SA Aftershock, the distortion model is very close to the Darkglass B7K at about 1/3 of the price. Or a B7K, I'll own that or their new one they just announced at NAMM one day soon.
Compressor. I don't use one, but part of the effect of my TC Spark Boost (full sized) is that it does compress the worst of my ham handed picking technique. Plus it's an awesome OD, awesome EQ - I use it gain to taste (really, you can't much hear the gain until well past noon), vol at unity or very slightly above, switch to mid shift (also clean or fat options), treble noonish and bass slightly up, but that's my rig and how I like to hear it, you may differ. Lots of bass players use comp but I'm not sure many metal players do.
Been playing with different drive pedals, I had the Bass Dist but it's extremely fiddly to get a good sound and I returned it. Just picked up an MXR BlowTorch, still messing with it. I love the sound of the Zvex Mastotron bass demos, may get my hands on one to try.
Also trying a Tech21 Bass Boost Chorus, does get some nice sounds but I find myself not stepping on it in band situations.
Compressor. I don't use one, but part of the effect of my TC Spark Boost (full sized) is that it does compress the worst of my ham handed picking technique. Plus it's an awesome OD, awesome EQ - I use it gain to taste (really, you can't much hear the gain until well past noon), vol at unity or very slightly above, switch to mid shift (also clean or fat options), treble noonish and bass slightly up, but that's my rig and how I like to hear it, you may differ. Lots of bass players use comp but I'm not sure many metal players do.
Been playing with different drive pedals, I had the Bass Dist but it's extremely fiddly to get a good sound and I returned it. Just picked up an MXR BlowTorch, still messing with it. I love the sound of the Zvex Mastotron bass demos, may get my hands on one to try.
Also trying a Tech21 Bass Boost Chorus, does get some nice sounds but I find myself not stepping on it in band situations.