Extensive compressor reviews and FAQ

My top picks so far:
 
• If you need something cheap, the best ones in my opinion are the BBE Opto-Stomp, DOD Milk Box, Boss LMB-3, and Line 6 Constrictor, pretty much in that order. Others that are pretty good for the price include the Moen Uni-Comp, Alesis Nanocomp and Microlimiter, Guyatone ST2, dbx 163X, Behringer DC9, and ART Levelar.
 
• If you want something a little better than those, but still not expensive, the Seymour Duncan Double Back, Carl Martin Classic Opto, Barge RC-3, and modded Boss CS-3 all provide a lot of bang for your money.
 
• The top tier pedals that I'd recommend to most people combine ease of use with great tone and low noise: the Diamond BCP-1, EBS MultiComp, Demeter Compulator, FEA SMX, Maxon CP9Pro+, Rothwell Love Squeeze, and Aguilar TLC. If your tastes are more exotic or particular, the Markbass Compressore, Frantone Sandwich, T-Rex Comp-Nova, Carl Martin Comp-Limiter, BJFE Pine Green, Telenordia TK-23, FEA Comp-Limiter, and Menatone J.A.C are also very much worth your attention.
 
• For rackmount, the Rane DC24, dbx (160X/XT, 166, 1066), Ashly CLX/DPX series, Symetrix 501, Aphex 661/651, and JBL 7110 are all excellent. They each have unique qualities that make it hard to pick one "best" one.
 
• Tube compressors: my favorites are the CAE V-Comp, Retrospec Squeezebox, and Markbass Compressore. Read this article for more info about tube comps.
 
• What do I use personally? Lately it's the Markbass (for smooth warm tone), the FEA (for crisp articulation), and the Diamond BCP-1 (for extra sparkle and depth). Other personal favorites include the Aphex 651, Retrospec Squeezebox, Maxon CP9Pro+, Frantone Sandwich, and ADK CLA-1.
 
• Limiters: the Valley People Dynamite, Aphex 661/651, Maxon CP9 Pro+, Pigtronix Philosopher, Alesis MicroLimiter, Guyatone BL2, Demeter Compulator, FEA Comp-limiter, Menatone J.A.C, Ashly DPX/CLX/CL series, Aguilar TLC, and Symetrix 501 all do a pretty good job of cleanly limiting big signal peaks, although the only ones I'd call "really great" at limiting are the Aguilar, Aphex 651/661, and Ashly DPX/CLX.

 
 
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