I've only played through a handful of compressors, this having the most controls. It's easy to use if you understand what the controls do, but for a beginner it may be difficult to discern what each dial does. This is about where the negatives end however. It's just absolutely perfect, I plan on gigging it (always turned on, ziptied under the board) and would I have had it for a recent tour, I would have absolutely used it. Couldn't recommend it enough, then also the fact it's £50 makes it an absolute must to atleast try. No QC issues or noise and I run it with Input, Ratio, Attack and Release up full, Output at 2 o clock and Tone centered. The Tone control is an active tilt EQ which I only figured out by messing with it; would of been nice to be told that as turning it up full like a passive tone control results in a bass cut and treble boost. Not ideal for bass guitar obviously but a mess around with it and you'll get it to sound brilliant. There may be a slight, pleasant overdrive with the Input maxed and a loud active bass, but with passive basses this doesn't seem to happen and most people won't max that dial anyway. All in all the best compressor £50 will buy in my opinion!