Running two compressors?

[Wayne8]

I've read that most, if not all of the bass tracks heard on the radio are heavily compressed, as in compressed more than once. I was wondering has anyone ever tried running two compressors at the same time. I don't use any other pedals, if that makes a difference.

[Swift713]

Oh sure, I've run a pedal comp into a preamp with compression. There are also two channel compressors with a mode to run the channels in series. I think using two comps set for different kinds of action can get some cool results, like a more subtle smooth setting and a fast limiter.

[Wayne8]

I've got a tube compressor in the shop and a Carl Martin Opto Comp on the way to me. I may try it and see, when I get them both here. I've got a little Fender amp with built in compression and I love that sound but it's way more compressed than any compressor I've tried alone. May come close with two compressors.

[bongomania]

Yeah it is done sometimes, especially in recording jangly guitars. All compression is a compromise, in terms of good effects versus bad, and running two comps in series doubles the effect of those compromises. But as with any other use of a compressor, if the compromises get you the sound/results you want, then it's a success!

[sonic assassin]

often times a signal will be compressed, then hit the master compressor, then put on the radio and put through the radio compressor (2 second release time, 20:1 ratio), then sent through the air and decoded by your radio which may have its own compression.

if there are 2 compressors on a single signal, they are doing different things. perhaps a tube comp for color and warmth, then something like an 1176 to really put a slam on the track.

theres also tape compression. maybe they just slammed the tape machine and THEN compressed the hell out of it some more.

this is modern production. i like about a third of what they do with music these days. i like super slammed drums (but not crispy), but i cant stand over crushed and then scooped bass.

[Samsound]

Also compressors can trash your sound when they're working hard. Two compressors working lightly to moderately tend to sound more natural.

Another use is, as alluded to, setting one as a fast limiter with a high threshold for slap passages, and the second with slow, light compression to beef up fingerstyle passages.

[lowfreq33]

Originally Posted by Samsound

Also compressors can trash your sound when they're working hard. Two compressors working lightly to moderately tend to sound more natural.

Another use is, as alluded to, setting one as a fast limiter with a high threshold for slap passages, and the second with slow, light compression to beef up fingerstyle passages.

This.

[DeadPoet]

When recording it is very likely a bass is compressed 'on the way in' and then again during mixing, so there's your 2stage compression anyway.

When playing live (95% with a PA) I know my signal will be compressed by the sound guy, so I don't bother with compression except for the occasional slap part (compensate volume drop and spikes) - but that's just me, feel free to experiment with different compressors for some spaced out tones.



Herwig

[Diddii]

i had the same idea, i have limiter-enhancer which i was going to try running first in my chain and then the MultiComp last (after dirt)

[Wayne8]

Thanks for all the input. I'll give it a try when I get them both here. To tell the truth, I've been happy with the sound of the tube compressor alone but had to put it in the shop for an intermittent problem. I guess I was just wondering if it could sound even better with two comps.