Diamond Compressor Review

[tsp17]

First impressions.

 

I selected the Diamond over others for the following reasons: I was looking to try a compressor to see if it gave me a more defined robust tone note to note, not for getting a highly processed or altered sound, simplicity/ease of use, reliability, build quality. Reviews of the Diamond talked about it being a subtle compressor, one for those who dont like compressors generally and excelllent choice for those playing clean most of the time. all audio and video samples seemed to confirm those statements. Got a very good price from Rogue Guitar Shop in Portland which led me to go for it.

 

It has only three controls: Compression, EQ, and Volume. It also has an LED that turs color when compression is applied. Appears very solid and well built.

 

This pedal is definitely subtle and is not a significant tone altering device. I got about an hour with it last night and am close to dialing in the sweet spot for me. Unless you are playing aggressively, the compression doesn't kick easily. As a jazz player I am not strumming or picking particularly hard, so I had to get the comp dial up to 12:00- 1:00 before I got any real impact. Then I started to see its value. Subtle, but noticeable tone solidifying quality. Tighter, more defined notes whether within chords or single notes. MIght be more obvious with a more aggressive attack. As I increased compression the impact grew. I found my spot around 1:00 - 2:00.

 

The EQ control I really liked. It's detente at 12:00 is flat and does nothing to your signal. It is a balanced EQ so left is darker, right is brighter. Simple and very effective. I ended up at 11:00 for just a touch darker tone.

 

The volume control does what is says and stays clean. Not sure if it was the pedal or user error, but when adding a lot of compression and volume things got a little less clean. I'll spend more time with it over the weekend.

 

This pedal is almost like a light to medium volume boost with some compression and EQ which is pretty much what I was looking for. Seems that the reviews were right on and it is good for enhancing clean tone, just giving you more of it. A pedal one could leave on all the time, or use when you want to move forward in the mix. Might be a keeper.

[tulk1]

Good review. Will you be reviewing after using it live? I've always found whatever works at home just doesn't quite work out the same live. Which has been my dig on compressors. Still looking for one, tho'. And if you like this one live, I may give one a go, too.

[JohnCovach]

A compressor is indeed a subtle effect. My experience live is that you can't hear the compression, only the results of it. If you use it judiciously, you should notice that you can get louder in the mix without the club owner complaining. But your tone shouldn't change much. If anything, it may lose some highs. Make sure you add gain to compensate for the loss of level that the compressor causes. If you AB the sound via the footswitch, the perceived level should be about the same whether the pedal is on or off.

[smurph1]

A compressor is indeed a subtle effect. My experience live is that you can't hear the compression, only the results of it. If you use it judiciously, you should notice that you can get louder in the mix without the club owner complaining. But your tone shouldn't change much. If anything, it may lose some highs. Make sure you add gain to compensate for the loss of level that the compressor causes. If you AB the sound via the footswitch, the perceived level should be about the same whether the pedal is on or off.

 

This has been my experience exactly!! I use a Janglebox and it's excellent to make my sound jump out of the mix a bit more without drowning anyone out..A good compressor is excellnt if used properly!!

[jamison162]

I bought my Diamond back in '07, blue sparkle enclosure and it's awesome. I haven't tried the Barber but I've had the Wampler Ego, Maxon CP, RAF Mirage, Keeley, CS-3, Whirlwind Red Box, several MXR's and the Strymon OB1. The Diamond is simply in another league. Our bass player has actually been using it lately and it sounds stellar on his rig. There is a jumper inside that allows you to totally bypass the EQ filter. If the compression isn't enough (it's very subtle even at max), you can send it back to Diamond and have them mod it for more compression by replacing the comp pot with a different value.

[tsp17]

Good review. Will you be reviewing after using it live? I've always found whatever works at home just doesn't quite work out the same live. Which has been my dig on compressors. Still looking for one, tho'. And if you like this one live, I may give one a go, too.

 

Will do. Might gig with it this Sunday.

[JohnCovach]

I'll just add to my comments above that you can also use the gain control on the compressor to boost the signal so that you "goose" the preamp on your amp, creating a nice tight overdrive. I use a compressor with the Ric 12 string and the idea there is to get the ringing sustain (the big jingle jangle). Roger McGuinn once told me "the compressor is the key to the sound."

[tsp17]

after a little more time with this pedal i can say that it is very useful. i don't have a lot to compare it with, but i like it a lot. makes each of the the other pedals in the chain (ordered: Boss TU2, Diamond Compressor, Morley Bad Horsey II Wah, Fuchs Plush Valve Job, MXR Carbon Copy) sound better and gives tone a little more density and clarity. "Stronger" might be a good word. Playing clean is really fun with this pedal; crisp, clear and strong. Think Anthony Wilson (one of my heroes). Backing off the guitar treble pot can give a nice round Jim Hall tone without loosing depth or clarity.

 

As the compression gets up around 2:00 there is a little noise escalation as you increase compression, but only noticeable if you have the volume past 1:00 and playing clean.

 

It is about to be Velcro'd on my board. and i will gig with it tonight and report back.

[JeffB]

I feel a strange compulsion to buy a compressor

[tsp17]

Played live with it tonight. Verdict confirmed. A very good and useable pedal. Needed to make some adjustments on the fly as it was the first time. Bottom line: it is staying on my board as a regular. Will use it a lot.

 

Those of you more into super tweaking might want to try a compressor with more variable controls, but the simplicity and quality of this one suits me just fine.

[JohnCovach]

I can definitely hook you up!

 

I feel a strange compulsion to buy a compressor