Battle of the compressors

MatrixClaw said:
Very true. I guess I'm just wondering if I actually need the stacked mode. I can get that sound out of my actual 1176 on a recorded clean guitar, so I don't really see why I'd need two. I just think the other compression settings on the Bloom weren't really setup to do that higher level of compression. If I can find another one cheap enough I'll definitely consider it because I didn't dislike the pedal in anyway, just feel like I could get more out of a dedicated comp, rather than one with a boost and EQ built in.

Cool! Thanks for the review. This is the one I'm leaning towards right now, though the CP1X is definitely another strong contender. I mean, I could buy both for less than a used Cali76, so maybe it's worth trying both of them.

The Compadre is one I had looked at before. I love Strymon pedals. How does the OB1 compare to the Origin?
Click to expand...

There's a B Stock store for WA on Reverb, and I purchased the WA76 from that site. Saved a
few $$$$.

Not sure if that is an option for you.

Tone is in the VU Meter, right?? :banana
 
I’m a compression newb but picked up the UA 1176 pedal for a good price a few months back. It sounds good to me and has a stacked mode if you’re cool with a non analog compresssor. Definitely adds some weight to clean tones.
 
I'm not a huge compressor guy either, but the original API TranZformer GT (which is huge lol) is still a pleasure to use. Unfortunately, used prices are high.
I'd imagine the smaller version is great as well.
 
I have had a brief affair with a compressor. I think it was an optical one, cheap one too. The Mooer yellow comp. I had borrowed it from a friend for covering a few songs.

Her dad who is into country had tried many compressors, and schooled me once on them. He said any unit with a blend knob is the key to finding one you will enjoy.

I never use compressors. Maybe I am bad at dialing them, but I hate losing my dynamics. I also don't play high gain, so don't have to use noise gates either.

If pedalboard real estate is an issue, kindly try mini pedals like the abovementioned mooer or those like the ones by xotic.
 
I went down the path of really checking out compressor pedals about a year and a half ago. I have a pretty good stock of compressor pedals now. I have some I like very much. I did my research before buying. What was interesting to me is that two that I had and liked when I started this journey are now the two I like the least of the ones I have. The one that made my board is the Source Audio Atlas. It does everything you want and more. I love that it has presets in it. I have it setup where I can switch between two very different compressors by holding the footswitch down for two seconds. If you are into programming digital things like a plugin in your DAW, give this one a look. I has a ton of features in it and it works very well. I bought a cable to connect it to my phone so I can adjust things in it that are only able to be adjusted in the software with the app on my phone.
 
I've heard some cats over the years strumming them chords on their Clean Channel
without any compression, and then switch over to ripping High Gain with a ton of
Compression (from the natural response of tubes pushed into clipping, and cascading gain
stages) who ponder the Eternal Question: "Why is my Clean so loud and then I disappear
in the mix when I switch Channels/Presets?) :idk

Spiky cleans with a brutal picking hand are deadly, and should be outlawed. Comp that shit!
 
JasonE said:
I went down the path of really checking out compressor pedals about a year and a half ago. I have a pretty good stock of compressor pedals now. I have some I like very much. I did my research before buying. What was interesting to me is that two that I had and liked when I started this journey are now the two I like the least of the ones I have. The one that made my board is the Source Audio Atlas. It does everything you want and more. I love that it has presets in it. I have it setup where I can switch between two very different compressors by holding the footswitch down for two seconds. If you are into programming digital things like a plugin in your DAW, give this one a look. I has a ton of features in it and it works very well. I bought a cable to connect it to my phone so I can adjust things in it that are only able to be adjusted in the software with the app on my phone.
Click to expand...
This is at the top of my list right now. I totally forgot about the Atlas, but is one I was considering before I got the Bloom. I was afraid I'd have to be glued to my phone tweaking it, like some of their other pedals I've owned and didn't like the experience of, but I didn't realize it has an Alt switch on the top and you're actually getting a TON of adjustability right on the pedal itself. It can also do the 1176 and multiband comp, plus it has a gate and EQ. Super interesting!
 
I am super leery of anything digital when it comes to Comp.... mostly because
Comps are early in the chain (generally) and if they are digital you will have
an A/D/A conversion right from the jump.... and then maybe a few more
down the line.

Maybe not a concern for others. Massive no go from me. Using digital compression
in a DAW is one thing.... having it in a pedal when there may be other A/D/A
conversions going on in the form of delays and reverbs (or modulation) is just not
something I would personally do. :idk
 
MatrixClaw said:
This is at the top of my list right now. I totally forgot about the Atlas, but is one I was considering before I got the Bloom. I was afraid I'd have to be glued to my phone tweaking it, like some of their other pedals I've owned and didn't like the experience of, but I didn't realize it has an Alt switch on the top and you're actually getting a TON of adjustability right on the pedal itself. It can also do the 1176 and multiband comp, plus it has a gate and EQ. Super interesting!
Click to expand...
There is a 3 way toggle switch no the top of the pedal that lets you select the type of compressor. They are actually just saved settings slots. You can put whatever you want in them. You can have the footswitch set up for 2 seconds or 4 seconds hold to switch between the A and B slots in each of the 3 switch settings. This is what made this pedal go on my board. It is really nice to have one compressor set up for smooth operation like an optical compressor and another that has a tight squish to it and be able to switch between them in 2 seconds.

You can run stereo compressors too. It has EQ for each and the gate. It really does everything. I have been more than happy with it.

la szum said:
I am super leery of anything digital when it comes to Comp.... mostly because
Comps are early in the chain (generally) and if they are digital you will have
an A/D/A conversion right from the jump.... and then maybe a few more
down the line.

Maybe not a concern for others. Massive no go from me. Using digital compression
in a DAW is one thing.... having it in a pedal when there may be other A/D/A
conversions going on in the form of delays and reverbs (or modulation) is just not
something I would personally do. :idk
Click to expand...
I was concerned with this when I bought the Atlas. I have not noticed any latency in it. It seems to have really good converters in it. It is also currently the only digital pedal on my board so it isn't adding up with any others, yet. I just purchased the SQ EQ2. It will be here this week. I am expecting to put that on my board as well. I can't see me ever having more than these two so I think it will still be okay. You also have to make sure you are giving them enough amperage with the power to keep them running at their pique performance.
 
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