Top 5 | Bass Compressors | Demo | Thomann

[@thomasthomsen4190]

Man, you must have been soooo pissed when Macauley Caulkin hit you in the head with that paint can in home alone huh?

[@marklowe7431]

You know he should follow it up with a parody video of a paint tin swinging in the background.........

[@mario_504]

That feel: "I've seen this guy before". That feel is totally explained, now.

[@oterovidal2484]

HAHA! 😂

[@mongrelking5667]

He became a bass player after that.

[@cchavez248]

I love Marv! He also has the best scream in all of moviedom!!! 😁♥️

[@smittileo]

I've used, or owned, all of them in the past besides the Darkglass pedal. My favourite of these was easily the Mark Bass Compressore. It sounded full and coloured your tone with a classic tube sound when switched on , it was totally silent ie no hiss at all in the background like you find with many comp pedals and it kept a full range well when it was compressing without much roll off. It had a slightly dark/gloopy dip when the compression actually kicked in but i liked that. The Spectracomp had an impressive array of settings on the app, but it felt a bit sparse actually in action and was pretty noisy on certain settings. EBS has a lot of high end roll off which i really disliked, you can actually hear it in this video. A lot of the early models were faulty too (stopped functioning after a certain length of time) , its something they've fixed with newer models apparently. The MXR was my biggest disappointment, i had such high hopes for it and found it very average at best which was a shame. It was very transparent, compressed ok, nothing amazing, but the input pot drove me around the bend, you could go from fractional compression to all out limiting with one tiny turn of the dial. I tried putting a larger knob on it (oo-er) to try and compensate for it but it made it look daft. Hope this helps out a bit.

[@saltrocklamp199]

I wonder about the EBS, if it just has bad default settings on the internal trim pots.

[@ivanasin1268]

But he said that with the EBS one can adjust that. Did you try that?

[@BassMonstrum]

I've had all of these, except the Markbass and I love my EBS Multicomp. Mine does not roll off highs and when in MB-mode it may even boost them.

[@cricket3715]

Thanks Matty nice rundown.

[@andrewmargileth5095]

My EBS sounds fantastic w my Berantino Forte HP. I also have Cali 76, Keeley Bassist, and Tech 21. EBS just gives me what I need. I always end up going to the MultiComp

[@aleccraig7283]

What I've learned: I want a J Bass

[@diaperwiper]

They really do have their own sound. I find that letting the neck pickup lead the way yields some of the most unique tones, especially when paired with gain pedals of all sorts.

[@Lollerkid]

You need a P-bass, a J-bass, a MM, a Rickenbacker , a Bongo ... List goes on. People in front of the stage nice lead guitar sound

[@saltrocklamp199]

@@diaperwiper this, it's a great general-pupose tone. And if you roll off the neck and go full bridge + a huge vintage solid-state amp = the Jaco tone.

[@No_Enemies_Kale]

They're essential, man. Gotta get one for sure

[@jessenoneofyobussines7560]

When you get one and you come to you're first restring try flat wound strings don't know the highest guage

[@xttocx]

That EBS for me had the most effect and had the best control over the actual bass, that's what I'd steer towards personally.

[@DannoDemo]

Good start, but an updated video would be wonderful. Especially since a compressor - for not all, but many bassists - is essential. Having an up to date comparison (ex: Empress, Cali76, etc.) would be greatly appreciated.

[@casebass2316]

I came for a compressor demo and left wanting a Fender Jazz.

[@sirpas]

That bass sounded great to me when clean and colored. I wish that these were set up a little more similar in performance. Some were subtle and some were cranked so hard for compression that all it was was squashed tone which I think really took away from what properly set compressors can do for bass. I use the DG Super Symmetry, and blend clean and compressed signals along with bumping the gain reduction only slightly so that not every note is slamming the circuit. Less is more, and actually having some dynamics is a nice thing.

[@FretLevelMidnight]

The SpectraComp is also a multiband compressor.

[@GingerViking69]

When his ring magically switches to his right hand at 1:57... and back to the left hand at 11:23.... impressive.

[@Bass-guitarist]

Well spotted! I would never have seen that. I bet your one of these people who spot all the errors on films? Lol

[@maxonmendel5757]

Wooo!!! I'm so glad you included the SpectraComp! That's the compressor I use and it is not talked about enough! I clicked this video hoping you'd have it in the lineup.

[@PhillyWatts]

So awesome! They all rock! MXR M87 if you want transparent compression and taming of peaks. Darkglass for that blend and darker sound and Markbass for that tube warmth!

[@rickbiessman6084]

Bringing a native speaker on the channel is probably the best thing you could do. Awesome presenter! Super likable!

[@nicolas.grisanti]

EBS Multicomp, my favourite, used it for almost 3 years, easy to use and sounds amazing.

[@johnharrison6808]

Nicolas Grisanti I'd highly recommend the multicomp, used one myself til it died.

[@Neil-Aspinall]

Problem with compression is it is usually a very subtle thing to hear. In a lot of ways it's much more dynamic to record with out it and bring down and increase the wav file as needed. Then put a light compression on the finished product.

[@Treyvlog]

this guy sounds so happy to be teaching

[@samsschool3639]

The mistake everyone makes when demoing a compressor on youtube is not using a lower bit rate and sample rate to compare the signals, instead of using too much post processing. I literally can't hear any difference, well done in this video though Thomann!

[@SlavSquatSenpai]

I'm glad you guys really covered the dynamic abilities of these compressors... Oh, wait.

[@ksump1]

TC SpectraComp is also a multiband compressor. Great review!

[@ThomannsGuitarsBasses]

True, even more bands than the EBS! Lots of options especially through the toneprints on this guy! //Philipp

[@mario_504]

Important: the SPECTRACOMP is a multiband compressor. Surely the best value among the options. But the MARK is the one that sounded the best for me.

[@CillBlintonOfficial]

MXR for the win imo. Makes that low end sound so so sweet. I was going to buy the Darkglass compressor but this video has changed my mind

[@musicmaestro88]

Ditto.

[@racerdeth]

I love the BOSS BC-1X. it's an "always on" for me.

[@AroldoLuvisottoNeto]

HAHAHAHA, I loved the italian accent, the Tarantella and the hand gesture (Ma che!?) at 9:28 :D Good video, man. You're funny.

[@beornthebear.8220]

I have the Mark Bass. I love it. A dog killed my first one, and I bought another. I always use it. I squeeze the controls hard.

[@darksonata4611]

why are you not in the latest transformer movie?

[@joeythehulk]

Lol!!!! A year later, still a great comment.

[@adriansardi2688]

🤣

[@toddcmcintosh]

Spectracomp does multiband compression as well (depending on the preset). Can actually do 3 band.

[@germdisco]

Definitely not sold on the EBS by this demo because it loses so much top end. Maybe it can sound more transparent with adjustments. But I’m leaning more towards the MXR or Darkglass.

[@blastnblades]

Hey guys awesome vid! I love the MXR bass compressor myself! I have a video suggestion, Can you guys do a challenge with eachother: Who can make the best harley benton kit? I love your harley benton kits they are so much fun but I would love to see what you guys could do with it(choice of the kit, how you guys paint it etc. etc.) Anyways keep up the great work I love watching your videos!

[@MrKafein]

The Darkglass Symmetry is a killer! ...in fact I have become a Darkglass fan, they do incredible gear!

[@lp1177]

I feel like the post process of this video added a lot of compression or normalizing to all sounds ， the bass tone is super compressed already even the pedal is off，correct me if i‘m wrong

[@ThomannsGuitarsBasses]

No post-process compression done - for none of these vids. Would make the whole idea futile ;) //Philipp

[@HardEhEvIa]

Thomann Music I think he means post process done by KZbin when you upload the video, even with headphones I have troubles to listen the difference between compressors.

[@JimijaymesProductions]

Its a common misconception, KZbin doesnt apply post processing it does do DATA compression which does nothing to the dynamics (within reason) just omits data not needed. Unless you are listening on CD or Vinyl you are listening to music/watchingTV/watching movies that has DATA compression.

[@rdoursenaud]

You're right. KZbin does normalization (Adjusts playback volume to content loudness) and data compression (Reduces the size, think MP3) but does not do audio compression (Control dynamic range, as pedals do in this demo).

[@gutbucket260]

Keeley Bassist pedal. Not a lot of bells and whistles but it's easy to use and gets the job done.

[@lucabertani5608]

We're gonna try Mark Bass Compressor(e), wich is italian for something I don't know... Well maybe it's italian for "pharmacy" or "grocery", who knows?

[@fotog04]

🤣😂

[@AnderDoUrden]

Luca, I came here in the comments section to write what you "just" (4 months ago) wrote. Grazie 😂 When I heard that I was like "are u serious, WTF do you think it means?" 😳 He even pronounced it perfectly (well, if you ignore the silly accent they think we have). Bah.

[@mihokradovan]

@@AnderDoUrden but you do have :). Been to torino for 3months. Great opportinity.... No offence. I like the italian "songy" language...

[@mo000on]

I've been recording myself recently through a DI and noticed way more string buzz than I thought I had, nice to see I'm not the only one with a weak left hand.

[@tod4873]

Compression is a great tool for bass players! In this video, not the case!

[@pimcramer2569]

Do you have a better vid? Because this vid and others makes me wonder why I need a compressor

[@MikeBrando473]

I'm an experienced bassist, playing since 1967. I'm also of Italian heritage. This video has the dual distinction of 1) being an inadequate and simplistic demonstration of compression devices, and 2) reducing the evaluation of a product by a leading bass amplification manufacturer to an audio ethnic slur, rather than giving an informative presentation of its features and sounds. That said, Mike Piera's Analog Man "Juicer" compressor blows them all away. www.buyanalogman.com/Analog_Man_Juicer_Compressor_p/am-juicer.htm

[@cdbassplayer]

Aguilar TLC, for me it's simply the best. I recommend it!

[@01SEELE01]

As an Italian i laughted so much 😂 Good job tho

[@Jesus_H._Tap-DancingChrist]

What's the "italian" tune he plays?

[@mayito3334]

I don't think a lot of people know what compression is. They think they do and feel entitled to buy a useless pedal. And then is the placebo effect that makes them think their tone is actually different when it's really not.

[@davidrichardson7687]

I love my Squier Basses more than ever. Interesting how some players think fret buzz is acceptable.

[@core_fin]

I've played for a few years now, even recording in studio and several dozen paid gigs. I've had cheaper multi effect things, individual pedals and now the Quad Cortex. Sure, I can hear a small difference with the A/B comparisons here, but it might as well be you know.. whatever knob in a different position or maybe a different amp/cab sim. The difference to me always feels so minimal that I've yet to find a compressor that really makes me go "aah! thats the thing!". Like the only thing I can ever hear a compressor do is slightly color the tone which could as well be a different preamp or another pedal setting. Hardly ever I can actually notice it doing anything for compressing the highs or the lows, just color. Yet, I still use a compressor in my chain cos I feel "im supposed to", its just that i feel it does nothing worth mentioning.

[@core_fin]

I guess what I can'ish hear is bass on actual studio tracks being compressed. I guess its serial compressed (to hell), but I wish I could actually get that live somehow.

[@LovingGoodContent]

Really big in to the Seymour Duncan Studio Bass pedal

[@simonbcky]

Herr Kollege, good job.. one note though. i have the Markbass, love it .... however, when the yellow light is not flashing / is not on, the compressor is not active / not working... so in your demo, if you want to show the dynamic squeeze then you need to set the gain and threshold so high up, that even your very light touch notes engage the compressor and make the yellow sign come up... :) this way as you use it, IMHO what really happens is that the tube acts as a preamp and the small boost of volume you get is merely from the tube gain stage... which is also fine and a nice way to use this pedal ... just as a tube preamp and hardly dialing in any compression, or only for the top of the dynamic range... so in fact this lovely Markbass pedal is a true analog tube schöne Kiste :D ok then, bye and keep up the good work!

[@seaskiff20]

I had the Markbass comp and should have never sold it. The tuuuuub really adds a lot of nice warmth. So want to try the Darkglass. $300 is a heavy price tag tho. I'm sure its well worth it.

[@VaclavVracovsky]

Would it be so hard to play same bass line for each of these compressors instead of "Hey, look how many cool bass lines can i play"?

[@pstachowiak1988]

Love the shootouts where they use looper pedals for that, that's the fairest comparison imo!

[@gudrontheband]

dat tief end tho

[@srsly4242]

the tiefer notes!

[@fatosderguti5504]

Balles Tief

[@atopato5689]

The hoher too!

[@niamhoconnor8986]

I'm literally gonna say "tiefer notes" from now on. It's a fucking rad term

[@Iwantamansonguitar]

@@niamhoconnor8986 Count me in. :)

[@earlspearl2933]

well , I don't notice any reason to get any of these . but the Jazz ! what a bass !

[@aronhidman1]

You just played the TC compressor (which is a three band compressor) and then when you came to the EBS compressor (which is a two band compressor) you said you had entered the realm of multi band compressors. That doesn't make sense now, does it?

[@Bazoo846]

I dont know its because I hear it on the net but difference with or without compresssor is really subtle. I mean I dont see a big change...

[@wolfram4321]

3:50 “we start with multiband” right after spectracomp which is a three band compressor. :-( Better prepare before you start the demo

[@spaghettieddie326]

Thomann...you left out the Canadian made and highly regarded Empress Compressor...input, output, ratio, attack, release and mix controls along with a dual function LED meter and a TRS "sidechain" for connecting an EQ pedal to further sculp and fine tune your tone.

[@gnt897]

absolutely love ebs compressor pedal to me it has to be one of the best

[@BARTFUNKBASS]

EBS MultiComp TubeSim is my sound!

[@danfro]

I really like the Boss BC-1X.

[@marklowe7431]

Dude your English is perfect. Good review too.

[@kaleb4299]

"Or just in life" - words of wisdom 😂😂

[@johnr374]

what model hair tie is that

[@shiraga0516]

TC Electronic Spectra Comp is also a multiband compressor.

[@RolandDeschain1]

I'm a simple creature. I love the idea of only one dial on a pedal.

[@robertw1871]

Can’t hear hardly any difference, KZbin appears to be adding a large amount of their own compression to the audio...

[@eveythingthatsadam]

Regardless of what this guy is talking about or how good his playing is, he is only one thing to me. NECKBEARD!

[@timworley3235]

wouldnt you want to have dynamics though? i get it in maybe a metal show where you want to be loud all the time but literally every other genre (and even metal sometimes) you want to be able to play with those dynamics!

[@NothingHereButMe]

A compressor doesn't kill all dynamics. Plus, they're very good for recording, stops peaks. Also, I just like the sound of a compressed bass guitar better, sits better in a band mix and is fuller

[@timworley3235]

right fair enough, im thinking about getting a pedal, but a compressor pedals probably not the best first pedal haha

[@jmpsthrufyre]

Tim Worley I can't stand them. But because of that I haven't tried any for a long time. I prefer playing a note and having what I played come out of the speakers the way I played it. I know the engineer where I recorded a demo with a prog metal band thought I was wrong. That just made me laugh

[@lavadoraautomatica1]

I'm glad that you exercising your constitutional right of freedom of speech and voicing your opinion. But your opinion is wrong.

[@h1de]

The trick is not to limit but to just compress enough to regulate and leave some dynamics.

[@kabassa]

No "Empress compressor"?? Probably the best Comp for baas and others instruments.

[@GunnySmithApple]

How is the Cali 76 not on this and every list?

[@wckoek]

I wondered if you should put the compressor before or after preamp/eq if you use one? On vocals and studio work they always compress after preamp, but live they have the compressor upfront?

[@Guitar_Smasher]

I kinda like my Keeley Bassist!

[@swconnexion]

that jazz section at 7:52 🤩🤩🤩 where can I here more of that please ?!

[@RH-xs8gz]

Now thats a spicy-a meata ball!

[@johnmclaughlin2392]

I feel that it’s hard to effectively demonstrate compression if you’re not also playing the instrument while you listen.

[@bryanleigh6497]

😂

[@bryanleigh6497]

Russell is so dumb

[@peinmilan]

Sorry but your explanation about how the compressors behave is not precise. The compressor does NOT change the low volume (below threshold) part! It only compresses ABOVE threshold by the compression ratio. So the peaks are squeezed or pushed back, so it sounds quieter, that's what you see on the gain reduction LEDs. THEN comes the second part, when you increase the gain (makup gain, volume, whatever it's called) so you increase the OVERALL volume (usually by the same amount as the gain reduction by compression was). When you demo the MarkBass for example it's clearly visible and audible that the low volume is not compensated properly.

[@MaxFreist]

Your explanation is absolutly correct but nevertheless the guy explained the exact same thing :D just a bit simplified for everybody to understand.... ;P

[@PaddyLeggBass]

Spectracomp is way underrated

[@hrvojejelen1266]

Seymour duncan sudio bass is as good as any of these and better than most. I thought i hated compressors until i tried it.

[@LegendOfSpeed]

Denglish! I love it ;)

[@AntekBrody-m9k]

You can try Distorsore from Mark bass it's mach better than Comprssore.Cheers :)

[@zordosway3846]

Would like to have heard it with your own bass or a bass you feel more comfortable playing, just going by the sound of the fret buzz the pedals bring out more of

[@barrywebber100]

A better format might be to hear the bass without and then with the added effects?

[@MutantNetwork]

I like the Super Symmetry myself, great fat tone !

[@jakereyesii8486]

Hello. Can I use guitar compressor on bass guitar and vice versa?

[@positiveendtimes]

Dark glass sounds so smooooth

[@christianscott6963]

Liked these comparisons. Plenty of different features... Really like the MXR for the money. What was the signal chain used for this video? Just want to know what else was adding color to the end sound?

[@stevedunch581]

Spectracomp is only way to go

[@TRAWLPortlandME]

Great video! I’m currently using the Bogner Lyndhurst Comp on bass. Also using the same Sonic GrayJazz bass, they are amazing.

[@elonmush4793]

MXR is the best of the bunch! The TC is nice but only when you mess with the software and mess with the make up gain! The one knob design was a stupid design choice if you ask me.

[@danieljakowski7799]

From a sound engineer perspective, the explanation of how compression works hurts a little. Btw, my personal favorite comp is the Seymour Duncan.

Seymour duncan my favorite too

[@davidreinhard6037]

Whoooooah sometimes you forget that other people outside of your own nuclear family speak Denglish!!! I'm living in America so I speak English almost all the time but when you said "tiefer" meine Gehirn sagte "Ja, genau". Weil gleichzeitig meine englischsprechende Gehirn sagte "wait a minute.. what just happened?" ... Now ich bin dizzy.

[@JMLRecording]

Not sure what interface / daw setting were used here but the audio of the bass sounds quite digital and processed. Hard to hear these pedals properly for some reason.

[@sebastian.arancibia]

I would like to see this same review but with a pbass.

[@kmcclure1961]

Add the Caii 76, best bass compressor on the market if you can afford it.

[@robertironside290]

It works like a reverse amplifier... it pushes back... squishes... if one's not careful it sounds like it's breathing on recordings and drives you crazy.

[@emsalsalik]

Thank you

[@toddcmcintosh]

Also any bass comp shoot-out without a Cali76 is really useless.

[@nsalaza]

The EBS totally kicked the ass of the other four!

[@IlBiggo]

Totally. How much you can "hear" the compressor obviously depends from the settings, but the EBS sounds amazing with zero tinkering. I just switch from MB to Tubesim at times ,.D I've been using the MultiComp for the last 15 years now, and I can't imagine a more satisfying compressor.

[@androidquinn99]

This video got a thumbs up because of something Italian

[@rubensousa3466]

Between Mxr compressor and Mark Bass Compressore, what you want?

[@marionmusictv]

Hi man , do you think the mxr compressor would do better job in a studio than the fmr rnc conpressor or rncla ??? Great video by the way

[@everettcussler525]

Actually you "entered the realm of multi band compression" with the spectra, which is a 3 band compressor derived from a rack unit from tc.

[@ewoe21]

I'm thinking about going with the Markbass tube compressor. Any thoughts?

[@jazzbassist]

toooob-compressor. Love it! Great vid, cool accent.

[@Phantom_gtx]

Great!

[@felipeahumada797]

Great vid, very clear and usefull. If only you could have more time with each pedal...I mean, EBS for instance, got a lot more of qualities that you have performed.

[@TheSimonarne]

Are all these bass specific or can they be used for other instruments aswell