EBS MultiComp

It is very easy to use - as most of the EBS pedals. User friendly!

Well, you don't really want to HEAR a compressor pedal and this is why I have chosen the EBS one. (Have tried numerous others earlier and I always was annoyed by the hearable disturbances in sound.) It does it's job very well and every time I trie to even rehearse without it I wonder what is wrong with my amp.

Well.... Actually mine broke after about two weeks. It started making huge noises in the amp when you pressed the on-off switch (kind of like when you unplug your guitar) but otherwise wasn't working at all. I got it fixed (see customer support part) but now less than a year later it is making noises again when I press the on-off switch - working otherwise though.

However, when it does work it works excellently!

When my pedal broke, at first EBS were very helpful. I sent in the pedal and they had it for about a week. Then I got it back with a friendly note saying that I have to attach the battery properly. (I run on an external EBS adapter.) I don't think they had even tried it! I sent it back again and didn't hear anything from them for weeks. When I started nagging -REALLY nagging - I suddenly got it back with a note saying they had exchanged a part. So, then it was broken after all and I wasn't an idiot after all... Sad though that I had to play without it for such an unnecessary long time!

However, when I have dealt with EBS on other occasions they have been extremely helpful, friendly and all you can expect so I hope the above was just a mistake.

I play in several bands - mostly rock music - and this pedal really does the job for me. I usually play with a plectrum and it smoothes out mistakes nicely. * smile * It also evens out those booming tones you get out of certain notes on some basses.

I've been playing since the late 80's in different bands, don't make a living out of it though.

If I were to loose it I would probably by another one exactly the same because I'm very satisfied with the sound enhancement. They are rather expensive though, on the other hand EBS are experts on making products for the bass and guitar stuff never works as well with our low sounds!

The strong point of all ebs pedals (for weak points see below). two knobs and a 3 way toggle. lots of tonal variations! Great. There is a tube simulator that is outstanding. The standard compression is very nice, and the mutli-band compressor is the least useful for most applications because it's the most radical. Manual is ok to below average.

All ebs pedals are noisy, and that is their weak point. However, by definition, all compressors will increase the noise "floor". As for the effect itself, it has got to be one of the best pedal compressors. It's not completely transparent, but it adds very nice harmonics and warmth to my bass. It is true what others say that you only notice what it does to your sound when you turn the pedal off (you almost always want to turn it back on). I don't think it would be as good in the studio, but live and in rehersals I wouldn't leave home without it. You can get very high quality compression, and it still preserves that all important low end. That's the key to this little gem. Not much in the way of adding sustain though.

It should hold up to standard road abuse, but the paint job is not very good (it chips easy).

Overall, a very expensive pedal that you don't want heard. So, it really is a luxury item of sorts. But, I can't live without it. What a paradox! I'm used to fairly high quality rack mount compressors, but this little pedal really makes the others seem unecessary in a live setting. I would search long and hard on ebay to replace it, but I wouldn't buy a new one again. I think compared to other pedal compressors (Boss, DOD, Ibanez, Tech 21) this is the best - hands down.

very easy to use. 2 knobs. one for the amount of compression, and the other for oveall gain of unit. the Dual-Band may get alittle confussing to some. To work the dual compression, you need to go in the back of the unit (taking off faceplat on bottom) and ajusting the compression for the (High-Band & Low-Band). - very usefull if you want to have a precise compression.

WOW!! i'm very very happy with this thing. to explain it, well its subtle. but notacible from bypassing it. It doesn't take away your punch like other compressors i've bought and taken back (Digitech) :o(
It tightens up your sound very nicley. All styles will be pleased with this effects sound, versatility, and simplicity.
I purchased it based on other good reviews, and a tip from a bass-only store (www.bassnw) -good store/site-
Another point to add that i feel is important is the fact that it cost twice as much as (boss, digitech, sansamp)-compressors. Ya know why? you get twice as much quality. EBS makes very good products with alot more precision, better components, and voicings. Kudo's to EBS-great unit!!!

didn't have it for long. cant say. but its built like a brick

never delt with EBS-

Get this damn thing. Its not just for bass if anyother musicians are reading this. (BASS RULES)- but to fellow bassist' GET IT! you will be typing a report very simular to this one, and you will be please by the tightness your rig sound like. EBS- thanks!

2 knobs, gain and compression, active/passive switch, mode switch (tubesim, normal, 2-band). Very easy.

I play MusicMan Stingray 4 and a Fender JB fretless, amp is a Warwick CL combo. The best thing about Mulitcomp is, that you just don't hear that it's working. You get a desired level of compression, but besides there's no change of tone at all. NOTE - if you want to turn the 'compression' knob further than 12 o'clock you have to use the 2-band mode in order not to hear any unnatural sounds (or not to have natural sounds cut). I use little compression (10 o'clock) and little gain (9 o 'clock) and the tubesim mode, which adds harmonics to the basic sound. The tone is better than the natural, the compression is just as it should be. And still there is no noise whatsoever. For me it's a perfect compression pedal that I use both on stage and in studio.

Have it for over 1 year, lots of gigs, still everything is okay. I use no backup for compression (if it goes wrong, its still possible to play). A cool thing is the material at the bottom of the pedal - once you put the pedal on the stage, it won't move at all.

I emailed EBS guys once. No response :(

I play very different styles in various bands. Rock, soul, jazz, blues. It's a compressor, so it souits all the styles. If stolen, I'd get a new one. Love - doesn't change the tone of my bass. Hate - dunno... Maybe if it showed the input level not on a single led, but on several. I'd like that. Other products - Boss CS3 mostly. EBS is much better (Boss cuts lows, is more complex to use, gives less compression and makes the tone more flat).

It's impossible for this thing NOT to be easy to use. One knob for the compression, one for gain...easy.

I use an American made Washburn four string with the Sans Amp Bass Driver II, SWR Bass 350 head, and an SWR Goliath III (4X10 cabinet)
There is a slight hiss when it's on...but it's very, very slight.
The effect isn't really something that you notice, until you really start playing. I play with my fingers and slap from time to time. The pedal really keeps everything sounding very smooth. I played with it for a while, then played with it off, and I noticed just how much less smooth the sound was without it.

It's very durable.
There's no backup needed.

Haven't used them.

I play in a hardcore/metal band and this pedal is just what I needed. Since I play aggressively, at times fast with my fingers, yet still applying a slap/pop technique, I needed something to keep the sound from jumping so much and the pedal does just that.
I'd definitely replace this pedal.
If you're looking for compression for your bass...something easy to use...that's durable...nice and compact...this is it.

I think this unit is extremely easy to use. I always thought that the best way to get a good setting is playing with the unit long enough that in reality you are using your ears instead of what the knobs are saying. But this unit has what it takes for a pedal unit with two knobs. "Comp/Limit" and "Gain" knobs. Very easy and straight foward.
The Comp/Limiter controls the amount of compression, and the compressor ratio. The Gain control controls the output. But there is a switch which puts the compressor in either of the three modes. Tubism activates the Tube type compressor and simulates it very well. Multiband enables you to adjust the upper and lower compression rates, via two screw type knobs where you turn the upper and lower frequencies separately. And the Normal which gives it a one band compressor sound. All the settings are quiet. I should inform you that originally I was sent the older "Grey" color version until I went on the EBS web site and they said there was a black label version. I informed the place where I purchased it and they switched the piece with the "Black Label" Model. But as I played the grey model it was slightly noisey but when I received the Black Label model it was silent. They updated it sounding quiet as can be.

This piece sounds better than any floor compressors around and sounds better than most rack compressors I have heard. I have a DBX 160A and a 163x. But this unit is amazing for its purposes. I like the Tube setting but the Multi Band is equally good if you set it right. I use it with an eden 500 and a eden 410xlt and find it to work great with this setup. If I lost or had it stolen I would immediately get another

Made to last. If you have one of the EBS pedals you know what I mean. The best built in my opion pedal.

Never needed to call.

If you are looking for a compressor with a limited budget by all means get this pedal. It sounds better than many of the racks models available. But make sure you get the Black Label model. Once you play it you will notice the difference immediately and will not play without it.

Pretty straightforward to use, Comp/Limit knob sets amount of compression, Gain can be used to boost output level.
Three-way switch is used for the type of compression.

Side switch for active of passive instrument is recessed into the side of the unit and can only be operated using a very small screwdriver or something similar. A bit cumbersome if you want to use it with a passive and an active bass.
Manual could be more informative about the two internal trimmers that adjust threshold levels in Multiband setting. Adjusting these trimmers requires the bottom plate to be removed, it would have been nice if these could be accessed from the outside IMO.

Very subtle "effect" since it doesn't color your sound, this isn't an "in your face effect" like a distortion. You have switch it off and on and listen carefully to notice the difference.
I use it with an Ampeg B2 combo and a J-bass. It's not noisy in my setup. I run the EQ almost flat, just a bit of bass boost and a bit of mid cut, treble remains flat. If you would turn up the Gain on the pedal I assume it would add some noise, I haven't turned up the Gain past 10 o'clock.

Switched to Tubesim the unit colors your sound in pleasant way, good for fingerstyle playing IMO.
In Multiband mode it really delivers the goods, this is *the* setting if you're into pop and slap. With a bit of tweaking of the internal trimmers you can get that "slapped J-bass" sound, (as thight as a mouse's ass), Woohoo!
Haven't used Normal mode yet, Tubesim and Multiband give me all I want/need soundwise.

I can't comment on relaibility yet, haven't got long enough. It sure does look and feel very sturdy. Unit case is die cast (I think), four screws hold the blue bottom plate. No flimsy plastic battery door parts that can break off.
Since it has a pretty hefty price tag I can't afford a backup, besides my wife would kill me.

I e-mailed customer support and got a reply within a day. I asked about the workings of the two trimmers inside the unit. I got a helpful answer that was concise and to the point.

I play pop/rock/funk, it's good for my needs. Have been playing bass for over 10 years. Would buy it again if lost or stolen.
Didn't compare it to other compressors, chose this one because of the general reputaion of EBS pedals and some good reviews that can be found on the Internet. The relatively low price I payed was a deciding factor too! It's price increased recently.
It has everything I want, less is more!

Pretty simple to set up : power on switch, gain knob and compression knob. The manual is too short, and should give more details about the 3 position mini-switch (normal, MB which means multiband, tubesim).
Also are inside two mini potentiometers to set up the high and low threshold. Also here the manual is too short (no examples of settings). Needs a bit of use to get the "perfect" setup. The led shows when compression happens, it helps the comp setting. You have to unscrew the bottom to change the battery.

I use a Cort with Bartolini passive pickups, on several amplifiers (old Peavey TNT, Hartke Kickback 15, SWR Workingman 15...). The pedal adds a bit of high hiss, especially if you boost the highs on the amp. Otherwise the sound is excellent, especially in normal or multiband mode. The tubesim mode alters the original sound a bit. Gives from very soft to pretty hard compression, without changing the sound of the instrument. Makes the bass sound more compact and precise. You cannot hear the difference straight forward (kind of subtile pedal), but when you turn off the pedal, you say "the sound was better before (when the pedal was on)".

Very good construction. I do not intend to have a backup (pedal is expensive).

Never had to deal with support, yet.

I play classic rock in a combo, but I think this pedal fits every kind of bass playing. Only have it for 3 weeks, but I don't want to play without it now. I definitely would buy another one if it were stolen or broken. Among the best bass compressor pedals. A bit expensive, though.