boss lmb-3, useless?

Callum27 · #1 12-01-2007, 04:02 PM

Ok, I wanted to smooth my sound a bit and improve my slap tone, so I ordered a Boss lmb-3 as it had some good reviews on HC. But when i plugged this pedal in i realised it did virtually nothing. I play a fender MIM jazz through a peavey TNT 115s and it all it seems to do is remove a bit of low end and add make my slap sound a bit more "metaly". I use the recommended settings for fingerstyle and slap but both all the settings seem to sound the same for fingerstyle and you only notice the difference when you slap. Whats the deal with the boss? is it a ghost? or does it have some qualities? other than a hissing noise.

Jazz Ad · #2 12-01-2007, 04:06 PM

The LMB-3 is very subtile, some people dig this. Nobody digs the hiss.
I too think it's a pretty bad compressor.
If you want a good compressor that gets heard and doesn't hiss, I recommend a Guyatone ST-2

bongomania · #3 12-01-2007, 04:23 PM

Really, the ST-2? I was going to try one of those, but then I read a couple of comments from bassists saying it didn't work for them. Guess I'll have to try it after all.

I think the LMB-3 is pretty good, when set up correctly it does the job well. As with any compressor, you have to learn how to use it, and what to expect from it. It's not obvious. There are better compressors out there though, especially if you want "smoothness" or "improved tone". Bear in mind though that when people (including me) talk about compressors, they use all kinds of descriptors like fat, smooth, funky, rich, etc., but the reality is those qualities are very subtle. It's very common for people to buy a compressor, not hear any tonal improvement, and return the pedal in disgust. Compressors are the #1 most-returned pedal at any music gear store. The problem is not with the compressor, though, it's all in the expectations of the user, along with the (usually too little) time spent learning how it works.

All I'm saying is, spend some more time with it. Read the FAQ in my sig. And try another comp to see if it sounds different or better to you. IMO the LMB-3 is pretty good for the price point.

Jazz Ad · #4 12-01-2007, 04:42 PM

You, the local compression freak, you haven't tried the ST-2 ? Shocking !
It's simplistic and heavy handed. It can really squash your tone if you want it to.
It can also add a lot of punch while preserving your tone with the use of the direct switch.
It also doesn't hiss except a bit on extreme settings.
It's not very versatile but as a stage compressor for bass it's pretty much perfect.
I tried a lot of them including some over 5 times the price of the Guya and it's the one I kept.

bongomania · #5 12-01-2007, 05:05 PM

Well OK then.

*adds it to the list*

lowendgenerator · #6 12-01-2007, 05:47 PM

I've got an LMB2 and only find it useful for boosting the signal into my RAT pedal during solo passages. I suppose the LMB3 should be the "new and improved" model, but for the money I can find better compressors.

fishtx · #7 12-01-2007, 10:06 PM

I used the LMB-3 for a while and thought it was actually a pretty good little comp.

You may be getting all that hissing because you have the "Enhance" knob turned up...Turn that all the way down, and try it again.

Pearldiver · #8 12-01-2007, 11:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by fishtx

I used the LMB-3 for a while and thought it was actually a pretty good little comp.

You may be getting all that hissing because you have the "Enhance" knob turned up...Turn that all the way down, and try it again.

+1

The enchance knob is evil and is the cause of the "hiss". Otherwise I can't think of a reason "not" to keep it in my chain and turned on. Helps keep all my active and passive basses at roughly the same volume which makes any soundperson hap[py.

Swimming Bird · #9 12-01-2007, 11:26 PM

I'm not sure I agree about the general subtleties of a compressor. I run a BBE Opto-Stomp and it is extremely noticeable when it's active. My tone is sort of magically better, I love it.

Hmm... I just realized: do other people turn their compressors on and off like other effects?

bigchiefbc · #10 12-02-2007, 01:28 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by fishtx

I used the LMB-3 for a while and thought it was actually a pretty good little comp.

You may be getting all that hissing because you have the "Enhance" knob turned up...Turn that all the way down, and try it again.

I find it amazing how hard it is for some people to figure this pedal out sometimes. I do not consider it a compressor at all. It is a limiter, plain and simple. It limits volume spikes, and that's it. The "enhance" knob is exactly like the presence knob on the bddi and so many amps. That's it

Callum27 · #11 12-02-2007, 01:31 AM

can anyone recommend any settings? Also has anyone noticed that boss pedals need you to play incredibly hard to respond? For instance i tried out an autowah and a bass flanger before but unless you played or slapped so hard you were going to break the strings, you couldnt hear the effect. :S

lowendgenerator · #12 12-02-2007, 01:33 AM

I don't know about the LMB-3, but on my LMB-2 I set the Enhance to zero, the Threshold to noon and the level anywhere from noon to max. Keep in mind my previous post, I'm pretty much using it as a clean boost to kick my vintage RAT in the arse.

Bluedevilxx · #13 12-02-2007, 04:32 PM

I had the lmb-3 for about 6 months and hated it!!!
then I read Bongomania's review, got it out of the closet, killed the 'enhance' control
and I still use it now!!!

level- to preference
enhance-ZERO
ratio-10 o'clock
threshold- noon

fishtx · #14 12-02-2007, 05:11 PM

I used to set it as follows:

Level - so the volume is the same on or off
Enhance - ZERO
ratio - about 11 o'clock
Threshold - about noon

El-Bob · #15 12-02-2007, 06:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lowendgenerator

I don't know about the LMB-3, but on my LMB-2 I set the Enhance to zero, the Threshold to noon and the level anywhere from noon to max. Keep in mind my previous post, I'm pretty much using it as a clean boost to kick my vintage RAT in the arse.

i'm using a proco turbo rat, and i'm curious as to what the lmb-2 actually does to the sound of the rat, would you mind elaborating a bit?

bongomania · #16 12-10-2007, 08:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jazz Ad

You, the local compression freak, you haven't tried the ST-2 ? Shocking !
It's simplistic and heavy handed. It can really squash your tone if you want it to.
It can also add a lot of punch while preserving your tone with the use of the direct switch.
It also doesn't hiss except a bit on extreme settings.
It's not very versatile but as a stage compressor for bass it's pretty much perfect.
I tried a lot of them including some over 5 times the price of the Guya and it's the one I kept.

You're right! The ST2 is quite nice, especially with the "direct" signal switched in. My review
Thanks for the tip!

3toes · #17 12-11-2007, 08:32 AM

I find it useful at the end of my chain and usually only use it when I'm using my Q-tron. It cuts out the Q's notorious volume spike.

the low one · #18 06-22-2011, 03:03 AM

The ratio knob goes from 1:1 upwards. I like it at about 10:00 with the threshold at 12:00 but at what point does the ratio become 2:1 or 4:1 for example ?

quadrogong · #19 06-22-2011, 07:20 AM

I've had mine a while
I think it holds low end WAY better than the st-2, I sold my St-2 quickly,

in fact,in my compressor search, I've sold every one except for the LMB-3,

I keep trying to upgrade it, but nothing else passed the low end test.
I just bought the Malekko comp as well,
It's not standing up to the LMB either,bass-wise..

the LMB-3 is a limiter
It does what it promises. Limiting,
Somebody started that "useless" post a while ago, which is ridiculous, most likely they expected something other than limiting, or reacted to the $40 used price tag , mine is extremely transparent w almost no low end loss at all.

I've found it's
way better for bass/lows, for those who
play active basses and use a lot of low end,
the ST-2 doesn't cut it, low end-wise.
If u play a passive Fender & use conservative amounts of lows, the Malekko & the ST-2 will probably be fine..

I havn't tried the Diamond or the EBS yet,
I'll get the Diamond next, which is higher voltage, I'm guessing it'll pass the test.

The LMB-3 is the most useful $40 pedal I can think of.

jiyang71 · #20 06-22-2011, 08:05 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by quadrogong

I've had mine a while
I think it holds low end WAY better than the st-2, I sold my St-2 quickly,

in fact,in my compressor search, I've sold every one except for the LMB-3,

I keep trying to upgrade it, but nothing else passed the low end test.
I just bought the Malekko comp as well,
It's not standing up to the LMB either,bass-wise..

the LMB-3 is a limiter
It does what it promises. Limiting,
Somebody started that "useless" post a while ago, which is ridiculous, most likely they expected something other than limiting, or reacted to the $40 used price tag , mine is extremely transparent w almost no low end loss at all.

I've found it's
way better for bass/lows, for those who
play active basses and use a lot of low end,
the ST-2 doesn't cut it, low end-wise.
If u play a passive Fender & use conservative amounts of lows, the Malekko & the ST-2 will probably be fine..

I havn't tried the Diamond or the EBS yet,
I'll get the Diamond next, which is higher voltage, I'm guessing it'll pass the test.

The LMB-3 is the most useful $40 pedal I can think of.

+1.
I'm also using LMB-3 as a hard limiter, especially when I have to record songs with some slappings.
For nominal 'compressing,' I rely on my trusty EBS MultiComp.