Which compressor for my needs?

I don't think AH used any significant compression... maybe a hint of rack stuff, but that type of sustain comes more from technique and gain structure.


sorry i can't help much more, comp isn't really my thing.

 

i'm sure alot of folks here will be steering you toward the Barber Tone Press so I'll be the first.....

 

Allan holdsworth uses a number of different compressors depending on the particular passage he is playing.
He has one yamaha magicstomp dedicated to multiband compression alone, plus maybe one at the end to cover overall dynamics.
here's a recent pic of Allan's simple rig to illustrate:


I've come close to creating similar sounds, but there is so much processing involved in his lush complex sound that the mind boggles......

 

That's what makes it somewhat unique. It doesn't squish your attack unless you want it to.

Here's the best reference I've seen:

http://www.harryj.net/compressor_shootout.htm

 

I really like the EH Soul Preacher. Great pedal, and inexpensive to boot!

 

Yeah, the Barber does a mean Ross/MXR/Keeley impression too. The real value is that you add regular signal to the squish up to the point of the appearance of sustain only if you want.