Keeley Compressor-The good, the bad and the ugly

Dinosaur-Snr

Hey Forumites

Ive got the option of getting my hands on a keeley compressor (2 knob) for R1200.
Is this a decent price? Any experiences? Thoughts? Alternatives? Ive never had a compressor pedal and I'd really like to see what all the fuzz(fuss) is about.
I figured, if I don't like it then one of you guys would be more than willing to take it off my hands, right? ?

Garren

Personally I've never used a Keeley Comp but I've heard great things ?

As far as compressors in general go, I absolutely love em ?
They just fatten up your tone and level out dynamics... they sound great
for difficult solo licks where dynamics may be a bit shaky... I also love using
em as a front end boost on valve amps

From what I've heard, the keeley and the diamond compressor are at the top
of the list, however, chances of getting a diamond for R1200 are slim ?

AlanRatcliffe

Yeah, easily sold on if you don't take to it. Already a fair price - $229 new (R1500 new excl. shipping - or R1750 with VAT). The Keeley is nice in that it can go from a fairly transparent tone to a more obvious squashed sound and sounds good in all settings.

The Diamond is a very nice comp too, but leans a bit more to the smooth "studio" type of compression and has a great tone control. Not completely transparent, but a very nice character.

For transparency, I love the T-Rex Comp-Nova most of all. The most subtle compression, but can't do the squishy thing. This is the one if you just want to sit in the mix better without any tonal change.

Svengali

Thanks Allan for answering a question I haven't even formulated quite yet ?

[deleted]

The Keeley is a great pedal, worth R1200. Take it you wont regret it.
THe Keeley comp does add a little shimmer to your sound. A nice shimmer.

The Diamond is wonderful, I was so tempted to take one, instead... I took the Rothwell LoveSqueeze, that is the be end of quiet transparent compressors.
I didn't want my compressor to add anything to my sound, I have enough ways to tweak the sound with other pedals ?
Compressor should be there to serve its purpose and NOT add colour to the sound.. IMO of course.

And another useful hint on compressor (useless one, use it, dont use it), I feel... Dont practise with one... It makes those difficult licks, and smooths out your playing, but it shoudln't make you lazy, which I think it does.
Practise without...

When you on stage, put that compressor on a little and let it do its thing, and boom... magic happens

Dinosaur-Snr

I was actually watching a PGS demo last night with the Keeley and the Rothwell. Its almost like you cant compare the two. The Rothwell is UBER transparent, but didnt have the character that the Keeley had. The Keeley definitely alters your sound, but I think I actually like how it makes your tone shimmer... :yup:

[deleted]

Dinosaur Snr wrote: I was actually watching a PGS demo last night with the Keeley and the Rothwell. Its almost like you cant compare the two. The Rothwell is UBER transparent, but didnt have the character that the Keeley had. The Keeley definitely alters your sound, but I think I actually like how it makes your tone shimmer... :yup:

Well there we going, all depends on your preference, the Keeley is superb at that, the Rothwell cant be beat on transparency if that is what you looking for.
I have a Xotic pedal that makes that 'shimmer' for me. Either way you cant go wrong :yup:

How is the Trem treating you?

Vick

I'd go with the diamond...but to get back to the original question,if your a comp user the keeley WILL be worth it to you... ?

Dinosaur-Snr

Brent, the Trem is insane, so lush and surprisingly versatile!! Love it to bits ? Gosh i think you guys have convinced me, its always good to have a chat to the GA (gearheads anonymous) group. lol ?

AlanRatcliffe

Brentcgp wrote: I took the Rothwell LoveSqueeze, that is the be end of quiet transparent compressors.

Interesting... I didn't know of the Rothwell until now... Clips are impressive. Must look further.

Compressor should be there to serve its purpose and NOT add colour to the sound..

Yeah, that's the studio engineers approach to a compressor - it's a problem solver, not an effect. Many guitarists and bassists like it as an effect though. A lot of the country players love the Boss CS-3, which is anything but transparent.