Ok, let's talk compressors folks

[MikeH]

I was planning on building a boss Slow Gear for my next project, because they cost about 400 bucks and I've never had the chance to use one, and I wanted to see what all of the hype was all about.  I read though, that you really need a decent compressor to get the most out of one, and I haven't built one of those yet either, so it's compressor time.  Which ones do you like, which one do you dislike, and why?  I know pretty much nothing about compressors; I've never used one except on bass, and that was just in the studio.

[Mark Hammer]

Seriously, search for all recent Ross compressor or Dynacomp threads, and you will find out all you need to know about this topic.

[Meanderthal]

 Dislike: Walco chord and note sustainer! It's way way too intense, way way too noisy.
Like: My favorite of all time is a Rocktron rack unit. But it's in a rack... So for pedals I'd have to second the Ross/MXR. Nice and smooth, warm. Buttery, heh.
I've been eyeing up the Oh/Not So Simple V2 though, but haven't built/heard it yet... just going by what Markm says, but I assume a Tele playing country chicken-picker would really need to know compressors!

[MikeH]

I read a couple threads regaurding the Ross/Dynacomp designs, complete with plenty of hating on Robert Keely.  So, I'm pretty caught up on those (which are all quite similar aparently).  What about some of the more basic comps, like the Orange Squeezer?  Are they worth building?

[petemoore]

  I use OS Compressor, does one thing 'lightly'...compress, transparent but real nice, unless your A/B ing it and the bypass signal and listeneing closely, it's hard to tell if it's on, I put LED indicator on that on.
  Ross/Dyna...mines somewhere inbetween, closer to Ross as far as the LP filters...this one can be heard compressing, letting out more signal during sustained note, can have a bit of swell. Low noise but not as low as the OS, also 'buttery' fits IMO, it's not quite transparent, tonewise.
  As much as I diddle the adjustments on my Comps, I would probably be perfectly happy with...something like the 'not quite so simple V2' or...any decent comp. with just enough control to find/leave alone settings and use bypass switch/volume control mostly.

[brett]

Hi
I built an OS first.  It is subtle in audio terms, but might be enough in voltage terms to help other circuits behave (audio volume is an exponential scale).
I favour the Dyna over the Ross, due to the loss of treble in the Ross.  In fact, the Dyna is probably the best all-round compressor.  You have to find a 3080 chip, though.   (And if you do find them, buy 3 for safe keeping).
There's "quick and simple" compressors including the AussieMart, which is ok, and the So Simple V2, which I haven't built.
cheers

[markm]

I have to say that for me I prefer the Dynacomp for general Comp usage.....Live etc.
Although, I am quite the connoisseur of stomp compressors so there are others that I like such as the Ross which is a close second for me to the Dyna, the Orange Squeezer is very cool and does get alot of use as well as the Q&D Comp, the Flatline is a very good Optical compressor and my new Favorite is the So-Simple Compressor from puzzle87 which is a nice simple little circuit that may remind some of the O/S but has a tonal character all it's own and Very quiet which is surprising since it is quite a simple little transistor unit.
(you can find the so-simple comp here>>>>>>>>>http://aronnelson.com/gallery/album15
I guess I may be in the minority but, I play Country on a Tele through a Twin Reverb and that compression really sounds good for chicken pickin' and faux pedal steel stuff.....not to mention banjo rolls and finger picking!