 

I like dyna comps. Boss ones are really nice and underrated, but very squishy - which I like. 

Maybe cut through is the wrong term. It's mainly clean stuff, particularly when picking arpeggios when the rest of the band are at full tilt, some notes come across stronger/have more presence than others. It's the sort thing I'd use a compressor to sort when mixing in cubase. I see my local guitar shop has both an MXR and Boss in stock (looks like they've also just sold some 2nd hand ones ) so might need to go and try them out.

You might like one then. 

A great alternative to the squishy ones is the Marshall Ed - it's cheap, not sure on reliability, but it sounds a bit more natural and has a lot of useful sounds. I prefer super squish but the Ed is a decent budget comp. 

Sassafras

For your intended purpose try and find an Orange Squeezer type comp.
The new Dyna Comps are horrible noisy, clicky things. The originals were smooth and lush but they're getting expensive now.

Fuengi

The Mooer Yellow Comp is fantastic, and a steal at £45. 

gordiji

Octafish said:

Thinking about trying a compressor pedal in my live set up. I use a Strat through a Hot Rod Deville and find that I'm not always cutting through the mix consistently when I use clean sounds (which I do a bit). I assume using lowish output single coils through an amp with not a lot of mid may also being an issue?

Definately a compressor needed here, to beef up clean single string & double stop type playing, also for sustain. The boss cs3
is fine if a bit noisy. Get one with a tone control.

simonk

I'd look for a second hand Barber Tone Press.

Alnico

Gassage said:

Accept nothing other than this

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/MXR-Dyna-Comp-Compressor-Sustainer-pedal-/122318735681?hash=item1c7ac3c941:g:pjoAAOSwZQRYgisn

That's exactly what i have and i play a Strat through a Mike Landau Deviile.
Cost £70 and sounds great.

StanleyAccrington

Post deleted. 
 

Octafish

Beexter said:

If you're considering a Dyna Comp, you'd be mad not to check out the Biyang Baby Boom Compress X. It's a clone of the Dyna but is less noisy. Cheap as chips too. 

Seriously, I was put onto it by rave reviews on another forum and owned it at the same time as a genuine Dyna Comp. The Dyna was sold shortly after acquiring the Biyang.

Having said all of the above, I'd strongly recommend looking for a comp with a mix/blend control. I struggled to get a comp that didn't make it sound like i'd thrown a blanket over my amp until I got one with a blend control. The 2 i have now are over your budget but I'm really pleased with them - Xotic SP and Suhr Koji.

I've heard of Biyang a few times. I got a bit of a thing for cheap clone pedals when they're good, unfortunately there seems to be next to no outlets for Biyang in the UK with stock at the moment and very little on Amazon/Ebay.