I need help with a compressor. No idea what i'm doing anymore.

Cb4rabid · #1 07-26-2011, 04:58 PM

Okay. Here's the quick story: Bought a dbx 266xl, exchanged it for a Samson S-com 4. I wanted to run it balanced so i also bought a direct box. My problem is: I don't hear any slight difference whatsoever with the compressor on.

Like seriously. No matter how much I adjust threshold, or ratio or ANYTHING, my sound doesn't change at all. It sounds as if I bypassed the compressor, because it just isn't...compressing. At this point, excuse my french but, I don't know what the **** i'm doing wrong anymore. I'm really frustrated.

Here's my set up.

Bass lead - in on the direct box - output female xlr cable - balanced xlr male input on compressor - out on the direct box - balanced input 1/4'' on back of compressor - balanced output on back of compressor - return 1/4'' on bass amp (effects loop).

Any advice? I really don't want to have to return the thing, the 266xl was giving me annoying clicky sounds when I would play the low E and A strings and now this one doesn't have any effect on my sound at all.

20db pad · #2 07-26-2011, 05:09 PM

You're likely going underneath line levels. Don't use the XLR connections in an attempt to use balanced cables on a bass rig. Those are intended for mixers in a recording or live environment.

Just use the standard 1/4" cabling, either through the effects loop or from the bass into the compressor.

Extrinsic · #3 07-26-2011, 05:42 PM

maybe put it into your effects loop as normal without the DI box, turn your bass's volume up to max and pluck hard to see if it trims off the top?

Cb4rabid · #4 07-26-2011, 06:20 PM

I tried running it normal with only 2 instrument leads, and nothing. Sounds exactly the same balanced, unbalanced, on, off, absolutely no change. Am I deaf or is this thing just a total piece of junk?

20db pad · #5 07-26-2011, 06:34 PM

Try bass to 1/4" input of the compressor, and then 1/4" out of the compressor to the front end of the amp. Use regular cables, no DI box, no XLR cables. Make sure the cables work, too.

The Samson unit you mention is a 4 channel unit - too much for a bassist and a bass rig, even if you were doing Billy Sheehan style stuff. For that unit, make sure you are going in and out of the same channel.

Cb4rabid · #6 07-26-2011, 06:57 PM

^ I just tried that to no avail :/

RickenBoogie · #7 07-26-2011, 07:01 PM

not sure what you're expecting the comp to do, it won't change the sound like a modulation effect will, merely change the dynamics of your sound. maybe a bit of study first, to understand the concept is in order. Also, a simple one channel comp, like the EBS MultiComp, or similar, is all the comp any bassist would need. I think you may be in over your head with that fancy device. I take it you've read through Bongo's compressor site?

king_biscuit · #8 07-26-2011, 07:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RickenBoogie

not sure what you're expecting the comp to do, it won't change the sound like a modulation effect will, merely change the dynamics of your sound. maybe a bit of study first, to understand the concept is in order. Also, a simple one channel comp, like the EBS MultiComp, or similar, is all the comp any bassist would need. I think you may be in over your head with that fancy device. I take it you've read through Bongo's compressor site?

+1 The simpler the better. Take a look at some of the great two and three knob compressor pedals on Bongos site. I have the Diamond Bass Compressor and really like it.

Cb4rabid · #9 07-26-2011, 07:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RickenBoogie

not sure what you're expecting the comp to do, it won't change the sound like a modulation effect will, merely change the dynamics of your sound. maybe a bit of study first, to understand the concept is in order. Also, a simple one channel comp, like the EBS MultiComp, or similar, is all the comp any bassist would need. I think you may be in over your head with that fancy device. I take it you've read through Bongo's compressor site?

The dbx changed my dynamics and over sound, this literally does nothing. Doesn't even change the volume or anything. I wanted the dbx dual channel (I didnt need a 4 channel, that's what they had in stock and it was about the same as the dbx so i thought "what the hell, why not"). I understand the basic concept of compression, but this just sin't working for me.

Quote:

Originally Posted by king_biscuit

+1 The simpler the better. Take a look at some of the great two and three knob compressor pedals on Bongos site. I have the Diamond Bass Compressor and really like it.

I really do NOT want pedals of any shape, size, color or form. I cannot stand pedals. It's rackmount or bust. I thank you for the advice, but pedals are definitely not my thing.

I might just go return it tomorrow, get my money back and think about something else I might want. I really wanted a nice working rack compressor. It's a damn shame the dbx didn't work for me.

bongomania · #10 07-26-2011, 07:48 PM

The 266xl is just crap. I haven't tried the Samson, but they are generally known for entry-level stuff, I wouldn't expect it to be good.

Most rack comps will not operate properly if you feed them an instrument-level signal. There are certainly exceptions, but I don't see any reason to think the Samson would be one.

A DI box will balance the signal, but most DI's do not add any gain, needed for line level. In fact a passive DI will cause a huge DROP in signal level.

Tl;dr: You're not using the equipment correctly.

chuck norriss · #11 07-26-2011, 07:54 PM

mayb eit's my imagination but i think your audience will hear/feel/reap the benefits of your compstomp more than you will from where yr standing? opinions on that or am i daydreaming

a good comp s/b super subtle anyway, no? the diff between garage & refined, sloppy or lean+mean

Matt Dean · #12 07-26-2011, 08:12 PM

Maybe it's time to fli

Cb4rabid · #13 07-26-2011, 08:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bongomania

The 266xl is just crap. I haven't tried the Samson, but they are generally known for entry-level stuff, I wouldn't expect it to be good.

Most rack comps will not operate properly if you feed them an instrument-level signal. There are certainly exceptions, but I don't see any reason to think the Samson would be one.

A DI box will balance the signal, but most DI's do not add any gain, needed for line level. In fact a passive DI will cause a huge DROP in signal level.

Tl;dr: You're not using the equipment correctly.

Hm. No wonder, the box pretty much rendered my volume knob on my bass useless. Ahh. I guess I could be able to live without compression. Maybe some EQ'ing is all I need. Thanks for the advice. It's been a learning experience atleast

Now to look for that rackmount tuner i've been dying for...that shouldn't be hard to use, right? 2 instrument leads, in and out and done, right?

bongomania · #14 07-26-2011, 08:38 PM

Couple of options:
1) Put the comp in the amp's fx loop (loop send --> comp in; comp out --> loop return). The results will depend on the particular design of the loop.
2) Pick a rack comp that will operate well with an instrument-level input. Joemeek MC2 might suit you.

1954bassman · #15 07-26-2011, 08:44 PM

Hunt down a used Symetrix 501. Problem solved.

Cb4rabid · #16 07-26-2011, 09:03 PM

Those two are way over my budget :/ sorry guys.

kuys · #17 07-26-2011, 09:18 PM

I guess it might be junk man. I have a Presonus BlueMax Smart compressor and it's regarded as crap by most people I've talked to and yet I love it.