Looking for a cheap decent compressor
Do you have something in mind?
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@Al1885 isn’t that a copy of the Boss Bass Limiter Enhancer?
@Cone.Be Did you have a specific application in mind or just wanting to try out a compressor?
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No nothing in mind
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This is your best resource for comparison. Unfortunately hasn’t been updated in a while but the site is a gold mine when it comes to compressor info.
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Ooh that’s a good one too.
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More than you’ll ever want to know about compressors can be found here:
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Why are people so obsessed with compressor pedals? I used to be one of those too and I still have no clue why 
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His review of the Aguilar TLC Compressor is spot on.
Exceptional build quality.
Clean and quiet without being clinical.
No “tone magic” at all.
Utilitarian with nothing to set it apart in a market filled with options. 
Edit: Forgot to add the ROFL face.
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Wirh slap and pop I hear a big difference. Otherwise, if I ever get a different compressor, it would be as much about whatever baked in warmth it can add.
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I originally had really simple compressor needs. My opinion changed a lot when I started mixing, and boom suddenly it’s by far the most important effect. But not in pedals in that case.
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agree, more important on the production/mixing/mastering end of things
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Probably doesn’t cover the cheap bit in the original post, but the links in this thread form @howard and @Paul started me on my own analog compressor pedal quest
down to 5 finalists - I have a provisional winner - but wanted to see if anyone can further add to my choices/confusion
(in alphabetical order 
)
- API Select TranZformer CMP
- Becos CompIQ Twain
- Empress Bass compressor
- JoeMeek FloorQ
- PRS Mary Cries
so comments on any of these 5 compressor pedals if you know them would be very welcome
if you must you can also suggest other analog compressors you love and why (howard threw the carl martin classic in there)
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I don’t have any of those, or actually any compressor, but the Empress Bass comes in first (barely edging out the Cali model) in reviews I’ve read/watched. FWIW.
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I don’t have any of those either, I’ve got the Aguilar TLC Compressor.
Some things to think about, are you looking for a compressor that offers some tone magic or a compressor that just does compression. Also, are you looking for an always on compressor, or a compressor for a particular use (like slap).
Im surprised to see the Mary Cries on your list. Only because it was designed for guitar. Do you have a link for using it with bass?
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I’ve been thinking about the Caveman Audio BC-1 but really I want one of this. I have the same compressor you have as the matter of fact it was you who “talk” me into it, lol.
https://www.sweetwater.com/store/detail/WongComp--wampler-cory-wong-compressor-and-boost-pedal
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High quality Opto based on LA-2A should = very nice on bass…their manual also has only 3 dial suggestions in it, and one of those is for bass, so sounds like they planned for it to be used on bass too (they mention great for slap bass in their setting suggestion)
I did stuggle to find useful info vids and reviews on it compared to the others, but it seems like a high quality opto pedal…for my choices it is the low dial contender (with only 2; compression and output)
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Have you gotten any use out of it? I like it for what it does, but I think I would also like one that offers some tone magic.
Something along the lines of the Diamond Bass Comp/EQ or the Whirlwind OC Bass. Both are optical compressors with minimal controls that get great reviews. I’m mostly in the dreaming stage. It’ll be quite a while before I’ll be ready to drop that much money on a second compressor.
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I’m torn. I like what a compressor does but I spent a lot of time developing dynamics and at a push of a button it levels out everything well in a nutshell.
It’s on at about 25%. I’m ok with it. It takes a while to dial it in and each bass has its sweet spot.
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