The EBS Multi-comp (the black version)

amazingly g-g-good. cleaner than a dealer Jag. more versatile than any utility infielder that has ever lived.

3 general settings: normal, MB and Tubeism
1) normal is comp'ing both high and low together like a standard compressor. works with sublety and extremely quiet results. you'd keep it on all the time at this setting.

2) MB is a multi-band setting that allows a relative mixing of highs and lows, much like a TE dual comp does (without the EQ feature). I have not played much with this setting.

3) Tubeism is a compressed tube amp simulation. more overt than either of the others, it it more warm and forward in all respects, and it is a serious kick-ass setting. awesome.

Additionally, you have a Comp/Limit knob to set the degree of compression/or the limit, and a Gain knob which gives an added degree of muscle to the whole affair. The gain flavor is very useable throughout the whole sweep. so very sweetly chunky. Like bricks tumbling down the marble stairs...get the f*ck outta da way, mofo!

The LED blinks in accordance to the compression activity of the pedal. There is a switch for active/passive pu's, which I'd never seen before on a compressor.

EBS is noted for their extremely high quality gear for bass, tho some stuff is for guitars and keyboards as well. This is certainly the case with the compressor.

It works fantastically with my guitar into tube amps. It and my Pharaoh CAB drives my Gibson class A/el84 amp into very sweet tube distortion, while my Fender has the headroom to handle the compression/OD pedals without very much distorting of the power tubes at modest volume levels.(I haven't had the chance to crank it up tho..I am certain it will sound HUGE.)

I am VERY happy with this pedal. It does have a bit of a volume boost when engaged, and is VERY quiet for a compressor. It is obviously, just to hold it, a very well made pedal. Thing weighs like 5 pounds!

I prefer the Tubeism feature/setting most, and with the Gain turned to half way, I can easily dial in Chilton era Big Star tone -- NO PROBLEM.

Wonderfully pebbley, the sutble 'rounding' oscilations you tend to hear with compressors is only very slightly there. (I like that about compressor tho.) I believe this is the most organic analog compressor I know of. It is not as 'bright' as an Analogman Bi-Comp (amazing bugger that one!), and I don't think it is AS quiet nor as pristinely clean, but it is more rounded in tone and I think it handles the low end better (not surprising given it's an EBS)


I sold my Guyatone Flip TC-X compressor in a moment of weakness, and 6 months later I am SO happy to get this in its place. The Guyatone is a TREMEDOUSLY subtle, quiet pedal: It is a compressor for people who hate compressors.

I like compressors again (only cause I suddenly knew what I was missing!)...the Swedish EBS Multi-Comp is an outstanding compressor.