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Post by telejas on Nov 9, 2006 16:19:19 GMT -7
I've always got a decent amount of twang from my amps without a compressor, but lately I started really paying attention to tones and what FX they are using and 99% of country guitarist use a compressor, including Brad Paisley... If I'm having trouble getting, lets say....., my AC30 to twang like I want it to, will a compressor in front of it make it twang better?
I've used compressors in the past, but never for twang but more to just make the tone a bit more "on top" in a live situation. And I HATE setting them up!!!
If a compressor will help, what is the best one (for the money) and what's the best way to set it up?? I always end up killing my tone and the dynamics when I try to use one so any advice would be GREATLY apprecieated.
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Post by johnnyl on Nov 9, 2006 16:27:58 GMT -7
I've been using a Keeley for a while now and it's a good but honestly it really squishes quite a bit. I'm tempted to try the Diamond which I've heard is more subtle.
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Post by billyguitar on Nov 9, 2006 18:48:11 GMT -7
Try a Guyatone ST-2. It's a great little green box. I have a Keeley but went back to the Guyatone. I put some big knurled knobs on mine and I can easily adjust it with my foot.
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Post by John on Nov 9, 2006 19:12:28 GMT -7
Among the Boo-teek pedals, Keeley seems to be the standard. Even used ones are top dollar. I purchased a BBE "Main Squeeze" compressor. They're a brand new model and I think they're supposed to be BBE's answer to Keeley. I love it. True bypass and if I remember correctly, they're $120 brand new @ Musicians Friend. (free shipping)
Also, the Boss CS3 compressor is also a big industry standard. Not Boo-teek and not true bypass, but they sound great. I got the Allums mod kit (do-it-yourself kit for $20) and didn't really notice the difference. I bet if I compared it to an original CS3, I probably would.
You can pick up a CS3 on Ebay for cheap. And they're easy to set up!
Will they twang an AC-30....you bet!
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Post by jwr on Nov 9, 2006 19:51:40 GMT -7
A friend of mine has the Barber Tone Press and I like it a lot. I've never owned a compressor before but I'm getting this one soon. It's a parallel compressor meaning that you can dial in how much of the compressed signal you want with the uneffected or "dry" signal. It's only $140.00, and doesn't squish as much as the Keeley. I played one of those recently as well and I thought that the Barber was more subtle. Definitely gives the amp a little more "oomph". Hope this helps.
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Post by mudskipper on Nov 9, 2006 20:24:22 GMT -7
i use an IndyGuitarist modded CS-3. i had a Keeley before and didn't like it since i perceived the sound to be too glassy. i also wanted to adjust the tone and attack. IndyG CS-3 has all of those controls and it's remarkably quiet. i'd like to try Tone Press at some point but the CS-3 in fulfilling all of my compression needs right now.
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Post by (8^D) on Nov 9, 2006 20:37:33 GMT -7
I've always got a decent amount of twang from my amps without a compressor, but lately I started really paying attention to tones and what FX they are using and 99% of country guitarist use a compressor, including Brad Paisley... If I'm having trouble getting, lets say....., my AC30 to twang like I want it to, will a compressor in front of it make it twang better? I've used compressors in the past, but never for twang but more to just make the tone a bit more "on top" in a live situation. And I HATE setting them up!!! If a compressor will help, what is the best one (for the money) and what's the best way to set it up?? I always end up killing my tone and the dynamics when I try to use one so any advice would be GREATLY apprecieated. The Comp won't add 'twang' per se, but will allow you to get those country snaps/pops on the string and keep the volume/output on an even keel. Also, it will allow you to be a little less 'exact' in the fingering/picking and play those quick lines cleanly. Comps are a bit of a trade-off. You do by nature of the use and design of the comp pedal lose some dynamics; but, you gain what's mentioned above. A great starting point would be the Boss CS-2 (older, w/o tone control) or the current CS-3. Would chime in that the CS-2 sounds better. Would definately get you those Brent Mason/Paisley comp sounds.
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Post by benttop (Steve) on Nov 11, 2006 10:49:43 GMT -7
I have two great comps here: a Humphrey Audio Atom Smasher (which is a modded Boss CS-3) and a Demeter Compulator.
The Atom Smasher is a great comp if you want a lot of control over your signal, with tone and compression controls. And it is dead quiet. The Demeter is an optical compressor, so it's quiet too, and dead simple with only two knobs, compression and volume. I use the Demeter as a booster with mild compression a lot on my Stingray - makes for great blues solos.
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Post by guitarboy02451 on Nov 11, 2006 12:06:27 GMT -7
The Durham Sexdrive is pretty sweet. Tried one out and was impressed. I think Brad has one. It's a clean boost, but has a comp built in that you can turn on or off.
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Post by dock66 on Nov 11, 2006 12:22:14 GMT -7
I have two comps that i am using.Keeley comp and FXengineering Mirage. Keeley is an exceptional comp ! FXengineering is a small company that makes excellent comp,slightly more transparent,less squish and not as compressed compare to my Keeley .This is my first chioce comp then Keeley is my second.Both are keepers for what I am doing.You can find these at . www.fatsoundguitars.com
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Post by hdahs143 on Nov 12, 2006 10:39:04 GMT -7
I use the keeley as well. Yes it can squish things quite a bit if turned up too high. I have an older 2 knob model and keep both knobs at 10-11 o'clock, and its first in the chain. I've tried it after the OD pedals but didn't care for it there. Seemed to sterilize the grit of the OD pedals too much.
The beauty of the Keeley is that really enhances the tone, and is the quietest compressor I've used.
The Boss CS3 is cool as well, and to my ear better for the chickin pickin thing, as it seems to impart more pop & cluck to the sound than the Keeley.
Good Luck!
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Post by Dr.T on Nov 12, 2006 11:27:42 GMT -7
If U use a transparent unit, such as Keeley you will push your sound without altering tone
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Post by mward on Nov 12, 2006 19:49:18 GMT -7
Anyone used a blackfinger from EHX? I've got one on the way. I heard one demoed and thought it sounded pretty good. Until I started reading this board though, I had no idea they were required for country and optional for everything else. I've always heard you use a comp to even out your playing. Who knew?
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Post by mentalray on Dec 16, 2006 3:09:45 GMT -7
I just got my new OKKO CocaComp (www.stompbox.de -check the soundfiles) and I love it! I think the key for a good compressor sound is, to keep it realy unobtrusive.
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Post by steveinnashville on Dec 16, 2006 21:38:31 GMT -7
If you want a Mark Knopfler kind of twang, get an Orange Squeezer clone. It's more of an "effect" than just adding compression, but it sounds great! Mine has a "blend" control for dry/compressed ratio, which is good since most versions of the circuit just have a volume control and an on/off switch (though you could use a box like the VFB-2 from www.bargeconcepts.com to get a wet/dry blend and bypass it). I have a Ross Clone compressor for a more "normal" compression sound, but love the character of the OS. It has germanium and a good hint of "nastiness," great for twang.
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Post by Ryan (shorty) on Dec 17, 2006 17:39:51 GMT -7
I've had a Boss CS-3 for a few years and have never been able to make it usable for me. I'm sure it's user error. I was hoping the MAZ would change that, but it didn't. Where do you guys set yours or where should I start?
Thanks.
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maction
Full Member
SRZ for me
Posts: 227
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Post by maction on Dec 18, 2006 10:32:05 GMT -7
I just got a Barber Tone press, and I'm really impressed with it. I think it might be really good for twanging up tone. Since you can mix the original signal in (as jwr said above) you can make sure your pick attack doesn't get lost.
That being said, a less subtle compressor could give you more of a clank with your pick attack. I played a Boss CS-3, and it was easy to dial in the "Reeling in the Years" attack, but I was looking for something more subtle.
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