To compress or not to compress

alembicguy · #1 05-04-2009, 06:15 PM

I will be bringing out a rack system for a show this weekend and want some advice.

Question is who uses a compressor and who doesnt,and what are your reasons for using one or not using one.

I dont want the technicals just your opinion as why you use or why you dont. Thanks.

richperson · #2 05-04-2009, 06:20 PM

I'm not expert, but I went to an exclussive bass store thinking I needed one and tried a half dozen or so. I thought they all sounded terrible.

I don't record--just play live--so I really couldn't identify any reason I would want one.

There are probably some better multi thousand dollar units out there, but all the ones I tried sounded awful.

alembicguy · #3 05-04-2009, 06:27 PM

So you prefer not. Did you not like what it did to your tone?

rbonner · #4 05-04-2009, 06:49 PM

What I found using my built in one is it smoothed out slight volume changes from bad finger plucks. If I am not consistant the volume from one pluck to another varies when the compressor is not running. With it... Just turned on a little bit things even out and I sound better.

Most of the time I dont use it. HAHAHAHA BOB

bongomania · #5 05-04-2009, 06:51 PM

When playing live, odds are high that the soundman is compressing your signal in the PA mix, even if you ask him not to. That's just the norm, and he's got to protect his speakers. So there is probably not much point to bringing a compressor for the PA sound, unless compression is part of "your sound" i.e. the tone/feel that represents you. OTOH for your own onstage rig, there are two reasons you might want compression:
1) It can help you hear yourself better, as your average levels can be raised without raising the peaks.
2) It can protect your speakers.

If you aren't concerned about those, and if compression isn't a signature tone thing for you, then there's probably no need.

For more, check out the "is a comp necessary" and "it killed my tone" articles in the FAQ linked in my sig.

bluewine · #6 05-04-2009, 06:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by richperson

I'm not expert, but I went to an exclussive bass store thinking I needed one and tried a half dozen or so. I thought they all sounded terrible.

I don't record--just play live--so I really couldn't identify any reason I would want one.

There are probably some better multi thousand dollar units out there, but all the ones I tried sounded awful.

They are not supose to sound like anything.

Remember compression is not an effect.

JimmyM · #7 05-04-2009, 06:57 PM

I gave up on the comp. I don't think it hurt my sound on electric, but on upright I think it wasn't good at all. I don't miss it. I just tighten up the technique a little more and it's all good.

Rick Auricchio · #8 05-04-2009, 07:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by richperson

I thought they all sounded terrible.

I presume you've got some experience setting up a compressor. Any compressor can sound bad with odd settings, especially on bass.

That said, I like a little compression when recording, just to tame the peaks.

Playing live, I'm not a fan of the comp in the Eden WTX-260, but the WT550 has a nice one. The 260 tends to distort if the comp grabs hard. But there are Edenites whose opinions are completely the opposite.

The main thing I aim for is to keep a little smoothing, as Bob said. I'm pretty consistent in my playing level, but when I want to really dig in, then I bypass the comp.

tbone409 · #9 05-04-2009, 07:05 PM

Studio 100% of the time LA2A

Live never, there is no use hauling my expensive gear for minimal or even negative effect on live sound (i run through PA often)

illidian · #10 05-04-2009, 07:13 PM

Natural tube compressions happens, I certainly don't mind that (even dial it in quite often).

However, as far as a separate unit - nope. I don't like computers changing my dynamics. They might help me sound a little bit more even, but IMO they suck the humanity out of my tone. Plus there are times where I want to be dynamic, and I haven't spent enough time with a compressor to find that medium.

alembicguy · #11 05-04-2009, 07:15 PM

Thanks for the replys,I normally use one in the rack for speaker protection and have been thinking of weeding it out and replace it with better technic and closer monitoring of my gain stages.

Just for some quick info the rack from top to bottom is:

Furman PL8
MarkBass LMII--Sometimes this is all I need

Yamaha PB-1--I use this with the Comp
Alesis 3630
BBE BMax-- I use this with the built in comp
Peavey DPC 1000 or 1400--Sometimes these get swapped out for a Crest 8801

bluewine · #12 05-04-2009, 07:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by illidian

Natural tube compressions happens, I certainly don't mind that (even dial it in quite often).

However, as far as a separate unit - nope. I don't like computers changing my dynamics. They might help me sound a little bit more even, but IMO they suck the humanity out of my tone. Plus there are times where I want to be dynamic, and I haven't spent enough time with a compressor to find that medium.

I use an EBS Multi Comp. But at low settings, I just like sounding effin tight.

rbonner · #13 05-04-2009, 07:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JimmyM

I just tighten up the technique a little more and it's all good.

Exactly.... The amount I would ever consider turning on can also be done with being a little more careful with the technique.

You would never run it high enough to do more than just take the edges off anyway. If you are really trying to DO SOMETHING with the compressor in a live situation you are probably doing something wrong in the first place.

Its just another tool, and the one in the 4PRO is pretty unobtrusive unless you get the knob cranked up to high. When I did run mine I only turned the knob to 9 O'clock.

BOB

alembicguy · #14 05-04-2009, 07:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bongomania

When playing live, odds are high that the soundman is compressing your signal in the PA mix, even if you ask him not to. That's just the norm, and he's got to protect his speakers. So there is probably not much point to bringing a compressor for the PA sound, unless compression is part of "your sound" i.e. the tone/feel that represents you. OTOH for your own onstage rig, there are two reasons you might want compression:
1) It can help you hear yourself better, as your average levels can be raised without raising the peaks.
2) It can protect your speakers.

If you aren't concerned about those, and if compression isn't a signature tone thing for you, then there's probably no need.

For more, check out the "is a comp necessary" and "it killed my tone" articles in the FAQ linked in my sig.

Thanks Bongo I have added your link to my favorites very cool!!

**Kelly Lee** · #15 05-04-2009, 07:58 PM

For future reference the general discussion use of compression/compressors is an Effects forum topic and not an Amps one. Moved to Effects.

dmusic148 · #16 05-04-2009, 08:05 PM

It's funny-I have a rack with a DBX 160x in it, which is highly praised, and I just don't like it except for heavy, picked rock stuff. Makes me feel like I'm swimming with ankle weights unless I set it so low it doesn't hardly do anything at all.
On the other hand I picked up a MarkBass TA-501, which has a tube compressor built-in, and I absolutely love it. Adds 'punch' and sustain in a really nice way, while leaving my varying dynamics pretty much intact.
Folks are saying good things about the Demeter pedal-might have to try one.

Spaldo · #17 05-04-2009, 08:13 PM

avoid compression (and tweeters!!) if you can.

the only reason i use one is to even out the multitude of FX in my loop.....any limiting is done using the amp's gain structure (if it's a tube amp)

if compression is needed it's usually on a big gig, and that's best left up to the FOH guys....they usually have sweeeeet comps in the rack...Drawmers, Fairchilds, Avalons, Alesis (yuk)....

richperson · #18 05-04-2009, 09:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rick Auricchio

I presume you've got some experience setting up a compressor. Any compressor can sound bad with odd settings, especially on bass.

I didn't have any, but figured the guy at the bass store knew what he was doing. Maybe not though. I'm open to the idea, I just didn't like it from my one attempt.

I am also into dynamics when I play, so maybe they are not for me.

meatwad · #19 05-04-2009, 09:44 PM

I started using a compressor with my SVT-III PRO with the notion of simulating "tube compression" with a very mildly tuned Alesis NanoCompressor. Now, I can't say it necessarily achieved said "tube compression" or not, but it definitely seemed to fatten things up. You can't tell it's in there until it's removed from the FX loop, and it's became essential to the SVT-III PRO, whereas my SVT-CL doesn't need it.

I also run a Boss Bass Limiter (LM-2B) in the very front of my pedalboard, mainly for it's "Enhance" knob for funky little numbers and grindy pick tones, with just a hint of volume boost. An eq pedal would serve the same function, but to me this limiter pedal does just the right stuff.

Past 11 · #20 05-04-2009, 10:10 PM

Initially I played live for years with no pedals...no nothing...just one cord plugged into the amp. After a while I eventually began to collect pedals here and there...but lately I've been using an EBS multicomp and actually like the tone it gives me (tube setting). I keep it at conservative settings...but it does smooth and tighten things up. I like the fact that it is a pedal...I can click it on with higher gain for solos...or click it off just like the good ole days. Sounds nice with mellow stuff too. All depends on what I'm playing. It does require a good bit of experimentation...and yes, you still need to be a dynamic player.