Which Compressors/Limiters for speaker protection/spikes?

Bjazzman · #1 11-12-2009, 10:11 PM

just curious which effects in pedal form are best at limiting volume spikes and protecting speakers?

i have a lmb-3 and its great but curious what else is good? im trying to fill the last spot on my board

maybe maxon cp9 or demeter compulator?

groooooove · #2 11-12-2009, 10:31 PM

http://www.ovnilab.com/

enjoy.

Bjazzman · #3 11-13-2009, 06:00 AM

yeah i've been there but it doesn't list specifically which ones are for speaker protection

Nikoubis · #4 11-13-2009, 06:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bjazzman

yeah i've been there but it doesn't list specifically which ones are for speaker protection

Anything that can "tame" big, sudden spikes in the low end will probably do fine. Bongo mentions the ones that are effective at that sort thing.

I do think, however, that compression is not generally meant to be used as "speaker protection". If your speakers are overexerted regularly, EQ and/or technique adjustments should probably be considered first.

Hopper · #5 11-13-2009, 06:59 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nikoubis

I do think, however, that compression is not generally meant to be used as "speaker protection".

Right.

Big rock n roll speakers in bass cabs can usually handle 'spikes' without any problems anyway.

Grimoire · #6 11-13-2009, 07:02 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bjazzman

just curious which effects in pedal form are best at limiting volume spikes and protecting speakers?

i have a lmb-3 and its great but curious what else is good? im trying to fill the last spot on my board

maybe maxon cp9 or demeter compulator?

I have a Compulator, and wouldn't recommend it for this purpose. As mentioned, Bongo's list would be a good starting point for anything comp/limit related.

Bjazzman · #7 11-13-2009, 07:14 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Grimoire

I have a Compulator, and wouldn't recommend it for this purpose. As mentioned, Bongo's list would be a good starting point for anything comp/limit related.

hmm that was the one i was thinking about trying out anyway since he said it did a good job at handling spikes as well and especially when taming envelope filters.

basically i have a huge pedalboard with lots of effects and i want to make sure the signal wont hurt my rig and will limit the peaks of my quacks and bleeps. I can sometimes hit a note aggressivly(not too often) and sometimes it just gets wild on its own.

i don't really want the pedal to have an impact on dynamics as i'd like the levels of my notes to be consistant but i'd like something to even out the overall sound and let me control the volume

DaveAceofBass · #8 11-13-2009, 07:18 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Grimoire

I have a Compulator, and wouldn't recommend it for this purpose. As mentioned, Bongo's list would be a good starting point for anything comp/limit related.

I have one and disagree. I like it cause it stays clean.

Grimoire · #9 11-13-2009, 07:49 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DaveAceofBass

I have one and disagree. I like it cause it stays clean.

It's very clean, just not sure if it would be the best option for handling large spikes. I use mine at the start of my chain, haven't used it at the other end, but maybe I'm wrong and it would work well as a limiter at the end of a signal chain...in that case give it a try

scotch · #10 11-13-2009, 08:40 AM

Really? Worried about volume spikes doing damage? You must be doing some serious craziness!

If things are that extreme, you're going to want to find a "brick-wall" limiter. Compression isn't really want you want, but a super-high ratio limiter (you don't really need 'compression' to make the soft parts louder, right?). A bw-limiter will impose an "absolute" maximum on the output level. Most 'compressors' have softer attack times which let transients through, or if they do clamp-down fast enough- result in very obvious "squishy" compression.

I've personally only seen 'lunchbox' format bw-limiters, rack mounts or plug-ins for digital recording. There might be a pedal or smaller form-factor out there, though...

bongomania · #11 11-13-2009, 09:20 AM

On my "top picks" page I specifically list some limiters.

Hector_G · #12 11-13-2009, 02:24 PM

I'm in the exact same situation. Pretty big pedal board. Some of the effects are just out of control. Especially coming from the Line 6 FM4.

So everyone agrees then? What we need is a limiter as opposed to compression.

NortyFiner · #13 11-13-2009, 02:29 PM

I've seen several people's boards with two comps: one right after an envelope filter (or other spiky effect) for taming, and another as the last thing on the board for overall control. That might be the kind of arrangement y'all need.

scotch · #14 11-13-2009, 03:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hector_G

I'm in the exact same situation. Pretty big pedal board. Some of the effects are just out of control. Especially coming from the Line 6 FM4.

So everyone agrees then? What we need is a limiter as opposed to compression.

Actually, I'd sort-of disagree! In the sense that, if your' effects are out of control- you don't need another effect, but less effects!

If your effects are causing damage to other parts of your rig, maybe something's amiss in the grand scheme? I'm all for "extreme" (and occasionally breaking stuff

), but there's a point where enough is enough. (Frankly, didn't Jimi H. and Pete T. already saturate this concept long, long ago...?)

I'm a BIG Doug Wimbish fan & was fortunate enough to open for Paula Cole when Doug was playing for her. (weird combo, right?) As much as I love what Doug does, there were parts of the show that were just downright distracting. Of course, these moments were few, but there is a point at which things get over-seasoned! Sorry, DW, I love you- you're a pioneer and inspiration!

Are speaker-shredding volume spikes really working in context of the music? Or, I'm becoming a fuddy-duddy?

bongomania · #15 11-13-2009, 03:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hector_G

So everyone agrees then? What we need is a limiter as opposed to compression.

You have to look at what function you individually want to achieve! Do you want your entire signal compressed, or just the loudest peaks? (or anywhere in between) Do you want the compressed part to be really strongly compressed, or just gently smoothed? (or anywhere in between) ...No one single-channel processor can be expected to do "all of the above" magically.

There are some comps which have automatically variable parameters depending on the input level, either due to the inherent action of a particular gain-following component, or due to carefully-engineered electronic logic. But there are none of those that I'd recommend "in general" as a do-it-all magic box. At best I'd suggest trying a few to see which ones are acceptable compromises for you the individual user.