Do you guys use compressor?

[AlphaMale]

I have no experience using compressor pedals or compressors with recording other than using presets on my drum machine. I was wondering how many of you guys use compressors live, if you find them necessary, and what do you guys think the best pedals are.

[matt davies]

This might help:

Compressor Review Megathread

Matt.

[Slaine01]

I do,
A lot of players dont though and still pull great sounds.
I use an Eden Navigator 1000N which has great Compressor built in and I love using it for a lot of the slap stuff we do.
Check out some mark king stuff to get an idea of the sound a compressor can give you.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QKI8p...eature=related

[anthowl]

there's lots of good compressors. i like to use them a lot.
i use a Guyatone BL2 becuase it's strong and fat,
i own an MXR Dynacomp because it sounds kinda glassy and hot.

also the EBS Multicomp is nice and transparent and yeilds good results to my ear.

good luck finding one that works for you!

[Floridabwoy]

Yep.. Use a Alesis NanoCompressor on my rack.

[Swift713]

Check this out, Compressor Review Megathread and this, http://www.ovnilab.com/index.shtml

[AREA]

I use the t.c.electronic Vintage Compressor, wich is equal to the T-Rex Comp Nova. I like some slight Compression and i find, it supports my Sound.

[SoonerMatt]

I don't but I should. I'm scraping to get by as it is, but I'm saving for a Maxon CP-9 Pro+.

[RickenBoogie]

I do, but my comp ratio is very minimal. (the dial doesn't tell me 1:1, 2:1,10:1 etc, but I'd guess something like 2:1), so my comp is really being used as a buffer at the start of my chain, that could be cranked up to a higher comp ratio if I needed it. Still, it provides a slight boost to my signal, and a good dose of extra sustain, phattness, and warmth. Worth having, imo. TRex Squeezer, btw.

[roysloco]

Some people say if you play right you shouldn't need one - that's a bit like saying if you drive right you don't need a seatbelt IMO. I know some incredible and highly disciplined players who still have some inconsistency in volume during live gigs without a compressor (almost any live sound tech will compress you at the desk by the way).

I use a boss CS-3 - don't find it the most valued 'effect', but I do love it! I use one for these reasons:

1. It 'tames' the, often brutal, volume difference when I play low notes on my 'B' string (which can sound uncomfortable ... and isn't 'good etiquette' when you're going through someone else's amp !).
2. It smooths my sound and makes it more consistent, leaving me free to have more fun on stage without worrying quite so much about volume spikes if I slip up .
3. Usually I have it set so you don't hear the compression, it just copes with bad spikes but you don't hear much tonal difference. However, it can be a really nice effect to 'over' compress the sound so you can attack the bass a bit and it still sounds like it's coming from next door (very cool in some 'softer' songs).

[deaf pea]

I ALWAYS use a compressor . . . live and in the studio . . . it helps me obtain endless-sustaining notes the actually can crescendo . . . a feedback effect that I first used in the late '60's . . .

One of my guitarplayerfriends calls me "Mr. Sustain" . . .

[Bassnut62]

I use a Keeley 4-knob Compressor. It is very clean and it doesn't suck the bottom out of the band's sound as you can adjust the attack better than anyother compressor I've tried. I find it most useful for helping to manage, focus, drive the sound of various pedals I use, especially fuzz, synth and octave. I don't use it with wah and filters tho as this tends to drive them a bit hard and make them clip too much; but I could probably manage this too with the attack control on the Keeley, if I wanted to.
It helps to drive my fuzz/overdrive into feedback too, which can be nice.

[billhilly66]

I have a DBX 160 between my pre and pwr amp. Had it there for years.

[James Hart]

I've got a Maxon CP-9 pro+ and an Orange Squeezer clone modded for bass on my board. I use the Maxon most of the time... the OS clone is for squashed effecty stuff

[Toasted]

I should do . . . but recently I haven't been using one.

[Mudcat35]

I always use a compressor, DBX 166, to smooth out the sound, which is required for the music I'm playing. My compression rate is low, a little more than 2:1, but not quite 3:1, which just provides a little extra warmth and sustain.

[Smurf-o-Deth]

My FEA Dual-Band stays on 100% of the time. It keeps the zing of the Stingray in check and keeps the low B consistent in volume with the other strings on my BaseX (the way I use the on-board pre leads to very loud low notes).

[smeet]

Originally Posted by Mudcat35

I always use a compressor, DBX 166, to smooth out the sound, which is required for the music I'm playing. My compression rate is low, a little more than 2:1, but not quite 3:1, which just provides a little extra warmth and sustain.

I use a dbx 166 between pre and power amp on my DB750. Compression ratio is about 4:1, with a relatively hightthreshold. That way it does almost nothing if I'm playing relaxed, and it grabs and fattens the notes a bit when I dig in.

I could play without it, and since I only have one rack space to spare, I might trade it out for an eq unit, since the eq on the DB750 is a bit weak. Maybe a half-rack eq and compressor... Any suggestions for quality units?

[BigOldHarry]

I do not. Tried it - tried many different ones, in fact. I prefer to let my fingers manage my sound. Others prefer a compressor. To each his own.

[a_magg]

I suppose it depends on what exactly your looking for. I like really subtle, transparent compression- and the Demeter does that great. I haven't had too much exp with other comps, but reading people on here it all depends on what you want to play that can help decide which (if ones needed at all).