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August West
Bronze Member
USA
137 Posts |
 Posted - 10/21/2008 : 17:46:27
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| This is a Boss board so the answer may be a bit skewed, but I'd curious to hear any opinions about how the CS-3 stacks up against the Dyna Comp or the compressor side of the Route 66. The Rt 66 is more expensive as it has an overdrive but the MXR is pretty close. Thanks. |
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pawnshop_trash
Gold Member
USA
603 Posts |
Posted - 10/22/2008 : 00:36:46
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I can't comment on the Route 66, but from my limited experience, the MXR Dyna Comp is much more musical-sounding than the CS-3.
(IIRC, Dr. Bob has extensive experience with compression pedals; hopefully, he will comment as well.) |
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zerksies
Double Platinum Member
USA
3406 Posts |
Posted - 10/22/2008 : 01:55:06
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| i own the cs-3 monte allum opto mod pedal sounds sweet |
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Goran
Double Platinum Member
Sweden
2203 Posts |
Posted - 10/22/2008 : 07:29:30
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I have had MXR and have CS-3 and Route 66.
CS-3 is the worst, period. MXR is better, as I remember, it don�t color the sound as much. CS-2 is quite similar sounding to the MXR.
Route 66 has a compressor I really like a lot, the best I ever tested. Make wonders to your tone, while you can�t hear that the compressor is on. There is tons of gain (good for using it as a boost). Very transparent. I have heard that electronically it�s a combination of an Orange Squeezer and an MXR. A great compressor! The included Tubescreamer is good enough, but I would buy this pedal just for the compressor.
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Edited by - Goran on 10/22/2008 07:30:37 |
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Shoegazers Anonymous
Silver Member
Sweden
257 Posts |
Posted - 10/22/2008 : 12:05:09
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| What is a Route 66? Wich brand? |
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Dr. Bob
Moderator
Australia
6593 Posts |
Posted - 10/22/2008 : 12:56:17
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Hi August West, pawnshop_trash & Guys
Listen to what Goran has to say, the Route 66 is the best compromise
& you get two pedals in one, and both are pretty good.
Compressors are a very personal thing, I have collected a small warehouse of the buggers.
Some people are looking for transparent.
Some are looking for coloration, or don't really care about the coloration
Some look for squishy.
Some for that Chickin' Pickin' squish.
Some/most vocalists will swear by an opto compressor.
You need to be very specific, about your definition of what you think you want YOUR Compression to sound like.
Maybe, and it's the case in general, that most people don't know, what compression they are looking to archive.
Look at the specific case of how many people here love, & hate the Boss CS-3.
Not to mention that, the tech guys here (miss you Laurie) have found that there are two different version of IC's used in the the CS-3.
I built the Pisotones MXR Dyna Clone - It has 2 mods for Soft-Hard knee, & Bright-Normal tone switches.
It's a nice compressor, with a few great settings, but in general it's not my cup of tea.
I have a little Ibanez SoundTank CP5, ( did I hear you laugh?)
in the ABS plastic beetle case.
Find one, they are cheap, & for big open chords, one of best little buggers I own.
At the other end, I have some studio compressors, that cost more than my first car.
But are not really that versatile.
I know Franzoni might not agree with me, but the Emulated compressor in the line6 POD (version 2.x of the software), is very usable on guitar.
Just turn off all the other effects.
Look for old Yamaha CH-10's mark II's - Cheap & under appreciated as a guitar pedal.
And are you running the compressor with 6 string or bass, or vocals?
It makes a shed load of difference.
If you're going to stick with Boss - look for a CS-2, but listen to it first, some have very sh!tty electo caps, that need replacing.
Or for subtle....... The always forgotten LM-2
Confused yet?
I am & I still have heaps of other compressors to talk you bout.
But you'll have to wait until I get another working keyboard & my (compression) headache goes away.
Regards Dr. Bob
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Edited by - Dr. Bob on 10/22/2008 12:58:40 |
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happyplucker
Bronze Member
United Kingdom
126 Posts |
Posted - 10/22/2008 : 14:03:42
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for what I want MXR, i have had a cs-3. notice i use HAD. i think that says something. Dr bob has summed it all up though. that wa s agood answer bob, well not an answer, reply i guess :)  |
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Dr. Bob
Moderator
Australia
6593 Posts |
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August West
Bronze Member
USA
137 Posts |
Posted - 10/22/2008 : 14:30:59
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quote:
What is a Route 66? Wich brand?
Route 66 is from Visual Sound. http://www.visualsound.net/v2rt66.htm
Thanks to everyone for their replies. Of the three, the CS-3 is the one I have not heard but the responses here mirror what I've read elsewhere. Most of my pedals are Boss but I think I'll have to look hard at the others for this one. |
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Dirk
Platinum Member
Netherlands
1309 Posts |
Posted - 10/22/2008 : 17:18:50
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quote:
Originally posted by pawnshop_trash
I can't comment on the Route 66, but from my limited experience, the MXR Dyna Comp is much more musical-sounding than the CS-3.
Funny how we completely disagree on this one  I found the MXR way too squashy, while the CS-3 is more usable, even more with the Monte Allums mod.
I cannot comment on the Rt66.
I guess it depends how much signal you put into it, I use it with a high output bass or in the loop of my amp.
So basically, high input = more squash I guess.
As Dr. Bob says, it's a very personal thing, I also know a lot of guys who wouldn't be seen dead using one in the first place.
Other people, like one of my fav's Billy Sheehan doesn't wake up with a cup of coffee but with some compression on his sound |
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FRANZONI
Double Platinum Member
Ireland
3543 Posts |
Posted - 10/22/2008 : 17:48:54
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I (as most know) use the CS-3 more or less with the same settings as dirk mainly as a clean lead booster or to push the overdrive for lead..... i actually don't disagree with Dr Bob about the Line 6 Pod.... ... i have the XT version that has a copy of the famous LA-2A studio compressor along with a sim of a CS-1 and the red version of the MXR dynacomp,i have some issues with some aspects of the pod and regulars here will know that i have a love/hate relationship with it... but the compressors in it are pretty decent, with the LA-2A probably my favourite...i used the MXR when i needed a clean booster on a patch when using it live but it does add a lot of compression to the sound...it's funny that the Doc mentions the Ibanez soundtank as the first compressor i had was one of the 80's Aria ones and i thought it was great,thats what got me into using compressors..i only had a lend of it and bought the DOD one soon after...i know the CS-3 isn't the best out there but it's not the worst either and it can be modded...for country chickin' pickin' lead i think it's ok,again i think the amp used also has to do with the sound,some amps already have natural valve compression going on or people dial in too much effect with the CS-3,i find it works best with attack up full,level up to suit and comp down below half if not a bit more.....i read somewhere once that using compression was a 'black art' and i tend to agree,after overdrive/distortion pedals and leslie speaker sims,it has to be one of the most contentious issues between musos............ |
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4evrnewB
Silver Member
Canada
322 Posts |
Posted - 10/22/2008 : 22:00:10
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| Not to hijack the thread but...Goran - what do you think of the drive side of the Route 66? Do you use the OD and the Comp together or do you prefer a different OD with it? |
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Dr. Bob
Moderator
Australia
6593 Posts |
Posted - 10/23/2008 : 08:43:04
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Hi xxxx franzoni & guys
Don't get me wrong, the CS-3 is Not a BAD compressor, it is just VERY different.
I know hard rock players & metal heads, & country chickin' pickin' guys that swear by them (CS-3).
And Franzoni uses one in his live rig, every weekend.
I do own a CS-3, a very early ACA one.
I can make it sound ok, but it's not my compressor of choice.
Not wanting to look like more self promotion.
To listen to what a really good CS-2 can sound like.
Go over to my profile & my server download page.
Listen to "Holding Alex"
It was done with nothing but My Blackie Strat, into a CS-2 and into the a Line6 DL4 delay-looper pedal.
(done as a 20 or so second overdubbed loop)
I used most of the Strats different pickup positions.
AND NOTHING ELSE.
Other than recording it into the digital workstation.
It looses a little sparkle in the translation to MP-3, but the CS-2 is one of the most transparent compressor PEDALS that I use.
Now the LA-2A & dBx's are a different matter.
And I think I agree with Franzoni's earlier comment.
quote:
I read somewhere once that using compression was a 'black art' and i tend to agree
Am I still buying & testing other-different compressors?
You bet.
Regards Dr. Bob
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Goran
Double Platinum Member
Sweden
2203 Posts |
Posted - 10/23/2008 : 08:52:44
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quote:
Originally posted by 4evrnewB
Not to hijack the thread but...Goran - what do you think of the drive side of the Route 66? Do you use the OD and the Comp together or do you prefer a different OD with it?
The drive side of Route 66 is a close replica of a TS808 Tubescreamer. I�m not a big fan of Tubescreamers, but they sure have their moments. I used to have an Ibanez TS808 RI for some time and compared it to the Route 66 clone. They where about the same sound wise, BUT the Route 66 has a bass boost knob and that can be very nice in some situations.
With the compressor and the overdrive (on Route 66) both on you can get a very musical result, nice feedback tones that you easily control by yourself.
I like this pedal a lot, otherwise I would have traded it long ago, pedals I don�t like (except Boss) don�t stay long with me, I have too many anyway.
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Honest Opinions - CS-3 vs. MXR Dyna Comp vs. Rt 66
