Help me choose a stombox compressor

[Adam]

The pedal board is being assembled - time to get all my little soldiers in a row! I'm looking for a floor-based compressor, and I'm not sure which one to get. I'll worry about price when the bills come.

What I have: see sig

What I play: blues, rock, and metal

What I need: a very transparent-sounding compressor. Kind of a turn-on-and-forget pedal, with very fast attack that colors tone as little as possible. True-bypass is a must. I want it to help even up the freq. range a >little< and add some extra punch and sustain. The fewer knobs the better, because I'll drive myself nuts tweaking it into oblivion.

I was looking at the Electro-Harmonix Fat Finger, but have read that it colors the tone pretty heavily. I like the tube-driven aspect though - kind of like old-school studio compression. I'm worried that this unit might make my rig too dark, though, and I won't settle for compensating with a treble boost.

I've heard amazing things about the Keeley compressor, which I'm very interested in, but some of the sound samples seemed a little "squashed" to me. Is that just the MP3 encoding leaving it's mark? Anybody here who has used one a bit would be a big help.

Other suggestions like MXR, etc. would be welcome as well. :confused:

[SteveK]

Barber Tone Press...the best I've ever played!

[mick I]

ROSS if you can find at resonable price might be a good choice.

[Big Mike]

I absolutely could not live without my HBE CPR Compressor. Based on the Ross, awesome pedal!! Very reasonable price too. Juniors carries them, and so does www.effectsforless.com (http://www.effectsforless.com) Love it. Warm and organic.

[Pointbreakd]

Keeley comp is known for being transparent (Robertkeeley.com)

[Adam]

Thanks guys - you're making my decision easier, believe it or not. The Keeley is also a Ross clone, and since you folks seem to really like the Ross compressor, I'll go with the Keeley unless I can find the genuine article for a reasonable price (I.E. >$250)

We shall see! I'm also digging on Keeley's mod of the BD-2. I'm wondering how this would work for fattening up the crunch channel on my Marshall.

If you've read my thread on gear in the G.I.G. section and you're now reading this post, you can see how sick of an individual I really am.

[A440]

I haven't used a comp in yrs since my boss cs-2 was, uh, "misplaced". I'm interested in tone press or the keeley. can anyone compare/contrast. If either does what the cs-2 did, but with less noise, I'm there.

[Pointbreakd]

I have the keeley comp. Word of advice don't buy it new...you can find it for like 170 used.

[George Johnson]

These are the deal...

http://www.analogman.com/graphics/bicomp6.jpg


Analog Man (http://www.analogman.com)

[Pointbreakd]

These are the deal...




Analog Man (http://www.analogman.com/)

I've heard great things about the bi-comp as well...but its $300.

[guitrr]

The Keeley, absolutely.


Kane

[Adam]

Thanks guys - I'm going with the Keeley, though I'm forcing myself to wait for a few other things I've already ordered to come in first. :) That's my little way of keeping from going too crazy with the on-line purchasing.

I'll give a full report when I get it, though.

[bleujazz3]

Hi,
One of the best and most transparent compressors I know of to date is the Robert Keeley compressor. It's about the size of an MXR with 2 knobs (I think). I am unsure of the power source, but if you are assembling a pedalboard, you will most likely be using a good regulated source that will help eliminate line noise. Check out robertkeeley.com and look for his line of equipment. They're excellent items which are priced for they're reliability, transparence, and compactness. Good Luck with your board!

[bleujazz3]

Yep,
Sorry I didn't read your entire list of threads before posting. I'm sure the Keeley will be your best choice. Have fun and best wishes.

[Erik]

You won't go wrong with the Keeley...I really love mine.