Mixed slap/fingerstyle playing: balance?

[Funkateer]

I'd like to be able to incorporate the odd slap fill into an otherwise fingerstyle groove. One problem I have is that when I go from fingers to slap the instantaneous increase in volume is very groove disruptive. Is this a pretty good indication that I slap too hard?

[BassGod]

I would suggest getting a compressor pedal to limit the slap/pop volume. Some people think it's a crutch, but I disagree. I have one, and it works well for that purpose.

[NJL]

Originally Posted by BassGod

I would suggest getting a compressor pedal to limit the slap/pop volume. Some people think it's a crutch, but I disagree. I have one, and it works well for that purpose.

now, do you use it only when you slap on a whole tune?

do you ever just use it for a measure of slap and then go back to fingerstyle?

[BassGod]

Originally Posted by NJL

now, do you use it only when you slap on a whole tune?

do you ever just use it for a measure of slap and then go back to fingerstyle?

In my band, I don't have a song that is all slapping/popping, but for any song I do with slapping (no matter how short the slapping part is), I just leave the compressor on the whole time.

[Jacob Bartfield]

That's interesting, about the volume thing. When I go from fingerstyle to slap, (which is almost never), there's a huge decrease in volume. It seems like if I wanted to slap, I'd have to turn my amp up quite a bit more. Slap just doesn't seem to cut through nearly as well as fingerstyle playing.

[jammadave]

Originally Posted by NJL

now, do you use it only when you slap on a whole tune?

do you ever just use it for a measure of slap and then go back to fingerstyle?

I dunno about you guys, but I have my compressor on all the time, but set in a way that it's nearly only even functioning when I hit a hard note or slap. Most of my playing lights up the LED a bit but it only spikes in compression (and brightness) when there's a big level-spike from my fingers.

[Figjam]

Originally Posted by Jacob Bartfield

That's interesting, about the volume thing. When I go from fingerstyle to slap, (which is almost never), there's a huge decrease in volume. It seems like if I wanted to slap, I'd have to turn my amp up quite a bit more. Slap just doesn't seem to cut through nearly as well as fingerstyle playing.

Dead strings?

[Oysterman]

Originally Posted by Jacob Bartfield

That's interesting, about the volume thing. When I go from fingerstyle to slap, (which is almost never), there's a huge decrease in volume. It seems like if I wanted to slap, I'd have to turn my amp up quite a bit more. Slap just doesn't seem to cut through nearly as well as fingerstyle playing.

I have the same experience. Dead strings or not. Could it be that fingerstyle playing gives a stronger midrange?

[Jacob Bartfield]

Something like that maybe. It just seems like regular rest stroke technique cuts through way better than slapping and popping.