A compressor and a limiter at the same time : good ? bad ? "original" ?

[Bassmike62]

‘Afternoon.

As mentioned in another thread, I’ve (quite sadly) put my MilkBox compressor on sale. Since it ain’t sold yet and I love it so much, I put it back on the board just for fun, so for now, I have a chain that goes as follow:

BASS > TU2 > Micro Q-Tron > BSW > LMB-3 > MilkBox > BassDriver > MXR Stereo Chorus > PBDDI > AMP. (I have a GR MKI on the way).

I’m pretty sure I had tried the LMB-3 and MilkBox ON at the same time in the past, but maybe they were in a different order or with different settings, but this afternoon… WOW.

I have the LMB-3 on a slightly modified manual-suggested slap setting (level @ unity, enhance @minimum, ratio @ noon and threshold @ 9) and the MilkBox on a very mild compression setting (Level @ unity, compression @ 9, hi exp and attack are @ minimum, all numbers are “o’clock”). This way, I benefit from the MilkBox’s tone-shaping qualities, for lack of a better way to describe what it does, while having something to protect my gear against my less-than-average technique.

Since I don’t recall ever seeing something like this on a board or reading about it on Bongo’s Ovnilab site and apart from having a bit of a compressed signal when both are ON (when slapping, mostly):

- Am I committing some kind of sin ?
- Am I putting my gear in front of an unforeseen danger ?
- Or is it simply excentricity on my part ?


I can tell you it sounds great in the headphones. Any input would be helpful.

Thx.

[enjoi1018]

I know there are people around here who run two comps. I've never seen them stacked in the middle of a chain like your's, though. Usually one is set up as a limiter and the other more of a low-ratio, mild compression. Some people love it.

The fact of the matter is, there are a bunch of compression stages in all your gear. The LMB and MilkBox aren't the only sources of compression, especially if you ever use a PA or mixing board. You aren't hurting a thing!

By saying "WOW", I think you've answered your own question. Unless you need the funds, run both of them like you are, and say "WOW" every time you play!

[Bassmike62]

Originally Posted by enjoi1018

I've never seen them stacked in the middle of a chain like your's, though

I didn't give placement a decent thought, but good idea. I'll move the MB just before PBDDI, just to see how the chain reacts. I sorta like the LMB-3 where it is, right after the filters.

Usually one is set up as a limiter and the other more of a low-ratio, mild compression

Yup, that's the way I got'em (at least dat's whot I tink).

thx :-)

[MilkyMcMilkMilk]

I've been using the LMB-3 a while, love it. My milkbox just arrived today per USPS.COM.
I plan on using the milkbox 1st in the chain and lmb-3 2nd to last in my chain just in front of my 7band eq.
but I may try them both in the middle for giggles since it worked well for you.

[LSMFT6]

Daring Audio's Phat Beam has an independent compressor and limiter, and they're both excellent and more versatile than the Milkbox or LMB-3 (i haven't tried the MilkBox but i know that the Phat Beam has more advanced controls.) My first compressor/limiter was the LMB-3 and i like the Phat Beam much, much better.

[bassbrad]

I have no opinion except to say if you already have remorse over selling the pedal perhaps you should keep it.

[Bassmike62]

Originally Posted by MilkyMcMilkMilk

I've been using the LMB-3 a while, love it. My milkbox just arrived today per USPS.COM. I plan on using the milkbox 1st in the chain and lmb-3 2nd to last in my chain just in front of my 7band eq. but I may try them both in the middle for giggles since it worked well for you.

And I'll try'em the way you planned first, just to see how that works out.

[Bassmike62]

Originally Posted by LSMFT6

Daring Audio's Phat Beam has an independent compressor and limiter, and they're both excellent and more versatile than the Milkbox or LMB-3 (i haven't tried the MilkBox but i know that the Phat Beam has more advanced controls.) My first compressor/limiter was the LMB-3 and i like the Phat Beam much, much better.

I just checked it out... impressive indeed ! I see what you're driving at. But for me, if it wouldn't be for the MBox's flavor, I wouldn't even have considered using a comp/limiter combination.

[Bassmike62]

Originally Posted by bassbrad

I have no opinion except to say if you already have remorse over selling the pedal perhaps you should keep it.

Exactly. If I can find a safe set-up that allows me to keep the MilkBox, this pedal ain't going nowhere.

[bongomania]

You're right, I don't have a particular article about running two comps in series. I mention it a couple places, but not obvious places.

Adding it to my "to write" list now.

In the meantime, it's fine, enjoy doing it that way. The potential downsides are too much compression and/or too much noise. Either one of those is determined by your own ears and tastes--if it sounds good to you, rock on.

[Inconnu]

Mike, the question is, is it good? You like your sound?, then go!
But "nos glorieux" aren't all that "glorieux" these days so I'd lose the Canadiens logo if I were you

[cheapbasslovin]

Definitely not new or bad.

http://www.fealabs.com/products/DECL-0001.html

[Bassmike62]

Originally Posted by bongomania

I mention it a couple places, but not obvious places..

Oops.... I might've missed it. Sorry

[Bassmike62]

Originally Posted by Inconnu

Mike, the question is, is it good? You like your sound?, then go!
But "nos glorieux" aren't all that "glorieux" these days so I'd lose the Canadiens logo if I were you

Man it sounds like a million bucks to my ears. As for the logo, well...chu un hopeless romantic !

[Bassmike62]

Originally Posted by cheapbasslovin

Definitely not new or bad.

http://www.fealabs.com/products/DECL-0001.html

By "original", I meant excentric, my bad

[Johno Dunn]

I run an Alesis NanoComp in my FX loop on my amp as a limiter, and I use the Tube Comp setting on my M5 at times as more of an effect.