Joined: Thu May 30, 2013 2:45 pm Posts: 793 Location: Sylmar, California
Re: Stereo Compressors?
The thing is to really have control, especially on the bass side you need multi-band independence. You need to compress the low bass strings differently than the high bass strings. The Nova thing is what I have and it offers 2 discreet channels of multi-band compressing. It seems to even things out pretty well altho it doesn't offer any detailed control over where those different bands are separated,and how much they're compressed or even tell you how many bands there are. Still you get 2 channel independence. They are discontinued tho and getting hard to find.
I would think maybe some of the high end multi-EFX units like the Helix would be able to be configured to do this trick.
Mon Oct 09, 2017 1:41 pm
MichNS
Multiple Donor
Joined: Sat Dec 22, 2007 4:39 am Posts: 1350 Location: Northern Lower Peninsula, Michigan
Re: Stereo Compressors?
Captain Strings wrote:
....... I would think maybe some of the high end multi-EFX units like the Helix would be able to be configured to do this trick.
After reading this I looked, and discovered there's now a three band compressor in my Helix. I did the upgrade about a month ago (a bit late). I did one channel for my NS Stick, works pretty good. I guess a step further would be to use the stereo cable and do a stereo input path into two three band compressors and make it a six band comp.
I have one of the Nova's, it's pretty good, but as Michael pointed out, it's multi-band in theory mostly as there is no control over the bands being compressed. There is not a huge market for 2 channel compressor pedals, so if you enjoy compression (the way I enjoy compression!) don't be shy about building out the board to accommodate for 2 pedal compressors.
Here are some questions that I would consider before throwing down for a comp: 1. What kind of pickup are you using? 2. Are you using a pre-amp? 3. What type of amp are you using? 4. What are the dimensions of your board?
I am currently using an ACTV-2, an SP2 preamp, playing through a QSC K12. I am re-vamping my pedalboard as there was just too much going on. I moved off of my Temple Audio Trio 28 to a Duo 17. I'm also thinking I'm going to move off the QSC powered speakers, hard to say. Back to the basics.
The Nova Dynamics was a pedal I was thrilled about in the beginning, but more so the IDEA of the pedal than the pedal itself. I'm going to give the Nova another shot on my smaller board, but I'm loving the Janglebox Nano on the melody site, so I might end up going back to the Xotic SP on the bass side. Not crazy about the high profile on the SP as it's made to accommodate a 9v, but for the size and price point, it's a beauty if space is an issue and Xoitc is a hometown hero for those of us in Southern California.
Joined: Mon Jun 21, 2010 2:11 pm Posts: 271 Location: St. Petersburg, Russia
Re: Stereo Compressors?
1. EHX Platform is a new stereocompressor by Electro-Harmonix, I've posted about it here couple months ago. Demos sound good, haven't checked out in person yet. Two "but"s: 1) it's a big pedal and won't save you a lot of pedalboard space (vs two separate compressors) 2) there is no separate controls for left and right channels, I think it is useful to have different compression levels set for bass and melody to compensate different attack of heavy bass and light melody strings;
2. Zoom MS-70CDR has a variety of compressors in the latest firmware update, and some of them sound really, really good. I haven't tested how it works with stereo though, and I believe again there will be no separate left and right settings, but at this price it's definitely worth checking out.
_________________ Bamboo, 10 strings, Stickup
Wed Oct 11, 2017 4:12 am
earthgene
Site Donor
Joined: Wed May 25, 2011 3:28 pm Posts: 4116
Re: Stereo Compressors?
Good call Vlad!
A note on the Zoom CDR70 (and the 100BT) is that it has 2 inputs unlike the 50G or 60B, so your sound will be combined in that regard. This is an excellent option for a smaller board.
I've liked having both of the previously mentioned multistomp's and am now thinking about getting the CDR70 for the smaller pedalboard.
Joined: Mon Jun 21, 2010 2:11 pm Posts: 271 Location: St. Petersburg, Russia
Re: Stereo Compressors?
I've tried scrolling though the patches sending midi program change commands from my computer (midi via usb), but never used this feature really since you cannot connect a midi controller to a Multistomp without a USB host in the middle. I've seen several examples of Arduino-based midi/usb external controllers for Zoom pedals on the Internet though.
_________________ Bamboo, 10 strings, Stickup
Tue Oct 17, 2017 2:30 am
earthgene
Site Donor
Joined: Wed May 25, 2011 3:28 pm Posts: 4116
Re: Stereo Compressors?
MIDI with the ZOOM Multistomps has been an absolute joy. These pedals use USB C and support on/off activation and channel switching.
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