compression, before or after the pre

[grouse789]

hey all, ive been fiddlin around with an old boss compressor and was wondering as i have never used one. should i run this before my preamp, or after.
bass-BDDI-power amp-cab

[bongomania]

In that case, it goes before. You can read more about it in the FAQ linked in my sig.

[basadam]

I'm in no way as competent as bongomania in this subject, but I'll humbly suggest that you "let your ears decide". BDDI's sensitive about how hard or how light you play; if you want it to respond "evenly" to your playing then you may think of putting your comp before. If you want BDDI to respond to your dynamics but an even volume at the output then you may think of putting it after. Note that BDDI itself does some light compression.

I use my comp before my RBI, that's how I like it. My now long gone Trace Elliot combo had a built-in compressor after its preamp section.

[bongomania]

Tonewise, you're right, it would be a case of "let your ears decide", if the BDDI were being used just as an effect pedal. However in this instance, driving a a power amp, the output of the BDDI would be too hot, and would put the Boss comp in a constant state of clipping. Actually I'm just assuming it's a Boss pedal- they did make a couple of rack comps capable of handling line level.

[grouse789]

Actualy yes, it is the CS3 pedal by boss. Ive been playing for 16 years, and never gave compression a try outside a studio. I am basically trying to add some sustain to my sound, and level it a bit more. this garage sale item seems to level the sound too much.
Ive seen alot of ppl on here rave about the EBS comp pedal, any thoughts or other ideas on another compressor for adding some sustain?

[bongomania]

Generally, added sustain = a lot of compression, maybe too much for some tastes. The Demeter is one of the better compromises though, try one out.

[theshadow2001]

How can an effect determine how long your strings vibrate for?

[theshadow2001]

oh wait i think i get it. It doesn't actually lengthen the time of the note. But it doesn't decay as quickly with compression giving the illusion of sustain but in fact the note duration is the same.

Isn't it amazing what a few minutes thinking will do.

[neurotictim]

Now I gotta go look at my rack and play with the compressor...

:guilty:

I don't even remember which I've got where, the pre or the comp... I think I'm in line after the preamp...

[bongomania]

Originally Posted by theshadow2001

oh wait i think i get it. It doesn't actually lengthen the time of the note. But it doesn't decay as quickly with compression giving the illusion of sustain but in fact the note duration is the same.

Correct. Compression reduces the peak levels, which also brings down the average levels, and the average levels are what our brains focus on. So compression makes the signal "quieter" in effect. Because of this, nearly all compressors have a gain stage at the end, called "make up gain", which boosts the signal overall, bringing up the averages to where we want to hear them. In doing that, it boosts all of the lower-level signals too, including the decay of every note, as well as any hiss/hum that was lurking in the signal path before the compressor.

So as you figured, it does not change the note length, it only amplifies parts of the note that were quieter before.

[basadam]

Originally Posted by bongomania

Tonewise, you're right, it would be a case of "let your ears decide", if the BDDI were being used just as an effect pedal. However in this instance, driving a a power amp, the output of the BDDI would be too hot, and would put the Boss comp in a constant state of clipping. Actually I'm just assuming it's a Boss pedal- they did make a couple of rack comps capable of handling line level.

I missed the Boss part; sorry. You are right.

[TheMutt]

+1 for the Demeter Compulator. It's the only pedal on my board that I leave on 100% of the time, and absolutely wouldn't
trade for anything.