Best compressor for 8 string
- Thread starter markw1313
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It depends on taste really, most will say the Keeley Compressor is what you'll want, but the thing you should shoot for is versatility.
A compressor with controls for threshold, ratio, attack, release and in a perfect world makeup and knee is the bees knees of versatility.
I recently migrated to a rack only setup, but if you keep the parameters I've mentioned above in mind, you will find what you are looking for.
A compressor with controls for threshold, ratio, attack, release and in a perfect world makeup and knee is the bees knees of versatility.
I recently migrated to a rack only setup, but if you keep the parameters I've mentioned above in mind, you will find what you are looking for.
sevenstringj
Banned
Maxon CP101. Sometimes less is more. 
You're in LA. There've gotta be music stores where you can A-B several.
You're in LA. There've gotta be music stores where you can A-B several.
crg123
SS.orgLocalArchitect
I love my Keeley 4 knob but I realize the price is a little steep. My only advice is to not get a cs3 they're terrible and noisy IMO
sevenstringj
Banned
>>>Optical compressors for guitar<<<
The Maxon I mentioned is optical, btw. Pigtronix Philosopher's Tone is another excellent optical one.
I'd say use as little as possible, and try to get what is known as a sidetrack compressor/sustainer.
Those lets the signal through unmodified, and does the compression on a Y-split separate channel, which is then mixed with the direct.
It allows hearing/feeling the natural sound and attack, and as such, you playing style, while smoothly applying sustain from the sidetrack compressor as the string gradually by nature decays out.
Those lets the signal through unmodified, and does the compression on a Y-split separate channel, which is then mixed with the direct.
It allows hearing/feeling the natural sound and attack, and as such, you playing style, while smoothly applying sustain from the sidetrack compressor as the string gradually by nature decays out.
xwmucradiox
sweep.tap.sweep
The Diamond Compressor is IMO the best on the market. Most of the others like the Keeley are based on a Ross and have a ton of squish that wont work well for the huge dynamic range of an 8 string. You want something that isn't so heavy handed.
WaffleTheEpic
Banned
I'm gonna totally get shit for this, but I use the MXR Dyna-comp. *shrug* Sounds good to me.
No shit-loaded ICMB with you lat&long
the Dyna is an all-time classic and very nice comp, though at times it can be a little 'compressed' sounding, depending on settings.When set for limited action, it can be really nice and fluid.
Haven't had one since way back, but the emulation of it in my Lexicon MPX G2 works just fine
I use a Cmatmods Deluxe Signa Comp, which is probably a Ross derivative....
Well... okay, basically, I had since I was on 6 strings and I never bothered change it out because it works.
Anyway, the really cool thing is the Tone knob. It cuts bass as you turn it up so it's easy to tighten up the low end of an 8 string.
But that said... Ross compressors aren't know for "clean, sparkly" tones. Go optical for that.
Well... okay, basically, I had since I was on 6 strings and I never bothered change it out because it works.
Anyway, the really cool thing is the Tone knob. It cuts bass as you turn it up so it's easy to tighten up the low end of an 8 string.
But that said... Ross compressors aren't know for "clean, sparkly" tones. Go optical for that.
AlexThorpe
Well-Known Member
I'll cast another vote for a Diamond Compressor. Out of everything I sold for an axe-fx 2, it's one of the very few things I really miss. Just made everything sound great.
oniduder
HONKEY DONKEY
empress compressor looks cool i have no experience with any compressors but looks are all that matter to me, jk, idk .... compressors
http://www.ebay.com/itm/NEW-EMPRESS...267?pt=Guitar_Accessories&hash=item1e798fb9f3
http://www.ebay.com/itm/NEW-EMPRESS...267?pt=Guitar_Accessories&hash=item1e798fb9f3
WaffleTheEpic
Banned
Is this any good?
It has a woman on it!
Red Witch Grace Compressor Guitar Effects Pedal | Musician's Friend
It has a woman on it!
Red Witch Grace Compressor Guitar Effects Pedal | Musician's Friend
CanniballistiX
Detuned Fury
I picked up an Xotic SP Compressor. It's got a great blend dial that lets you choose how much of your original signal is there as well as the compressed signal. Besides that, there is a high, mid, and low switch that changes the tone in a subtle way. Most definitely worth checking out. I picked mine up for $132, you may be able to do better, especially if you find it used.
Here's a link to their site and there are four vids to check out:
Xotic Effects SP Compressor
Here's a link to their site and there are four vids to check out:
Xotic Effects SP Compressor
And the winner is ...........
TC Electronic Spectra Comp
I know it's meant for bass, but it works well with the 8 string, which I'm using 2 handed and clean like a Chapman Stick.
The single knob set in the range of 12 o'clock and 2 seems to be the optimum.
Of the others I tried, the Pigtronix and the Diamond were the runners up.
The Keeley and the Boss were horrible. I'd expected the Boss to be bad - I've tried one with a 6 string in the past, but I was surprised that a big name "boutique" manufacturer like Keeley would make something that is virtually unusable. A friend's £12 Behringer comp sounded better FFS!
TC Electronic Spectra Comp
I know it's meant for bass, but it works well with the 8 string, which I'm using 2 handed and clean like a Chapman Stick.
The single knob set in the range of 12 o'clock and 2 seems to be the optimum.
Of the others I tried, the Pigtronix and the Diamond were the runners up.
The Keeley and the Boss were horrible. I'd expected the Boss to be bad - I've tried one with a 6 string in the past, but I was surprised that a big name "boutique" manufacturer like Keeley would make something that is virtually unusable. A friend's £12 Behringer comp sounded better FFS!
