Not so happy with my tone press, what now?

[kurt1981]

Hey all, I've got a tone press, it's nice, and the blend feature is very cool, I'm just not so thrilled with the compression. I think it's the whole ross thing, it's not what I want, too much pump and squish, I guess. I wondered what everyone else is liking these days, I don't want to break the bank but I could always buy used. I remember liking the carl martin but that was a while ago. Hope someone has some ideas, and thanks,
Kurt

[nrvana8775]

I have tried out the tone press, maxon cp-9 pro+ and the diamond compressor. I wanted something subtle, and something that didn't have the squashed ross vibe.

I have the diamond on the board, but want to try the maxon out again. My rivera has way too much bass, and the maxon seemed to bring it out. The benefit of the diamond was that it had an eq control, but it's lacking the controls that make the maxon similar to studio compressors.

[Hugo Da Rosa]

I had a TP for a while and when I got a good deal on a Diamond, I picked it up and paired it with the TP. I ended up selling the TP and kept the Diamond because I felt like the TP was robbing me of highs (yes, I adjusted the trim pot). I think the Diamond is a little more flexible in the sense that you can get a small amount of squash to a heavy amount while still being able to EQ your tone. If you want something in the affordable range, I would recommend that.

If you don't mind having another overdrive, I think the compression side of the Route 66 is also very nice. It doesn't have a heavy squash and yet still very transparent. Right now I use the Diamond to compress my LP and the R66 to compress my strat. It really brings out the strat a lot IMO.

[Seegs]

I like my TP as a fattner or a low gain solo boost best...the magic fairy dust setting was pretty cool but in the end I found that after trying a bunch of comps. that most of em did things I don't like...

after playing a bunch the only 3 I can really recommend are as follows...

the BJF PGC (have one)
the Okko Coca comp.
the Telenordia comp.

in Europe the BJF and Telenordia are a quite pricey (but worth it to me) the Okko is very resonably priced and a great bargain...

Chow,
Seegs

[javahut]

I've been using squishy comps for years... late '70s Dyna Comp, and now 2 knob Keeley, and love 'em.

But I was checking out some of the videos at Pro Guitar Shop. Gotta say, I wouldn't mind trying the T-Rex Comp Nova. Sounds very open, natural and full to me, if you wanna set it up that way... or can get some pretty good squish and twang going, too. You might wanna check it out...

Pro Guitar Shop - T-Rex Comp Nova (http://www.proguitarshop.com/product.php?ProductID=819&CategoryID=40)

OT... I gotta buy something from Pro Guitar Shop, as their videos are for the most part very good, with playing and demos that seem to give you a good idea of the sound and operation of the pedal. Great idea and execution on their part. I need to support 'em (good excuse for buying something anyway... as if I needed one :roll).

[marmelade sky]

I posted a thread , not long ago, hope you might find an answer there:

http://www.thegearpage.net/board/showthread.php?t=428860&page=2

[theatomicjeff]

If you don't mind having another overdrive, I think the compression side of the Route 66 is also very nice. It doesn't have a heavy squash and yet still very transparent.
I also liked this compression when I had a Route 66. Now you can get the VS Comp 66 in a standalone pedal. I haven't tried the standalone version but I think I will because I'm not completely happy with my Bi-Comp.

[Jon Silberman]

Personally, I consider the TP one of the most overrated pedals discussed regularly here so don't think twice about reaching the decision you have.

I don't have - or at least don't want to offer - advice on what you should try next (though my friends with Diamond comps swear by 'em for reasons similar to what you're expressing) but I do wonder how much of your problems may be due to your amps being overpowered. Are they? Do you routinely play with your volume knobs on at least 4 or higher? If yes, for your purposes, you very well might no longer need a compressor at all.

[Wesman61]

Barber pedals are killer but I didn't like The TP either. The Maxon Compressor in the MXR size box is pretty cool.

[StompBoxBlues]

I had miced feelings about the TP, I kept it because I think it is pretty unique, and I think I will have uses for it. I haven't really used compressors for quite a while, but when I was using them more, I personally just feel for the Marshall compressor.

Inexpensive, and some nice features (except you can't easily see where you have things set) and I particularly like that you can tailor it to squash evenly, or more bass or more treble...it is very flexible.

I bonded with it way quicker than with the TP.

[Moe45673]

The three pedals that have really caught my eye (with no regard for price) are the BJF PGC, The Maxon CP-101, and the Diamond Comp. I own the Diamond, and have never gassed for another compressor. It is worth the hype.

Another avenue you might wish to explore is the extremely well received Boss CS-3 when modified with Monte Allums "opto" mod. If you're on a budget, I wouldn't hesitate on pulling the trigger on this pedal for "transparent" type compression.

Another big +1 to the Marshall ED-1. Again, on a budget (I paid between 40-50 bucks for mine, used) this compressor rocks (although my first choice would be the CS-3)

http://www.monteallums.com/pedal_mods.html#cs3optoPlus

[kurt1981]

Hey guys, thanks for the advice!!! I just don't like how the TP and all other ross style comps kind of grab the notes and pull. I like a decent amount of compression I play a lot of country and soul music, but I like it to be there but not overtake my sound. I like my amp set clean and use dirt pedals for my overdrives. That was why the carl martin and maybe the maxon appealed to me, more control over attack times and threshold. Also, I want something that doesn't add tons of mids, the keeley and to a lessor extent, the TP added something I didn't like. My amp has a nice sparkle and I don't like to take that away.
Thanks again folks, as always, this forum has been very helpfull. Much appreciated!!!!
Kurt

[nrvana8775]

I'm not sure what the recent rise in popularity of the cp101 is, the cp-9 pro+ is an upgrade and has more controls.

[erksin]

I think you should try the Diamond.

I hate comps for precisely the reasons you stated, but came to the realization that I needed one for my cleaner fingerpicked stuff to balance out string volumes. The Diamond works great at this without screwing with your attack or dynamics the way Ross/DC/OS-style comps do.

[nixpix]

+1 for trying out the Diamond. I borrowed a friend's 2-knob Keeley for two weeks and it sounded great. So I went to the music store yesterday and tried out some comps.

Keeley 4-knob
Analogman Comprossor
Analogman Bi-Comp
Diamond
Boss CS-3

The Boss was a joke. The Keeley was very clear and pristine; but too pristine for me. The Comprossor was more musical sounding, warm, and bubbly. The OS side of the Bi-Comp didn't do much to my ears so I was ready to leave with the large Comprossor. But the music store guys recommended trying the Diamond. I reluctantly tried it, thinking it couldn't compare to the K and AM.

Wow! The notes really popped out like I wanted them to. All the other compressors squash the initial attack of the notes too much for my liking, giving an unnatural feel, in my opinion. You don't get an Attack knob with the Diamond and it's higher Compression/Sustain settings are not as dramatic as that of the others. Those things don't bother me plus the EQ adds to it's versatility. I've not played the Tone Press so can't comment in reference to that, but the Diamond is very natural sounding, subtle, and tone-enhancing. Unique too, in that it's not a take on vintage comps. Needless to say, it's the pedal I walked out of the store with!