I use this pedal in my rig. Always on. I leave it on single coil even when I'm playing humbuckers. I leave everything at noon with the exception of the tone which I use to adjust to the room for my overall tone. Bright room to the left. Normal room at noon. Great pedal. The sustain difference between using this pedal and turning it off is night and day without sacrificing tone
I have this one. It’s my only compressor. Thanks for expanding its potential for me. This makes low level playing possible while sustaining and clarifying notes, tone helps accent the treble when needed.
Until recently I didn’t understand what a compressor did or how to use one. Now I have mine on constantly, regardless of whether I’m using gain or playing clean. Clean with a strat and my jubilee gives me the exact John Frusciante sound. With gain, it just makes my amp at low volume amp sound like it’s turned up louder and naturally compressing. Win win!
Great job talking about how to use the best compressor ever. Keeley makes incredible stuff and his entire staff are such great people just like him. Rock on Keeley!
The best demonstration of a compressor I have seen. I play fingerstyle on the electric and hence the pick attack bit was very relevant for me and why I need a compressor. As knopfler stated, the pick is one of the best amplifiers one can have, and we all know how he plays. I think he used an "orange squeeze" in his early days.
Yup 😊 I got the Red Dirt Studio Deluxe which is basically an Aria with a ge Red Dirt in place of the White Sands. Love the routing options as well. Only thing missing is the single/humbucker toggle. But I think that careful use of the tone control takes care of that.
I got rid of a MXR optical compressor I was using as a clean boost a couple of years back and regretted it after picking up a Les Paul. (Died in the wool Strat guy here!) Anyway, after falling in love with the Keeley Oxblood after an exhaustive search for the "Klon-like" presence on my board a year or so back, I decided if (really when) I got another comp it would be this one. It went on sale after the 2020 new year and I pulled the trigger. I watched a couple of demo vids that were really, really good, but still felt like what I needed to know hadn't been covered yet, and then I saw yours.. As a blues/rock, somewhat jazzy Guy (HUGE Matt Schofield fanboy here!) who grew up playing what was known as Metal in the 80's, after watching your demo I was just like: "Got it! Ready to go forth and take names." Fantastic job Mate!!!
Ok, ok, you got me, I need a compressor! But I always felt they were more about feel than sound. They make your playing consistent and even, easier to record and better for the soundguy.
Just ordered the limited edition orange type...can't wait to get it and suss the sounds out my self....I've heard it's one of the most quietest compressors of its price range..the look vintage
I had been fighting with the blue cs3 compressor from boss for a few years before I finally picked this one up & it made me a) wonder if the boss was broken or something b) want to throw it away .... it's a great pedal
(Love Shane's facial expressions when he's running distortion!) Compression here seemed to have the greatest impact when running heavy distortion and using the Wah, otherwise it's effects seem pretty subtle. I've got the Keeley Plus and, regardless of the many glowing reviews, I have been underwhelmed by the way it effects clean tones. I'm wondering if my results have something to do with my using lower output single coils with it (or I just don't know how to use it effectively!). Other than providing clamping (dampening) on pick attacks, I don't hear any increased sustain, which is why I wanted it on my board. So, I basically use it as a boost. Comments?
I think compression with clean tones sounds best when playing single coils through a nice tube amp. That way you can turn the compressor off for cleaner, smoother stuff then turn it on to push the tubes that little bit more past the point of breakup to get that nice crisp, clean punch. Of course it’s all somewhat subjective, and the cool thing about compressors is that they have multiple applications. What rig are you running?
@@zackcollins6980 I was running a 65 Princeton, but have replaced it with a Quilter Aviator Cub. The Cub cleans are good but not as shimmering as the Princeton, but it does have more headroom.
I must admit I'm struggling to find a use for this but it's only been a week. I've always used my Boss ME-50 and I was trying to build it out by replacing the things I use on it with dedicated pedals and expanding from there. But after days of messing around with the Keeley, I put on the in-built compressor in the ME-50 for comparison and was just like "wow". Just instant tone and control flooding back, but maybe it's just cos I'm so used to it.
Always struggle with if I should have a compressor or not. I have an optical that I used to use as an aways on pedal at the start of the chain, just to balance over excited picking out!
Wow. That’s a very good compressor I like the ability to select the pick up type, You touched on something very important, I’ve seen a lot of players take a compressor pedal and dime every knob and it just ruins the color in the tone of what they’re trying to do, I’d like to hear that through your Marshall, and see how it works in a live situation for you
Hi Shane - I have a lovely Japanese built sunburst Les Paul copy from the mid 70s that i have owned since 1980. It looks like it's only 5 years old or maybe 10 tops, not 45! I was never really super impressed with it but it has really been transformed since I installed medium jumbo frets and Wilkinson humbuckers as well. The neck is now really sweet and the tone is Les Paul crisp. You're welcome to do try it out and maybe do a video on it - I think it would stand up better than a similarly aged Gibson unit, especially as the Japanese used polyurethane type finishes instead of the organic stuff. I'm in Melbourne and sometimes pop into Sky Music if you're keen; if not, then that's fine, as I know you're busy! Cheers
Hey Shane ,,, They released the Keeley Compressor Mini today .. looking forward to your review .. hopefully you will do a comparison between The MINI & THE PLUS ... COOL SHOW MAN :)
Great video, I have the exact same model and when it is on it sounds like a car alarm coming softly though the speakers, must be defective or I am doing something wrong. Does anyone else have this problem.
Sure beats the pants off my $25 Amazon pedal. I like a compressor when I am doing a ballad style solo when you want that sustain to last for days on every note, and dynamics are not as important. Great video, I might have to upgrade to a Keeley comp pedal. Love the ability to tailor it to singles or humbucker.
I almost bought one of these as my first compressor. Great demo fan of the channel ultimately I decided to go with the fender compressor actually as it shows when the compression is working which I really really like it's just player centric but this obviously this is the much more popular compressor. To be honest I really want to support fender in the pedal market because they've done great and I feel like the boutique makers get enough praise.
HUTCHfromBA That Pedal Show did a whole episode on compressors and different uses for them and cover exactly this! And a whole lot of other uses. In short, you could use one in lieu of a master volume and to give your amp a bit of tube-like compression if you’re not hitting the power amp very hard and causing any natural compression. Personally I run a Keely Comp straight up front as I don’t like to muck with the volume levels of my gain stages, I’m just chasing a bit of extra consistency in dynamics and sustain.
Can you tell me do Thea's pedals work with normal 9v adapter s .was thinking on getting one . nothing worse than not being able to get the right adapter s.
Shane - If you (OK, me) had to chose between the Keeley Super Phat Mod -or- D&M drive to pair with this compressor, which one would it be? My instinct says to use the Phat Mod cause that's what you chose to demo the compressor.
G’Day Shane, couple of weeks back I asked where your posters of Darren Jack and Ray Beadle were and you said you hadn’t heard of Jacko. If your in Melbourne see if you can catch “All the Kings Men” , they have a gig down there coming up. Run em up on the net...... Davo
I've had this pedal for a while now and it's really very good. In the U.S. you can get it for around $130. It sounds like their old 2 knob compressor but a lot less money. I'm sure it has cheaper parts in order to bring the price down but it's rugged enough for most situations. When I got it, I did a comparison between this, the Keeley 2 knob, and my vintage DOD 280 compressor. The Keeley 2 knob and the DOD sound the same. The Keeley Compressor Plus is more versatile with blend and tone but set up right, is sounds so close to the 2 knob that I can't tell the difference.
I will say the Keeley + seems more subtle. And seems very similar in a lot of ways. They are different. I say subtle but that would only apply when used “correctly” (if that word even applies in this context), but at the extremes on the knobs, the keeley seems less subtle, where the Ego kinda seems like it does something desirable no matter how the knobs are set. That description probably provides little info, but that is what I hear.
I’ve been on the fence when it comes to compression pedals and how it would fit with the tone I want. Listening to how you use it with the wah and overdrive gives me an idea of how best to use it. I wonder how it would work with an octave pedal like a Octavia or a Fuzz Face? Thanks for opening my eyes and ears Shane!!!! Great demonstration! Cheers!!!🎸🎸🎸🎸🤙🏾🤙🏾🤙🏾🤙🏾
@@kristoamadeus4441 Yes, Sir. You are correct. That comment was three years ago and I have since added a compressor to my board just for those rare really clean sounds, and it works a treat, thanks.
how come it was just a total sigh of relief to hear him say he was using a fender made in Mexico Strat? I get so sick of all these reviews and their 3k dollar guitars...
In my opinion, compression pedals completely kill the character of the guitar. Leave compression to the production stage imo, where you have fine control over it.
I use this pedal in my rig. Always on. I leave it on single coil even when I'm playing humbuckers. I leave everything at noon with the exception of the tone which I use to adjust to the room for my overall tone. Bright room to the left. Normal room at noon. Great pedal. The sustain difference between using this pedal and turning it off is night and day without sacrificing tone
Thanks for the tips!
Super helpful comment, even for those of us late to the party!
Over 2 years later and still on my board. Always turned on
I have this one. It’s my only compressor. Thanks for expanding its potential for me. This makes low level playing possible while sustaining and clarifying notes, tone helps accent the treble when needed.
Keeley is the leader of Compressor pedals for sure. Really high end stuff used by countless artist and studios. Great Vid Shane
I came here because i just got the comp+ but now I want that super phat mod pedal, damnit!
I want that black hoodie he is wearing.
Right?! 😆 It never ends! ♾️
Until recently I didn’t understand what a compressor did or how to use one. Now I have mine on constantly, regardless of whether I’m using gain or playing clean. Clean with a strat and my jubilee gives me the exact John Frusciante sound. With gain, it just makes my amp at low volume amp sound like it’s turned up louder and naturally compressing. Win win!
Great job talking about how to use the best compressor ever. Keeley makes incredible stuff and his entire staff are such great people just like him. Rock on Keeley!
Cranking it up just a little bit more - advice that works no matter what
The best demonstration of a compressor I have seen. I play fingerstyle on the electric and hence the pick attack bit was very relevant for me and why I need a compressor. As knopfler stated, the pick is one of the best amplifiers one can have, and we all know how he plays. I think he used an "orange squeeze" in his early days.
The best review on the Tube on this pedal up to this review, I wasn't going to buy one, but after watching this demo changed my mind Thankyou
You can get one of these for half price if you buy the Keeley Aria pedal. It had a Red Dirt on one side and a compressor on the other! Super useful.
Yup 😊 I got the Red Dirt Studio Deluxe which is basically an Aria with a ge Red Dirt in place of the White Sands. Love the routing options as well.
Only thing missing is the single/humbucker toggle. But I think that careful use of the tone control takes care of that.
I got rid of a MXR optical compressor I was using as a clean boost a couple of years back and regretted it after picking up a Les Paul. (Died in the wool Strat guy here!) Anyway, after falling in love with the Keeley Oxblood after an exhaustive search for the "Klon-like" presence on my board a year or so back, I decided if (really when) I got another comp it would be this one. It went on sale after the 2020 new year and I pulled the trigger. I watched a couple of demo vids that were really, really good, but still felt like what I needed to know hadn't been covered yet, and then I saw yours..
As a blues/rock, somewhat jazzy Guy (HUGE Matt Schofield fanboy here!) who grew up playing what was known as Metal in the 80's, after watching your demo I was just like: "Got it! Ready to go forth and take names." Fantastic job Mate!!!
Seen so many videos on this pedal & this is the one that sold me on it.
Just bought one yesterday. What is great pedal.
I have seen a lot of reviews of compressors, but this one nailed it.
Nice! I was messing with compression all day yesterday and wake up to this. I like mine with a side of phase
Ok, ok, you got me, I need a compressor! But I always felt they were more about feel than sound. They make your playing consistent and even, easier to record and better for the soundguy.
With Keeley, you pay for quality and get it. I use this with my Orange amp and with my basses. Great pedal.
Sounds killer with that od. What a tone.
That red guitar was beautiful. Never really understood compression. Thanks
All of Robert Keeley pedals are amazing. The man is a genius when it comes to pedals. Great playing Shane & good review. Blues On .... 💙
This was one of those pedals that talked me into buying it. I grabbed one as a shot in the dark at a guitar center and I ended up taking it home
If you like the pedal check it out on Sweetwater - imp.i114863.net/Keeley
Just ordered the limited edition orange type...can't wait to get it and suss the sounds out my self....I've heard it's one of the most quietest compressors of its price range..the look vintage
Great Vid! Thanks for checking this out Cheers
One of the best videos on this pedal - it made me keep it in addition to the xotic sp. Thanks
I had been fighting with the blue cs3 compressor from boss for a few years before I finally picked this one up & it made me a) wonder if the boss was broken or something b) want to throw it away .... it's a great pedal
(Love Shane's facial expressions when he's running distortion!) Compression here seemed to have the greatest impact when running heavy distortion and using the Wah, otherwise it's effects seem pretty subtle. I've got the Keeley Plus and, regardless of the many glowing reviews, I have been underwhelmed by the way it effects clean tones. I'm wondering if my results have something to do with my using lower output single coils with it (or I just don't know how to use it effectively!). Other than providing clamping (dampening) on pick attacks, I don't hear any increased sustain, which is why I wanted it on my board. So, I basically use it as a boost. Comments?
I think compression with clean tones sounds best when playing single coils through a nice tube amp. That way you can turn the compressor off for cleaner, smoother stuff then turn it on to push the tubes that little bit more past the point of breakup to get that nice crisp, clean punch. Of course it’s all somewhat subjective, and the cool thing about compressors is that they have multiple applications. What rig are you running?
@@zackcollins6980 I was running a 65 Princeton, but have replaced it with a Quilter Aviator Cub. The Cub cleans are good but not as shimmering as the Princeton, but it does have more headroom.
Great review! Bought this a few months ago. Did not disappoint.
Very helpful vid. Thank you. I bought one and it does what you said it would
Glad it helped
I must admit I'm struggling to find a use for this but it's only been a week. I've always used my Boss ME-50 and I was trying to build it out by replacing the things I use on it with dedicated pedals and expanding from there.
But after days of messing around with the Keeley, I put on the in-built compressor in the ME-50 for comparison and was just like "wow". Just instant tone and control flooding back, but maybe it's just cos I'm so used to it.
Always struggle with if I should have a compressor or not. I have an optical that I used to use as an aways on pedal at the start of the chain, just to balance over excited picking out!
One of the most useful videos you’ve done. Really a great job!
Wow. That’s a very good compressor
I like the ability to select the pick up type, You touched on something very important, I’ve seen a lot of players take a compressor pedal and dime every knob and it just ruins the color in the tone of what they’re trying to do, I’d like to hear that through your Marshall, and see how it works in a live situation for you
Great vid demoing (and demystifying) compression. Thanks, Shane.
Excellant jam at the beginning.
Best explanation ever. Thanks M8
Compressors are cool. It doesn't do wacky stuff. It just gives you a helping hand.
I thought all the way to the left is 50/50 compression ratio? Noon would be around 3/4 dry/comp, no? Please correct me if I'm wrong.
I understand from my research that the earlier ones had a 0-full potentiometers, then Keeley changed it.
@@ehe-uk Good to know! I had an old C4 and loved it. That had a o-full pot.
How does the toggle switch react to "split coil" option?
Love mine! Fantastic pedal, better than tbe previous version and just because Keeley is a super cool guy, it's even cheaper than the previous model.
Love the Keeley compressor.Great vid.cheers
can i use this with my metalzone pedal to get proffesional sounding metal tone
Great vid for a great pedal thanks Shane keep the vids coming loving it here in the UK.
With the tele you have mini-buckers but you are on single coil setting
So was the wah wah, first from the guitar, then to the compressor? Then to the dirt box?
Hi Shane - I have a lovely Japanese built sunburst Les Paul copy from the mid 70s that i have owned since 1980. It looks like it's only 5 years old or maybe 10 tops, not 45! I was never really super impressed with it but it has really been transformed since I installed medium jumbo frets and Wilkinson humbuckers as well. The neck is now really sweet and the tone is Les Paul crisp. You're welcome to do try it out and maybe do a video on it - I think it would stand up better than a similarly aged Gibson unit, especially as the Japanese used polyurethane type finishes instead of the organic stuff. I'm in Melbourne and sometimes pop into Sky Music if you're keen; if not, then that's fine, as I know you're busy! Cheers
Hey Shane ,,, They released the Keeley Compressor Mini today .. looking forward to your review .. hopefully you will do a comparison between The MINI & THE PLUS ... COOL SHOW MAN :)
Great video, I have the exact same model and when it is on it sounds like a car alarm coming softly though the speakers, must be defective or I am doing something wrong. Does anyone else have this problem.
Cool pedal,
The only compressor/limiter I have ever heard that makes an audible improvement(to MY ears) is the Roger Mayer RM58. Pricey though.
Anyone else give real low and sexy “ooooh yaaaa” during that intro? 😎
Hey may can you do a video on how you recorded your guitar sound? They are amazing
Sure beats the pants off my $25 Amazon pedal. I like a compressor when I am doing a ballad style solo when you want that sustain to last for days on every note, and dynamics are not as important. Great video, I might have to upgrade to a Keeley comp pedal. Love the ability to tailor it to singles or humbucker.
I almost bought one of these as my first compressor. Great demo fan of the channel ultimately I decided to go with the fender compressor actually as it shows when the compression is working which I really really like it's just player centric but this obviously this is the much more popular compressor. To be honest I really want to support fender in the pedal market because they've done great and I feel like the boutique makers get enough praise.
Where are you buy this left hand white stratocaster?
Thanks
I just ask Jamal but what would happen if you put the compressor in the FX Loop ?
HUTCHfromBA That Pedal Show did a whole episode on compressors and different uses for them and cover exactly this! And a whole lot of other uses. In short, you could use one in lieu of a master volume and to give your amp a bit of tube-like compression if you’re not hitting the power amp very hard and causing any natural compression.
Personally I run a Keely Comp straight up front as I don’t like to muck with the volume levels of my gain stages, I’m just chasing a bit of extra consistency in dynamics and sustain.
Can you tell me do Thea's pedals work with normal 9v adapter s .was thinking on getting one . nothing worse than not being able to get the right adapter s.
As always for me... a compressor is something the player feels more than the listener.
I had this pedal, loved it. Not sure why I sold it, but wish I hadn't.
How is this particular comp for bass?
Shane - If you (OK, me) had to chose between the Keeley Super Phat Mod -or- D&M drive to pair with this compressor, which one would it be? My instinct says to use the Phat Mod cause that's what you chose to demo the compressor.
Does this work with EMG pickups like the het set?
You prefer the keeley or the wampler Ego ? Thank you
Aye!!! A fellow lefty!!! Glad to see it man! Us lefties gotta stick together
What is that red T-style guitar? Looks amazing.
Lee Bohan it’s a Pure Salem Mendiola. The video of is online. :-)
G’Day Shane, couple of weeks back I asked where your posters of Darren Jack and Ray Beadle were and you said you hadn’t heard of Jacko. If your in Melbourne see if you can catch “All the Kings Men” , they have a gig down there coming up. Run em up on the net...... Davo
Great video man great review and best instructional showing tone not just saying this and that 👍
Did you run the wah->compressor or compressor->wah?
I've had this pedal for a while now and it's really very good. In the U.S. you can get it for around $130. It sounds like their old 2 knob compressor but a lot less money. I'm sure it has cheaper parts in order to bring the price down but it's rugged enough for most situations. When I got it, I did a comparison between this, the Keeley 2 knob, and my vintage DOD 280 compressor. The Keeley 2 knob and the DOD sound the same. The Keeley Compressor Plus is more versatile with blend and tone but set up right, is sounds so close to the 2 knob that I can't tell the difference.
Have you tried the Tone Work Station?
Wow you took us to "Funkytown" in the beginning ! That was a fantastic demo mate ,thanks ! :-)
Was the compressor before or after the overdrive?
I have one and it's great
Great video as always, how would you compare it to the Wampler Ego Compressor; a personal favourite?
I tried to find a video comparing them! I've narrowed it down to those 2!
I will say the Keeley + seems more subtle. And seems very similar in a lot of ways. They are different.
I say subtle but that would only apply when used “correctly” (if that word even applies in this context), but at the extremes on the knobs, the keeley seems less subtle, where the Ego kinda seems like it does something desirable no matter how the knobs are set.
That description probably provides little info, but that is what I hear.
its my always on pedal.....love it
Cool stuff Shane you are without doubt a professional level guitar player .you are a inspiration for me to play 👍👍
I wish I could butcher country as well as you. Great demo, I think one of these might find its way onto my board pretty soon.
haha thanks mate. That's all the country chops I have then I just start going on repeat. These pedals are great, I still have this one :)
At 1st I thought I was listening to a 70's porn sound track! ;oP Totally FUNKAY! \m/
😂
@D What??
I keep forgetting WHITE ZOMBIE is a B grade horror movie... thought you were going heavy metal for a second there!
5:15 off 5:41 on 5:59 on leveled
The only thing that i don't like at all is the noise. It is really evident when you turn on the pedal.
My name is Shane ..classic
Who else was waiting for Ron Jeremy to come in with draw dropping face melting solo at beginning.
Appears you were influenced by Dire Straits' "Sultans of Swing" (1978) when playing here.
Cool!
I’ve been on the fence when it comes to compression pedals and how it would fit with the tone I want. Listening to how you use it with the wah and overdrive gives me an idea of how best to use it. I wonder how it would work with an octave pedal like a Octavia or a Fuzz Face?
Thanks for opening my eyes and ears Shane!!!! Great demonstration! Cheers!!!🎸🎸🎸🎸🤙🏾🤙🏾🤙🏾🤙🏾
I wonder how it would sound in the FX Loop ?
Better fake country licks than I can muster! Got one of these too, it's excellent
I can't ever imagine wanting a compressor. To me they just make your live sound less dynamic and more like a recorded sound.
Same here mate . I tried and had the same feelings as you .
It has its uses for cleans
@@kristoamadeus4441 Yes, Sir. You are correct. That comment was three years ago and I have since added a compressor to my board just for those rare really clean sounds, and it works a treat, thanks.
how come it was just a total sigh of relief to hear him say he was using a fender made in Mexico Strat? I get so sick of all these reviews and their 3k dollar guitars...
In my opinion, compression pedals completely kill the character of the guitar. Leave compression to the production stage imo, where you have fine control over it.
want sustain? get a gold top hahah
I skip that part with wha wha
🤢🤮
You are a GREAT player . Lovely fluid style .
Now , play less notes
and concentrate on legato and melody .🤔
Just learn how to play correctly and you don’t need all the bells and whistles!
Ohh what an extremely noisy comp. :(