Limiter AND Compressor?

Dirty Basstard · #1 05-28-2009, 08:00 AM

I have a Boss LMB-3 Bass Limiter Enhancer and a Boss CS-3 Compression Sustainer.

Is this necessary? It seems like they both do almost the same thing. Should I use one or the other?

If using both is ideal, which order should I put them in?

warwick.hoy · #2 05-28-2009, 08:05 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dirty Basstard

I have a Boss LMB-3 Bass Limiter Enhancer and a Boss CS-3 Compression Sustainer.

Is this necessary? It seems like they both do almost the same thing. Should I use one or the other?

If using both is ideal, which order should I put them in?

As an FX noob...I'd say that yes; a comp and limiter is overkill...

NOW...

If one of those comps/limiters were to make it into a loop with an effect that likes comp before it....say the Boss OC-2....then I'd say you may be onto something.

Dirty Basstard · #3 05-28-2009, 08:12 AM

What are the best uses of each?

warwick.hoy · #4 05-28-2009, 08:37 AM

The CS-3 is designed for guitar...there are mods that can be made to it to make it more bass friendly...ie Humphrey Audio Mods and I think Keeley also does the same mod (don't quote me on that). I'd use the LMB-3 and throw the CS-3 in a drawer for later.

The reason I mention the compressor in a bypass loop with an OC-2 is becuase the OC-2 is supposed to track better with comp in front of it. Putting it in it's own loop with some Overdrive and a Comp will give me all three pedals on with one stomp. I already have and LMB-3 2nd to last in my signal chain and I like it there, so the extra comp would be bypassed all together when I'm not using the Octaver.

Make Sense?

[EDIT]This is a little more than just novice effects use, but it will give you an idea of what you can do with FX.[/EDIT]

In the end there is only one rule...experiment. If running two compressors...or a compressor and limiter sounds good to you...then by all means....

PS...Compressor Reviews. I always link talkbass user bongomania's website when compressor/limiter discussion comes up. It is a great resource.

This link will help explain the difference between the two.

http://www.ovnilab.com/articles/limiter.shtml

Wo0d643 · #5 05-28-2009, 08:50 AM

You could run the compressor first with your normal attack and release then run the limiter after that with a quicker attack and but a higher threshold. This would use the comp to keep things smooth and the limiter as a limiter to catch really UNRULY notes.

tnscot60 · #6 05-28-2009, 08:56 AM

Great page! Even if he did rip my compresor to shreds! LOL

warwick.hoy · #7 05-28-2009, 09:01 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Wo0d643

You could run the compressor first with your normal attack and release then run the limiter after that with a quicker attack and but a higher threshold. This would use the comp to keep things smooth and the limiter as a limiter to catch really UNRULY notes.

This fella is onto something...

atheos · #8 05-28-2009, 09:10 AM

That's exactly how to put them. First compressor to modify the actual tone and limiter to keep the occasional peaks down. The "good-to-start-with" treshold for the limiter is easy: turn it down to the point where it starts to smash your tone when you play like you normally do and then turn it back a bit.

Dirty Basstard · #9 05-28-2009, 09:20 AM

Great ideas.. thank you and keep them coming!

So comp ---> limiter.

Where would I add other effects? (ie. EQ, chorus, filter, etc.)

warwick.hoy · #10 05-28-2009, 09:21 AM

Although...there rises an issue where if you are using dynamically controlled FX; eg. envelope filter. Compression can limit the sweep and range of such effects.

Of course when you switch on those FX you'd have to a little dance to turn the compressor off. That's why I'm entertaining the idea of having it in a loop. Or you can just place your envelope filters before your compression.

I also seem to remember reading somewhere that OD/Dist/Fuzz was a form of compression itself...so they preform better without compression. I'm sure that is highly subjective however.

OilcanRacer · #11 05-28-2009, 11:16 AM

i run an old nano compressor/limiter before my pitch changing effects, but not the shape changing ones as they are more sensitive to player attack strength.

i have it set to a quick setting and quick release as i like the tone of my bass on longer sustains.

i also have a compressor on my amp built in that i dial on just a tad to catch any rouge effects that get beyond the spectrum of clipping my speakers at higher volume. this compressor would be at the end of the chain but right before the amp eq

Dirty Basstard · #12 05-29-2009, 01:39 PM

Might I be better off to exchange the compression sustainer for something more useful?