MXR Bass Compressor M87 settings

[mouthmw]

So how do you set yours?
I only gigged once with mine so far and I had it set:

Release around 11
Attack around 1
Ratio: 8:1
Input so that I light 1-3 lights with my "normal" fingerstyle (around 1:30 - 2:00)
Output close to unity gain

It worked great for fingerstyle and pick. Slap was good, but I noticed I either have to really control myself and slap lighter, because it often eats my signal if I slap hard so nothing really comes out.

Perhaps a different setting might be more useful, or a lighter compression (4:1)?

[scottfeldstein]

That's almost the exact settings I use. I slap about 1/4 of the time in the group I'm in now.

I find the compression settings to be good all-around settings. What I'd really like to experiment with is using the "clean boost" setting on my Multiwave Bass Distortion to change the EQ for slapping--cut some high mids, and get rid of all that string noise. Or maybe I could utilize the EQ on my bass. I have a new Ibanez SR505 with an active high/mid/low plus a mid frequency selector switch (high or low mid). Maybe I can achieve it with that.

[3tsb]

Only slap on one song, "Fly Away" and don't pick, so I'm 95% finger style. I'm running:

4:1
Attack 3:00
Release 1:00
Input: 1:00 (a few lights at normal)
Output: Unity

[Alvaro Martín Gómez A.]

My settings are:

- 8:1 ratio
- Attack around 8 o'clock
- Release around 2 o'clock
- All the green LEDs light when playing real hard (but not the yellow ones)
- Unity gain

So far I'm really happy with those settings, but I know that I need to experiment more.

[mouthmw]

Originally Posted by scottfeldstein

That's almost the exact settings I use. I slap about 1/4 of the time in the group I'm in now.

I find the compression settings to be good all-around settings.

Nice! I also find it to be good all-around setting. Do you find yourself having to control your slap technique a little more in order not to "drown" the M87 LEDs and cut too much volume?

Originally Posted by Alvaro Martín Gómez A.

My settings are:

- 8:1 ratio
- Attack around 8 o'clock
- Release around 2 o'clock
- All the green LEDs light when playing real hard (but not the yellow ones)
- Unity gain

So far I'm really happy with those settings, but I know that I need to experiment more.

Interesting! You seem to prefer slower attack and faster release. Do you find your tone to be punchier that way or?

[scottfeldstein]

Occasionally it does seem like the harder I play the quieter I get. But I think that's an illusion. Maybe going for a slower attack and a faster decay is the answer. In that case you're going to get much more of an uncompressed note attack at the beginning of each note.

[Alvaro Martín Gómez A.]

Originally Posted by mouthmw

Interesting! You seem to prefer slower attack and faster release. Do you find your tone to be punchier that way or?

Exactly. I have a strong attack and I consider it part of my tone, so I don't want to lose it. Although, in all fairness, the effect of the attack knob is comparatively subtle to my ears. The release knob is much prominent.

[scottfeldstein]

That's exactly what I'm getting at, yes. And the faster the release the more likely it is that the compressor is "reset" for the next note attack. So I think Alvaro is right as usual: fast release is even more important to let those attacks come through.

[mouthmw]

I noticed it too, the release is very noticable, while attack always pretty fast to begin with. I might experiment with slower attack and faster release.

[Razzmatazz]

It took me a while to get used to the M87. Right now I'm set on slow attack/fast release settings and adjust the imput depending on which bass I play, usually half way through the green leds with a 4:1 ratio and ouput at unity. I find these settings to be more natural and peaks are less noticeable.

[scottfeldstein]

Originally Posted by mouthmw

Do you find yourself having to control your slap technique a little more in order not to "drown" the M87 LEDs and cut too much volume?

No. I'm comfortable with my finger style note attacks lighting up fewer LEDs on the meter. I always want some, but I can get some that way and more with a slap. I never hit the red. Maybe not even the yellow.

Besides, it's important to remember that just because all the lights go on it doesn't mean anything gets literally quieter. it just gets louder by a smaller amount than it ordinarily would do. The phenomenon of seeming quieter when slapping is probably because I don't get the same thick, deep fundamental note as when I'm just finger style. I slap and I get a sharp attack, string bouncing off fretboard, etc. But I don't get a beefy, strong fundamental note ringing out. I don't think that has anything to do with the compressor at all.

[mouthmw]

I'm comfortable with lighting up fewer LEDs fingerstyle too, that's exactly how I want it. I guess I just pound too much sometimes when I slap because I light them all up and seem to cut too much volume (maybe just seemingly so). And I agree with the beefy strong fundamental comment.

[Mike M.]

Nothing of use to add....been checking the threads about the M87 and I think I'd like to check one out. I have good control with my plucking fingers, but am the first to admit I could use some help with the slap style until I learn to get better control on my own.

Never used a compressor so it should be interesting.

[ShowKing]

First time when I tried my M87 at a rehearsal, I found my initial settings cut my volume too much because I dig in more when playing with others.
I had attack around 1 and release around 10.

Tonight was 2nd rehearsal with M87 and as some of you guys have mentioned, I tried a slower attack and faster release.
Attack around 10, release around 1.
This made my volume more usable even when I dig in.

Do you guys have to change settings depending on the bass? or does 1 setting generally work for other basses?

[scottfeldstein]

Both examples you cite are cases where you're sending a hotter signal into the unit: either a bass with a stronger signal or you're just playing harder. In both cases you might want to dial back the Input. For me, I like to light up the meter with each and every note I play, but not max it out. So I play the bass I want to play, play it how I want to play it, then I glance down at the unit to see if the meter. If it's redlining all the time, I dial back the Input. if it's only lighting up a few lights on the loudest notes I dial it up some.

I'm not sure you'd want to mess with the attack/release settings for this, though.

[Stretchhh]

My settings differ for every single bass so this thread to me really is a bit silly as it is all down to playing style and bass electronics that determine the settings. I never have the same attack, release, input and output the same as you tend to playing every bass slightly different but i don't like to be playing really hard and hitting the high end of the LED's as i have enough clipping in my signal as it is.

[Rick Blanc]

Originally Posted by Alvaro Martín Gómez A.

My settings are:

- 8:1 ratio
- Attack around 8 o'clock
- Release around 2 o'clock
- All the green LEDs light when playing real hard (but not the yellow ones)
- Unity gain

So far I'm really happy with those settings, but I know that I need to experiment more.

Originally Posted by Razzmatazz

It took me a while to get used to the M87. Right now I'm set on slow attack/fast release settings and adjust the imput depending on which bass I play, usually half way through the green leds with a 4:1 ratio and ouput at unity. I find these settings to be more natural and peaks are less noticeable.

I don't know what that is. Can some one help out a stupid guy please?

[Alvaro Martín Gómez A.]

You get unity gain if the perceived loudness (volume) is the same when the pedal is turned on and off. You can adjust that with the Output knob.

Hope this helps.

[Rick Blanc]

That does help. Apparently that's where I've setting mine

Thanks

[Chazinroch]

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