Compression effect advice

adaire · #1 01-30-2010, 01:28 PM

Hey all I'm currently using Modulus basses and GK amps. I absolutely love my GK Fusion 550, but feel a compressor would make it even better (I've always had compression units in my other amps). I'm looking at the FMR RNC and the FMR RNLA. Anyone have experience with either of these or opinions? Any advice would rock.

Thanks,
Adaire

thedude77md · #2 01-30-2010, 01:35 PM

TB user Bongomania has an awesome guide with reviews of pretty much every compressor out there.

http://www.ovnilab.com/index.shtml

adaire · #3 01-30-2010, 05:01 PM

well i read a lot of reviews and i'm still confused....is there any expert here that i can contact?

thanks again,
adaire

Swift713 · #4 01-30-2010, 07:25 PM

Bongomania, the author of those reviews, FAQs, etc is certainly an expert.
Did you read all the articles?
Maybe if you could post an example of the kind of tone you're going for we could steer you in a direction. However, compression is often a subtle part of a sound and works in conjunction with other factors yada yada....
Most compressors in amps are pretty limited in terms of flexibility. What amp comps have you liked before?

bongomania · #5 01-30-2010, 07:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Swift713

Maybe if you could post an example of the kind of tone you're going for we could steer you in a direction. However, compression is often a subtle part of a sound and works in conjunction with other factors yada yada....
Most compressors in amps are pretty limited in terms of flexibility. What amp comps have you liked before?

+1 to all that, especially the part about letting us know more specifically what you want from a comp. Feel free to ask me any questions you may have, but first be sure to read my FAQ and also my "top picks" page.

adaire · #6 01-30-2010, 11:05 PM

thanks for responding guys. I read a ton on your page bongo- great stuff. I'll post some points to maybe narrow down what i'm looking for:

current amp: GK Fusion 550
Guitars: All Modulus
Cabs: either 410s or 212s

I've used a lot of amps in the past- i loved the dirty/thick/chunk i could get out of my old Fender Bassman (all tube), but the weight and inability to get a smooth tone under the chunk was an issue...and the weight!

With my current set up i can get an unbelievable clean/smooth tone, but cant get that extra pop/chunk that I dig for one of the prog bands I play in.

I'm not rich and would like it to be in rack form. Other bass players I've talked to love the FMR RNC and RNLA, but some of bongos reviews led me to questin that and i cant find audio samples.

Does any of that help?

Thanks again!

bongomania · #7 01-30-2010, 11:29 PM

The FMR products are a funny subject. Usually I can say, of any product, that I recognize why other people like it and I don't. But my dislike for the FMR products is purely practical, not a question of tone, feel, or "flavor", so I honestly can't explain the different views. That said, there is no doubting that many people really like the FMR products a lot, and they often say they don't understand how I can not like them. The good news is, they are not expensive, and they are easy to find used, and if they don't work out for you they are easy to re-sell without taking much of a loss.

Any of the rack units on my top picks page can be found on Ebay, used, for very decent prices. I've seen all of them go for absurdly low amounts now and then, if you keep your eyes peeled. Right now there's a JBL 7110 opening at 99 cents, no reserve--who knows? But since you use the phrase "pop and chug", I'm going to steer you to Joemeek--their comp design has more syrupy/chugging motion than most "regular" rack comps. All Joemeek compressors sound pretty similar, though enthusiasts have their preferences. The MC2 is a good starting place, but there are maybe a dozen different 1RU and half-rack Joemeeks out there to keep an eye on. Also look at an old Ashly SC-50 or Audio Arts 1200.

adaire · #8 01-31-2010, 12:09 AM

Thanks again for the input- does that make sense in what im saying as far as chunky like stuff lol sorry again for my ignorance

Jacob J · #9 02-03-2010, 02:35 AM

Hi guys,

don´t want to submit another "have anyone tried one of these" thread, so I´m asking here. I have an opportunity to buy Tonerider CP-1 Comp http://www.tonerider.com/effects/compressor.html really cheap. But I can´t find any reviews. I have searched Bongomania´s site, but found nothing, also have searched this forum, but again nothing. So anyone has experience with this compressor on bass? My top pick is so far EBS MultiComp, but if this one is not complete rubbish, it could be worth it.

thanks.

sonic assassin · #10 02-03-2010, 03:16 AM

so you HAD aggressive tone, but it was too much to carry around.

and now you have smooth tone, but you want more aggression?

im not entirely sure a compressor is what is needed here. i think some sort of blendable overdrive is whats being called for. you'll get some compression there.

the only compressor that i know will add dirt is a distressor. unless you plan to overdrive the amp with a compressor.

with that said, the RNLA is a peak limiter, and the RNC is a leveling amp. in a general sense, one for balancing attacks, the other for fattening up tracks, respectively. i find use for both types on a bass track when mixing.

bongomania · #11 02-03-2010, 09:40 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sonic assassin

the RNLA is a peak limiter, and the RNC is a leveling amp.

RNLA stands for "Really Nice Leveling Amp".

mikemomd · #12 02-05-2010, 06:50 PM

So is a....COMPRESSOR = LIMITER

as my Traynor amp has a Limiter button....do I need a Compressor for a "better" sound???

bongomania · #13 02-05-2010, 07:09 PM

Check the FAQ linked in my sig for the answers to those and many other Q's.

mikemomd · #14 02-05-2010, 07:30 PM

Found it....great link, Bongo....that's loads....many questions answered and head scratching relieved!!!