Amazing what a little compression can do!

[stratovani]

I play bass in my church's folk group and I run it direct into the board. The problem I was having lately is that there were times when I simply couldn't hear myself, even though the volume slider on my channel was maxed. So I decided to try something. I have a Behringer compressor on my guitar's pedal board. I removed it, dropped a 9V in it, and used it at Mass today. Man, what a difference it made. The volume was so much louder, which I could control with the volume knob on my bass, and the sustain seemed to last forever! I'm sold! For once I could hear myself clearly. I don't think I'll ever play without compression again.

[bongomania]

Yep, it's a useful tool for sure. As with any tool, it has its place- no sense waving a hammer when it's time to drive screws. But yeah, it is amazing how much a compressor can bring your sound up in the mix without having to raise the peak levels.

[1954bassman]

Look at getting a Sansamp. I use one at church, and gain is no problemo!

Mark

[ErnieD]

Awhile back here on TB I was whining about how I play in 2 bands and never get PA support. Both are sorta loud bar/club bands playing oldies/soul/motown and the other blues-rock. I was saying then how I run a GBE600 thru a single GB212T and was clipping the amp. Now I got a GBE750 and 2 GB212T's, I got the juice now but dont want to crank these badboys into the danger zone cause it could happen with these 2 loud ass bands, Im telling em we need to turn down, but you know how that goes. So I recently bought a EBS Wah/One volume pedal but I wonder if I should return it and get the EBS compressor?? The volume/wah pedal was just something to have, I got gassy, but maybe a compressor would serve me better for volume peaks and stableize(sp?) my rig when these bands get into that 3rd set loud ass zone. I pop/slap some in one band and really drive the bass with the drummer in the 3 piece blues-rock band when the guitarist solos. Whaddaya think? I got about a 10 day return window on the WahOne so y'all think fast.

[Swift713]

I gather you're not particularly in love with the wah? Yeah, IME compression can help focus the sound and punch through a loud mix. It's not a substitute for watts though.

[stratovani]

Originally Posted by Swift713

I gather you're not particularly in love with the wah? Yeah, IME compression can help focus the sound and punch through a loud mix. It's not a substitute for watts though.

That's OK. I don't really need watts. I play in a church through the PA, so watts is a moot point with me. But, as always, YMMV.

[TrevorOfDoom]

go get the Demeter Opto-Compulator! right now!!

you'll thank me later.

[bassman1185]

I recently got my first "real" compressor, a Symetrix 501, and it is a fantastic tool. I play in a somewhat aggressive rock band, and it helps punch through the mix and even out my attack.

[kipsus]

Originally Posted by bongomania

Yep, it's a useful tool for sure. As with any tool, it has its place- no sense waving a hammer when it's time to drive screws.

There is a saying.. A hammered in screw is better than a screwed in nail

[Akami]

Originally Posted by ErnieD

...I wonder if I should return it and get the EBS compressor?? The volume/wah pedal was just something to have, I got gassy, but maybe a compressor would serve me better for volume peaks and stableize(sp?) my rig when these bands get into that 3rd set loud ass zone. I pop/slap some in one band and really drive the bass with the drummer in the 3 piece blues-rock band when the guitarist solos. Whaddaya think? I got about a 10 day return window on the WahOne so y'all think fast.

I played every compressor I was able to find a couple years ago and although I didn't want to pay the EBS price, I've now got 2 of them.

You can't go wrong with them so I say go for it.