Any difference between guitar and bass compressors

[exiii]

I searched. I couldn't find jack.

I would assume that there is very little difference between compressor pedals for guitar and bass, but realize I may be completely wrong.

I'm looking at the Akai Custom Shop Analog Compressor for cheap ($62), but there is no mention anywhere of using it with a bass. Am I silly for considering it?

[grygrx]

Try here:

Compressor and Audio Gear FAQ

[Biggbass]

Hmmm.... My old CS-2 works just fine for bass.

[exiii]

thanks for the link grygrx. Good quick info in your comment too Biggbass. TY

[bassgod0dmw]

All pedals work for bass. Whether they sound the way you want is another story.

[exiii]

That's what I assumed in my OP. Thanks.

[bassgod0dmw]

Originally Posted by exiii

That's what I assumed in my OP. Thanks.

You also said "I assume there is very little difference..." which isn't true.

[exiii]

Well, I suppose I could also run my bass into a wet piece of wood and either like the sound or not. So if you have some knowlwdge about how bass-specific compressors differ from studio or guitar-specific compressors that wasn't explained in Grygrx's link, i'd love to hear it. General trends is fine. Of course, if you really have no info to add, condescension is a little unwarranted.

[ksandvik]

I don't know all the designs behind bass-centric compressors, but if I would design one, it would be more like a multi-band compressor. Then again I would export that multi-band design to the knobs so I could select the compression for let's say low-end, mid-range, and high-end.

[bongomania]

These are the factors:
1) low-end loss. Some comps really do roll off the low end.
2) lack of control over the envelope. Guitars typically just need a general "squeezing", and the envelope and threshold of the compressor are not so important--largely because guitarists tend to think of these boxes as inherently "good" or "bad", rather than thinking the boxes are simply not designed well. Basses OTOH have special needs. They have much more dynamic signals, and their output peaks can be much higher, and bassists have very specific desires for how their signal is controlled.

There are a few comps for bass that are good without having a lot of controls, but that is because they are pre-set by the designer to be suitable for an average bass signal.

[bongomania]

Originally Posted by ksandvik

I don't know all the designs behind bass-centric compressors, but if I would design one, it would be more like a multi-band compressor. Then again I would export that multi-band design to the knobs so I could select the compression for let's say low-end, mid-range, and high-end.

There are a few two-band ones that offer this degree of control, such as the pedals by FEA. The only 3-band pedal I can think of ATM is the TC Nova Dynamics, and it did not offer quite as much control per band. There are a few multi-band rack units out there if you wanted to go that route.

[exiii]

Thank you Bongo. That strikes very close to the point of my question.

[bassgod0dmw]

Originally Posted by exiii

Of course, if you really have no info to add, condescension is a little unwarranted.

I was just pointing out that your assumption that all comps are the same was incorrect.
Bongo's website explains pretty much anything you would need to know, there is no point in me rehashing it.

[bongomania]

Originally Posted by multiman

Pedal companies sell a lot of stuff that is identical, but geared (supposedly) specifically to guitarists or bassists.

In the case of Exar, for example, the only difference between a guitar pedal and a bass one is the frequency center of the tone knob.