Analog Man Mini Bi-Comprossor

after I tried to get out a sound from the much praised Boss CS2, the mini-bi-comp it's so easy to use that is hard to believe.
two knobs per side, two internal trims -but the default setting is good for my tastes-two lights, red and yellow.

I use two guitars a tele, and a rick 360, passing thru a peterson strobo stomp-mini bi comp-big muff-MXR carbon copy-MXR micro amp, all into a vox AC30.
the mini-bi-comp is always on.
simply, you sound better, and you have a better tone...better said : a way better tone.
no mud, no confusion, no weak sounds, only high definition sound, gorgeous attack, nice sustain, and what you do, in a way, find a section of the sonic spectrum that, if the bi-comp is on, only belongs to you.
you can actually play at a lower volume, being sure to be heard.
the ross side is perfect..it's not true that nothing is perfect.
the OS side, nails the bakersfield sound, but it's a little too noisy...

it seems built in the good way.
I think it will last a long time.

analogman has been friendly by mail, but I had very little contact, or need to contact.

been playing since twenty years, bass and guitars, always had a retro feel-from "rocket 88" to "who's next" and everything in between- that made me use old tube stuff.
made records, tours in europe, all this without being a pro for a single day of my life, but I've learnt a things or two.

lost ? stolen ? I'd buy it again in a breeze.
you need a compressor to play like the record you like, and IMHO, this is the best you can get.
this is not a Honeymoon review, I had it for almost 2 years, and I carried it around europe.
I had the MXR dyna comp -nice, the boss CS2 -nice
but the mini-bi-comp leaves them behind in second gear.
I don't use the OS side a lot, maybe I could have bought the single comprossor, I dunno.
if you like compressed guitar sound, get it.

It is as easy as pie to use. Completely ituitively designed, with the guitarist's needs firmly in mind. One half is a clone Ross, the other a clone Orange Squeezer. Seperate controls, or both at once.

I am using a 1955 Fender Tweed Deluxe and an 64 Ampeg Reverberocket. I use a Gibson 335, Strat & Tele (all vintage). I have never sounded that flash on the Gibson, but the bi-comp makes me get the sounds I have always yearned for, from Cream era Clapton to Larry Carlton.

Built like a brick - indestructable I would guess.

Analog Mike is a joy to deal with - straightforward, considered and helpful.

This effect (and Mike's Maxon TS-9) have opened up sounds to me that I had never thought possible. I have tried dozens of stomp boxes and they always were naggingly unsatisfactory. I think I have finally struck gold!

The Ross side - v easy.
The OS side - I couldn't get a satisfactory sound, unless I wanted an intrusive amount of noise or a drop in volume when engaged.

I bought the Bi-Comp as the idea of 2 different compressors in 1 small box very much appealed to me. I have already used an excellent Ross clone (Barge Concepts RC-2) so knew what to expect there, but the OS was a new effect to me.
Compared to the RC-2, the Ross side of the Bi-Comp was noisier (although still very quiet), but otherwise the same (except the RC-2 has a switch for restoring the low frequencies which, IMO, puts it above the Bi-Comp).

I really could not get on with the OS side though. At 'factory setting' for the internal trimpot there was, for me, an unacceptable amount of noise. Twiddling with the trim control did allow me to reduce the noise (and make for slighter more 'squash') but, at the point at which the noise was acceptable, the output of the OS was less than unity gain, rendering it pretty much useless unless I had it on all the time.
Furthermore, I wasn't actually that impressed with the OS anyway. Clearly it is an effect which has gained legendary status but to be honest I didn't hear what the big deal was apart from maybe a subtle hint of added warmth/grit.

A great idea, in theory, but let down by the noise on the OS side.
Don't get me wrong; the noise is not that great, and will not be heard in live band context, but for recording or use with overdrive pedals after it, it is very off-putting.
I sold the Bi-Comp on eBay for a handsome sum, and put the RC-2 back on my board where it has remained, unlikely to again be replaced.

Easy to use, two knobs for the ross side, one for the juicer.

Well, this is my second bi-comp, I sold the first, because I wanted to try every other comp out there. I currently use a budda wah, bi-comp, xotic rc, into BB into AC boosters, then analogman bi-chorus, and volume pedal, finally into a dls echotap then out to my boogie lonestar. I use a tom anderson or gibson guitar, and all my cables are fulltone and george L's. I can't really say much else than most other reviewers here except that the bi-comp is extremely quiet, and doesn't change your tone in any way. With all of the other compressors I tried, my basic tone was changed in some way, either trebble was added or lost, or the basic feel of my sound was changed. I hate to even mention names, but the keeley was too compressed for me at it's lowest setting, and the tone seemed to change a bit, adding a bit of hi-fi quality which some like, but I prefer to have the sound of my gear without anything added. I currently use the ross side with the compression on 1 and the level set to taste, it stays on all the time as a buffer. I used a Vht valvulator for years, but it too seemed to give my tone a sort of presence that sounded great for cleans but not so for overdrives. I'm not sure if the bi-comp lowers impedence, but it seems to have the same effect as a buffer, just bringing the signal up enough to get through all the cables and jacks of the pedals.
The juicer does the clasic country compression perfectly, think Mark Knopfler or Skunk Baxtor from the early steely dan records.

The first bi-comp I had worked perfectly for the year I had it, and this one looks just as sturdy as the other. I've not heard of any issues with analogman's work, and I have no doubt he'd stand by any problem that arose.

Mike is a true blessing in this category, among very few companies that still have excellent service, he always answers emails promptly, and he even remembered me having bought a bi-comp before. I'm sure he deals with a lot of people, but he always seems to have all the time in the world to respond to notes from customers.

I just have to say, I've been through a ton of gear i my playing career, and I've regretably sold some very cool pedals or amps, because something else appealed to me at the time. I can honestly say, this was the one piece I always wanted back, and just could never swing it, until recently. I got my new one, and fell in love with it all over again, and this time it's staying with me. If you're looking for a compressor that can be so subtle you barely even know it's there, and can also get that country percussive thing, check this one out.
Kurt

The AnalogMan Mini-Bicomp is very easy to use. It's pretty much a clone of a Ross compressor and a Dan Armstrong Orange Squeezer. There are no patches to edit - just two footswitches and a volume nob for each of the two types of compression and a sustain nob for one of them. The footswitches are pretty close together which is really cool because you can step on them both at the same time if you want and switch from one type of compression to the other or turn on/off both at the same time. The manual explains how to adjust the internal bias nobs - for me they don't seem to need adjusting - and the internal attack nob for the the ross side. I messed with this control the first day and haven't touched it since. It's probably better to be on the inside.

If you put good sound in better sound comes out. I imagine that if you put bad sound in better bad sound will come out. If you're looking for that smooth clean tone you've heard on so many classic recordings of nearly every kind of amplified music you may find it here - or if you're looking for that singing soaring lead tone full of rich harmonic peaks and valleys - you know the one - that's here too. The two compressors are quite different. The Ross side seems to bring the quiter sounds up to meet the louder ones while the Juicer side squashes the loud ones down to meet the quiet ones. The Ross side is as quiet as this type of compressor can be, meaning that it amplifies the actual electric buzz or hum of your guitar a bit when you're not playing anything. A small price to pay for the rich harmonics and controlled feedback it offers even at low volumes. The Juicer mostly evens out the volume while maintainig the tone of your playing. I did notice that the Juicer side was very loud with a cheeper power supply, but it is dead quiet with a regular 9 volt battery that Analog Mike says will last fourty hours even with both effects on. I play a well built semi-hollow body guitar with humbucking pickups through a Mesa/Boogie Studio .22+ (twenty two watts, all tube 12" combo amp) with just the bi-comp lately.

I haven't had it very long yet, but it seems built like a tank. The input and output jacks are built out of plastic which suprized me, but there's probably some kind of reason for it like shielding or something?

Analog Mike is alot more helpfull than most people would be in his position. I'm not a rock star or anything, and alot of his customers are. I know he's really busy and he still took time to take care of me. The website says not to call unless you absolutely have to, and if you have to that it's best to call before two, but when I called at 2:15 an hour after getting my bi-comp in the mail he answerd the phone and listened to me rave about the sound and thank him and he even answerd my dumb questions that I could have read in the manual if I had looked at it before plugging it in and playing for an hour.

I play alot of styles of music so I tend to get lumped into to the jam category. I've been playing for about seventeen years. I used to use a bunch of effects sometimes, but they were cheap and ate all my tone when off. I've probably had six or seven other compressors. Once I got the bi-comp I stopped using all my other effects. It sounds so good I don't want to muck it up with lower quality stuff. I guess I need to get quality versions of all my effects because I'm going to miss envelope filter, chorus and delay eventually.

Well shown in prior reviews, this is an adendum to an earlier review.

I just wanted to point out something I've found in my search for compressors. I used the bicomp for nearly a year, and still think that, if you want a very noticeable compressor, this is the one to get. Both the ross side and the juicer are unbeatable at what they do. But, for my personal tastes, they both were a bit too pronounced. I ended up with a carl Martin comp, because I only wanted a very subtle limiting of my signal, but I plan on getting another bicomp to use for more aggressive compression. I just want to reiterate, the bicomp is the bess ross type comp and the only squeezer comp, it just wasn't quite where I needed my compressor needs.

The pedal is rock solid, and Mike is second to none for build quality and customer service. There isn't a better company to deal with out there, in my humble opinion.

For the record, I u have tried all the pedal compressors out there, and the bicomp and carl martin stand in a league of their own. I even tried the other "big name ross clone", you know the one, and his comp just seemed a bit sterile and lacking in warmth. Hats off to Mike, I really don't want to discourage anyone from trying this pedal.

Pretty Simple to use. Plug in and go. Instructions show how to change settings inside the pedal but Mine sounds great as is. Manual is simple and to the point.

I am using this with several guitars and 5 string electric mandolins.(PRS Hollowbody 2, Custom Hamer Tele, Mann & Rono 5 string Mandolins)
Ernie Ball VOlume>Mini Bi COmp>Buddah Wah>FUlltone Fulldrive 2>FUlltone Distortion PRo> MXR Envelpe FIlter> BOss OC-2 OCtave> LIne 6 DL-4> Fender Twin reverb 65 reissue or Musicman 210-65 or Fender Champ or ampeg jet 12-t. Much quieter than an original Ross or my dynacomp. Add a little noise but what compressor does not.

No sure just got it but it is built all pro as usual like all pedals Mike from analogman.

I have not had to contact Mike about this pedal. However in the past when I needed information he was great. He responds to most e-mail within 24 hours. Great Guy Great pedals!!!!

Amazing Compressor. Actually 2 amazing compressors. Great value and unbelievable sound. If you do not have this pedal you should!!!!

This unit is very easy to get light limiting type compression, and total heavy Squash...I can't think of how else to describe it...It does everything a compressor should do...The manual provides info on the internal audio taper pots...I bumped up the OS bias a hair, and the Ross attack as well...

I mainly use a G&L ASAT Classic (chambered body) or a Fender Foto Flame Strat (Nitro-cell gold metal flake...professionally done myself)w/ EMG Gilmores...VHT Valvulator>Vox clyde McCoy>Bi-comp>HBE Power Screamer(highly recomend)>SIB Vibromatic>Maxon AD-80>EH Holy Grail>Gibson Goldtone 15W NOS Sylvania JAN tubes 110 Celestion...I sounds great...Play in cover band, female vocals...Do Aretha Franklin, Janis Joplin, Sherl Crow, Natalie Merchant, etc...Like the pump of the OS for clean solos; guitar heavy songs...The Ross when used lightly just adds a nice bit of definition...A bit noisy, but what compressor isn't?
I have had dynacomps (sorry no scripts), Boss cs-1 and 3, Ibanez cp-9, and comps in nasty mlti effects units...(why did I write that?)...This takes the cheese...Got a buddy who has a Keeley...Yeah, it sounds good...But the 2 in one idea is simply the best...Sorry Blue Light!

It seems pretty well built...I could put it in a tube sock, hit a brick wall a few times, and it would probably work! (But I won't)...Judging by Mikes reputation (and price!) I will certainly gig w/o a back-up!
Only had it few weeks...Will have it many years no dobt...Mike stands by his stuff from what I hear...I am not worried...Joel weaver @ HBE, and Robert Keeley have been really good to me...(especially Joel)...I'm sure Mike will not disappoint!

I have sent a few Emails..They are responded in 24 hours...Pretty damn good.

I play Rock, Blues, I try to play Jazz...I love Steely Dan, Dire Straights, Pink Floyd, Eric Clapton (most eras!)...As stated I play in a weekend cover band...We play bars weekly, and keep pretty busy...
I can say this is the comp for me...I hope Gilmore reads this and stops using 3 pieces of junk!
I would highly recomend this pedal...I haven't tried too many botique comps out there...I really did my homework, and decided the bi-comp or the Keeley...Being the gready sob I am I went for the duece!

I bought this pedal last year and I'm just starting to use it regularly. The reality is that I bought it more out of imagined than actual need. Such is the fate of a pedal junkie.

My purpose for entering this review is to mention something I haven't seen brought up before. If you or someone you know is running an acoustic/electric into a direct box and then straight out to the mains, insert this compressor between the guitar and the DI. You will not believe it the sound! Surprisingly, it was particularly amazing on the Juicer side. The sound was clear and articulate, and just blossomed through this little box ..... and at the same time the percussiveness of the strumming was radically reduced.

We also ran Takamine > Mini Bi-Comp > AM Clone Chorus > DI > House Mix. I can't conceive of an acoustic amp with its direct out to mains having any advantage over this set up in processing everything from realistic to other-worldly, gratifying tones.

Mike's work is first class. I currently have six pedals from Analog Man - three are other manufacturer's products that have been modded by Mike, and three are his own creations.
There has never been a quality control issue ... period.

First Class

VERY EASY TO USE CONSIDERING IM NOT VERY EXPERIENCED WITH COMPRESSORS! I DECIDED ON THIS ONE BECAUSE IT HAD THE DAN ARMSTRONG ORANGE SQUEEZE, & I THOUGHT IT WAS A GOOD DEAL GETTING THE ROSS & THE O.S. IN ONE EASY TO USE PEDAL! (HEY I SHOULD BE IN TELE MARKETING!!) I ORIGINALLY WANTED THE FULL SIZE VERSION, BUT THE WAITING LIST WAS TO LONG, & IT IS THE SAME PEDAL, JUST A BIT BIGGER WITH THE ATTACK DIAL ON THE OTSIDE OF THE PEDAL!(WHICH IS SOMETHING YOU SET & FORGET ANYHOW!) THE SWITCHES ARE A BIT CLOSE TOGETHER, BUT YOU CAN PRESS THEM BOTH AT HE SAME TIME TO SWITCH FROM ONE TO THE OTHER, & I THINK USING THEM BOTH AT THE SAME TIME IS A BIT MUCH ANYHOW!

THIS IS DEFINATELY A PRO QUALITY COMPRESSOR. AT THE MOMENT IM RUNNING: 62RI 1986 JAP STRAT TO FENDER PT10 (GOOD TUNERS FOR THE MONEY!), OLD BOSS CE2, BICOMP, TS808RI, KEELEY BAKED TS9, DANELECTRO TUNA MELT(VERY GOOD VALUE FOR MONEY!), TO A MESA BOOGIE ROCKET 44 COMBO. THE ONLY TIME THE BICOMP HAS BEEN NOISY WAS WHEN I RAN IT WITH THE KEELEY BAKED TS9 AS THAT PEDAL HAS 3 TIMES MORE GAIN THAN A REGULAR TUBESCREAMER. THE O.S. SIDE IS FANTASTIC FOR GETTING THOSE KNOPFLER LICKS THROUGH A STRAT JUST ON THE CLEAN CHANNEL, & IM HAVING ALOT OF FUN PLAYING ALONG TO MY FAVOURITE STEELY DAN TUNES USING EITHER THE ROSS OR O.S! I AM STILL GETTING USED TO THIS PEDAL, BUT IM POSITIVE AFTER GIGGING WITH IT A FEW TIMES, IT WILL ONLY GROW ON ME MORE & MORE!(IT'S ALIVE!!!)

KEN OATH MATE!! ITS A BRICK THAT AINT DROWNING SLOWLY!! I WOULD BUILD A HOUSE OUT OF THESE (OFF THE COAST WHEN IM HEADING NOWHERE!!), OR A BOMB SHELTER IF I COULD AFFORD TO!! I ALSO WANTED TO GET ONE NOW WHILE THEY STILL USED THE ORIGINAL ROSS TRANSISTORS ETC. (GET ONE WHILE YOU STILL CAN FOLKS!!)

BLODDY FANTASTIC! MIKE IS VERY FAST TO REPLY TO YOUR QUESTIONS (I DONT KNOW HOW HE DOES IT CONSIDERING HE MUST GET ALOT OF EMAILS!!), & DELIVERY TO AUSTRALIA TOOK ONLY 3 DAYS FROM WHEN I PAID FOR THE PEDAL!

IVE BEEN A FAN OF THE BLUE LED FOR A WHILE NOW, BUT AN LED JUST LOOKS GOOD! I FEEL THAT ANALOGMAN FOCUSES MORE ATTENTION TO TONE THAN ASTHETICS (NOT TO SAY THAT HIS PEDALS DONT LOOK GREAT!;) I TOLD MYSELF THAT IF THE BICOMP DID WHAT I WANTED IT TO DO, THEN I WOULD SEND MY TS808 IN FOR THE SILVER MOD. THE 808 IS IN THE MAIL AS I TYPE THIS REVIEW!! YES THE BI COMP DID WHAT I WANT.. & THEN SOME!! IF YOU ARE SERIOUS ABOUT TONE QUALITY, & YOU DONT LIKE THA SHIZNIT HITTING THA FIZZAN ON STAGE, THEN I STRONGLY ADVISE YOU TRY ANALOGMAN FOR SERVICE WITH A SUN SMILE!! ;)