Favorite compressor stompbox? (non-boutique)

[;ivlunsdystf]

Used Ross? Black Finger? MXR? Boss? Soul Preacher? I don't care so much about line noise between notes, or build quality, or bypass switch noise, because it's mostly for recording; I am just looking for something that does nice things to a clean or slightly dirty signal on its way to an amp or DI - Thanks sirs and ma'ams

[inverseroom]

I love the DIY orange squeezer you can build via General Guitar Gadgets. I gave mine to a friend...gotta make another one.

[mikeyc]

I like the Aphex Punch Factory. It's a very simple opto comp and I think it sounds fabulous. It also doubles as a DI. I use it for bass and acoustic and I'm almost always pleased with it.

It's also now about half the price I paid for it.

[Sean Sullivan]

The Black Finger is pretty sweet, that's the best compressor I've ever used.

[Dan Phelps]

I enjoy an older Black Finger.

(Hmmm. Taken out of context that sentence is pretty suspect.)

However, it is such a pain to change the batteries on the old, square EH pedals.

For most things I have a standard MXR DynaComp on my pedalboard, which does the job fine. The way that it limits the frequency range also helps to make some parts find their niche in a track.

[kayagum]

For subtle compression, Maxon CP101.

[mjau]

For subtle compression, Maxon CP101.

+1. Love this pedal, especially on bass.

[fossiltooth]

I'm a dyna-comp kinda guy.

What's the point of guitar compressor if you're not gonna really hear it?

If you want something subtle, just control your dynamics. If you want something with some vibe, go for the MXR.

I haven't tried the black finger, so I can't say much about it.

I don't care so much about line noise between notes, or build quality, or bypass switch noise, because it's mostly for recording;

I'm not sure that I understand this statement. Isn't the recorded medium the most powerful microscope for sound? That said, I wouldn't worry about any of these issues with the dyna comp.

[JohnDavisNYC]

i want someone to build an 1176 in a floor unit that operates at instrument level and has no bypass switch...

j

[;ivlunsdystf]

I don't care so much about line noise between notes, or build quality, or bypass switch noise, because it's mostly for recording;

I'm not sure that I understand this statement. Isn't the recorded medium the most powerful microscope for sound? That said, I wouldn't worry about any of these issues with the dyna comp.

Buzz between notes is easy enough to snip out, see.

Incidentally, my goal is to hear the compressor in action, not just to tame stray loud notes. You know, 'Sultans of Swing' type of thing. Thus I think I currently lean towards Dynacomp or one of its relatives, as it is 1. cheap and 2. apparently reliable

[;ivlunsdystf]

I love the DIY orange squeezer you can build via General Guitar Gadgets. I gave mine to a friend...gotta make another one.

This, I suppose? http://tinyurl.com/3baxcn

How hard can it be? I have steady hands and about 3/4 of a brain, but have only soldered odds and ends in the past - shall I tackle the project? If they send good instructions and it's fairly 'follow the bouncing ball'-esque, then yes.

[Dan Phelps]

I don't care so much about line noise between notes, or build quality, or bypass switch noise, because it's mostly for recording;

I'm not sure that I understand this statement. Isn't the recorded medium the most powerful microscope for sound? That said, I wouldn't worry about any of these issues with the dyna comp.

Buzz between notes is easy enough to snip out, see.

Incidentally, my goal is to hear the compressor in action, not just to tame stray loud notes. You know, 'Sultans of Swing' type of thing. Thus I think I currently lean towards Dynacomp or one of its relatives, as it is 1. cheap and 2. apparently reliable

This has been my experience with the Keely compressor. It sounds really good and really hi-fi, but kind of too polite or transparent for what I am usually looking for from a compressor stopmbox. Hence the DODC (Dirty Ol' DynaComp) and it's funky fidelity.

[inverseroom]

I love the DIY orange squeezer you can build via General Guitar Gadgets. I gave mine to a friend...gotta make another one.

This, I suppose? http://tinyurl.com/3baxcn

How hard can it be? I have steady hands and about 3/4 of a brain, but have only soldered odds and ends in the past - shall I tackle the project? If they send good instructions and it's fairly 'follow the bouncing ball'-esque, then yes.

Oh yeah! I didn't realize they were actually selling a kit now. This box is very easy to make, you should give it a try.

[Meriphew]

I have a Keeley compressor and a Boss CS-2. Both are cool. The Keeley is more transparent, while the Boss adds a bit more color.

[RefD]

I like the Aphex Punch Factory. It's a very simple opto comp and I think it sounds fabulous. It also doubles as a DI. I use it for bass and acoustic and I'm almost always pleased with it.

aye.