built-in compressor pros and cons?

Pierrot · #1 10-20-2008, 02:13 AM

SWR, Ashdown among others do it, Ampeg, GK and what seems like the majority of manufacturers don't. What are the pros and cons of having a compressor built into the amplifier? Is it just a question of not including a feature that adds to the price yet may not be used by some players or is there more to it?

KarateKid25 · #2 10-20-2008, 02:19 AM

My Eden WT800 has a built in compressor, but I don't use it. I prefer the simplicity of my Demeter Compulator pedal. I guess having one is a pro if you particularly like it, otherwise its probably just an added expense to the amp.

IMO, id prefer the amp to be cheaper initially, minus the built in compressor, and then be able to add the compressor of my choice down the track.

newbold · #3 10-20-2008, 07:48 AM

for the bass player that uses a compressor all the time and nothing else, a built in comp is part of the tone...it's cheap to put in and already in line.

Why not?

i wish my amp had a footswitch for compressor.

bongomania · #4 10-20-2008, 08:04 AM

Pros: convenient

Cons: most built-in comps are not that great, either in sound or in function; it adds to the cost of the preamp; if you decide to get a different comp for its tone/function then the built-in one is redundant.

IOW unless the specific preamp you own happens to include a compressor that sounds great and works well for you, then it is a waste.

bassman1185 · #5 10-20-2008, 10:03 AM

I would say that the biggest problem with onboard compressors is the lack of control. I'm not just talking about having only on or two knobs for threshold and/or ratio, but with a built-in comp, you're pretty much stuck with it at the end of the signal chain. If you don't use a lot of effects, that might be fine, but if you're like me and use three or four gain pedals (sometimes in conjunction with each other) the compressor at the end can really kill your tone. I would much rather have the option of putting my compressor where ever I want it to be, which (in my case) is the very beginning of the chain.

JanusZarate · #6 10-20-2008, 10:12 AM

Plus, if you're recording, most studios will prefer to use their own selection of compressors for recording, as they're more familiar with the controls and results.

On a related side note... Ampeg makes combos with built-in compressors, and some of their heads feature limiters. GK makes two "micro" combos with built-in limiters as well. But again, it comes down to what Bongo talked about: often, built-in comps aren't as good as higher-quality rack/pedal comps, and for those looking to get something in particular out of their compression, built-in comps are seldom flexible enough to deliver more than basic compression. It's not surprising to see these built-in comps and limiters bypassed in real-world use.

Pierrot · #7 10-20-2008, 09:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bassman1185

I would say that the biggest problem with onboard compressors is the lack of control. I'm not just talking about having only on or two knobs for threshold and/or ratio, but with a built-in comp, you're pretty much stuck with it at the end of the signal chain. If you don't use a lot of effects, that might be fine, but if you're like me and use three or four gain pedals (sometimes in conjunction with each other) the compressor at the end can really kill your tone. I would much rather have the option of putting my compressor where ever I want it to be, which (in my case) is the very beginning of the chain.

hmm... that is a good argument. I didn't really think any further than pre/post eq (though I did stop to think about whether adding compression after an overdrive was a good or a bad idea).

ishouldbeking · #8 10-20-2008, 09:56 PM

Yeah, as much as I love my Ashdown abm 500 evo II, i don't really see the point of adding the compressor to the evo III. it's not like the built in octave effect is all that great or necessary in my amp either. still my favorite amp ever, but i'm not exactly wild about the unnecessary built in fx.

JimmyM · #9 10-20-2008, 09:56 PM

Pros: None
Cons: They suck.

There might be a good one, but I've yet to hear one. Most of them have two sounds...incredibly squashed, and off.

Swift713 · #10 10-20-2008, 10:30 PM

I used to have one of those little metal GK combos from the 80's. It had a halfway decent comp, it was pretty aggressive but it didn't totally kill your signal. I didn't care for it, very sterile but it probably would have been good live.

BigMac5 · #11 10-20-2008, 10:39 PM

The built in compressor in my SVT-4 sucks big time.

aus_bass · #12 10-20-2008, 10:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JimmyM

Pros: None
Cons: They suck.

Come on Jimmy... tell us what you really think.

Hopper · #13 10-21-2008, 02:43 PM

I still use one of these heavyweight old monsters; an H&H Studio - 60 Bass Baby.

I've never heard a compressor anything like it - in fact that's why I use the amp it's so good. I don't exactly know how it works but you can bring the gain up on the compressor separately from the main volume. I has a rich, percussive sound.

Jimbob Jones · #14 10-21-2008, 03:18 PM

is the compressor in the older trace amps (such as the AH250SMX) the same comp circuit as the legendary SMX pedal? cos if so, I wouldnt class that as a sucky compressor.

I use the compressor on my amp all the time, it's quite subtle, but it isnt noisy and (to my ears) improves my tone.