Maybe I don't need a compressor with the new bass??

SteveC · #1 02-09-2009, 07:54 AM

I have been using a BBE OptoStomp with my Yamaha, just to help even things out a bit. Now I have a Modulus Q5. The sound and balance is so even all through the range that I don't know if I need to use a compressor any more. Anyone else find that a little nicer bass yields less need for "assistance" when it comes to even tone, etc.?

rratajski · #2 02-09-2009, 07:58 AM

Are you playing with fingers? Pick? Are you slapping? Aggressive? IMHO it comes down to playing style more than anything...

Also, how are your pickup setup. You can always make minor adjustments.

excane · #3 02-09-2009, 08:08 AM

Yes, I've found that to be true with different basses. You can still use a little compression to even things out if you're slapping, picking, etc.

I personally don't really use compression as an "effect" but rather just to top of the highest peaks, more like a limiter to protect my amp and speakers.

dannybuoy · #4 02-09-2009, 08:12 AM

A better quality bass will be more likely to sound more even throughout the range yes; but I wouldn't recommend using a compressor to solve unevenness between string volumes, it's better to solve that with a decent setup and get your string/pickup heights sorted out!

stflbn · #5 02-09-2009, 08:16 AM

I've almost always relied on compressions, but a couple weeks ago was lazy and only took my Neo-Pak and Avatar 210 to a band practice and quickly realized that I really don't need it anymore.

So there's no longer a compressor on my Pedal Train Mini.

SteveC · #6 02-09-2009, 08:55 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by stflbn

So there's no longer a compressor on my Pedal Train Mini.

Actually, that's one reason I am checking. I want to put together a little pedal board and would like to keep it to a Mini or Lunchbox size - though I want to have a volume pedal as well so I think the Mini is out anyway.

pbass2 · #7 02-09-2009, 09:12 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dannybuoy

A better quality bass will be more likely to sound more even throughout the range yes; but I wouldn't recommend using a compressor to solve unevenness between string volumes, it's better to solve that with a decent setup and get your string/pickup heights sorted out!

And your technique.

bongomania · #8 02-09-2009, 09:13 AM

There really are some basses which are already so "even" across the neck that they require neither compression nor changes in playing technique. Setups can help a lot, but are not always a cure- I've owned a couple of basses where the low B was overpowering even after lowering the bass end of the pups and raising the B's action, which meant I had to learn to play more lightly on that string, or use a limiter. I've also recently owned two basses that needed no corrections at all.

OshKoshJoash · #9 02-09-2009, 02:20 PM

i agree it depends on your playing style. While for fingerstyle at church gigs or slow songs I don't really need compression usually, when I'm playing rockier/heavier gigs, I use a compressor to even out my attack since I'm usually hitting the strings as hard as I can while yelling at the top of my lungs.

WJGreer · #10 02-09-2009, 02:52 PM

Absolutely. Some instruments seem to have a nice, natural compression of their own and require less "compression" from a signal processing standpoint.

In my herd, my Valenti, which is a Sadowsky-powered 5 string jazz, really seems to need an outboard compressor to even it out. On the other side of the continuum, my Stingray 5 seems to put out a consistent signal level no matter how I play it. My Skjold 6 is somewhere in between.

I also have a BBE Opto Stomp, which seems to be a nice, inexpensive compressor that can do most of what we ask of it without much complaint.

Bongolation · #11 02-09-2009, 06:11 PM

Strangely, I've never used a compressor, simply because I never felt that, one, I understood how the various complicated DSP/FX compressors I had properly worked and, two, nobody who undertook to explain them to me had any clue what he was talking about either.

I'm assuming that people here find DSP compression anathema anyway...so, what are some relatively inexpensive and commonly encountered analog bass compressors that are simple and reasonably foolproof?

As always, thanks for any useful input.

uaudio · #12 02-09-2009, 06:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bongolation

..so, what are some relatively inexpensive and commonly encountered analog bass compressors that are simple and reasonably foolproof?

As always, thanks for any useful input.

I put a lot of stock in Bongomania's compressor reviews and explanations. Possibly one of the best Talkbass member-generated resources available.

lovenotfear · #13 02-09-2009, 10:13 PM

I agree i played an MTD Bass recently at guitar center, i was shocked, it sounded so even and clean, no matter how hard or light i played it, it just sounded perfect, and no matter how loud i turned it up, it never distorted or over powered the mark bass amp i was playing through, it was so clean sounding, but when i played the stingray's and MY G&L L2500 , and my american Fender jazz v deluxe, they did not sound even close to be being as clean and even as the MTD was, i was just shocked, i wish i had money for one of those, but it was so expensive, and for that price it better sound perfect!!!

warwick.hoy · #14 02-10-2009, 12:26 AM

I'm pretty much a one bass man, but it would be interesting to compare and contrast different basses to see which ones play nicely with compression.

I'm also guessing that knowing how to use compression and onboard preamps or volume and tone controls for passive basses would make compression worthy of any bass.

**grygrx** · #15 02-10-2009, 06:24 AM

Don't feed the trolls. Post returned to normal.

Please note, if you escalate, you are part of the problem.