Compressor

[Buster Warren]

Can someone tell me a good compressor for PSG ???

[Henry Schuellerman]

I am a big fan of the Keeley Compressor plus. Blend knob makes it super versatile, can go from very subtle to squished Nashville chickin pickin sound. I use it for six string too, and sometimes roll off the tone and use it when recording bass. Should be able to find one used for ~ $100

[Dave Hopping]

The best I ever found for steel was an Alesis 3630. Out of production now, but Reverb has a lot of good used ones.
What I like about the 3630 is it's very clean and there is a great deal of control over how much "squish" you can dial in.

I have a couple of Keeley compressors and they're not bad for steel but they do tend to overdrive. Better for six-string.

[Dave Grafe]

As a retired audio production guy I have used quite a few compressors and each has its own personality. When I was using a rack rig with my steel I settled on the Audio Arts model 1200, very transparent sound, good metering and controls, plus a de-esser that came in handy for taming pick noise and other undesirable high frequency artifacts in lively rooms. Best part is they can still be had for a few hundred dollars if you can find one.

Some while back I switched to a pedal board and am completely satisfied with the Keeley Compressor Pro, it has all the professional features I want at hand and superb audio and build quality.

[Brett Lanier]

Universal Audio LA2A
Wampler Ego

[Stew Crookes]

The Keeley and Wampler previously mentioned are both great for steel and also for that classic squished telecaster dyna-comp sound.

I set my Wampler Ego with Sustain and Volume at 10 O'clock, Tone at Noon, Attack and Blend at 2 O'Clock.

If I find it's getting too clamped down I back off the blend or sustain a little...

[Dennis Detweiler]

I used a MXR DynaComp in the 80's. It quit on me and I bought the reissue. Serving me well with my other rack gear.