Lo-Fi Comp on the SP555 - let's discuss

[blavatsky]

Alright, so everyone here is crazy about the vinyl comp on the 303, and to a lesser degree the 404 (very similar effect , but higher fidelity outputs I think?)

I had a 505, the effect was great but it was the only reason i really kept the machine, so I sold it

The 404sx/555 have regular compression - which is ok, a little harsh, doesn't quite pump/dirty the sound as well as the 303/OG404/505

Then there is LoFi Comp on the SP555 - I think a vastly overlooked gem of an effect

-hits super hard, easy to get a really heavy, cut-through sound
-Can add a bitcrush/distorted sound that can be lovely
-has many (5?6?) 'types' of compression, from mildly nasty to disgusting dirt
-has a mix or wet/dry level, so you can maintain some clarity from your samples and blend in the grunge

What do you guys think? (I think a big reason is the 555 is about 10% as popular as the 404 due to cost/availability)

[ellaguru]

i got the same effect on the mc909, maybe is more detailed on it, but take a look, no attack, or release on it...is one of the few ways to dirtier sound on the 909 (you cannot downsampling with it)...here too the type 5 and 6 are very warm/dirt/cool

909.jpg (88.01 KiB) Viewed 4964 times

[blavatsky]

very cool ellaguru! Yeah that definitely seems like a fancier version, but very similar i'm sure - 555 has Comp Type, Filter (more to the right, harder, compresses more?) and balance.

I would like to see Roland describe the types 1-9 (or 1-6(?) on the 555), I wonder if they intentionally mimic/model any compressors? The further you go you definitely enter bitcrush land, to the left its more subtle but I wonder if its like "this one is 303 vinyl comp" or "this one is a smashed Alesis 3630"

Off topic, the boss RC-505 looper has some great effects, including a deep compressor I have barely begun to scratch the surface on....definitely SP inspired style

[Unfolding]

Blav, have you got any examples of this lo-fi comp? Keen to hear it in action now.

[blavatsky]

Wassup guys - I'll try to take a basic loop or something, and apply a few flavors of LoFi comp to let you hear what I mean and post soon

[r.burr]

I have a 404sx and sometimes I'll record a compressed version and an uncompressed version so I can mix them together, a dry/wet knob would make that SO much easier