how would my rig up with a rack compressor?!

attackbass · #1 03-26-2008, 05:59 PM

I'm thinking of moving from my ebs multicomp compressor pedal and getting a rack compressor.. maybe a dbx or something?

What i would like to know is how you set it up? I would want it to go before my effects pedals so it would be first in the signal chain...

My set up without the ebs comp would be

Fender jazz
(rack compressor?)
fx loop/tuner out pedal switch -tuner going to korg rack tuner, loop going into...
TC electronic Vintage bass
Sansamp RBI rack preamp - affected DI to front of house, affected signal into input of..
SVT-3 Pro

So how would I be able to chain that all up... the most basic way i can thinkg of doing it is plaugging into the rack compressor then sending the out into my pedal board then back to the sansamp input.. but that seems messy with a lot of leads and overly complicated leads wise... anyone any ideas?

anyone got a similar set up?

cheerrrsss

bongomania · #2 03-26-2008, 08:29 PM

Note: some rack comps can take direct input from a bass, but many cannot. You'll probably have to experiment. I haven't included that info in most of my reviews because it is generally assumed that rack gear goes after your amp's preamp stage. However yes, there are some rack comps which will work with an instrument-level input; look for ones which have both input gain control and threshold control for greatest flexibility.

Chronicle · #3 03-26-2008, 08:40 PM

Let's wait for Tayste to come in, i'm in the same case you are in. He told me how to do it but it's so confusing that i forgot how XD

Geddyfleaharris · #4 03-26-2008, 08:48 PM

Here is how I do it.

I am using a 2 channel dbx 1066 and a GK 1001RB-II

Out from effected channel on RBI to input of channel 1 on compressor. Out from compressor to FX send on the GK

Out from uneffected channel on RBI to input of channel 2 on compressor. Out from compressor to input on GK.

I am just using the suggested dbx basic settings so far but do I ever like having the dbx in my rack.

Those settings seem to inline with other people's compressor settings that I have found on TB.

attackbass · #5 03-27-2008, 06:11 AM

cool - but i always thought that compressors had to be first in the signal line... does it make any real noticable difference to my tone?

This is going to be for my live rig - unlikely to ever use this set up in the studio..

Also the way you run the rbi into the fx return and input on the head - does that mean you get a blend of the rbi and head coming through your cabs?!

Geddyfleaharris · #6 03-27-2008, 06:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by attackbass

cool - but i always thought that compressors had to be first in the signal line... does it make any real noticable difference to my tone?

This is going to be for my live rig - unlikely to ever use this set up in the studio..

Also the way you run the rbi into the fx return and input on the head - does that mean you get a blend of the rbi and head coming through your cabs?!

I think you can put a compressor pretty much wherever you want in your signal chain as long as it not after your power amp. Damage to equipment will occur. All depends on what you are trying to achieve. In a pedal situation people put them in different spots in their chain. From reading about rack compressors in Bongo's FAQ's, and I don't want to misspeak here, I believe it is best for a compressor to be between the preamp and the power amp. My GK is, as I am sure you are aware, is a pre and a power together in one head. So that option is not possible.

If the compressor is transparent then it should not effect your tone.

And yes I get a blend of the GK and RBI preamps with my setup. Also to note my bass is plugged into the RBI.

TaySte_2000 · #7 03-27-2008, 06:56 AM

This is easy if you are plugging into the RBI and using it all the time into the SVT you can just run it in the rbi effects loop.

Or slap it in the the effects loop of the Ampeg so it will be last in you chain.

ga_edwards · #8 03-27-2008, 07:04 AM

The only problem with putting the compressor in the fx loop and/or after the preamp, is that if you adjust the eq you're going to have to readjust the compressor as the input level will have changed.

I used to use mine directly after the bass. I initially just used to adjust the threshold so that it triggered with a lower level input. Later I used a small tube mic preamp to warm things up a bit with the added bonus of boosting the level to line level which the compressor was happier with.

attackbass · #9 03-27-2008, 08:55 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TaySte_2000

This is easy if you are plugging into the RBI and using it all the time into the SVT you can just run it in the rbi effects loop.

Or slap it in the the effects loop of the Ampeg so it will be last in you chain.

I don't understand how effects loops work fully... if you were DI'ing out of the RBI would any gear in the effects loop be sent to FOH?

When you plus in to the rbi does your signal then get sent through the fx loop if it's in use?!

ahh the confusion?!

I think i would prob want the compressor before the RBI - althought I tend to keep my level and eq the same on the RBI so if went between the RBI and the ampeg i oculd adjsut the volume on svt 3.. i think!?

TaySte_2000 · #10 03-27-2008, 09:01 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ga_edwards

The only problem with putting the compressor in the fx loop and/or after the preamp, is that if you adjust the eq you're going to have to readjust the compressor as the input level will have changed.

But if it's a line level compressor you don't really have a choice but to place it in an effects loop whether this effectsa loop is pre or post eq is another matter.

Personally at this point I'd just have it in the SVT effects loop I don't think you'd find yourself adjusting the threshold that much or that often.