Extensive compressor reviews and FAQ

Joemeek MC2: Over the years Joemeek has released many variations on the same circuit idea with different letter/number names. This one is a stereo half-rack unit, updated recently from a previous model also called the MC2. It is really quite likable! It can achieve a certain amount of clarity, but most of its range of tone and action is in the more "heavy squash" and "effect" category. The tone is smooth and warm, with no rolloff of highs or lows, although the sound becomes notably colored (non-transparent) during the squash. If you hit with a very hot signal the low end can get a bit "choked" sounding. The noise level is better than average, but not silent. Comparing the MC2 directly to an ADK CLA-1 (another half-rack optical unit), the ADK sounded beefier and fatter, but the MC2 had a zingier-sounding attack and lower noise. Also the MC2 has a more complete range of controls over the parameters, so it is possible to dial in different action for different signals.
 
The compression of the MC2 seems to kick in very dramatically even at lighter ratio settings- hit the threshold, and bam! You get squashed for a few mSec until it releases. It's a very cool effect, a lot like the "dip and swell" of the Orange Squeezer, and I could see many bassists really enjoying the funky swing it provides. However people looking for the most "natural" and transparent action should probably look elsewhere. The gain reduction meter is also too exaggerated, it doesn't seem to match reality. Hitting the MC2 with a hot input signal, it will not act as a hard limiter- some spikes will get through. You can reduce that by choosing a very fast attack, but I felt the tone and action suffered at those settings, sounding more flat or artificial. I got the best results for my tastes with a slower attack setting and fingerstyle playing. The bypass is pretty decent. If you like funky compression and don't mind spending some time dialing in settings, this is a very good unit!
 

 
 
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