How many of you are die hard compressor users Live.

[MuthaFunk]

For almost as many years as I've been playing I've always had to have a compressor in my rig. Even my little practice amp has a Presonus Blue Max.

When I see all the local acts that play the same circuit as my band the bass players never have compressors in their rig. Am I pretty much alone in my need for a compressor in my live rig?

[JSK5String]

BBE Opto Stomp, very subtle, but always on in my rig...

[Zooberwerx]

Originally Posted by MuthaFunk

For almost as many years as I've been playing I've always had to have a compressor in my rig. Even my little practice amp has a Presonus Blue Max.

When I see all the local acts that play the same circuit as my band the bass players never have compressors in their rig. Am I pretty much alone in my need for a compressor in my live rig?

Because you're a sophisticated gentleman. I've been through a few....dbx, Carl Martin, FMR...but finally settled on 3: Diamond, BBE Optostomp, and whatever-the-heck is in my Presonus Studio Channel.

Riis

[BassMan4Him]

I believe it to be very important.. I always use a compressor when I can..

[Kwin Smith]

I leave my dbx 160a on almost all of the time when I'm playing the really heavy stuff.

I leave it off for the softer or jazzy kind of stuff.

[Floyd Eye]

I just recently got my first compressor. I am a convert.

[Kwin Smith]

You know, there's going to be a lot of folks posting in here soon that we wouldn't need compressors if we had good technique...

[LaklandBass]

I just got my first as well.... DBX166XL... $95 used.. i love it.

[s_mcsleazy]

Originally Posted by Kwin Smith

You know, there's going to be a lot of folks posting in here soon that we wouldn't need compressors if we had good technique...

you called?

ok i may hate the things with vengance BUT ive worked with musicians who were in desprate need of one. plus with guitar i like hearing the real attack not a softened vertion.

but whatever you feel you need

[Refonbass]

I'd rather not plug in at all than plug in without my Aphex Punch Factory...

Lol hey, that should be the new slogan for their product!

[Floyd Eye]

Originally Posted by LaklandBass

I just got my first as well.... DBX166XL... $95 used.. i love it.

My buddy Mike sent me a TLC. I like it a lot.

[Terry-MaQ]

I just love the ebs multiband comp!
It's usually an always on pedal except for soft sections.

When used well I think compression can really help bring out some of the qualities of your bass.
However it can also bring to light just how bad a bass is i.e. poor string to string volume or noise issues.

[ilovenofrets]

Never felt the need/use for compression, until , when I had my Hartke HA3500, I actually turned it on and started noodling. Since then, I use compression in at least 90% of my overall playing. Using the Boss GT-6B, I favor the Vtg Rack U, which models the UREI 1178, and I love it.

[MuthaFunk]

I most definitely began using compressors to compensate for my poor technique coupled with cheap basses but my technique is very controlled now, and I have fine basses. I still prefer the added fatness a compressor brings to my basses. Particularly in the upper registers.

I have been complimented on a few fill in gigs by the other band members that they preferred my sound to their bass players. Could be the amp/bass I use over theirs but from what I heard live, they could all use a compressor. I'm talking about the local classic / alternative rock groups and the odd funk group.

[bassboysam]

I think the average bass player has no idea what a compressor is. What percentage of the world's bass players are on TB? Most players don't obsess over gear as much as us TBers. I think that's why you don't see many bass players with compression.

I have seen several bands in the last year. Not one bass player had a VT bass. By scouring TB one would assume every bass player owns one. That's just not the case, we are a very small proportion of the bass playing world.

[lowfreq33]

I always have my compressor on, mainly to even out the volume between the low b and high c. I still leave plenty of room for dynamics. It also helps control the peaks from my envelope filter which is before it in the chain, and gives my oc-3 and unibass a more consistent signal to track.

[guroove]

I never really felt the need until recently, and I'll admit that TB has made me a convert. I tried out a couple in the 90s when I first started playing, and they just made it sound crappy. I must say that they have come a long way now, and I love my BBE Optostomp. I still prefer a good low-watt tube head for a solid dynamic wall of compression, but I can't always bring out the dinosaur to gigs.

[guroove]

Originally Posted by lowfreq33

I always have my compressor on, mainly to even out the volume between the low b and high c. I still leave plenty of room for dynamics. It also helps control the peaks from my envelope filter which is before it in the chain, and gives my oc-3 and unibass a more consistent signal to track.

+1 Envelope filter + compressor = a crazy smack punch of bass in the face.

[BigOldHarry]

Not I. I read a long article by Gary Willis years ago that convinced me to sell mine. To summarize: You don't need a compressor if you have good control of your bass. To each his own, but it's one less piece of gear I have to schlep and I have yet to get a complaint.

[deaf pea]

I always have one of my Trace Elliot SMX Dual Compressors in line . . . it's set for medium-light compression, and it's on all the time . . . . . .