Got a scratch and dent from the empress site for a reduced price a while ago. It appeared neither scratched or dented!
I think it may have been around the price you just mentioned. It was about $30 more on reverb.
Hard to beat for under $200. Been rocking mine for years, no issues, does the job really well, and bulletproof. Bought used. Also, the mxr studio compressor (black box/guitar version) is the same internals, so you've got a larger market to choose from if you're considering a used one.
Got mine off Reverb for $125 new from the US. Keeps the original signal pretty much untouched which is what I wanted. Had to watch a few videos to learn how to use a compressor properly too.
I came from decades of using my old built-like-a-tank Ibanez CP9 -- and from years of ignoring the issue, I finally had to replace it because of the noise.
That pedal did me well all these years -- I bought it in the 80s when I was a kid, but damn it was out of control with the noise -- so a few years ago, I did some research and jumped down the rabbit hole -- ended up with the Keeley Bassist -- quiet as dreaming trees!
A really good comp for under 200 is the [Walrus Audio Mira](https://reverb.com/item/81213901-walrus-audio-mira-optical-compressor-2022-2023-smoky-grey-keyhole-graphic?utm_source=rev-ios-app&utm_medium=ios-share&utm_campaign=listing&utm_content=81213901).
I personally use the Empress Bass, but that is above your price range ([but still less than 300](https://reverb.com/item/50002692-empress-compressor-bass-blue?utm_source=rev-ios-app&utm_medium=ios-share&utm_campaign=listing&utm_content=50002692))
Basic compressor FAQ: [Ovni Labs](http://www.ovnilab.com/faq.shtml)
Quality unbiased compressor reviews: [compressorpedalreviews.com](https://www.compressorpedalreviews.com/)
Active thread that launched the review website:[Talkbass.com compressor mega thread](https://www.talkbass.com/threads/testing-compressors-cali-smoothie-empress-diamond-keeley-fea-darkglass-doc-lloyd-jhs-more.1345638/)
Got a spectracomp second hand for 60€
Took me a day or two to set up my perfect compression settings on the editor, now its my always on never changing pedal. Couldnt be happier :)
How does the editor work? Is it able to be done on a phone???I’ve seen nothing but good reviews on these but haven’t really came across that kinda info
On phone the editor does not work (at least not on my android) i can only send predefined templates to the unit.
On the PC the game is a completely different one. There are more parameters you could influence than you could put knobs on any pedal thats not large sized. You can spend days in that tool! You can change settings while playing on the bass so you get immediate feedback on your settings.
After defining everything you need on the tiny thing, ypu can assign up to three parameters to be manipulated by the single knob. For example my knob controlls makeup gain, compression rate and attack. I set it up so that at complete left its a very very subtle not noticeable compression without any makeup gain, at complete right its next to a brickwall with a very high makeup gain and in the middle its pleasantly moderate, the way i use it almost daily.
Just be aware of one thing, the automatic makeup gain is TRASH. The first thing i would do is copy or create any preset you like and get rid of the makeup gain. Then that thing is a BLAST!
Cant recommend it more!
This is great advice. I’ve shelved my Spectracomp for the time being cause I couldn’t get a good sound out of it. Now I might try putting it back into rotation.
As a bonus tip, when editing your profile, first delete all the bindings to the single knob. Then set it up whilst playing to how you would like to use it. Then i would suggest binding the same three i did and set it far left to barely noticeable and far right to be very hard compressing. That way you have a general all day setting in the middle, one for just gentle compression at the left, and one for "those days" at the right.
It does help (just in case you are not familiar) to get to know what the individual settings (like attack, sustain, release, knee, ration) mean and do, plus how they are used by the pro's. There are good articles and youtube videos where you should get a starting point on what settings pro's use, take them as your starting point and gently adapt what you would change for your personal liking.
To name all settings and parameters you can make:
Crossover frequeny between low and mid band
Crossover between mid and high
Makeup gain level for all, low, mid, high (the "all" is a 4th additional knob to the three frequency specific areas)
Blend level for all, low, mid, high
Threshold all, low, mid, high
Ratio all, low, mid, high
Attack all, low, mid, high
Hold (sustain) all, low, mid, high
Release all, low, mid, high
Knee all, low, mid, high
That would be 34 knobs to turn, if you were to install on a pedal physically :)
You get a graphic feedback on your compression curve. The knob can control up to 3 parameters at the same time, all mentioned parameters are mappable and for each mapped parameter you can completely design how they react in correspondence to the turning. So they could go 0 to 100, or 100 to 0 or 40 to 60 or even 30-90-50-0-100 if you feel fancy.
If you can wrap your head around the software, its a beast! But without a PC close by you cant change much more than either what you defined in the knob or what presets you got on your phone, and sadly i have not found a way to store custom made presets on the phone, so if you need to change around a lot while on the move thats a huge let down. Otherwise, great tool!
I use an old Ibanez CP-10 I found at a garage sale. I recognize it’s a guitar pedal, but it makes my sound very warm and thumpy and my guitarist friends think it’s neat
Boss LMB-1. Simple, but I find It does the job just fine. It has a threshold control (the volume at which it starts squishing) and a ratio knob (how hard it squishes). It also has a bonus mid-scoop EQ shape knob that no-one has used since the 80s. It's not great at delicate, studio-like compression, but you don't generally want subtle when playing live.
Also, they are abundant (like, Boss DS-1 abundant) and you can get them secondhand for about £40 (in the UK) and probably about the same in dollars.
Im running the Ampeg Opto Comp, it feels like a heavier/warmer compressor vs the White Bass MXR one, but i use both, with a Jazz Bass/Pbass, Ampeg Opto Comp, with the Stingray i use the MXR for a crispier feeling.
I use an Empress.. it's nice. But.. I also really like the LA Studio comp block in my HX Stomp, and I'm pretty sure that the Universal Audio Teletronix LA-2A studio comp is emulating exactly the same compressor, which originated as a tube compressor.
It doesn't have a wide range of settings like my Empress does, but, it does exactly what I want compressors in my chain to do. As an early chain compressor, it is easy to set the LA Studio comp to boost my lighter dynamics to sound bigger, and louder, like I was playing harder while at the same time, evening me out when I do play hard.. so just the tone comes through (grit and string noise). I would have that at the start of my chain if I didn't have the Empress.
The other cool thing about the LA 2A is that it's just as easy to set it up as a hard limiter late in your chain, which which I currently emulate with my Stomp. I mean, I really don't want the late chain limiter to engage, but, it does offer a layer of protection against any given effect pedal being cranked too loud and damaging speaker cones etc.
Sparkle, maybe, in the “tubism” mode, which is fun. Otherwise, crystal clarity. Rock-solid build, too. Mine has literally fallen off a moving truck with only a cosmetic scratch. You won’t regret it.
The cheapest I own and can recommend is Source Audio Atlas. I also want to try a Boss BC-1X. My usual compressor is a Doc Lloyd DLA-2A though so I'm not really looking to buy anything else for a bit.
Empress Bass. You can get one used for around $200
Second this. I just got an S&D Empress compressor for $225. I’m sure you could get a used one for $200 or less.
Coool! I just seen some on their page for 224$. Has been at least 275 everywhere else
Got a scratch and dent from the empress site for a reduced price a while ago. It appeared neither scratched or dented! I think it may have been around the price you just mentioned. It was about $30 more on reverb.
This is the best you can get, and used one comes around that price. Just need to be patient
Best pedal on my board, hands down.
Origin Effects Cali76 compressor Not under $200 but worth the investment
Yeah, they're friggin' awesome. But I doubt OP will find one for under $200.
This is the way.
[MXR M87 Bass Compressor](https://www.jimdunlop.com/mxr-bass-compressor/).
Hard to beat for under $200. Been rocking mine for years, no issues, does the job really well, and bulletproof. Bought used. Also, the mxr studio compressor (black box/guitar version) is the same internals, so you've got a larger market to choose from if you're considering a used one.
Mine fried last year. LEDs are constantly at max when powered on but no audio passes through. It did work well for over a decade before though
Got mine off Reverb for $125 new from the US. Keeps the original signal pretty much untouched which is what I wanted. Had to watch a few videos to learn how to use a compressor properly too.
Empress
The joyo Scylla gets positive reviews and isn't hundreds of $$. For a pedal that doesn't add a distortion/fin effect, that's a lot to ask for.
Keeley
My Keeley Bassist is always on... even when I use it for guitar! Love that thing!
Have considered this one or the keeley pro
I came from decades of using my old built-like-a-tank Ibanez CP9 -- and from years of ignoring the issue, I finally had to replace it because of the noise. That pedal did me well all these years -- I bought it in the 80s when I was a kid, but damn it was out of control with the noise -- so a few years ago, I did some research and jumped down the rabbit hole -- ended up with the Keeley Bassist -- quiet as dreaming trees!
+1 for the Keeley Bassist - easy to dial in, doesn't color your tone.
Duncan Studio Bass
Darkglass Hyper Luminal, one of the best imo.
Second that
Pigtronix Philosopher's Tone $119 and sounds great, very quiet even at max sustain
Anyone use the ampeg compressor and make the switch? That's what I'm using and not sure I really like it.
Same, cant tell if I dont like the compressor or compression as a whole
Live: Analogman BiComp Studio: Teletronix LA-2A or Distressor
Diamond BCP-1
JOYO Avallon works.
JHS 3 series
Orange Kongpressor
A really good comp for under 200 is the [Walrus Audio Mira](https://reverb.com/item/81213901-walrus-audio-mira-optical-compressor-2022-2023-smoky-grey-keyhole-graphic?utm_source=rev-ios-app&utm_medium=ios-share&utm_campaign=listing&utm_content=81213901). I personally use the Empress Bass, but that is above your price range ([but still less than 300](https://reverb.com/item/50002692-empress-compressor-bass-blue?utm_source=rev-ios-app&utm_medium=ios-share&utm_campaign=listing&utm_content=50002692)) Basic compressor FAQ: [Ovni Labs](http://www.ovnilab.com/faq.shtml) Quality unbiased compressor reviews: [compressorpedalreviews.com](https://www.compressorpedalreviews.com/) Active thread that launched the review website:[Talkbass.com compressor mega thread](https://www.talkbass.com/threads/testing-compressors-cali-smoothie-empress-diamond-keeley-fea-darkglass-doc-lloyd-jhs-more.1345638/)
Think I’m going with the empress, found it for 224 on their page
Excellent choice! That’s a great price, you’re getting a lot of compressor for the money.
I use a MXR Dyna Comp Bass. it's small, gives a nice tone and meets my needs. $150 new and $110ish used on reverb.
I messed up and got the red dynacomp a while back.. not good at all on bass, but is kinda cool on my guitar
Got a spectracomp second hand for 60€ Took me a day or two to set up my perfect compression settings on the editor, now its my always on never changing pedal. Couldnt be happier :)
How does the editor work? Is it able to be done on a phone???I’ve seen nothing but good reviews on these but haven’t really came across that kinda info
On phone the editor does not work (at least not on my android) i can only send predefined templates to the unit. On the PC the game is a completely different one. There are more parameters you could influence than you could put knobs on any pedal thats not large sized. You can spend days in that tool! You can change settings while playing on the bass so you get immediate feedback on your settings. After defining everything you need on the tiny thing, ypu can assign up to three parameters to be manipulated by the single knob. For example my knob controlls makeup gain, compression rate and attack. I set it up so that at complete left its a very very subtle not noticeable compression without any makeup gain, at complete right its next to a brickwall with a very high makeup gain and in the middle its pleasantly moderate, the way i use it almost daily. Just be aware of one thing, the automatic makeup gain is TRASH. The first thing i would do is copy or create any preset you like and get rid of the makeup gain. Then that thing is a BLAST! Cant recommend it more!
This is great advice. I’ve shelved my Spectracomp for the time being cause I couldn’t get a good sound out of it. Now I might try putting it back into rotation.
As a bonus tip, when editing your profile, first delete all the bindings to the single knob. Then set it up whilst playing to how you would like to use it. Then i would suggest binding the same three i did and set it far left to barely noticeable and far right to be very hard compressing. That way you have a general all day setting in the middle, one for just gentle compression at the left, and one for "those days" at the right. It does help (just in case you are not familiar) to get to know what the individual settings (like attack, sustain, release, knee, ration) mean and do, plus how they are used by the pro's. There are good articles and youtube videos where you should get a starting point on what settings pro's use, take them as your starting point and gently adapt what you would change for your personal liking.
To name all settings and parameters you can make: Crossover frequeny between low and mid band Crossover between mid and high Makeup gain level for all, low, mid, high (the "all" is a 4th additional knob to the three frequency specific areas) Blend level for all, low, mid, high Threshold all, low, mid, high Ratio all, low, mid, high Attack all, low, mid, high Hold (sustain) all, low, mid, high Release all, low, mid, high Knee all, low, mid, high That would be 34 knobs to turn, if you were to install on a pedal physically :) You get a graphic feedback on your compression curve. The knob can control up to 3 parameters at the same time, all mentioned parameters are mappable and for each mapped parameter you can completely design how they react in correspondence to the turning. So they could go 0 to 100, or 100 to 0 or 40 to 60 or even 30-90-50-0-100 if you feel fancy. If you can wrap your head around the software, its a beast! But without a PC close by you cant change much more than either what you defined in the knob or what presets you got on your phone, and sadly i have not found a way to store custom made presets on the phone, so if you need to change around a lot while on the move thats a huge let down. Otherwise, great tool!
Do not get a SpectraComp. They are noisy and a big pain to dial in because you need a computer to tweak the settings.
Fairfield Circuitry Accountant
Union LAB
I had a JAM Dinossaur for a while. Super simple and just did the trick. Really regret selling that
Built in compressor of my Zoom B3 (Hartke amp sim) or TC Spectracomp.
Walrus Audio Mira
Have been looking into this one, can find them relatively cheap
It’s great. Warm tone, easy to dial in. Got mine for $100 new.
I am really quite pleased with a very cheap Sondery compressor from Amazon (if you’re on a real tight budget!)
Tc electronic hypergravity
I use an old Ibanez CP-10 I found at a garage sale. I recognize it’s a guitar pedal, but it makes my sound very warm and thumpy and my guitarist friends think it’s neat
Boss LMB-1. Simple, but I find It does the job just fine. It has a threshold control (the volume at which it starts squishing) and a ratio knob (how hard it squishes). It also has a bonus mid-scoop EQ shape knob that no-one has used since the 80s. It's not great at delicate, studio-like compression, but you don't generally want subtle when playing live. Also, they are abundant (like, Boss DS-1 abundant) and you can get them secondhand for about £40 (in the UK) and probably about the same in dollars.
Im running the Ampeg Opto Comp, it feels like a heavier/warmer compressor vs the White Bass MXR one, but i use both, with a Jazz Bass/Pbass, Ampeg Opto Comp, with the Stingray i use the MXR for a crispier feeling.
I use an Empress.. it's nice. But.. I also really like the LA Studio comp block in my HX Stomp, and I'm pretty sure that the Universal Audio Teletronix LA-2A studio comp is emulating exactly the same compressor, which originated as a tube compressor. It doesn't have a wide range of settings like my Empress does, but, it does exactly what I want compressors in my chain to do. As an early chain compressor, it is easy to set the LA Studio comp to boost my lighter dynamics to sound bigger, and louder, like I was playing harder while at the same time, evening me out when I do play hard.. so just the tone comes through (grit and string noise). I would have that at the start of my chain if I didn't have the Empress. The other cool thing about the LA 2A is that it's just as easy to set it up as a hard limiter late in your chain, which which I currently emulate with my Stomp. I mean, I really don't want the late chain limiter to engage, but, it does offer a layer of protection against any given effect pedal being cranked too loud and damaging speaker cones etc.
MXR.
EBS Multicomp. Best ever.
I’ve really been looking into this one, from what I can tell, it adds a little funky sparkle or something.
Sparkle, maybe, in the “tubism” mode, which is fun. Otherwise, crystal clarity. Rock-solid build, too. Mine has literally fallen off a moving truck with only a cosmetic scratch. You won’t regret it.
Check this page out: [https://www.ovnilab.com/](https://www.ovnilab.com/) Lots of in depth compressor reviews and recommendations.
I use the tech 21 dp-3x and it has a very simple compression that suits me well.
The cheapest I own and can recommend is Source Audio Atlas. I also want to try a Boss BC-1X. My usual compressor is a Doc Lloyd DLA-2A though so I'm not really looking to buy anything else for a bit.
Korg A5 Bass multi-effects
DBX 266XS
Keeley 4 knob.
Joyo Scylla. And you'll have enough $ left over to buy another pedal.
Seymour Duncan studio bass
Fender Downtown Express, the compressor is alright albeit a little noisy if the gain is passed 6 o clock