spent 30 minutes at GC with a MXR custom comp

[st.bede]

My first impression are always limited. The custom comp was very transparent and not harsh in any way, just beautiful. The only thing I wanted to be different was that I wanted more makeup gian sometimes I like to push my amp a little from my comp pedal. I feel blown away. (I played a LP with P90s through a fender blues deluxe)

 

[gibsonguitar1988]

The MXR comps are nice, particularly the Custom Comp. The Super Comp is noisy and the Dyna Comp is noisy and too squashed but the Custom Comp is nice. A little too transparent for my tastes actually.

My favorite compressor after trying all of them is the classic Keeley 4-knob. Not too transparent, not too squashed. The right amount of output and boost/gain. And best of all it is not noisy at all, like my old Dyna Comp used to be. It is very warm and based on the old ROSS compressor. It works great as a lead boost as it has some transparency (but not too transparent which is also a no-no for me just like if it is too squashed, there is such a thing as too transparent). But it also has great squash with the attack knob. You can get that pedal steel country thing going or back it off for some nice sustain for solos. Best compressor out there IMO. Although if I wasn't using the Keeley I'd probably use the CompROSSor by Analogman. The ROSS circuit compressors are the best IMO. That's why the Keeley is SO good.

 

[st.bede]

the Custom Comp is nice. A little too transparent for my tastes actually.

I wanted to feel that way but something in me just kept saying "wow this is nice". I could see myself putting it on a board with a less transparent comp. I really want to check the custom comp with a tele with a touch hotter PUs and see what happens.

 

[gibsonguitar1988]

Yeah I'm thinking about getting some more compressors too. My favorite transparent compressor is the Demeter Compulator and IMO the MXR Custom Comp is pretty much a copy of that. I could see myself running both but if I have to have just one or one to start with, it's gotta be the 4-knob Keeley C4 Compressor.

 

[VintageToneQuest61]

My first impression are always limited. The custom comp was very transparent and not harsh in any way, just beautiful. The only thing I wanted to be different was that I wanted more makeup gian sometimes I like to push my amp a little from my comp pedal. I feel blown away. (I played a LP with P90s through a fender blues deluxe)

Hi, the MXR CC is one of the best comp's on the market in my opinion and I'm planning on getting one soon as I've sold the one I had with great regret! If you will open the back cover, there is a trim pot inside for gain. I used to set this trim pot all the way up then back it off just slightly.

 

[Couldn'tStandTheWeather]

Great Compressor.

I've "custom shopped" mine even further. I have drilled 2 small holes in the bottom plate of my Custom Comp to have easy access to the attack and trim pots inside.

 

[snaredrum]

i got one the other day, and i hate compressors normally but really like the CC.

the internal pots are really useful, but not easy to get at.

 

[st.bede]

Hi, the MXR CC is one of the best comp's on the market in my opinion and I'm planning on getting one soon as I've sold the one I had with great regret! If you will open the back cover, there is a trim pot inside for gain. I used to set this trim pot all the way up then back it off just slightly.

thank you, I did not know.

 

[2009LPGT]

Custom Comp is a GREAT compressor! I ultimately let it go for the CS-3 (I am weird, I know) but it was hard to do! The trim pots inside are huge in terms of adjusting its sound!

I am going to disagree with GG1988. The Demeter Compulator is an optical compressor while the Custom Comp is just like the old dyna-comp (Ross) circuit with the same original chip but true bypass and more adjustability via the trim pots. Both are great sounding compressors but hardly copies. His comments on the standard mxr dyna and super dyna are definately in line with my experience as well.

GG1988, glad someone likes that Keeley! I wanted to like it so much because it is f'n cool but I found it dark and noisey but in a different way. It added its own noise, not normal compressor hiss (which it was very quiet in this area.) However, it came on buttery smooth and does not "pump" in an obvious way like a lot of them do.

Analogman was awesome and I would still play that one but it could never quite take me to Nashville like the CS-3 can. The Wampler Ego lasted about 2 hours. That thing sucked!! I love his stuff but I really could not stand that compressor. I know I am virtually alone hear but that is the way the cookie crumbles!!

Snag the Custom Comp, it is about as good as anything out there and can be had very reasonably pricewise. I think I got mine really cheap on amazon so check it out and their return policy was no hassel what so ever!

 

[gibsonguitar1988]

Custom Comp is a GREAT compressor! I ultimately let it go for the CS-3 (I am weird, I know) but it was hard to do! The trim pots inside are huge in terms of adjusting its sound!

I am going to disagree with GG1988. The Demeter Compulator is an optical compressor while the Custom Comp is just like the old dyna-comp (Ross) circuit with the same original chip but true bypass and more adjustability via the trim pots. Both are great sounding compressors but hardly copies. His comments on the standard mxr dyna and super dyna are definately in line with my experience as well.

GG1988, glad someone likes that Keeley! I wanted to like it so much because it is f'n cool but I found it dark and noisey but in a different way. It added its own noise, not normal compressor hiss (which it was very quiet in this area.) However, it came on buttery smooth and does not "pump" in an obvious way like a lot of them do.

Analogman was awesome and I would still play that one but it could never quite take me to Nashville like the CS-3 can. The Wampler Ego lasted about 2 hours. That thing sucked!! I love his stuff but I really could not stand that compressor. I know I am virtually alone hear but that is the way the cookie crumbles!!

Snag the Custom Comp, it is about as good as anything out there and can be had very reasonably pricewise. I think I got mine really cheap on amazon so check it out and their return policy was no hassel what so ever!

The Custom Comp reminded me of the Demeter - it is much more transparent than a typical ROSS compressor to my ears - too transparent for my tastes. It might be based on the ROSS but it sounds a bit different to my ears - it sounds more like an optical to me tone-wise (not circuit-wise). If I were to add a 2nd more transparent compressor to my board - it'd be the Custom Comp or Demeter. But for my main compressor I need a bit more squash. The CC wasn't squashy enough for me. The Keeley is much more true to the ROSS sound IMO.

The reason I like the Keeley is because it IS so dark. My amps are super bright (Blackface Fenders) and I have to have something to tame that. If I were playing through Marshalls, Voxs, or Tweed Fenders I'd go for something less dark. I haven't had any noise issues with the Keeley so far.

I think I will add a 2nd compressor to my board as I love compressors and I'll probably get the Custom Comp. But for my #1 and for right now only compressor - I need that dark more squashed sound.

 

[WildeStarr]

I spent 30 minutes at GC

Are you OK? Are you in the hospital now???

 

[GrouchyDog]

Are you OK? Are you in the hospital now???

Hey, someone's gotta provide an audience for all the chugga-shredding 9th graders, I admire his sacrifice...

On topic, y'all really have me interested in the Custom Comp - I have a Dyna Comp and I like it for when I need some compression, but there's something... missing about it. Not sure what, but I'm not to savvy on compressors.

 

[Mookakian]

^Im with grouchy

 

[st.bede]

Hey, someone's gotta provide an audience for all the chugga-shredding 9th graders, I admire his sacrifice...

On topic, y'all really have me interested in the Custom Comp - I have a Dyna Comp and I like it for when I need some compression, but there's something... missing about it. Not sure what, but I'm not to savvy on compressors.

hmmm... I not sure I can answer that. Some comps are more transparent then others. I found my dyna comp to be a bit dirty or gritty sounding... when I say a bit I mean a little bit... if I remember right my EH soul driver is clean but a tad warm... my analogue man juicer is a bit more solid sounding...

the mxr custom comp is the most transparent comp pedal that I have played, it is not very noticeable except that it levels the volume and thus creates a more even sustian...

these are my limited experience and I could be wrong because it is hard to hear and I hope some one with a better ear then mine will jump in here and give us more info...

 

[Mookakian]

I didnt find noise issues with the super or dyna, sure it amplifies natural hum but thats what i thought happens with compressors, even output of all sound produced by the rig. Not tried CC so im a little interested now

 

[StandingWave]

...my analogue man juicer...