I bought the new version and really liked it until I saw this video. The older version just sounds better IMHO. I just returned my newer version and ordered a used older model from reverb in mint condition for about $100 less. Great comparison BTW.

Keeping my older version. I love its low-midrange punch in the mix. Thank you for the comparison!

Great job Ivan. I must say, I lean towards the older version. There's something about its character that really stands out. The older pedal brings a unique personality to the table, which is exactly what I look for in analog gear. The newer model, though technically refined, feels a bit too clinical and sterile for my taste. If I wanted something that precise, I'd go for digital emulations instead. For me, analog is all about that raw, distinctive edge.

WOW. Thank you so much for this video, I wasn’t expecting such a big difference between the two. Gotta get the new one now!

The older version at 9v, at certain settings, is like a ‘2 in 1’... Compressor with a bonus low gain drive pedal thrown in...Despite what you and others said about the older version having a crisper top-end, when it did go into clipping due to limited headroom, I actually heard a more prominent mid-range/harmonic content which could jump out in a mix easier than the new version should there be a ‘gap’ in the mid-range for the bass. I used my older version at 18v from day one, so never noticed this... For those who play cleaner, and do not need ‘extra mid-range’ coloring, the new version should be a clear choice. The reverse argument might not be as obvious due to new features/improvements on the new version such as metering and smaller size. At 18v, I thought the tonal differences between the two were smaller, although still noticeable. My conclusion was that I will need to wait for an updated ‘new version’ which does metering ‘conventionally’ with the leds lighting all up from zero to where the compression is ALL AT ONCE.

Danke Ivan für das tolle Video. Ich habe genau auf dieses Vergleichsvideo gewartet, nachdem du es angeteast hattest. Ich werde meinen "Compact Bass" demnach wieder aus den Kleinanzeigen herausnehmen, weil ich dank deines Videos nun gemerkt habe, dass die leichte Färbung vom Compact Bass mir sehr gut gefällt und ich sie sogar ein bisschen vermisse beim neuen Modell. Vielleicht nehme ich wahr, dass er etwas früher zerrt und empfinde das als sättigenden Effekt... (Ich musste aber wirklich extrem genau hinhören für die Unterschiede!) Das LED Metering ist natürlich toll und übersichtlicher als die Jewelanzeige, aber mein Drang, das alte Modell schnell loszuwerden um unbedingt den neuen zu haben, hat sich gelegt. Vielen Dank nochmal für deine sorgfältigen Reviews und informativen Videos. Das ist wirklich eine Bereicherung für die Welt der Tieftöner! Beste Grüße! Darius

Great comparison video, Ivan, thank you! Thanks to earlier videos from Ivan, I have been using the older Compact Bass. I was considering a Stacked when the new Bass Compressor was announced, so one GAS (Gear Acquisition Syndrome) attack later, and I have both the OG and new (no Stacked pedal). Before I decide to sell either one, I'm experimenting running one into the other with settings ideas from the Stacked manual. It's cool (but, yeah, expensive) having the two in series ($$ version of the Stacked pedal) OR having different sounds especially with the OG Compact Bass at 9V. Philip Chuah, Charlie Puth bassist, had an FB video about using two OGs in concert, one for the song Attention.

Thanks for this great comparison, Ivan. Now I have to get the newer version, dang it!

came for the comparison, stayed for music! Nice playing man! the new version feels more natural sounding to me. old version is more colourful.

If you have the previous version, just run it on 18V and burn the cash on a DCX bass :D

Thank you so much man!!!

I have both, and the Stacked Edition, I think I’m keeping the new one of the three. The Compact Bass is fantastic, really pushes the mids to the forefront of your sound, the new one just feels big and full while also adding a little of that sparkle and clarity. From a feel perspective having the headroom I think is incredibly helpful in making the compression feel nice and natural

I have the impression than a great part of the mojo of the Compact Bass comes just because it is always closer to distortion, so it gives you more color and punch. The new version may have cleaner signal and more prominent low end because of the extended headroom. In theory it makes sense, so technically the new version should be superior. But maybe the limitation of the older version is desirable to get a rock clean tone closer to break but still clean, kinda tube tone with the right preamp. It may help break though a busy mix. I got a Compact bass clone that I really enjoy, and my V2 is on the way to be delivered, I can't wait to do the test by myself but this video helped me hear what I already suspected, headroom makes all the difference, but more headroom may change or make you loose some of the Compact Bass sauce. Idk if there's more essential changes on the circuit design, but it makes a noticeable difference in tone. Thanks for the video Ivan, its really helpful!

I have the older model, but I currently prefer the deluxe compressor on my HX stomp. I have no complaints about either.

The new version sounds so much more clearer and better imo. The Compact bass sounds more warmer has that baked in sound which is more obvious. The newer pedal still has that but much more focused and cleaner. I sold my Compact Bass but would go for this newer version.

The specs of the new version are better. It's compact, has an indicator, and doesn't require an 18V power supply. But the tone of the old version is great. Thanks for the great comparison.

You can say the CB is easier to clip... Or you can say that, if you use it right (or wrong), you can get an excellent vintage overdriven sound. I read somewhere that Jimmy Page used two 1176 in series to get the overdriven sounds of the Led Zeppelin II album. Maybe is true, maybe is false, but if you are a jazz/funk player and you have a heavy metal gig, you could saturate your Compact Bass to get that really good dirty vintage tone combined with the dry knob. You just need to turn full clockwise HPF and ATT/REL and play hard with the IN. You don't really need to push the "Gain" (In knob) to do the trick, but you can do it in a good way. The DRY knob comes handy too if you loose too much bottom end. This comment may sound like a sarcastic critic, but not every comp in the market distorts in a pleasing controlled way, and I really like how it sounds when you push the mojo to the extreme. It might be a nice idea for a future video. Some people wont like a horse that's not easy to ride, but I have the feeling that this is the horse that will win the race. Take care fellas!

Not hating at all but I’m keeping my old one. It sounds great with my gear. More of an if it ain’t broke don’t fix it kind of thing. I got used to the lack of metering a few years back when I was using the Seymour Duncan studio bass compressor. I also use a single row pedaltrain mini pedalboard so the size difference really makes no difference for me.

I love the comparison @IvanBassist, how do you think they compare to the built in 1176 on the Quad Cortex?

I'm stuck in between, i really like both of them . For me ill use the older version on a tube powered preamp and the new one on a solid state bass amplifier

I love the compact bass on 9V , it feels warm because of the less headroom... combined with the DCX bass you can adjust the EQ anyway of bottom and high end sizzle ... for more headroom I would go for the UA 1176 digital studio compressor ...

The first version is Cali76, the newer one sounds more to Empress to be honest and lost its bite. Dunno maybe KZfaq compressed the signal too much.

I have the older version, which i will be keeping. I think the newer one , to me, is leaning towards the empress mk2... I probably should get heaps of people telling me I'm nuts..

I didn't gel with the old one despite it's status. The new one seems so similiar. The metering is a great improvement though

The Cali 76 are the best COMP/LIMITERS. If I ever slapped mostly, I'd get one.

To my ears; the old one has more coloration - sounds fatter in low mids. The new one is more transparent. I don't use pedal compressors at this time; but I'd lean towards the new one. It is smaller, has better metering and more headroom. The EQ difference we hear in this sterile environment probably won't matter as much in a live situation, and even if it did, that's what the sound engineer is getting paid for.

Yeah I see what people are saying about the older version 9V. There is some kind of charm or character to it. I think the older one at 9V is best, then the new one, and then the older one at 18V.

Both sound amazing! Got a bit of GAS on the new one due to the form factor and whatnot though 😂

On my iPhone speaker! the new version sounds a lot better.

First version just add that little bit of sauce that the new version just doesn't have, if you want want a transparent sound, the empress it's much better.

Seems like you made the newer version a bit quieter in those clips?

I have the old model and run it at 18 volts. The newer model sounded better, but not $350 better. Sticking with the OG.

Cali 76 best

I don't really understand why you have to change something if previous pedal /version/amp /strings works perfec for you??? Because you want make any musical company more rich??😅😅

Cali compressor is on every bass channel during the last few weeks. Very aggressive promotion.