compressor > filter??

[dalconthenovice]

so this may be a bit of a loop so PLEASE correct my thinking if i'm going way off bass here

compressors > envelope filter

i've noticed that when i play an envelope filter certain ranges don't give in to the filtered effect which is frustrating for me when i'm playing a filter i want the WHOLE range effected

so... what i'm thinking... i'm new to effects by the way, and i just learned about compressors now, if i was to use a decent compressor not only would i get dynamics evened out, wouldn't it also allow it so my entire range would be effected by the compressor?

discuss... or correct my idiocy

[Moe45673]

A good compressor should keep your intended dynamics, so in theory, it should not affect the way your filter reacts.

On the other side of the coin, many folks put their wah pedals before the compressor since the heel of the wah sounds quieter and the toe sounds shriller and louder. A compressor helps to tame this volume spike. A filter should react similar when it runs into a compressor.

Hope that helps

[bongomania]

Here's the thing: both a comp and an envelope filter are specifically all about reacting to the levels of the signal feeding into them. Not pitch, not tone, not shrillness--just the levels. Both of them also change the levels at the output. A compressor reduces the dynamic range, while a resonant filter can actually increase the dynamic range (by virtue of the resonance). Another thing about both of these devices is a shockingly large percentage of them have no input level control. So they will react very differently depending on the level of whatever is before them in line--a hot bass vs. a quiet one, for example.

There are potentially good benefits to either order, comp->filter or filter->comp. You have to try both ways with your specific comp and filter to determine which way works best for you. I 100% guarantee that nobody else can tell you truthfully which way is better, without having first-hand knowledge of both pedals you are using, and a good understanding of the specific tone/effect goals you have in mind.

[sikamikanico]

Originally Posted by dalconthenovice

so this may be a bit of a loop so PLEASE correct my thinking if i'm going way off bass here

compressors > envelope filter

i've noticed that when i play an envelope filter certain ranges don't give in to the filtered effect which is frustrating for me when i'm playing a filter i want the WHOLE range effected

so... what i'm thinking... i'm new to effects by the way, and i just learned about compressors now, if i was to use a decent compressor not only would i get dynamics evened out, wouldn't it also allow it so my entire range would be effected by the compressor?

discuss... or correct my idiocy

I would lie if i said i know exactly what you mean, but that "whole range" is vague... some filters have a range knob or switch, that's always cool... also, make sure you set the sensitivity/input right - sometimes you just don't provide enough juice for the filter to operate...

and some filters (or modes, if you have several in a pedal) do not filter all frequencies - you got low pass, band pass, high pass...

a compressor might work both before and after the filter, but i generally prefer the idea of having it last in the chain (at least after overdrives and filters)...

you might also want to experiment with overdrive pedals before the filter, they add some nastiness

[Nv_D_SlapnPop]

i personally have a seymour duncan doubleback compressor and an ebs bass iq. i go into the filter first because my filter is very sensitive, i have to reset the entire sound depending on which bass i'm playing. also each pedal i put infront of the filter will throw off my sound as well but this is the nature of the beast, i want the different sounds of the filter open/close to be adjusted with my fingers playing hard or soft and the compressor would take away the dynamic of my playing style. another reason i like it after the filter is to tame the peaks and makes playng hard/soft through the filter the same volume at the amp. i tried it both ways and i like the compressor to enhance the filter not vice versa. if your having a hard time with your filter tracking just play harder, cleaner and towards the bridge. hope this helps.

[dalconthenovice]

when you guys say "last in the chain" are you saying the pedal closest to the amp in signal relation or the one closest to the bass?

so newbie here it'll make you hurt

[bongomania]

Last in the chain means closest to the amp.

[Swift713]

If I understand your question correctly I don't think a compressor will help, unless using it to boost your signal before the filter makes the filter open farther. Otherwise I think you maybe should look for a filter you like better.

[kesslari]

My experience with a few filters (not a ton, but a few) is that they all impact different parts of the tonal range differently - they're not even across the full range of the bass, because you're setting different tonal parameters when you set the range (or similar setting) of the filter. Compressing your signal isn't going to change that.
You might be better off with a bass wah.

[dalconthenovice]

well that answers the question about the range issue

now SHOULD i buy a compressor? i mean i somewhat know what it does and i've read all the FAQS for it now the question is: should i?

[Moe45673]

Compressors are good for two things: Evening out levels and doing the squishy thing. As a guitar player, I don't know too many songs off the top of my head that employ squishy bass, but just listen to the intro to Under the Bridge by Red Hot Chili Peppers and you'll hear a guitar that's had all its dynamics squished away. It's an audible effect and many country musicians and funk guitarists use it on purpose.

Do you find your bass sound lacking? Do you find that when you go high up on the neck, your notes are way too loud and overpowering of the mix? If the answer to these questions are yes, a comp/limiter may be what you need. In my case, I bought a Diamond compressor for guitar and instantly had found that professional studio sound my clean signal was lacking. On bass, I bought an LMB-3 because I don't want my higher notes to be too loud and come off as amateurish. If you don't find this to be a problem, no need.

[dalconthenovice]

i feel like my bass is lacking a real FULLY crunchy sound and it feels like its lacking in low end

discuss?

[bongomania]

Not the job for a compressor. You might consider different strings first, and a professional setup; if that doesn't do it, then look at the electronics of the bass, and the amp. If you are playing through a little combo amp, then that's the problem. If your amp is big enough and "good" enough, then you'd look at what part of the bass itself needs improvement (an onboard preamp, or different pickups, etc.).

[dalconthenovice]

i'm on a waitlist to get a setup done

but are there any pedals that are sexy as ice and got some good low end?

[bongomania]

Lots of them, honestly, but there is no point in buying $200 worth of bandaids.

[guroove]

I just turn up the sensitivity on the envelope filter, and use it in lowpass mode only. The compressor goes AFTER the envelope filter and it sounds extremely funky.