Need a compressor, OS or Ross?

[Duggyrocks]

The only thing I've ever built (outside of school) was a passive a/b selector, so I'm no expert, but I have basic skills. I can buy an Orange Squeezer kit from GGG for £30, or a Ross Compressor from BYOC for £45. I am aware the orange squeezer is easier, but I hear great things about the ross.

So which?

[markm]

My favorite is the DynaComp although, since building the Saffron Squeeze circuit, I have to say I like that one just as much....
Very smoooooth and Squeezey!!

[krister]

Orange squeezer gets my vote.

[Mark Hammer]

Tell me what sort of instrument you intend to use it with and what style of music you play, and I'll offer an opinion.

[Duggyrocks]

I will be using it for shred and metal solos. I have a JCM900 and an Ibanez RG with EMGs.

[Mark Hammer]

Then you want a Dynacomp or Ross.  They are set up for more sustain-oriented compression, whereas the stock OS is more for those who simply wnat to keep the meter from going into the red.

There.  That was pretty simple.

[MartyMart]

My favorite is the DynaComp although, since building the Saffron Squeeze circuit, I have to say I like that one just as much....
Very smoooooth and Squeezey!!

How is the Saffron different ? isn't it just a few "tweaks" ?

Thanks Mark, you're the "Comp" man !!
.... well lets see:
OS
Dyna
Ross
Flatline
LA Light
Craig Anderton comp ...... am i catching you up ??

MM.

[markm]

 

You're Gaining on me Marty!

How is the Saffron different ? isn't it just a few "tweaks" ?

Well, yeah.....sort of. 
It has some different values in it for caps and resistors.....to my ears it does sound more refined, smoother and more "musical" that the RossComp. Please be aware this is just my opinion however, YMMV.
The jury's still out on this but, I make like it better than my DynaComp clones....

[Meanderthal]

 I like the OS because it's idiot proof, and the Ross because it's versatile. Both sound nice.

Lately there's been a gremlin who turns the knobs on my pedals when I'm not looking, so I step on the pedal and get... nothing like what I expected... I think someone's been having a bit of fun at my expense...

But it's got me thinking about the possibility of a board full of pedals with nothing but a switch and led externally(like a stock OS)... all trimpots...

[markm]

Lately there's been a gremlin who turns the knobs on my pedals when I'm not looking, so I step on the pedal and get... nothing like what I expected... I think someone's been having a bit of fun at my expense...

Like my kids say......"it wasn't me!"

[Duggyrocks]

Ok, so ross is the comp for me. But upon looking at the schematic again, I worry it might be a little too hard for me, and that I might mess it up. The instructions can be found here http://buildyourownclone.com/dynaross.html . Somebody please give me some reassurance 

[MartyMart]

Ok, so ross is the comp for me. But upon looking at the schematic again, I worry it might be a little too hard for me, and that I might mess it up. The instructions can be found here http://buildyourownclone.com/dynaross.html . Somebody please give me some reassurance 

Well, the PDF instructions are fairly comprehensive !  BUT .... if you've not built/soldered much at all
before, it may be wise to try a couple of simple builds, such as a Bazz Fuzz - http://www.home-wrecker.com/bazz.html
or a simple booster ( alway's useful )
That way, you stand less chance of running into problems with a more complex build.
Bazz Fuzz and a Tube Reamer ( www.runoffgroove.com ) where the first two things that I made three years ago

Marty.

[Jay Doyle]

Well, you built an a/b selector so you know the pain of putting a box together (I hate it myself, worst part of the hobby).

So, the only skill that you are lacking is soldering components, which isn't a big deal, just a smaller footprint. Maybe grab a couple of resistor packs and some thru-hole pad-per-hole and just solder in resistors for a day until you feel more comfortable with it.

Those BYOC kits look about as paint-by-numbers as you can get, I'm sure you will do fine.

[Duggyrocks]

Well, I've done a few easy projects in technology in school (A simple circuit that involves battery snao, resistor, varibale resistor, led, bulb, transistor, and an ldr, for a nightlight) , but nothing challenging. The thing is, I would have no problem building an easy fuzz, if I had money to blow, but I'm 14, and whatever money I can get from working for my dad on days off school etc, needs to be spent wisely, so I only want to be building pedals I will actually use for live sound, ie compressor.

[Jay Doyle]

Well, I've done a few easy projects in technology in school (A simple circuit that involves battery snao, resistor, varibale resistor, led, bulb, transistor, and an ldr, for a nightlight) , but nothing challenging. The thing is, I would have no problem building an easy fuzz, if I had money to blow, but I'm 14, and whatever money I can get from working for my dad on days off school etc, needs to be spent wisely, so I only want to be building pedals I will actually use for live sound, ie compressor.

Well, you will find that once you stock your bench and get a breadboard (which shouldn't set you back all that much and hey, you've got summer around the corner!) that you will be doing the same thing but trying out a lot more stuff. That initial investment goes a long way. Now I have plenty of components and things for the breadboard, but if I am going to box something up, I need to order the enclosure, etc. It has to sound incredible on the breadboard for me to box it up.

Hey, GOOD LUCK and keep in touch, this is a great hobby, especially the sitting-in-the-dark-hunched-over-solder-fumes counterpoint to all of our stupendously intoxicating Rock God Guitar Hero careers. 

Seriously, good luck.

Jay Doyle

[JonFrum]

Well, I've done a few easy projects in technology in school (A simple circuit that involves battery snao, resistor, varibale resistor, led, bulb, transistor, and an ldr, for a nightlight) , but nothing challenging. The thing is, I would have no problem building an easy fuzz, if I had money to blow, but I'm 14, and whatever money I can get from working for my dad on days off school etc, needs to be spent wisely, so I only want to be building pedals I will actually use for live sound, ie compressor.

You're fourteen? The best thing you could spend your money on  is  girls. Trust an old geezer on this one, you'll never say to yourself "I wish I spent less time with chicks and more with a soldering iron."   

[black mariah]

Well, I've done a few easy projects in technology in school (A simple circuit that involves battery snao, resistor, varibale resistor, led, bulb, transistor, and an ldr, for a nightlight) , but nothing challenging. The thing is, I would have no problem building an easy fuzz, if I had money to blow, but I'm 14, and whatever money I can get from working for my dad on days off school etc, needs to be spent wisely, so I only want to be building pedals I will actually use for live sound, ie compressor.

Don't worry about the difficulty level. When you're working with a PCB you eliminate the overwhelming majority of wiring errors that could happen. Basically as long as you wire the pots and jacks right, and don't burn up any components, you'll end up with a working pedal. I can't build on breadboard or perfboard to save my life. PCB's... no problem.

[markm]

Well, I've done a few easy projects in technology in school (A simple circuit that involves battery snao, resistor, varibale resistor, led, bulb, transistor, and an ldr, for a nightlight) , but nothing challenging. The thing is, I would have no problem building an easy fuzz, if I had money to blow, but I'm 14, and whatever money I can get from working for my dad on days off school etc, needs to be spent wisely, so I only want to be building pedals I will actually use for live sound, ie compressor.

You're fourteen? The best thing you could spend your money on  is  girls. Trust an old geezer on this one, you'll never say to yourself "I wish I spent less time with chicks and more with a soldering iron."   

Well, either one will give ya problems at some point and both building circuits and chicks need de-bugging occasionally.
Just remember this old saying, Tits, Tubes, Transistors or Tires, It'll give ya problems!
That's MY "old geezer" advice! 

[Johan]

Well, I've done a few easy projects in technology in school (A simple circuit that involves battery snao, resistor, varibale resistor, led, bulb, transistor, and an ldr, for a nightlight) , but nothing challenging. The thing is, I would have no problem building an easy fuzz, if I had money to blow, but I'm 14, and whatever money I can get from working for my dad on days off school etc, needs to be spent wisely, so I only want to be building pedals I will actually use for live sound, ie compressor.

..try to convince you dad it is educating to build these things ( everyone here learn something..) and I'm sure he will help you out with the financing..it is after all next to the change in your pockets for someone with a fulltime job to first stock up a little for what is to come...an assortment bag of resistors, one with cap's and a few stripboards might set you back 25-30$ and will last many project. ...and I doubt you dad wouldn't want you to get ahead a little by doing and learning yourself...
johan

[Duggyrocks]

Alright, thanks guys, I'll look into getting breadboard, resistors etc. But theres no chance of me getting a full time job, I practice actually playing the guitar too much (Ever notice you see these awesome gear builders that suck at playing?).