Best compressor for Daft Punk/Fred Falke style house bass

YL_Bass · #1 09-29-2010, 02:37 PM

I'm thinking live and in the studio, sure it wouldn't be perfect but what would work (ie, pedal, or rack like a 160a)

I'm thinking like Daft Punk - Voyager or something like Fred Falke's remix of Colours by Hot Chip.

Gear currently in use:

Mesa 400+
Bag End Q10XD
Lakland DJ5
Fender P, highway one with some chromes on right now.

korybaugus · #2 09-29-2010, 02:39 PM

What's your budget and do you want a rack or pedal?

YL_Bass · #3 09-29-2010, 02:41 PM

Budget would be up to 3-4 hundred probably. I'm not against buying used by any means.

Andy V. · #4 09-29-2010, 04:06 PM

I really like the markbass compressore for this (and other) stuff.
I've been using it for a while now and I don't think I'll shop for another compressor for a long time.

superbassman2000 · #5 09-30-2010, 06:48 AM

I think it would be cool to have a compressor with a sidechain input with the ability to hook up a mic so you could mic the kick drum, and have that cool pumping compressor effect that a lot of the house artists use. I don't have a recommendaton, I just think it'd be cool.

Mingus Addict · #6 09-30-2010, 09:56 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by superbassman2000

I think it would be cool to have a compressor with a sidechain input with the ability to hook up a mic so you could mic the kick drum, and have that cool pumping compressor effect that a lot of the house artists use. I don't have a recommendaton, I just think it'd be cool.

You actually want an expander/gate with a side chain and range control for that type of effect. If you use a compressor your bass will get pushed down by the kick beats rather than emphasized.

superbassman2000 · #7 09-30-2010, 10:04 AM

huh i learned something today

magneezius · #8 09-30-2010, 10:05 AM

You could check out the Rane DC-24. Dual channel compressor, limiter, and expander/noise gate.

heres bongomania's review of it:
http://www.ovnilab.com/reviews/dc24.shtml

EDIT: If you want a compressor with expander/noisegate sidechain input then check out the DBX 1066

bongomania · #9 09-30-2010, 10:08 AM

I've heard both methods used, actually. The expander is for the more aggressive doosh-doosh-doosh house beats, and the compressor is for the more squelching squarshed acid-trance-type stuff.

I do agree either way though that a sidechain control would be a super valuable feature for techno production. The only pedal I know of with a sidechain is the FEA OptiFET, but it only does compression, not expansion. If you want both, which I'd recommend if you're trying different techno styles, you'll need a rack unit. The Valley People Dyna-Mite would be an awesome choice. Other than that, just look for units by good brands like Ashly, Rane, dbx, or Symetrix, and make sure they have an expander section with decent threshold and attack/release controls, and make sure they have a sidechain input that can be connected to either the expander or the compressor sections.

recnsci · #10 09-30-2010, 02:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mingus Addict

If you use a compressor your bass will get pushed down by the kick beats rather than emphasized.

Exactly. And that's called (among other names) "French Trick". French like Daft Punk. French like Thomas Bangalter (kick starts duckin' whole bunch around 0:15)

Quote:

Originally Posted by bongomania

I've heard both methods used, actually. The expander is for the more aggressive doosh-doosh-doosh house beats, and the compressor is for the more squelching squarshed acid-trance-type stuff.

Calling me bass player is gross overstatement, but I am into electronic music for 'bout 10-15 years or so. And 999 times out of 1000 kick is ducking something else (bass, pads, reverb return...), not expanding (if you are sending kick to some sidechain at all, and that is by no means rule or something). Expanding bass by kick is great for rocknroll.

YL_Bass · #11 10-01-2010, 10:16 AM

Dear god I love talkbass.

YL_Bass · #12 10-01-2010, 12:16 PM

I think I'm leaning toward the Rane DC24 now.

DBX 1066 didn't get the greatest harmony central reviews. And even though its harder to setup I'm sure our engineer or FOH would be happy to help....

Thoughts?

BroKenSticKs · #13 10-01-2010, 12:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mingus Addict

You actually want an expander/gate with a side chain and range control for that type of effect. If you use a compressor your bass will get pushed down by the kick beats rather than emphasized.

Not too sure about this...

Most of the time the kick is squashing something in electronic music. Thats what gives it that offbeat "sucking" effect where it ramps up to the kick.

I asked about this in FEA optiFET thread and bongo confirmed it would work for this. I have so many pedals on tha GAS list its ridiculous.