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Post by bigben55 on Mar 12, 2014 19:26:36 GMT -7
I'm thinking about trying a compressor. I've never owned one. Actually, since buying the Z28, I really don't use pedals, other than my old Fulldrive 2. Who routinely uses one and what does it bring to the table with the Z28?
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Post by southmusic70 on Mar 12, 2014 21:05:36 GMT -7
I have 3 compressors, only one of which, a Wampler, I run on a board into my 28 (1x10 combo); my other two boards have Barber and Xotic compressors on them and I use them for my Mesas and my Big glass Zs, respectively. I'm one of those people that keeps a very small amount of compression (and reverb) on all of the time.
Generally speaking I think that as long as you use just a little, it will compliment the sound of any amp, and this is true of the 28. The question is: does it really make a difference? When I first got my 28 (my first Z), I played straight through, mostly, with maybe just a clean boost. This particular amp has such a nice what I've heard called "blooming" quality that I could probably do with out a compressor, quite frankly.
But if you do get one, spend the money on a good one. The Xotic is small and reasonably priced, as is the Barber (and they make a newer and smaller one with toggles for more control); the Wampler is around $200, but has excellent control features. Any of these three will probably do you just fine, I think, as will either of the Keeley units or the Diamond, which are all over $200.
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Post by "Z" Steve on Mar 13, 2014 12:21:03 GMT -7
I've read posts here where guys leave them on all the time at a minimal setting. I bought a Keeley two knob one years ago thinking I needed one to go with my ASAT. I used it about a dozen times over the years and it did sound nice. It was extremely well built and of course "it was Keeley", but I would up selling it and don't miss it. I would try an inexpensive one with good reviews 1st - maybe one you can return within 30 days just to make sure it is something you will use AND works well with any other pedal you may add to it. Just a thought!
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Post by bourgeoisboy (Josh) on Mar 13, 2014 15:53:51 GMT -7
I like the ones you can blend your dry signal in. IMO you can't go wrong with one of those. Ex: Wampler, Xotic SP, etc.
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Post by nmz on Mar 13, 2014 15:54:17 GMT -7
I've read posts here where guys leave them on all the time at a minimal setting. I bought a Keeley two knob one years ago thinking I needed one to go with my ASAT. I used it about a dozen times over the years and it did sound nice. It was extremely well built and of course "it was Keeley", but I would up selling it and don't miss it. I would try an inexpensive one with good reviews 1st - maybe one you can return within 30 days just to make sure it is something you will use AND works well with any other pedal you may add to it. Just a thought! +1 same experience here.
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Post by southmusic70 on Mar 13, 2014 16:36:39 GMT -7
I agree with bourgeoisboy; the blend control really gives you the ability to get the exact amount of effect that you want, and I think it should be a standard control for all compressors. BTW, the Barber, Wampler and Xotic all have a blend control.
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Post by bigben55 on Mar 14, 2014 9:25:11 GMT -7
Thanks for the replies. I've been researching compressors, and think I'll go the cheaper route first. From what I've read, the Biyang Baby Boom Compress-X is well worth $42. A Dyna Comp clone with a much lower noise floor.
So, what I'm hoping for is this, and tell me if a compressor is the way to go, or maybe an EQ or whatever.
Since getting the new pickups in my tele, I can't stop playing it with my Z28!!!I set the 28 at 2-12-2, have the Fulldrive II in the chain for lead boosting as/when needed, and using the guitar volume knob go from clean to crunch. Beautifully. Amazingly really. Takes maybe a 1/4 turn. I keep the guitar knob set screws up when full on, and when I turn the knob and cant see the screw, I'm clean. But, its not quite the killer clean the Z28 can deliver when set for it. While not as dramatic as on humbucker guitars, rolling volume off seems to roll some highs off too which causes a mild(not bad really) loss of "shimmer". Yall know what I mean? Its tolerable, since I don't play completely clean much, but sometimes I want to. And since there's a sweet spot where the guitar volume knobs goes from rolling off overdrive to flat out reducing volume, it can be tricky to be so knob precise, for me at least. I'm not Roy Buchanan:-) Enter the compressor. THATS when I want to engage it, to for lack of a better term, "killer up" my rolled off cleans. Thinking an EQ pedal might work too, IDK. What would you suggest?
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Post by skinvoyager on Mar 14, 2014 13:33:59 GMT -7
Before you go spending your good money on a cheap compressor, I HIGHLY recommend the Xotic SP compressor. With all the St. Patrick's pedal sales, one can be had for about $105 shipped. Prymaxevintage.com even offers FREE RETURN SHIPPING, so you can buy two or three pedals and return the ones you don't want. And no, I'm not affiliated with Prymaxe or Xotic.
Here's why I recommend the Xotic SP: I've tried them ALL. I've had the Wampler (good), JHS Orange Squeeze, Keeley 4 and 2 knob, CMAT mods, MXR, and lots more. The SP is far and away the most natural sounding, easiest to use compressor out there in my opinion. You have a knob for mix, a knob for output level, and a 3-position toggle for the amount of compression (hi, lo, mid). For me, with both knobs at noon and the toggle down in the middle setting, it's perfect.
So many compressors pump and breathe unnaturally or add excessive noise. Some of the better ones don't but you have to be careful with your settings. The SP is truly "set it and forget it" and no knob anxiety.
Honestly, I had about given up on compressors before I tried the SP and wondered if I needed one at all. Now I can't imagine not having it. It's on all the time except when I use my really high gain pedal.
Hope that helps!
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Post by bluzman on Mar 14, 2014 14:09:19 GMT -7
I have a bunch of Compressors. If you want the sag, Analogman, Keely, DynaComp, the ones mentioned above etc. For 50 bucks the Biyang Baby Boom is killer. Low noise and is better than the DynaComp in my opinion. If you don't want the sag but articulation, get an optical compressor which are more pricier. I had a Maxon CP101 but I let the magic smoke out by not reading my power supply. It was great for articulation and rhythm riffs.
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Post by markT on Mar 14, 2014 16:37:11 GMT -7
I love my aNaLoG.MaN Bi-Comprosser on my big board and Orange Squeezer on my mid size board. Both sound great with the Z28. I use them mainly for country type licks. Hardly ever on all the time. Only on certain songs....some time just for leads. Most of the time OFF.
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Post by jazzguitar14 on Mar 17, 2014 5:58:46 GMT -7
2-knob Kelley is my clean boost. Pushes the 28 very well and just turns things into melting butter.
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Post by Stephen on Mar 17, 2014 16:35:01 GMT -7
I really like the Strymon OB.1.
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Post by bigben55 on Apr 10, 2014 8:36:53 GMT -7
So.....I bought a Biyang Compress X off of some strong reviews as being a very good Dyna Comp clone with a lower noise level. $32 used/mint. After a couple hours with it, mixed reviews.
With my Z28, I do not like it. I don't think it adds much, other than some noise. I don't like the way it slightly alters the EQ, and don't like the way it changes my attack. I lose the BOIIING on the low strings. BUT, I'm keeping it because with my other amp, a 1990s Roland Blues Cube BC-30 with a Weber California(H Dome) speaker, its awesome. Clean and crunch channel, it adds some shimmer and sparkle and rounds out the sound. Big improvement on the clean channel actually, very noticeable. And I'm running it level high(2 o'clock), sensitivity low(10 o'clock). It's going to be an always on pedal for that amp; might even Velcro it to the top of it.
I'm guessing my ears are telling me that the Z28, a tube amp played loudly(1-12-1) already has some compression going on whereas the solid state(but still VERY good sounding, even sitting right beside the Z28) Blues Cube doesn't, and the Compress X is adding some, making it sound more "tube-y." IDK. Anyway, I won't be getting another compressor, spent chump change on an experiment and still came out happy.
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Post by uconnjack on Apr 23, 2014 5:37:03 GMT -7
I've had / tried most of the compressors mentioned above over the years. I currently have the Wampler on my board for my Eagles Tribute band. I engage it primarily to enhance certain clean songs and use it's tweakability as an additional EQ, primarily with my single-coil guitars. I do use it post wah-pedal to increase the sustain and reduce the treble highs of that pedal. It's a multi-purpose type pedal. I'm a big fan of the AM Bi-comp also, however that pedal adds it's own color (which I like), but is definately less transparent than most others.
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Post by rcrecelius on Apr 24, 2014 18:59:30 GMT -7
I've had several of the pedals mentioned on this thread, the one that "stayed" is the Analognan...I bought it here used, really don't even know which model it is(std size pedal w 2 knobs). I use this on all the time w my Allen Accomplice, both knobs around 10-11 o'clock. I run my BD2 in front of the comp and a Ts9 behind the comp. it just works for me.
Only played 1 gig w my new(to me) Ghia and I didn't use the comp then...just let that Ghia do what it do don't ya know...
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Post by bigben55 on Apr 25, 2014 7:28:56 GMT -7
I have found that, after screwing with the comp for a while now, having it set at Level=2 o'clock, sensitivity=10 o'clock, it can function as a decent clean boost with the Z28. I WILL be adding it to my board when all the pieces are in place and I go to put it together. I keep it between the guitar and the FD2. But as an "always on" pedal with the Z28? Uh, no. Coming to realize that the Z28 is SOOO dynamic of an amp that you just don't want to mess with its response. Compression erases the bloom.
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Post by southmusic70 on Apr 25, 2014 9:26:16 GMT -7
I agree that too much compression will take the bloom factor down. That's why I like compressors with a blend control, so I can get a very minimal effect and keep it on all of the time. So many people overcompress, and the effect can be tiring for the listener and sound unnatural. To me, it should be very transparent and almost "not there."
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Post by rcrecelius on Apr 26, 2014 10:37:25 GMT -7
FWIW...I never used a comp w any of the z28's I've owned...to me the z28 is best when cranked up high w a clean boost for additional saturation as needed. Again, a different amp but I was really happy w my sound last night and I did have the compressor on all night. I could get a real good semi clean country chicken picken tone w the guitar vol rolled off a little , crank it up for some natural breakup it add a TS9 for more. This was an old school country band so the TS9 didn't happen very often The key to a compressor is to have it set low enough that you can still effectively work the vol/tone knobs on the guitar to achieve varying degrees of breakup from the amp...my Analognan w both knobs around 10oclock allows me to do this.
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