Compressor pedal for BIG country bass sound

[Mr Guy]

I have a Punch Factory compressor pedal (haven't tried it live yet) and I'm wondering how to set it to get that huge country bass sound so prevalent these days. Have a recording act gig right away and would love any tips you folks might have. Using a '71 rosewood board J Bass BTW.
Thanks!

[Boof]

Compression is a part of that sound, though it's usually more high-rent compression (after preamp) than what a pedal provides. The function of the compression you're talking about is to seemingly elongate the note - with the peak volume at the beginning of the note snipped down to the set level, the listener doesn't hear the natural decay of a plucked note, so it sounds like it's just a continuum. Also, compression is not the largest or most critical component of that sound. You might want to start experimenting with what I call an "active scoop."

Just like when you're going for a really good slap sound, that big, broad, pervasive sound in the low end that's popular in country these days is a bit less about punch and a bit more about pillow. Often, there's no "hard" attack heard from the bass - the kick drum provides the start of that note. And, like dialing in a slap tone, that sound starts by adjusting the prevalence of the mids (600-1.5k Hz). However, you'd usually duck the mids quite a bit to get a good slap sound (which actually helps, as the technique is usually much louder than finger plucking). For the country thing, you might try going for a somewhat similar "shape" of scoop, only do it by raising the low and high ends, rather than lowering the mids. It's often helpful to trim the 2k to 3k some as well, and consider the higher highs your tweak point (6k and above have a surprising effect on how we hear the low end).

Hope that helps.

[newbold]

Seems to me that Stingrays are pretty popular in Country Music. Big fat sweet spot.

I play a J5 with tapewounds and don't play this kind of music much on my own but whenever I play with pickers they stoke my tone and tell me how much it lets them do their job better.

Good luck on your quest.

[Mr Guy]

Wow, post was still warm and I get a reply like that! Thanks bro, I know a pedal won't really get me there as opposed to more high end out board gear but it's all I have right now. I'll start with this info, very helpful thanks again.

[bongomania]

Basically what you're looking for is an optical comp with a very low threshold, a fairly high ratio, and a super-long release time--the Punch Factory is not up to the task. What's your real-world budget?

[Mr Guy]

Yeah, after messin with the Punch Factory, ummmm it's not really the right tool for the job. Budget? I'm a musician! Seriously though, if you have any suggestions gear wise, I'm on pretty good terms with one of the local music stores. Can usually borrow stuff to try.....

[marklaforest]

I don't have the tech jargon to back it up, but I've been using a EHX white finger for a couple months and a Sansamp DI with a P - bass and an Ampeg V4. The results have been incredibly tasty.

[bongomania]

Originally Posted by Mr Guy

Seriously though, if you have any suggestions gear wise, I'm on pretty good terms with one of the local music stores. Can usually borrow stuff to try.....

The stuff I'd recommend is not available in most music stores. For something that is usually in stores, do try out the EHX White Finger and Black Finger. They're not perfect, but they will do the job.

[Mr Guy]

Cool, I'll check that EH comp. Gig is thursday so not much time to check alot of stuff out. Thanks for all the replies, def got me moving in the right direction.

[The Butler]

Originally Posted by bongomania

The stuff I'd recommend is not available in most music stores. For something that is usually in stores, do try out the EHX White Finger and Black Finger. They're not perfect, but they will do the job.

What stuff would you recommend for this type of sound?

[bongomania]

FEA Opti-FET, Effectrode PC-2A, Joemeek FloorQ, Carl Martin Classic Opto, Demeter, VFE White Horse. For starters.

[bassguitar808]

I'm really happy with my EBS multi comp

I've heard good things about the Carl Martin too

There is a great site with feature comparison for bass comps

Google for it, sorry I dont have the link handy

[Lorenzini]

Don't forget a bass that sounds fat.

[chuck3]

I like the EBS multi comp too, although I use it as part of the pedalboard and it's not running 24/7.

For good country tone, also consider an upright for certain songs. Works for me.

[Couvy]

For just about every artist gig I've done, the FOH is getting straight up DI from me. The engineer usually has a very good idea of how to get that recorded sound in the house (that's why the artist hired them, in a perfect world, is to make their live shows sound like the record). On that same line, if you send them what sounds right to you on stage coming through a colored speaker (monitor or bass amp) there's a very good chance that it will not work at all in a large pa. A lot of the country session sound is in they way that these cats play. Focus on when you're letting your half notes almost connect and when you're cutting them off. Also, if you're doing any Ray Price type shuffles, get with the piano player and tighten up with their left hand on those tunes. Don't get me wrong, I'm a huge gear nerd, and I love the stuff. It's just that when it comes to getting a big gig and keeping it, you want to be seen as low maintenance and no baggage in the eyes of everyone that matters (artist, engineer, road mgr, etc). Just my experience, yours may vary, obviously.

[DosiYanarchy]

Originally Posted by bassguitar808

There is a great site with feature comparison for bass comps

Google for it, sorry I dont have the link handy

Hehe, check post #11: that would be Bongomania's fantastic Ovni Lab website, its in his sig.