Someone recommend me a compressor (oh, and a chorus while you're at it)

ewal

I've seen positive noises about the Mooer Yellow Comp - I think it's at the optical, more transparent end of the compressor spectrum.

DarnWeight

It's more bass-centric, but the compressor reviews at ovnilab might help you out.  Of the budget compressors, he rates the Moen Uni-Comp (optical, I think) pretty highly, but I've not used it myself.  I'm very happy with the EHX Soul Preacher I bought from a forum member, but that's pretty much a beefed up Orange Squeezer clone, so if you're after transparent then forget it.

Also, depends very much if you're after a "boosty" compressor or a "compressy" compressor...I don't really use the Soul Preacher to boost my overall level much beyond unity, so don't have a problem with the noise-floor that a lot of people report.  Horses for courses!

Bucket

DarnWeight said:

Also, depends very much if you're after a "boosty" compressor or a "compressy" compressor...I don't really use the Soul Preacher to boost my overall level much beyond unity, so don't have a problem with the noise-floor that a lot of people report.  Horses for courses!

I want something that doesn't affect my overall tone too much, and can boost the signal a bit without squashing everything. And which is quite transparent but not so transparent you can't tell it's there - I want it to sound compressed but only fairly subtly so, so you can definitely hear it's being squashed a little but not loads.

steamabacus

Bucket said:

DarnWeight said:

Also, depends very much if you're after a "boosty" compressor or a "compressy" compressor...I don't really use the Soul Preacher to boost my overall level much beyond unity, so don't have a problem with the noise-floor that a lot of people report.  Horses for courses!

I want something that doesn't affect my overall tone too much, and can boost the signal a bit without squashing everything. And which is quite transparent but not so transparent you can't tell it's there - I want it to sound compressed but only fairly subtly so, so you can definitely hear it's being squashed a little but not loads.

That sounds very similar to what I want from a compressor - you really should try to demo a Rothwell Love Squeeze. I was looking at various compressors with a blend knob (like the Wampler Ego) but they were all a bit too expensive. I was a little worried that the Rothwell might be a bit limited (it only has the two controls) as I was buying just on YouTube demos. But I needn't have worried. The Love Squeeze is superb for a subtle, almost 'invisible' compression. I leave mine on all the time. And it's EXTREMELY low noise.

HAL9000

+1 for the Visual Sound H2O - great sounding chorus.

xSkarloey

Bucket;124909" said:

DarnWeight said:Also, depends very much if you're after a "boosty" compressor or a "compressy" compressor...I don't really use the Soul Preacher to boost my overall level much beyond unity, so don't have a problem with the noise-floor that a lot of people report.  Horses for courses!





I want something that doesn't affect my overall tone too much, and can boost the signal a bit without squashing everything. And which is quite transparent but not so transparent you can't tell it's there - I want it to sound compressed but only fairly subtly so, so you can definitely hear it's being squashed a little but not loads.

Sonds like that yellow Mooer compressor could be right for you then. It's definitely 'there' but subtler than the Boss.

DarnWeight

Bucket said:

DarnWeight said:

Also, depends very much if you're after a "boosty" compressor or a "compressy" compressor...I don't really use the Soul Preacher to boost my overall level much beyond unity, so don't have a problem with the noise-floor that a lot of people report.  Horses for courses!

I want something that doesn't affect my overall tone too much, and can boost the signal a bit without squashing everything. And which is quite transparent but not so transparent you can't tell it's there - I want it to sound compressed but only fairly subtly so, so you can definitely hear it's being squashed a little but not loads.

Sounds like a job for an optical comp to me.  If you can afford it, the Diamond...on a budget, the Moen or the Mooer Yellow should get you close enough.

hotpickups

Lol you guys have got to check the Dinosaural OPti comp out I mentioned. I'm sure it's the answer you want. I won't say anymore now

kelvinburn

For chorus try and find an old pearl cho1. I got mine for about £30 delivered off t'Ebay. 4 knob analogue goodness. Can go from subtle to seasick and has very useful tone and blend controls. They do an excellent 4 knob compressor too but they don't come up so often.

ThePrettyDamned

That description is exactly what I use the visual sound comp for. Makes me wonder what mods are in it.

I set the comp right down to nothing with humbuggies or a quarter up with single coils, then have the gain set to give boost. It makes everything clean sound better, without losing playing dynamics - you can still go from loud to soft and back, but it just about stops the signal being inaudible or unbearably loud.

not_the_dj

Xotic SP Compressor. Great footprint, and the blend/mix knob will give you the subtle compression you're after. I really shouldn't have sold mine :-(

How about a Mooer Chorus...I just happen to have one for sale for the bargain price of £35 delivered ;-)

JohnPerry

Bucket said:

DarnWeight said:

Also, depends very much if you're after a "boosty" compressor or a "compressy" compressor...I don't really use the Soul Preacher to boost my overall level much beyond unity, so don't have a problem with the noise-floor that a lot of people report.  Horses for courses!

I want something that doesn't affect my overall tone too much, and can boost the signal a bit without squashing everything. And which is quite transparent but not so transparent you can't tell it's there - I want it to sound compressed but only fairly subtly so, so you can definitely hear it's being squashed a little but not loads.

you are describing the Diamond compressor, which I bought when Johnny Marr recommended it (it's always on apparently). Perfect for all that. Had it years and it's a keeper.

I also have the Xotic SP, which is much more powerful and noisier, but fab nonetheless

thisisguitar

I tried about ten different Chorus pedals at guitarguitar a couple of years back. I ended up buying the MXR Micro Chorus, but the only thing I liked (slightly) more was the Anadime, just couldn't justify the outlay at the time. Maybe there is a way to mod the MXR to have another control function?

The EH Soul Preacher isn't bad for the money, a little noisy if you wanted to use it to record, but for live use it's alright.

JDE

If you like the Anadime, I'd look at a used Boss CE-2, which is probably my favourite chorus, or the Visual Sound H20 which is in a similar vein.
The best compressor pedal I've used for subtle stuff is the Wampler Ego. I actually prefer more squish, though, so I also like the CS-3. I think I'm alone on that, though!

samzadgan

Ok...so i've tried different compressors over the last year and tried a lot...and have i believe found the holy grail of compressors.

so, from my experience the and ones i've tried, the best has been the Analogman Mini Bi-Comp closely followed by the MXR Custom Comp (which i will be selling very soon).

I use the compressor as an always on pedal and use it not so much to squish but to give me unnatural long sustain. The ones i have tried are listed below...there two things that turned me off all of the ones below, noise levels, tone manipulation and some were so transparent that they weren't even there!.

MXR Dyna Comp
MXR Super Comp
MXR Custom Comp
Pigtronix Philosophers Tone
MI Audio
EQD Warden
Wampler Ego
Marshall Ed
Mooer
Boss Sustainer/Comp

On the Chorus side...I would highly highly recommend the Zakk Wylde one, which i think MXR redid as a standard pedal in blue relabeled as their Analogue Chorus. Its really really nice...i wish i kept my ZW one...it was really nice...really

chrispy108

I love my Toadworks Mr Squishy

frankus

Isn't the squishy based on the Orange Squeezer?

57Deluxe

Only time I used any compression was the BOSS CS-2 (which is what is in the BOSS ME-5 and I used that isolated) with a 59 Bassman to help get some harmonically-induced grind at a lower volume... BUT I have always had a Barber Tone Press earmarked should I need a standalone pedal...

littlegreenman

A bit wrong maybe, I use an EBS MultiComp. It's a bass effects pedal but works surprisingly well with guitar. Does very subtle through to squished to death and is ultra noiseless.

monquixote

littlegreenman said:

A bit wrong maybe, I use an EBS MultiComp. It's a bass effects pedal but works surprisingly well with guitar. Does very subtle through to squished to death and is ultra noiseless.

The Multicomp is brilliant and works just as well with guitar. 

It's expensive though.