Diamond Vs Mirage Vs Humphrey Modded CS-3?

[coot tone]

Wow, this is why I hate compressors.

I really hated to start another thread, but here goes.

I'm cosidering a Diamond, FX RAF Mirage, and Humphrey Modded CS-3. I play mostly classic rock w/ occasional forays into chicken' pickin'...but mostly classic rock.

In the signal chain, it'll go after the wah, Sunlion, Lady Stardust fuzz and before the KOT, other dirt, and a Carbon Copy.

Main guitars are a Historic '59 Les Paul, Mark Knopfler Strat, '52 reissue Tele, and Barden loaded parts Tele. Amps are 45 watt and under Fenders, main amp is a '61 Deluxe.

I was leading toward the Diamond at first, but have read good stuff about the Mirage as well...I assume the Humphrey Modded CS-3 is not true bypass, would it fit in my rig where I want it?

[Hugo Da Rosa]

Wow, this is why I hate compressors.

Why are you considering getting one then? :huh

In any case, as a classic rock player, I would look into either the Mirage or Diamond. Both pedals are pretty low in compression so for chicken pickin', you may not get the exact effect you were looking for. But the Diamond is great for adding just a little bit of umph for rock players. I would recommend the Diamond...but that's because I have it and I'm slightly biased :D

[coot tone]

Maybe I should have said "love/hate".

Like 'em when I hear other people using them, never liked my old MXR Dyna Comp and sold it...still think I might "like" the right one, if I can find it.

[wiklund87]

I would recommend the SignaComp 4 knob compressor... not a standard ross type compressor..

haven't tried the other ones... but only hearing good stuff about the Diamond..

[Griz]

I would recommend the SignaComp 4 knob compressor... not a standard ross type compressor..

haven't tried the other ones... but only hearing good stuff about the Diamond..

+1 for the Diamond. Very effective and unobtrusive. Compresses without making your tone sound squashed. Love mine.

[TMock]

The Mirage is killer for lifting the ends of notes and limiting the peaks a bit. It adds some nice harmonic bloom. However, it's beautiful transparency also means that it doesn't do the "squish" thing. So if you want an all-in-one compressor, you should look elsewhere.

I have a new project compressor coming from FX hopefully in the near future called the Bonneville. It's basically two Mirages in one--one with the traditional controls to emphasize lift and bloom, and the other to emphasize squish. If it works as hoped, it should be killer!

[scruffydog]

Diamond Compressor, it just makes you sound better without everyone thinking "he's switched his compressor on now".
Mine's a keeper, its the cheapest pedal I own but its the last one id ever part with..

[Jim Moulton]

I love my Wampler Ego Compressor and also a Demeter Compulator is a very nice opto compressor, clean and transparent, but gives a lot of compression. The Wampler is sort of like a cross between a Barber TP and a Keeley, but I think that it sounds better than both, The Mirage is Sweet sounding, almost more of an enhancer than a compressor.
Jim

[jamison162]

Diamond is my #1.
Mirage is even more transparant w/less comp than the Diamond.
Wampler wasn't tonally neutral enough for me.
Demeter? Haven't tried it yet, but it isn't true bypass.

[bobcs71]

I use the Diamond. In my opinion it is the "compressor for guys who don't like compressors." It just helps even out some dynamics and add sustain.
Now for chickin pickin I prefer the Keeley or Analogman compressors.

[Muzzy]

I have the Diamond too and love it but, for chicken pickin the Cs3 would be a better choice. I have a Monty Allums CS3 with the opto mod if you're interested. I'ts a really good all around compressor.

[Laganlad]

I use the Diamond. In my opinion it is the "compressor for guys who don't like compressors." It just helps even out some dynamics and add sustain.
Now for chickin pickin I prefer the Keeley or Analogman compressors.
:agree

[BillyK]

I've owned all three. All are excellent comps, made by excellent builders.

The Diamond is a very transparent opto comp, and does that "is it on?" thing very well. The Mirage is also very transparent, and is quite similar to the Diamond and all other opto comps I've owned (including the Demeter).

The Humphrey-modded CS-3 came highly-recommended and it didn't disappoint. It's as quiet as the others (when set to similar comp/gain levels), does the subtle (is it on?) thing, gets a beautiful/natural bloom if you wish with no pumping, but unlike the others it's range moves into downright killer chicken-pickin (hey - sometimes I want that!) and offers full control of attack. It's the most versatile comp I've owned yet.

So, since everyone's needs/likes/rigs are different, you'll have to try for yourself. I did not keep the Diamond, Mirage or Demeter, but the Humphrey CS-3 remains.

For quite some time now, the MXR '76 RI (not in your list!) has been my first choice, but I still hold on to the Humphrey CS-3 for it's versatility.

[coot tone]

Thanks, BillyK, some of your postings on the Humphrey are what has led me to consider it.

Is your MXR RI modded for true bypass? I had an early block MXR (pre-Dunlop) with the hallowed 3080 chip but I could never bond with it as it seemed to suck too much tone.

[muffinMan74]

+z for the Diamond; after going through a lot of comps I finally gave this a try and it ended my search-- out of curiosity someday I'll give the Mirage a whirl, but I'm pretty positive I already have the perfect comp for me. I'm mostly a prog/rock/jazz guy, and prefer to leave compression on.

The OP stated occasional forays into country tones, the Diamond can do it, but it won't be as 'authentic' as say a '76 DC RI. The Diamond will excel at the OP's statement for mostly rock, and I already like the OP comments about placement-- sounds like just the right spot to put the comp, although for experimentation, maybe also try the comp after KOT/dirt before delay -- the Diamond at least should be quiet enough to sit in that spot and so not mess with guitar volume interaction with KOT/dirt etc., yet still stretch notes and even out dynamics.

[BillyK]

Thanks, BillyK, some of your postings on the Humphrey are what has led me to consider it.

Is your MXR RI modded for true bypass?

No, but since I never turn it off, it's of no consequence for me. :)