Compressors?

[the_great_lemon]

Scooped up that Ross last week, so I'm still figuring out how to play with a more compressed signal... In fact, the reason why I was hesitant at first about getting a compressor was because of the amazing open and dynamic sound the Sweet Honey provides.  Any one in the market for a transparent and smooth OD, it's pretty much perfect.  It's a little bright with the Focus knob past 11:30-12.  Btw, anyone know what the deal is with the BJF design thing?  I've seen some pictures of the (original?) BJF Sweet Honeys on TGP, and I've always wondered.  Did Mad Professor get the rights to the circuit or something? anyway, ramble over...

The butt simple settings I brought up when I first plugged the compressor in (sus. 9:30 level 12:00) have fared me so well that I have barely moved them.  Totally smooths out turning on either drive pedal and adds epic sustainnnnnnnnnnn, and is damn quiet for a 30+ year old box. Also improves the already great wah: makes it pop really well.  Loving the change, but I've been looking into getting a 4 loop switcher (w/ tuner out) from loop-master because of the tone suck when it's off. 

[Happyorange27]

Why would you ever want to turn it off? 

[the_great_lemon]

Hey sour, finally found that thread you mentioned where Walker reviewed a bunch of different comps.  There was a lot of great information in there, must have been one hell of a time!  Anyone that doesn't know much about compressors in general should give it a look.  (its called "Ross Mods" i think....)

Still loving the new Ross too.  I can use the Output to control the overall level of my board which is great because I can totally isolate my pedals from the BJs input.  Now that I got my fancy new Dunlop reissue Adamas in the mail, all my dynamics are back because I have total control.  I had been using Red Jazz IIIs for a while now, but this makes it a challenge to get every note clean a perty, which will help my technique tremendously.

Ohh and I'll try to remember to take a picture of my board while my friends script phase 90 is taking up some space....

[picture_of_nectar]

Script phase 90 is sooo good. Could be a contender for MVP on my board.

[the_great_lemon]

is yours the one with the led installed from the factory, or the handwired one? My friends is the former and its not impressing me too much

[picture_of_nectar]

I think the led in mine was installed by Analogman. It was modded by him, not sure exactly what he did besides that.

[the_great_lemon]

I'm looking to pick up a backup of sorts for my Ross...I was hoping to pick it up at GC this weekend. Anyone played an MXR Custom Comp or Script Dyna-Comp? Any other suggestions? Thanks guys 

[Brian27]

The MXR Custom Comp is great.

[Heady Jam Fan]

As far as Ross type comps go, I have really been enjoying my Retro Sonic. It seems to have more headroom than others that I tried, its on the gentler side of compression of the those others as well which makes it easier to dial in (still has plenty on tap) and it seems to be voiced slightly sweeter, which is nice as some Ross comps can be pretty dark sounding.

Pigtronix wants me to try their comp, it seems more tonally transparent which I am not sure if I like - I want some bass roll off, but it might have more sustain and headroom, plus it apparently works great with volume knob work. It needs 12-20v though, so on my pedalboard, I would probably run it with a Godlyke voltage doubler.

[Walker done done]

I'm looking to pick up a backup of sorts for my Ross...I was hoping to pick it up at GC this weekend. Anyone played an MXR Custom Comp or Script Dyna-Comp? Any other suggestions? Thanks guys 

Lemon, how much are you looking to spend on your backup Comp?   PS, not sure if you saw, but SourD procured a '78 Ross for me a few weeks back so now I finally have one of my very own!  Psyched with it - sounds great. 

Though SourD, I will say that I think there is a differnce in my Ross as opposed to your Grey Ross that you let me demo.  I liked yours better I think....do you know if there are any differences between the two (chips, etc.?)

[the_great_lemon]

Trying to keep it under $150.  I'll try to head to the evil GC tomorrow and check out the MXR Custom Comp.

And yes Walker, I did see that! Congrats and welcome to the club    Just curious, how do you like it in comparison to your Keeley? Does the lack of the two extra knobs bother you at all?

@ Heady: Is that pigtronix comp they want you to try the Philosophers tone?  The PGS demos sounded perty with that one!

[Heady Jam Fan]

Yep, they were really selling me on it. They wanted me to switch from 2TS9s>Ross to Fat Drive>Philosopher's Tone (or at least TS's and the PT). I really like the bass-role-off of the TS's and Ross though and I think both of Pigtronix's pedals preserve the bass more: the Artinger is warm and so is my Bassman.

I mentioned some of this in my volume pedal thread, but at least one or two of those guys over there are Phish fans, love Trey's tone (don't try to copy it though), but he said he thinks it is a terrible way to go about it. I have yet to see a Phish inspired rig with either of those pedals to my knowledge though.

I would consider trying one or both of those pedals if they had a bass tone control, but I have the bass completely off on my amp, so I can't really pull it back any more if I switch to gear that has more low end. Although my Artinger sounds great straight into the amp (which ought to have more bass than when using a TS and Ross). But I digress.

If anyone has more experience, I would love to hear!

[manicstarseed]

I really enjoy the Barber Tone Press. $159 It has a blend knob that really lets you dial in your dynamics.

[sour d]

Though SourD, I will say that I think there is a differnce in my Ross as opposed to your Grey Ross that you let me demo.  I liked yours better I think....do you know if there are any differences between the two (chips, etc.?)

No difference. Mine was modded to be true bypass and has an l.e.d. added but neither of those mods would make a difference. True bypass is not needed for me because the pedal is always on.The same tantalum caps. The same chip. I think the only difference is that yours has not been used very much. Like someone bought it and stored it in a closet for 34 years. Tell your wife I recommend that you play through it for at least 6 hours a day for the next couple months. Let those component values start to drift slightly. All joking aside I do believe that there is somthing to that. The aging process seems to add "mojo" to gear. I usually prefer older pedals. Early 80's ts9's, ross comps, late 70's-early 80's mxr pedals, which leads me to my favorite low cost ross backup, the early 80's block logo dynacomps can be had for less than $100 most of the time and they sound great. The ones with no l.e.d. and battery power only. Ross pedals were mxr copies remember.

[raisingfreen]

Since I also recently bought a Ross Comp I took apart my old (late 90s as indicated on the board) Dynacomp. On the other side of the circuit board there was a little trim pot (not accessible unless you literally disassemble the whole thing). I turned it to the left about a 16th of an inch or so and put it back together. For what its worth it made a huge improvement. The basic non script red Dynacomps are pretty much worthless resale wise so I didn't care much. But as a backup it would work fine and they are really cheap. I grabbed mine for $25 at a local store. Just missing a single screw on the back. Otherwise flawless.