Spectracomp vs MXR M87: Can't hear the difference, how much should I care?

[Osiris]

1 hour ago, Linus27 said:

 

I agree and I am more than happy with your recommendation of the Ampeg pedal. It is always on and it does work really well. There's just always that in the back of your mind niggle saying, maybe try the Cali76, it might be even better, look what you could be missing 🤣 So far I have ignored it as the Ampeg is great.

 

I get that, there's always that feeling that there's something out there that's better even if what you already have sounds great and does everything you need it to. I've been using the Boss LMB-3 for 20 years or so on and off and keep trying more expensive units on the assumption that they'll be somehow better. But despite having tried some cracking units that are great in their own way, there's something about the way the Boss adds an addictive aggressive punch to the mids that I've not been able to get from any other unit. The DG Hyper Luminal was close and the Basswitch dual band even closer, but the cheap old Boss does everything I need. 

 

29 minutes ago, LukeFRC said:

I took an instant dislike to the sound of the cali76 - even though it’s very good at doing what it’s supposed to be doing. 

 

Agreed, it's an excellent unit in its own right and lives up to the hype it gets but I found it didn't play too well with my EBS preamp, and as most of my gigs are on IEM's these days, having the right preamp is more important for me. And yet I'm still curious to try the updated model. 🤷‍♂️

[Boodang]

I’ve been going through a bit of a compression thing at moment so can sympathise. However, have reached a point where I couldn’t do without it!

First off, go through all the spectracomp tone prints to check out their differences. It’s a very versatile comp and certainly not a weak link. 
I bought an optical comp recently and that made an indelible impression on me. No good at taming low end transients but awesome at adding top end presence and bringing up detail in the higher register. That’s an always on thing at the start of the chain, now looking at a 660 style limiter to go at the end. 
Of course searching for the right compressor is both worthy and a fool’s errand!

[Frank Blank]

On 03/10/2024 at 11:08, Linus27 said:

I think @Osiris should do a compressor clinic.

This is an excellent idea, he could certainly run such a thing at a Bass Bash.

[SumOne]

I like to turn compression up until it is very noticeable, then muck about with things like attack and release to really hear what they are doing, then gradually dial back to the point where it is subtle - more like only you 'feeling' the compressor being on. After a few weeks with it on you'll then miss it when it's off. 

 

Personally, I didn't like the MXR, perhaps my user error but it seemed to squish the lows too much (I play a lot of Reggae though), or I had to turn the imput and compression ratio down to the point it wasn't really compressing. For Bass, I prefer compressors with a HPF, or clean blend, or multiband so I can preserve the lows but tame big peaks of slap/pop or unruly envelope filters. So I'd favour the Spectracomp. 

 

Edited October 11 by SumOne

[dannybuoy]

Nothing wrong with the Spectracomp other than a lack of hands-on controls. I’ve tried several much more expensive comps but landed on the TC. I find multi-band essential to reign in my clanky playing style without clamping down on the lows too much - and there’s not many of those on the market.

Edited October 10 by dannybuoy

[Owen]

I hate compressors. How dare anything question my use of dynamics? This is because I can never set them right. I love the Spectracomp because multiband is lush and lots of proper grown ups have set it up right in really easy to try presets. I know I should be learning and creating my own signature sound, but life is too short. I know what my favourite preset is. I like it so much that I own 3. One for my Sunday morning residency, one for my pedalboard and one for recording at home. All with the same preset.