need a compressor

Zach_Tapp · #1 02-18-2012, 08:54 PM

Hey everyone, my chain is to the point where I think i am needing some compression. I use a Genz-Benz Neo-Pak 3.5 and I usually have the limiter turned on. My chain goes bass-danelectro octave pdeal (don't hate)-bass crybaby-mxr m82 envelope. I use a tuck n roll with two eminence legend 15s. What is cost-effective and will help me out as far as keeping the beast tamed?

NortyFiner · #2 02-18-2012, 09:00 PM

When it comes to compression, bongo knows all.

Compressor Reviews

That said, sounds like you need a comp that can do some limiting. Boss LMB-3 is a relatively cheap option for that purpose. Aguilar TLC and MXR M-87 are two good bass comps that are a step up in quality and price.

Hope that helps.

SGD Lutherie · #3 02-18-2012, 09:51 PM

I use a vintage MXR AC Limiter which is really nice, so the new M-87 is probably good as well.

agedhorse · #4 02-18-2012, 10:12 PM

The DBX-163(X) in the effects loop is a nice, simple and pretty good sounding comnpressor with a single knob adjustment and auto-makeup gain. They should be available cheap too on the used market. The 166 is another more expensive option as is the 160.

NortyFiner · #5 02-18-2012, 11:10 PM

Oh and by the way, this thread probably should be in the effects forum.

Zach_Tapp · #6 02-20-2012, 12:53 AM

Thanks guys! I thought I had posted it in :effects: but I'm using the app on my Android. Muh bad. I would create a rack full of nice gadgets, but I don't get paid enough for that yet. Thanks for the help though, guys. Are the Joyo pedals crap or worthy of consideration?

JumboJack · #7 02-20-2012, 01:08 AM

I can't say enough nice things about the T-Rex Squeezer...Tons of control...Relatively quiet....

mc_muench · #8 02-20-2012, 01:26 AM

Just one question, off topic but...Where is the FUZZ?

Glenn Taylor · #9 02-20-2012, 03:22 AM

A clean signal chain is nice. I never used too many stomp boxes .
One thought is go to Compressors on ebay Musical instruments/pro audio equipment/rack gear/compressors and plug in your amount like $50- $180 or whatever. This will show you most of what's out there. Usually bass only needs 2-5 dbs of compression.(I am a recording engineer for day job 35 years.) In most cases the better bassplayers I've recorded don't need much compression.

GT.

Zach_Tapp · #10 02-20-2012, 01:58 PM

Oh yeah, the bass muff pi is at the beginning of my chain! My mom almost died when she asked "what did you spend your christmas money on?" And I replied "a big muff pi because I need lots of fuzz!" Bwahahaha.

SGD Lutherie · #11 02-20-2012, 02:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Zach_Tapp

Oh yeah, the bass muff pi is at the beginning of my chain! My mom almost died when she asked "what did you spend your christmas money on?" And I replied "a big muff pi because I need lots of fuzz!" Bwahahaha.

I always run my compressor first in the chain.

You do realize what the name refers to, right?

(muff pie/fuzz box = female genitalia)

It's an old joke that goes over some people's heads.

chuck norriss · #12 02-20-2012, 03:04 PM

Don't do it! But if you do get a Markbass Compressore it has a tube in it and that' all that matters.

SGD Lutherie · #13 02-20-2012, 03:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by chuck norriss

Don't do it!

What get a compressor? Every bassist should have a compressor.

Every bass track on every recording is compressed or limited. It sits in the mix better and you get a greater overall output level from your bass.

Especially live. If you want dynamics pluck the strings softer.

Done correctly you wont even notice it, but every note you play will be heard clearly by the audience.

Zach_Tapp · #14 02-21-2012, 12:20 AM

Oh I definitely understand the innuendo. That's why mom crapped bricks

I'm a stompbox guy, so I don't want anything rack-mountable. I though the compressor should be in the end of the chain to squeeze every other effect together and not make one stand out more than the other. It's a new concept to me, not going to lie. I've been using the envelope for a very long time. Had an EBS BassIQ, but it crapped out on me, so I sold it to my drummer and picked up the new MXR one, which sounds nice, but it's starting to short out and nearly cut my signal out completely while playing live. That aggression will not stand, man!

warwick.hoy · #15 02-21-2012, 12:35 AM

I used to run my comp at the end of my chain. I've since switched to first in my chain.

Two things I noticed having at the end. Fuzz->Compy is poop. Compy->Fuzz is a nice,...actually better than just straight Fuzz IMO.

Also Compy->Envelope Filter can cause problems as well since Filters are often dependent on how hard or soft you play. If you have a device that is intended to bump a soft signal or squash a hard signal,...your filter my not respond favorably.

Caveat,...I've never attempted a comp before a filter,...so who knows,...set both devices up right and you get a really nice consistent and predictable Filter,...or I could be wrong.

Having both filter and fuzz on your board,...you'll have to find a compromise. My compromise was to realize that I wasn't really using my envelope filter at all and yoink it off my board.

I much prefer Compy first in my main chain.

EskimoBassist · #16 02-21-2012, 04:08 AM

I'm going through the same problem as described above, I mean I want my compressor before my fuzz and everything else in my chain, but my filters have little dynamic response with a compressor in front of them, obviously. I was thinking about running some kind of parallel chain but to be honest as I'm not massively into envelope stuff I'll probably just not bother with it.

warwick.hoy · #17 02-21-2012, 05:01 AM

I could probably make it work having a filter on my board since I do run two loops,...one with compression in the chain which is my main clean/fuzz/feedback loop loop and a second loop with ring mod and delay; no compy. Both loops can be set clean and I could potentially put the filter in the Ring Mod Delay loop,...but I'm about maxed on pedalboard space; so it would have to be a small filter.

If I'm honest having an envelope filter for me would only be a result of trying to cop synth bass tones,...and that would require Octaver>Fuzz>Filter and that would require a complete rethink of a pedal chain that I'm already satisfied with and my band doesn't call for a great deal of synth bass. I'm happy to make it work with Octaver and Fuzz.

Bonus Pretzel. Octaver seems to track better with a compy in front of it.

SGD Lutherie · #18 02-21-2012, 07:11 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by warwick.hoy

Also Compy->Envelope Filter can cause problems as well since Filters are often dependent on how hard or soft you play. If you have a device that is intended to bump a soft signal or squash a hard signal,...your filter my not respond favorably.

Caveat,...I've never attempted a comp before a filter,...so who knows,...set both devices up right and you get a really nice consistent and predictable Filter,...or I could be wrong.

Depending on what you are after from the filter it can work fine. If you set up the envelope follower for more of a triggered synth style sweep, than it works fine. Depending on how you have the comp set, you are either sending an on/off signal, or you still have some dynamics.

If you want to have the filter change in a more subtle way, then put the filter first.

Zach_Tapp · #19 02-21-2012, 02:09 PM

I'm in the Great Gatsby Jazz Funk Odyssey, so the filter is pretty integral. But it IS starting to short out and iKve picked up a Bass Crybaby. Running the compressor->fuzz->octavius->wah is kinda what I had in mind. I don't want my sweeps to sound anemic though. I'm obviously going for a fat, nasty, KY homegrown funk sound, so I need everything in the chain to play it's role to the fullest.

kraigo · #20 02-21-2012, 02:22 PM

But do read this page (mentioned before). It's bass-centric and the author has a lot of experience with compressors:

Compressor Reviews

KO