PIGTRONIX PHILOSOPHERS TONE & PHILOSOPHERS TONE MICRO COMPRESSOR
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$185.00 USD |
The compressor was the result of wanting something better then the MXR Dyna Comp and all the other compressors that were nothing more then the same pedal with the odd modification of the basic schematic. They were in fact all OTCA or (Operational trans Conductant Amplifier) designs.
They settled on making a small Optic :Photo resistor compressor. On the good side there is no pop to deal with on the down side the effect comes
in slightly slower and the highs get robbed..
On the plus side they sound more natural and you can get a long sustain out of them.
The design added back the highs with with a booster and a blend control to let some of the original signal to come through.
They became an instant cool pedal to get. Once the media and hype died they did a very nice stream of steady sales by word of mouth. Their owners on the whole have been very loyal. they seldom come up for sale.
The whole phenomena has had a rebirth with the new micro.They mange to keep the original circuit in tacked and still fit it in the mini pedal size. Many company's finally make high quality mini pedals like Xotic, MXR, Ibanez and Wampler.
Because many pro's want smaller portable pedal boards we are entering a new stage of mini pedals.
The start of the serious mini pedal!
The demand for pedals of the size and quality of this pedal is enormous. The waiting list is 2 and a half months.
The extra knob on the full size pedal is labeled 'GRIT' it is actually a medium gain OD tucked in the corner of the box, Nothing special in my opinion.
I think someone thought with a couple of extra parts attached to the circuit
already in it they could offer a 'free extra'.
In the current climate it comes off as a free bicycle stand wielded on to
the door of your new Cadillac.
There are some who liked it. As for me it just cheapens an otherwise stellar pedal.
At any rate it was logical step to move it from the Micro made some room to keep the original
compressor design in tact.
If your wants or needs require a Mini Compressor it should not be overlooked.
So the difference in your tone with the pedal on or off is about as mimimal as it gets.
It is as if you are playing the same pedals and by some magic they all sustain about 3 times longer.
Impressive ...Big Time!!!
Definitely my fav. ...Paul Gibert and Adrian Belew have used one for years.
Still if I was recommending a compressor to cover all the basses I would go for the Xotic SP.
I also have and love it on my Fuzz pedals.
They are simply more versatile and at the moment the hottest seller of all the mini comps.
But for my prized distortion/OD's the 'Pig' is King!
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$120.00 USD |
On the plus side they sound more natural and you can get a long sustain out of them.
The design added back the highs with with a booster and a blend control to let some of the original signal to come through.
They became an instant cool pedal to get. Once the media and hype died they did a very nice stream of steady sales by word of mouth. Their owners on the whole have been very loyal. they seldom come up for sale.
The whole phenomena has had a rebirth with the new micro.They mange to keep the original circuit in tacked and still fit it in the mini pedal size. Many company's finally make high quality mini pedals like Xotic, MXR, Ibanez and Wampler.
Because many pro's want smaller portable pedal boards we are entering a new stage of mini pedals.
The start of the serious mini pedal!
The demand for pedals of the size and quality of this pedal is enormous. The waiting list is 2 and a half months.
The extra knob on the full size pedal is labeled 'GRIT' it is actually a medium gain OD tucked in the corner of the box, Nothing special in my opinion.
I think someone thought with a couple of extra parts attached to the circuit
already in it they could offer a 'free extra'.
In the current climate it comes off as a free bicycle stand wielded on to
the door of your new Cadillac.
There are some who liked it. As for me it just cheapens an otherwise stellar pedal.
At any rate it was logical step to move it from the Micro made some room to keep the original
compressor design in tact.
If your wants or needs require a Mini Compressor it should not be overlooked.
So the difference in your tone with the pedal on or off is about as mimimal as it gets.
It is as if you are playing the same pedals and by some magic they all sustain about 3 times longer.
Impressive ...Big Time!!!
Definitely my fav. ...Paul Gibert and Adrian Belew have used one for years.
Still if I was recommending a compressor to cover all the basses I would go for the Xotic SP.
I also have and love it on my Fuzz pedals.
They are simply more versatile and at the moment the hottest seller of all the mini comps.
But for my prized distortion/OD's the 'Pig' is King!
Hey Paul - thanks for all the amazing work you do on the blog. Just ordered an Xotic SP after reading your posts on compressors! I'm really glad I found Stomp Box Steals, your writing has really helped me become more informed on what goes on my board. Cheers from Melbourne, Australia!
ReplyDeleteThe best reviewer on the planet is Brett Kingman. He does his homework and gets to know the makers of the product. I learnt from him to try and be very clear and really well informed. So Wolfjay a thanks from you is highly prized. Australia makes a lot of killer stuff. Some of the amps and guitars are totally killer and under priced. So take a bow. Then there is AC/DC if you know music theory you find that what seems fairly simple is not at all. Angus uses some very tricky rhythmic tricks that are damn hard to learn. It is why cover bands always sound a bit lame as they do not even notice them.Anyhow have good new year and say hello when you drop by.
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