How do you use compression and what do you use?

dsamudio · #1 05-27-2011, 04:19 PM

I did an outside gig last night with a DBX 160x with the compression set at 2.75:1 and the treshold set low so that it created more of a studio sound. The sound was good, but when the sound man and I talked after the gig we both felt that I set the threshold to low and that I lost the raw power of the bass. The analogy we came up with is we now had a sleeping tiger as apposed to a tiger by the tail.

A friend of my uses his DBX 160 as a limiter. He set the compression to ∞ and sets the threshold higher. This also sounds good.

I have also used a Mark Bass Compressore and set the threshold higher and the compression between 2-3:1 just to keep notes from jumping out.

I am sure that there are some other options and I would like to hear some other bass players thoughts.

Thanks in advance

newbold · #2 05-27-2011, 04:39 PM

WELL!
I have an Eden WTDI and its compressor is for sweetening rather than peak limiting.
When I use my Overdrive the way that I play comes through much more like a tube rig, with bigger tone when I play softly and aggressive, driving, (but not louder by any means) when I dig in - it's almost the opposite - enormous, fat low end when I tug on the strings and focused grindy mids when I dig in.

I set the compressor between 2 and 4 o'clock.

blastjv · #3 05-28-2011, 11:32 AM

I use a BBE Opto Stomp. I was having trouble playing in Drop C tuning, because the low string always sounded so much bigger and louder than the other 3. I tried a number of other ways to work around this but none worked well enough. So I guess I mainly use my compressor on the low string. I set it low-ish so that I still get the full sound of the attack, but not the huge overpowering bass of the note. Then the makeup gain brings the other strings uo a bit and I end up with a very balanced sound that still allows my dynamics through, and the touch sensitive grit I get when I dig in.

-JV

ninepoundjammer · #4 05-28-2011, 11:42 AM

If I'm playing through my tube amp, no comp. If I'm playing through my solid state rig, then I use the Tubesim mode on an EBS multicomp, on all the time, comp/limit at noon (whatever that means for threshold/ratio). The EBS does a really good job of rounding out the attack a bit like I get out of my tube amp.

If I'm playing the tube amp then I'm pretty much not going to slap or use effects. If I want to have fun I bring an additional board with a FEA Dual Band comp on it, and I'll pretty much only use that board with my SS rig. I set the low band to high threshold and ratio to act more like a limiter for slaps and when the envelope filter gets out of hand. The high band is low threshold and lower ratio to smooth out pops and such.

Shetland · #5 06-12-2011, 03:32 PM

JHS Pedals (a custom hand built pedal shop) makes the best compression I've ever used. Great compression level with practically no tone loss. Its called the lime aid.
JHSpedal.com

**Matt Morgan** · #6 06-12-2011, 05:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Shetland

JHS Pedals (a custom hand built pedal shop) makes the best compression I've ever used. Great compression level with practically no tone loss. Its called the lime aid.
JHSpedal.com

Just happens to be one in the classifieds for sale! (Shameless plug)

NEW JHS Lime Aid Compressor! Custom Color!