Compression with varying volume at the bass

[gnjpowell]

Anyone use a compressor and also vary their volume at the bass? Do you set-up the compression with the volume set to max at the bass? How to best set-up compression if you do vary the volume at the bass? General thoughts?

[TheVoiceless]

HUM? I would say changing the input level before the compressor would change how the compressor reacts to the signal. I would say if volume leveling is the purpose for turning the volume down on your Bass Guitar, then try a volume pedal after the compressor if possible.

[bongomania]

That's a tough one, because a compressor has no way of automatically adjusting its input level or threshold in response to your change in volume at the bass.

It will depend on whether you prefer the idea of your "louder" periods being heavily compressed, or your "quieter" periods being UNcompressed (or some variation of more and less in that range).

If you're adjusting the volume on the bass for a swell/descrescendo effect, then the compressor won't matter. But if you mean using it to set the volume for a long passage or a whole tune, then I'd recommend using a volume control after the compressor, rather than before.