Good compressor

I'm thinking of finally getting a compressor. My initial thought was to get a boss cs-3, but after reading some reviews I'm not sure it's right for me. People say it's noisy. Anyone have any experience with a good compressor they could recommend? I play with a lot of gain typically (rectifier modeler, with gain at about 7/10).

I have a Boss CS-3 and it is indeed somewhat hissy at higher sustain levels (past 1:00.) Obviously any compressor can increase noise in your signal, but this does seem to introduce a small level of hiss on its own. That said, I am using it for acoustic guitar in church and the hiss is NOT a problem in this context, as I'm not likely to turn the sustain knob past 12:00 - it's just to smooth things out, which it does well.

When I get a chance I am going to do the Monte Allums "opto" mod for it, which supposedly greatly reduces noise and increases transparency. I would like to use it for my bass as well, and I think the unmodded pedal is too squishy and colored for bass.

Maybe I'll just buy the gt-10 when it comes out on the 26th :D

get the real thing...an MXR dynacomp. I really like mine. then I had it modded by analogman. it is even better.

MXR is not expensive. and it's red!

read about comps :

http://www.analogman.com

i recently picked up the rocktron big crush and i think it's smashing
http://guitars.musiciansfriend.com/product/Rocktron-Big-Crush-Compressor-Pedal?sku=154228&src ="3WFRWXX&ZYXSEM=0&CAWELAID=26018833"

get the real thing...an MXR dynacomp.

Man, talk about squishy though, and VERY colored (not just "red", LOL) ... The MXR is the opposite of transparent. Great if that's what you want . Chicken pickin'.

Rocktron Crush: good value; +1. I thought about that, but got the CS3 used for $39 ... 8)

I have been using the Marshall Edward Compressor and I like it a lot. It will make a little noise at max settings, but that is pretty normal for all compressors. But it sounds great IMHO. :D

Marshall ED-1 Edward Compressor

Here is a pretty good clip, just guitar, compressor and amp. This is the kind of sustain I get with this pedal. I usually set compression at about 2 o'clock, real nice compression and sustain without noise at all. You can also really alter the tone with this pedal, even boost your volume to use for a solo only. I like it alot.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6sW1RAo980k

A compressor "shouldn't" add noise. What it will do is magnify the noise that is already there in your amp. Simply because of the way a compressor works. It tames the peaks and raises the floor so any noise that might have been negligible will be louder and more noticeable. Of course the heavier your settings, the louder the noise will be.

get the real thing...an MXR dynacomp.

Man, talk about squishy though, and VERY colored (not just "red", LOL) ... The MXR is the opposite of transparent. Great if that's what you want . Chicken pickin'.

Rocktron Crush: good value; +1. I thought about that, but got the CS3 used for $39 ... 8)
that is true. squishy is what I like about it.

Squishy is what I don't like. Man I hate compressors that make your bass strings sound like rubber bands. Now all compressors do this to a degree, but I don't like it to that extreme.

Different strokes for different folks. :D

i agree MXR Dyna comp.. simple and great. I use it for many styles it's all in the setup. GREAT for country, pretty good for rock, i tend to turn my compressor off when playing rockish type solo's so i can't say too much.

i had two cs-3's http://boyband625.com/gear.php?id=5 at one point. one sounded clear, and one definitely had some hiss. must be the luck of the draw.

I've had the dyna comp for a couple of months and it's pretty good for low cost.
Unfortunately I plugged into a Keeley a few weeks ago. No contest. You get
what you pay for.

I just discovered the vintage Ibanez CP-835 Compressor. Really warm sound, quiet, and great sustain. Can't beat the old stuff!

I'm thinking of finally getting a compressor. My initial thought was to get a boss cs-3, but after reading some reviews I'm not sure it's right for me. People say it's noisy. Anyone have any experience with a good compressor they could recommend? I play with a lot of gain typically (rectifier modeler, with gain at about 7/10).

Why do want to add a compressor to your chain?

A signal with a lot of gain and clipping is pretty compressed to begin with.