Compression help

[sjphi26]

Okay, I need a compressor. I've tried to avoid it, but at this point I have no choice. My volume levels are just too uneven, and playing two different strings and/or notes (with the exact same right hand finger technique) result in drastically different volume levels. I've messed with all EQ settings, had the bass set up recently and all electronics checked, and I just can't fix it on my own. I'm not exactly sure what's causing it to be so prominent on this current set-up, I've never had anything like this happen on my older rigs... It's not only my on stage rig, it's also very noticeable in the house

Anyway... I have one rack space left, but I want to save that space for a wireless instrument pack receiver (which I don't yet have) so I'll probably be getting a pedal. I've heard good things about the MXR Bass Compressor. The budget is $200, so if anybody has any suggestions, I'm all ears.

2nd question - Placement in the signal chain - I've seen people say compression goes before and after the preamp, so I'm not sure which to believe.
My current setup is:
Active Bass into Tube DI
Tube DI to the house, and out to my amp head.
Effects loop to Sonic Maximizer (yeah, yeah, I know most people don't like them. I do, they work for me and the sound that my situation requires)
Into 2 2x10 cabs

So, the easiest thing would obviously be to stick it at the very front, before the tube DI. I do need the compression going to the house, because while I respect our soundguy, he doesn't seem to want to fix this, no matter how often I bring it up. So I want to give him a compressed signal to work with.

I've also thought about running the tube DI after everything, so it would be bass->headpreamp->sonicmaximizer->compressor->tubeDI->power amp ...... How do you think this would work?

Thanks guys, any advice would be appreciated.

[bongomania]

The placement depends on two things, in this order:
1) The operating levels of the devices being connected (instrument level or line level);
2) The stages of your signal chain that you do or don't want compressed (e.g. effects that need more dynamic input versus places where you want to avoid clipping).

Check out the FAQ linked in my sig for explanation of both of those.

[chessrocks]

If you place the compression before any sort of EQ or tone-shaping, you'll likely just be changing the dynamics again and undoing, essentially, what you're trying to do with the compressor, so when in doubt just put it at the end of your signal chain.

As for pedals, there are a lot of good ones; the mxr you mention acts more like a limiter, which is fine for controlling peaks, but I might lean more towards something like the aguilar TLC or the Joemeek FloorQ (each will give you greater control) ... but you'll hear all sorts of recommendations.

[nismaniac]

There are two very recent threads with a lot of great info in them that you'll find helpful.