I am wondering if stomp box compressors usually have a fixed compression ratio. I get confused with the level and attack knobs! I learned compressors with rack units, and got used to dialing the threshold and ratio, now I am having a hard time relating to the stomp box. I also welcome your advice on what brands you´ve used. I am hell-bent on purchasing a Black Finger by E. Harmonix. I LOVE compression but only used subtly, and I am not quite getting that from my Boss stomp box. I wonder if there is a way to dial in a 2=1 ratio on the thing. Any and all advice is really appreciated!
Happy trails, Fenderous people!

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FIGHT!

Hi Mike: it's an excellent question and I'm sure there's many here who could give an answer. However, I have never seen this or any other aspect of compressors discussed better in print or in person than right here on the Forum by user EgFryer, who just happens to run a professional recording studio and who knows his... well, eggs.

So I'm just going to hold fire for now and see if he or one of the other gizmo experts comes in on it. And now I've bumped this thread back to the top they stand a better chance of seeing it. Stand by; it'll be interesting.

Cheers - C

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I don't have an answer for you either, but look forward to seeing what is posted here.

BTW: I use a RockTron Big Crush Compressor/Sustainer

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Chet Feathers

Authorized TonePros Dealer
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I didn't Lose my mind, I traded it for this guitar.

I use a trusty ol' MXR Dyna Comp with just two knobs - Output (volume) and Sensitivity (compression).


From Analog.Man:

Q: Are these compressors like studio compressors?

A: No, anyone who says a Ross, Dynacomp, or Orange Squeezer compressor works or sounds like a studio compressor is trying to pull one over on you. These compressor pedals are EFFECTS and are best used for strong compression as an effect, though they are still pretty good for subtle use. If you want a compressor pedal that is transparent and has controls like a studio compressor, check out the Joe Meek FloorQ which we now carry for people who want studio sounds and control when playing live.

I use a Pigtronix Philosopher's Tone, and it has an adjustable compression ratio.

http://wn.com/Pigtronix_Philosopher's_Tone

I use it on a clean setting. I think it sounds great on chords and solos.

I use the MarkBass Compressore tube compression pedal which has full controls and the Aphex Punch Factory optical compressor pedal which only has drive and level controls. Which one I use at any one time depends on what I'm doing. I prefer the sound of the Aphex optical compressor and it is way easier to use. The problem with the Aphex is build quality but it sounds amazing with bass guitar.

Hey! Thanks a lot C! Let the Fryer come forth! haha. So, I am thinking that the attack knob on my stomp box compressor does not refer to threshold, but to the actual response speed(?). And then , does the level knob control the ratio or the make-up gain? I am kinda thinking that both ratio and threshold might be fixed values in most of these pedals, the exact parameters that I want to control! H E L P ! Since I am looking for minimal, soft compression for my strat, well I try setting up the Boss compressor with the knobs at say 9 o´clock, yet I just hear this coloring of the sound. I got used to seeing led lights to compare input vs compressed signal, and here I´m just sort of fishing.

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FIGHT!

Hey Mike I use a Boss CS3 on my board and the level knob controls the threshold that compression kicks in.The attack knob controls the speed that the compression kicks in and out. The tone knob is obvious and the sustain knob is the noisiest control on the box and it really squashes the lows and mids the further you turn it up. I do believe it is a set 8:1 compression ratio but I could be very wrong on that. Boss has some PDF files on their website that you can download. Where is the Eggman when you need him?

Thanks tdan! I´m getting there.

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FIGHT!

Is he with the walrus?

We could always PM him a heads-up about this thread but the trouble is that with email notifications currently not working he wouldn't necessarily know about it. 'Course, there's other ways to reach him if necessary.

Mind you, there are plenty of others here who know about this stuff too, and they're welcome to weigh in. It is just that a couple of years ago Jim did some very fine posts that explained the science of compressors to perfection. I'm still kinda hoping for a return match of that fascinating material...

Cheers - C

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I tried searching for that particular thread and post but to no avail Ceri.

Hello, mike (and Ceri, et al.)! I understand your frustration with stompbox compressors. Your first post shows that you already understand how a compressor works (so you don't need my standard egghead lecture on the subject)... and you're right, most stompbox compressors have a fixed ratio, and only give you control over threshold and output level. But a rack mount compressor is almost too adjustable for convenient use as a guitar effect.

For me the answer was the Barber Tone Press. It has the usual two controls, plus a third: a "blend" control that works as a phase-corrected wet/dry mix. Here's the skinny from Barber:

http://www.barberelectronics.com/tonepress.htm

I like compressed cleans, but I hate that out-of-phase "pop" that replaces your pick attack with, say, a classic MXR. The Tone Press lets you dial in anything from a deep squish to an inaudible "magic dust." $150 anyplace they're sold, even though they could get more.

You're not going to get studio quality VCA's in a stomp box.

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Jim Bordner
Gravity Music - www.gravitymusic.com
Composer, producer, Egnater Artist

I'd like to also throw in the obligatory Keeley suggestion. I'm very happy with mine.

Thanks EgFryer and Ceri and friends! The wise have spoken, the Fryer was found. It´s funny you mention that popping sound...I couldn´t figure where that came from, and ended throwing away the pick while recording an ad on the fly. In that case the stomp box was hurting more than it helped. I now have a much better idea of how to use the limited capabilities of these effects. So can we agree that the level knob on these stompbox compressors equals the threshold knob on my rack unit? It´s good to know I have control over what amount of input signal will trigger the effect. I guess my disappointment lies in learning that the compression ratio is governed, it confirms my suspicion that the pedal was bearing down on my signal too much. I am in this kind of purist mode these days, having upgraded to a CS strat. I don´t think the boss compression pedal will be transparent enough. Thank God students will buy the gear I discard. Now, I am very impressed by the Electro Harmonix Black Finger tube compressor, saw a demonstration on utube. It seems a bit confusing to set up. Can anyone share their experience with this box? With so many firms out there, am I correct in asuming that E. Harmonix are excellent products?

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FIGHT!

Hi Mike. I guess I've had about 40 years of using stomp box compressors starting with the infamous Orange Squeezer. I never liked the Boss compressors because they were either to noisy or colored my tone too much. The last few years I've been switching between a Visual Sound Route 66 and a Digitech Main Squeeze. If your a classic blues-rock player the Route 66 works great, if your country or other the Main Squeeze is more adjustable and transparent. I used to use a Tube Compressor like the Black Finger and it worked well for awhile but then got finicky and noisy( the situation was solved when someone walked off with it one night LOL). For while in the eighties I experimented using a rack with a compressor, Quadraverb, and an Art Multi-Effects unit,and can say that the Main Squeeze pretty well covers all the bases as far as my needs go and easily compares to the rack mounted unit I had. HTH some and have a good one

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Common sense and a sense of humor are the same thing, moving at different speeds. A sense of humor is just common sense, dancin'