I reckon the Fat General sounds better, but obviously the Cali76 has limiting capabilities while the Fat General is more of a sustainer. Every time I looked at another tab while the audio was playing, and clicked back when I heard a sound I loved, it was always the Fat General.
I think Mick put it really well in the most recent That Pedal Show. The Thorpy is more “pedal” style compression and the Cali is more studio compression. Both do a different specific job amazingly well
Ratio all the way down means 1:1, meaning almost no compression at all. It's essentially a volume boost and saturator. I'm glad you corrected that though lol definitely Cali76 for me, super transparent and clear, yet really levels everything out. The Thorpy seems to pump a lot on the hard strums and its attack, ratio, and release are fixed. I'd say that's disappointing given its price point (also given how few side-by-side comparisons there are with it), but honestly, side-by-side, pretty much everything sounds disappointing compared to the Cali.
On Cali76 the Ratio is fully CCW, which means that there is NO compression. For example on 4:39 and other moments. You should have at least 2:1 compression to get the effect as you got from the other comp.
Thanks for the very informative video. Can you divulge if the Fat General will replace the Cali76 on your pedal board? They both sound fantastic, I have an old Dyna Comp, a Pale Green Compressor, a Keeley two knob compressor and an Ego compressor, I don't like any of them, yet love to use compression in a studio mix on guitar. So I think I need to avoid anything with Dyna Comp / Ross DNA and get a studio based compressor. Which of these two would you recommend I spring for?
Hey man! The way that I look at these pedals is that the origin is based on a studio compressor so is better suited to adding a pit of polish or sparkle to your tone. The Fat general on the other hand is going for more of a guitar player friendly compressor... It's got more character, sounds great when using a load of compression and is also more fun to use. The Origin is the one thats on my board atm because I don't really like to use a ton of compression.
John Kelley Brown I switched from Cali76 to Fat General and never looked back. Cali76 seemed better suited for funk/country/a lot of trebly/sparkly highs/squeaky clean . Fat General to me seems more transparent (he only uses the more compressed mode here) and geared towards everything. Gives a lot of low-mid body to guitar sound, better for rock, indie, garage, metal etc- the Cali76 messed with my playing style and to me- it pumps as it sustains. Neither are transparent- but I preferred the Fat General. More fun to play and less tweaking as well. Check out the Australian demo dude’s demo-
@@winstonsmith8236 Thanks for the reply. I did get the Cali76, but I may also get the Fat General, I did notice the characteristic you are referring to and like it.
Both are amazing. I guess the Cali76 is a more traditional transparent compressor but the Thorpy seems to add some tone shaping with the treble control.
@@JacksonBrooksby and this is why cali76 is the best...no color is what is the most important for a masterclass compressor. You must hear your guitar, your pickup, your amp, each note must sound deeper . I have the pleasure to have the stacked edition and it is a jewel.
Dude, I watched that whole thing to hear your conclusion and then...then...then...????.I'm honestly researching and deciding between the two compressors.
Which one would be best after drive pedals to help simulate the sound and feel of playing a cranked tube amp? I play mostly at low volumes through a 5W tube amp and usually in the blues/rock genre.
Thanks for the comparison. I think to show the cali76 it makes sense to not have eather the ratio on 0 (no compression) or the dry signal nearly all the way up. Makes it also difficult to hear the actual compression the device is there for in the first place ;)
That’s why I was watching this demo. Seemed like I heard the noise floor elevate when the Cali was kicked on. I’m looking for something I can use in front of a high gain channel and just leave on without it adding noise that sends the amp into squeal mode. I just want to leave it on all the time or even kick it in as a slight boost to the front end for lead work
@@mikemorrison3791 using it as a booster adds noise early in the chain. I feel that it’s best to reduce compressors amplification to the lowest level possible and then a boost after a gate might sound better.
Too me the Cali 76 is more sonically pleasing. Very beautiful sound. Thorpy is a little more abbrasive but you are attacking the strings extremely hard the entire time so hard to hear subtlety
I reckon the Fat General sounds better, but obviously the Cali76 has limiting capabilities while the Fat General is more of a sustainer. Every time I looked at another tab while the audio was playing, and clicked back when I heard a sound I loved, it was always the Fat General.
I think Mick put it really well in the most recent That Pedal Show. The Thorpy is more “pedal” style compression and the Cali is more studio compression. Both do a different specific job amazingly well
Cali76 all day long !
Output volume was set higher on the Thorpy, which was a bit unfair.
Ratio all the way down means 1:1, meaning almost no compression at all. It's essentially a volume boost and saturator. I'm glad you corrected that though lol definitely Cali76 for me, super transparent and clear, yet really levels everything out. The Thorpy seems to pump a lot on the hard strums and its attack, ratio, and release are fixed. I'd say that's disappointing given its price point (also given how few side-by-side comparisons there are with it), but honestly, side-by-side, pretty much everything sounds disappointing compared to the Cali.
On Cali76 the Ratio is fully CCW, which means that there is NO compression. For example on 4:39 and other moments. You should have at least 2:1 compression to get the effect as you got from the other comp.
Thanks for the very informative video. Can you divulge if the Fat General will replace the Cali76 on your pedal board? They both sound fantastic, I have an old Dyna Comp, a Pale Green Compressor, a Keeley two knob compressor and an Ego compressor, I don't like any of them, yet love to use compression in a studio mix on guitar. So I think I need to avoid anything with Dyna Comp / Ross DNA and get a studio based compressor. Which of these two would you recommend I spring for?
Hey man! The way that I look at these pedals is that the origin is based on a studio compressor so is better suited to adding a pit of polish or sparkle to your tone. The Fat general on the other hand is going for more of a guitar player friendly compressor... It's got more character, sounds great when using a load of compression and is also more fun to use. The Origin is the one thats on my board atm because I don't really like to use a ton of compression.
@@JacksonBrooksby Thanks, that's the direction I was leaning. But the Fat General is the bee knees.
John Kelley Brown I switched from Cali76 to Fat General and never looked back. Cali76 seemed better suited for funk/country/a lot of trebly/sparkly highs/squeaky clean . Fat General to me seems more transparent (he only uses the more compressed mode here) and geared towards everything. Gives a lot of low-mid body to guitar sound, better for rock, indie, garage, metal etc- the Cali76 messed with my playing style and to me- it pumps as it sustains. Neither are transparent- but I preferred the Fat General. More fun to play and less tweaking as well. Check out the Australian demo dude’s demo-
@@winstonsmith8236 Thanks for the reply. I did get the Cali76, but I may also get the Fat General, I did notice the characteristic you are referring to and like it.
Oh man what a dilemma not gonna lie, i think the Thorpy shades it 🤯
Both are amazing. I guess the Cali76 is a more traditional transparent compressor but the Thorpy seems to add some tone shaping with the treble control.
@@JacksonBrooksby and this is why cali76 is the best...no color is what is the most important for a masterclass compressor. You must hear your guitar, your pickup, your amp, each note must sound deeper . I have the pleasure to have the stacked edition and it is a jewel.
@@soupertimornot true. Professionals have been colouring guitar with compressors for many decades
Dude, I watched that whole thing to hear your conclusion and then...then...then...????.I'm honestly researching and deciding between the two compressors.
nice job, helps in picking which one. They're both great.
Time to get the cali76 stacked version
I'd love to check it out
@@JacksonBrooksby I've got one coming in TODAY . I am using and Analog Man Bi Compressor now.
@@JacksonBrooksby Cali 76 stacked.....Very Bad Ass ! I am going to sell my Analog man Bi Compressor ..... 2 weeks old !!
Nice tone man did you have the amp miced or were you running a load box?
Which one would be best after drive pedals to help simulate the sound and feel of playing a cranked tube amp? I play mostly at low volumes through a 5W tube amp and usually in the blues/rock genre.
Put the compressor before the drive pedals otherwise you’ll have terrible noise. Let the compressor drive the pedal like a clean boost.
You might need/want both!
Great demo & playing.
Both are great in different ways.
Thanks for the comparison. I think to show the cali76 it makes sense to not have eather the ratio on 0 (no compression) or the dry signal nearly all the way up. Makes it also difficult to hear the actual compression the device is there for in the first place ;)
Ratio dial on 0 on the unit is 4:1 compression ratio on the cali76cd ;)
You really get how to play with compressor pedals. Nice! I really dig Fat General sounds here.
Nice comparison. Thanks! Which one produces less noise?
Both have an extremely low noise floor! You’d be happy with either :)
@@JacksonBrooksby Nice, thanks! What a quick response. haha
No problem dude :)
That’s why I was watching this demo. Seemed like I heard the noise floor elevate when the Cali was kicked on. I’m looking for something I can use in front of a high gain channel and just leave on without it adding noise that sends the amp into squeal mode. I just want to leave it on all the time or even kick it in as a slight boost to the front end for lead work
@@mikemorrison3791 using it as a booster adds noise early in the chain. I feel that it’s best to reduce compressors amplification to the lowest level possible and then a boost after a gate might sound better.
Calitastic
Nice guitar.
Thorpy is Phenomenal. Best pedal-compressor available to date.
Great Guitar Tone ( by the way ). Why is the Volume on the Thorpy So-High to achieve Unity Gain ?
Fascinating 🤔
I love guitar faces! Looking forward to more demos and guitar faces of course. Love your playing style and song choices!
Hahah thanks man! At least somebody likes them 😉😂
You must be related to John Mayer or Louis Bellson.
@@lex3729 Get a hotel room!
Too me the Cali 76 is more sonically pleasing. Very beautiful sound. Thorpy is a little more abbrasive but you are attacking the strings extremely hard the entire time so hard to hear subtlety