I know, Compressor questions are "dangerous" and a lot has been answered, but...

[Terrorstorm]

mine is different!

I have an Aphex Punch Factory.
Can anybody tell me how to set the knobs, so that the PF evens out the volume of my bass. The problem is, the lower strings are louder and have more presence than the higher ones, especially the G.
I have always used the Aphex first in line to get more sustain and attack, but I know compressor can even out the volume too, normally.. or is this more a thing for a rack compressor like dbx ?


THANKS!
Markus

[Rick_no7]

I would suggest using it post-EQ.

If you use a compressor pre-EQ to flatten everything, then your EQ will just re-alter all the frequencies yet again

[EricF]

Unless you really want to squash out all your dynamics by applying a really heavy compression setting, you might be better served to adjust the bass itself to provide a more even volume from string to string. If you need a a bit more or less volume from partucular strings, try adjusting the pickup height or individual pole pieces (closer = louder). Equal distances from the pickup do not necessarily mean equal volume from string to string.

[bongomania]

+1 to EricF (as usual). If adjusting the pickups or bridge saddles doesn't do the job, then raising the threshold and the ratio of a compressor can get you closer. Obviously the Aphex has no threshold or ratio control, so the best thing you can do in that case is raise the compression level to 3:00 or so and turn down the output of your bass (effectively raising the threshold). I won't say it's a good solution, but it's the best you can do with that Aphex.

[ga_edwards]

Originally Posted by Rick_no7

I would suggest using it post-EQ.

If you use a compressor pre-EQ to flatten everything, then your EQ will just re-alter all the frequencies yet again

Not really, a compressor reduces dynamic range, and eq alters volume at specific frequencies. Whilst it's true that his lower strings are louder, altering EQ before compression will change the volume feeding the compressor and therefore requiring further adjustment to the compressor every time the EQ is subsequently altered. It would be better so get a more balanced signal directly feeding the compressor from the bass.

Compression to set dynamic range, EQ to tone shape.

EQ can be used after compression, but it's generally used more in studio environments where there's more time to craft and shape the sound and make endless tweaks. EQ is one of those things that can't be preset for every live performance. Even playing in the same room on different occasions I have to tweak the EQ on my amp to 'fix the room'.

I personally use a dual band compressor to fix the problem of the lower notes being louder than the higher notes, it also gives a slower attack on the low notes than the high notes.

[MakiSupaStar]

Originally Posted by EricF

Unless you really want to squash out all your dynamics by applying a really heavy compression setting, you might be better served to adjust the bass itself to provide a more even volume from string to string. If you need a a bit more or less volume from partucular strings, try adjusting the pickup height or individual pole pieces (closer = louder). Equal distances from the pickup do not necessarily mean equal volume from string to string.

Big plus 1. That's what I was going to suggest.

[Terrorstorm]

Thanks for all the answers. You really know what you're talking about! Respect.. I'm really bad at doing technical things like adjusting the pickup height and our local music store sucks. The problem occurs when I tune down. In standard E-tuning the volume is quite even out.

ga_edwards, what dual band compressor would you suggest. The cheapest one, based on the dbx is the Digitech Bass Squeeze. Any experience with it, maybe?

thanks

[markdavid]

Originally Posted by Terrorstorm

Thanks for all the answers. You really know what you're talking about! Respect.. I'm really bad at doing technical things like adjusting the pickup height and our local music store sucks. The problem occurs when I tune down. In standard E-tuning the volume is quite even out.

ga_edwards, what dual band compressor would you suggest. The cheapest one, based on the dbx is the Digitech Bass Squeeze. Any experience with it, maybe?

thanks

You say you are detuning.
You haven't specified but I am guessing that you are detuning the E string and leaving the others at standard pitch , if this is the case then switching to a slightly heavier gauge and detuning all strings should give more consistent volume

[ga_edwards]

I do use the Digitech bass sqeeze. It's not going to win any awards, sounds a bit sterile but it does get the job done. Although it is the only dual band pedal I've found where you can change the crossover point.

I did use the ashdown one before that and didn't like it. Very cumbersome, crossover was preset, had a pointless eq balance instead. It also doesn't like hot output active basses. I sent it back to ashdown direct to get it modded, but still didn't get on with it. Passive basses work fine however, and it can sound great with a little thought and tweaking.

The one I have my eye on now is the EBS multicomp. It does single and dual band. Although the crossover is preset, I've never heard a bad word said against it, so they must be doing something right.

I could tell you to check out Digitech's and EBS's site as they have soundclips, but for me they don't give a representative example of what I want to hear. I do a little bit of tapping here and there, and every bass compressor manufacturer think people only want to hear slapping. Most annoying.

If you wanted to go rack, i've heard good things about Rane dual band jobby. Or you could split your signal like I did for a while into high's and low's via a v-amp/pod, and then into separate channels of a dual channel compressor to acheive the same thing, a la Billy Sheehan.

Best thing to do would be to try some out if you can, and take your bass with you.

[ga_edwards]

Originally Posted by markdavid

You say you are detuning.
You haven't specified but I am guessing that you are detuning the E string and leaving the others at standard pitch , if this is the case then switching to a slightly heavier gauge and detuning all strings should give more consistent volume

I use the Billy Sheehan Roto set for my 4 string with hipshot D-tuner. The top G is between medium and light at 0.043" to make bending easier and the low E is a tad heavier at 0.110", purposely for detuning to D.

[BFunk]

How about lowering the pickups on the low-side and/or raising it on the high side? Pickup height adjustment can do a lot to even out the levels and perfect the dynamics.