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Not sure if this post will elicit some groans, but I'd greatly appreciate a couple of recommendations on this... let's face it... rather boring topic.

I've always been a compressor hater when it comes to guitar pedals. I absolutely love studio compressors, but there seems to be a huge disconnect between the two formats. To my ears, pedals seem to be way too aggressive and destroy the dynamic range in a way that I don't find pleasing at all. I'm not looking to do any country chicken pickin', nor do I really need a ton of sustain for some soaring, buttery lead.

BUT. I was noticing the other day in band practice that A) my clean sound could really use a little more oomph, and B) my playing naturally gets a little sloppier when I'm singing, so I could use some mild compression to reel in the transients a bit. If I could find a comp with a mild enough but still useful sound, I'd probably leave it on all the time.

I have an Analog Man Bicomp, and it's ok. The Ross side is pretty good for doing some milder things, but still isn't what I'd call great. The Juicer side is basically like a compressor in baseball bat form... it sure is fun sometimes, but I'd say it's cartoonishly all character, no utility. I wouldn't leave either on all the time.

I've also owned an EQD Warden, but I sold it. It had a lot of control, but no parallel/mix knob. This is a big thing for me, as I want to be able to dial out some of that overtly compressed sound and have the effect be a bit more subtle.

I've tried a Barber Tone Press, which brags about being the first pedal comp w/parallel control. Thought it was ok. The Cali76 Compact Deluxe sounds really great—based on an 1176, has a mix knob, but it's really pricey at $379.

Thoughts? I'd love some help here. Thank you!

the empress is a very good studio sounding compressor in pedal form. i really liked that one.

maybe the seymour duncan compressors look nice too.

That FMR ARC looks kinda neat.... Really interested in that one. Side chain plus dynamic enhancement? Sure...sounds cool. And FMR get reviewed pretty well.

dandolin would be a good person to ask...I'm just now kinda getting into them (for a different reason though, and crochambeau was pretty helpful). I thought the CS-3 and Jen were kinda weak...then again I don't really know much about them.

Or loop one of the FMR table top ones in a bypass loop under a board? They are priced pretty well too.

Ooh that Empress—forgot about that one. Nice that it's more than a hundo less than the Cali.

Immediate mild bummer things I noticed are—more limited ratio settings (switch vs knob), bigger size. But, mix knob. Will most definitely have to go play one...

lordgalvar wrote:That FMR ARC looks kinda neat.... Really interested in that one. Side chain plus dynamic enhancement? Sure...sounds cool. And FMR get reviewed pretty well.

dandolin would be a good person to ask...I'm just now kinda getting into them (for a different reason though, and crochambeau was pretty helpful). I thought the CS-3 and Jen were kinda weak...then again I don't really know much about them.

Or loop one of the FMR table top ones in a bypass loop under a board? They are priced pretty well too.

The ARC! For some reason I didn't even realize it was a compressor. I have an RNC... it's pretty great, wonder if it'd be worth trying to integrate into my board. It's pretty happy in my studio though

I think the Seymour Duncan Vice Grip would possibly be what you're looking for. The EHX White Finger is cheaper and has some character to it and might also work for you despite not having a mix know. A used Pigtronix Philosopher King would be in your price range and is quite simply the most fun compressor ever due to its ADSR functions.

The walrus deep six is supposed to be nice, has blend.

+1 philosophers tone. Has this weird ducking type action when squashing, i kinda like it but its not something most compressors are gonna do all the time like this one does. Can be use as a clean boost, can dial in its own dirt, has blend knob, treble boost/cut, ummm oh it can be set up to sustain pretty much indefinitely...that's my main use for it when using guitar and pedals like goatkeeper or pll or step sequencing pedals etc. that work best with a strong sustained note/signal like from a synth or something to really take advantage of the pedals effect. Also pretty great for setting up sustained wall of fuzz/noise to manipulate.

I like the Diamond comp for adding a little bit of something to a clean tone. When I use it, the way I set it I forget that it's on until I turn it off and my clean sound is boring and lifeless. It has a nice EQ and you can dial in barely noticeable amounts of compression.

Effectrode. PC-2A, loosely based on the legendary Teletronix/UA La2a.
2 knobs.
2 internal trimpots you'll never have to touch but can if you want to.
0 bad settings & sounds.

Edit: when they come up secondhand you can score one for about $250

Definitely need to try a Diamond.

Interesting Effectrode was brought up--I just bought their Vibe (which is insane). I'll have to check it out. I'd be concerned about the lack of blend, but then again their shit sounds so good...

the empress has a really great sound
I have a dirge one now and love it though
I don't think I do with a compressor any of the things you want it for
I used it the last few weeks though and actually used it to clean up a dirty amp

Keeley Compressor Pro maybe? Looks really great to me. Also I've had great experience with the diamond!

Could anyone comment on the Fairfield Circuitry Accountant? Does it size reflect it's overall usage (a la the Dyna Comp)? There have been so many in BST that I stopped looking thru the board search results for an actual opinion.