Got to play around with a Markbass Compressore last night...

Sound Chaser · #1 08-25-2010, 02:13 PM

...and have come to the conclusion that I have NO IDEA how to properly set a compressor.

I more or less want it for utility. I need it to make it so I can set the proper volume so my spazzing-out-hammering-the-strings riffs aren't overpowering but my tapping/harmonics/etc aren't inaudible. Is this even the proper pedal? I've spent hours on bongo's site, btw, for all you who'd recommend that as a first step... I've tried, but failed, so now I'm posting a thread.

Jared Lash · #2 08-25-2010, 02:35 PM

One difficulty is that you want to do two somewhat different things with your compressor.

On the one hand you want to limit big spikes from aggressive playing and on the other you want to boost up/sustain softer played harmonics and tapping.

The first case would call for a higher threshold and ratio and for the second I'd actualy want a lower threshold and ratio. Based on how the attack and release knobs on the compressore work, I'd want the attack and release knobs down in the first case (to quickly grab and release transient spikes) but I'd want them rolled up higher in the second case to let the initial attack through but then sustain the notes.

Those are of course my preferences. So if it were me I'd aim somewhere in the middle.

Set the threshold around 10 or 11 o'clock and then adjust the gain knob (this will depend on your bass' output) until the compressor light goes on whenever you dig in a bit.

Keep the ratio on the lower side (between 11 and 12), put the attack right around 9 o'clock and the release a bit higher and then just adjust the volume so that the volume is the same when the effect is on vs bypassed.

If you aren't getting enough sustain, turn up the release. If your notes sound too "soft", turn up the attack. If the compressor LED lights up with almost every note, you may want to lower the threshold and vice versa if the light only comes on when you really bang on the bass. If you feel the compressor is clamping down too hard on your dynamics, lower the ratio or raise it if your notes vary more in volume than you'd like.

It will take some tweaking and listening but hopefully that gives you a place to start.

FYI, I've used a lot of comps but not the Markbass.

bongomania · #3 08-25-2010, 10:08 PM

Understanding you've spent a lot of time on my site already... you did check out the "good settings" article? If so, can you tell me what was missing from it, or what didn't make sense? I ask so I can fix that and make it more easy to understand.

Sound Chaser · #4 08-26-2010, 06:48 AM

Well, I must have missed that. Is there a "foot in mouth" smiley?

Swift713 · #5 08-26-2010, 12:56 PM

Can I be the old curmudgeon who tells people to work on their technique rather than rely on a compressor?

I played for 20+ years without a compressor but I use one now because I like the way it sounds.

jazzblade · #6 08-26-2010, 01:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Swift713

Can I be the old curmudgeon who tells people to work on their technique rather than rely on a compressor?

I played for 20+ years without a compressor but I use one now because I like the way it sounds.

Yes you can!

Ubersheist · #7 08-26-2010, 03:08 PM

Sound Chaser - your going to want your compressor to bring down the volume on all your louder hits to the same volume as your "tapping/harmonics/etc." You can do this by the following: using a fairly extreme ratio, and you'll want to set the threshold fairly low. I haven't used that particular compressor, but here's how I'd attack it:

Set your attack and release to all the way to the left so they're on the shortest time possible. You'll probably need to check the manual on this. Fast attacks and releases seem to be if you crank the knobs on this compressor all the way counter-clockwise. However, some compressors are set different, and the fast attacks and releases are achieved by cranking the knobs all the way clockwise... Go figure....

Next, crank up the ratio very high, almost all the way or even all the way. Play a harmonic or something very soft followed by a note representative of your loudest playing. Play them over and over, while turning the threshold to the left until they're both about the same volume. Then bring up the volume on the far right so that the volume while the pedal is engaged is about the same as the volume of the direct-through and uneffected signal is. Then, go back and tweak things to your liking.

If you're not familiar with how a compressor affects your signal as an effect, I'd suggest spending a bit of time figuring it out. It really helps in the studio, where subtleties really make a difference, and really be a dynamic and powerful effect. On stage and in live settings, it can really bring out things like harmonics, like you're suggesting, and make things more even sounding. I don't find compression to be as helpful live, except for the harmonics and softer sounds. Live, the subtleties are usually lost.

On an related side note, a setting I like on compressors is a fairly high ratio with a fairly low threshold, and a bit of delay on the attack. When played with a pick, it sorta replicates an older tone. An example of this the first two opening bars on my band's song "Blows My Mind" - it's on the myspace page for Stereo Earth in my sig. After the song starts, I mellow out the compression a whole lot so it's not competing for attention with some of the other instruments. It's not exactly the tone I was talking about (had to battle with the producer a bit on this, and he got his way...), but it's pretty darn close.