Good 'stomp box' compressor ?

[FredD]

I am looking to buy a 'decent' quality (transparent and not noisy) 'stomp box' compressor.

I quite like what I read about Diamond and also Robert Keeley. I am sure there are others
that would meet my criteria (Transparent, not noisey, maybe optical, fully adjustable attack and decay etc).
In other words, high end rack/studio quality compressor in a stomp box.

As far as the Keeley Compressor goes, I was a little disconcerted to read on the Keeley US site, a comment made
apparently by Robert himself, that it was not advisable to 'trust' Keeley Electronics Europe/David Cartwright/
Moonphase, who appear to be the UK importer. In fact he went on to denounce said, as a
'crook' who 'stole his name' !

As I do not want the hassle (?) of importing from the USA, can anyone recommend a 'good' stomp box compressor that I can buy in Europe (preferably the UK) ?


 

[HTH AMPS]

the basic Boss one is a great little box - even better with the Monte Allums upgrade kit.

[shobet]

If you want transparent then the Rothwell Lovesqueeze. It doesn't have all the bells and whistles but works a treat and does what a compressor should do in my view.

Here's a comparison of the Lovesqueeze and the Keeley for you: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hcWHOjfZcSM&feature=relmfu

[Telerocker]

There are lots of good compressors on the market. The Keeley and Diamonds are qualitypedals. You could consider
also The Barber Tonepress (you can blend you signal with compression), Emma Transmorgrifier, Cmatmods Signa Comp and Strymon OB1 Clean Boost/Compressor.

[d1dsj]

Some great suggestions already. I had a Keeley 4 knob but found it created lots of hiss and was too squishy. Ended up with a CMATMODS 4 knob which i am very happy with!

[Kiichi]

I got an MXR Supercomp which is nice, but probably not what you are looking for.

If you got the cash though, get a Strymon Ob.1 Optical Comp and clean boost.
I got to try and recently and I found it to be godly. The sound quality was imensely good (beyond anything else I ever tried). One stomp for comp and one for boost (boost switchable between clean, mid and treble). Sounds bloody amazing, as anything by strymon I have ever tried.

[choucas09]

I bought a blinder of a compressor recently a Seymour Duncan Double Back. Nudging £150 at Thomann. Here's an ex demo one at Charlie Chandlers for £90 plus £7.50 postage.http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Seymour-Duncan-Double-Back-Compressor-EX-DEMO-Pedal-/220849971278?pt=UK_Guitar_Accessories&hash=item336baf204e#ht_3400wt_793. Check out this site for an extremely extensive overview of comps in general and pay particular attention to the one I'm recommending......http://www.ovnilab.com/
The Doubleback starts life as a high quality VCA comp in it's own right, but it gets it's name from being able to feed back in uncompressed signal in one of 3 ways...Full range, mid hump or highs.

[DavidRees]

Rothwell Love Squeeze is great. I find it make you sit better in the mix when playing with others, somehow you can be heard better without turning up the volume.  8)

[FredD]

Thanks guys for all the tips and info, and in particular, thanks choucas09 for the heads up on the ovnilab.com site.
Very useful site if your compressor hunting  :)
I have managed to find audio samples/demos of all pedals mentioned so far, and more !
I am still working through all the info, and at the moment am swaying between the Love Sqeeze and the
SD Doule Back.
I think its going to be a case of 'which one shall I try first ?'  And maybe i'll get lucky and fall in love with it,
avoiding a second purchase !! Then again....  8)

[viking]

I just read a few reviews (comp)on ovnilab.com and it looks like the guy is a bass player .

[nfe]

I love the Keeley, got rid of mine but only because I had no use for a compressor nowadays that I almost never have a fuzz turned off :lol:

[FredD]

I just read a few reviews (comp)on ovnilab.com and it looks like the guy is a bass player .

Yes, if you read the FAQ on the site, you will get his lowdown on this aspect, relative to compressor pedals in general.

At least he's not a drummer  :)

[Spitfire]

EBS Multicomp

[Johnny Mac]

Telenordia Kompressor. Its silent and you can blend the wet dry signal. I love it

[dani]

EBS Multicomp

this and the strymon ob-1 are the best i've used. the multicomp allowed me to emphasise attack for tight chugs as well as smooth it for legato leads. the strymon on the other hand smooths things out without adding any negative sonic artefacts to tone. very transparent and musical optical compressor. both comps are mighty quiet as well without the hiss and pumping effect found in cheaper comps.