Save my fingers, get a compressor?

IntrepidCellist · #1 01-28-2010, 06:45 PM

These days I'm running an Eden WT400 or an Eden E300T into a 2x10+2x12 setup. I get great transients, but they do tend to die out quickly unless I really dig in, which gives me major blisters under my calluses and slows me down.

Is this a technique issue, or would a compressor help me out? If so, what do people recommend for a good compressor? I'm not hauling a rack around these days so I'd prefer something in a pedal form factor.

Thanks!

EDIT: Realized this is kind of unclear. Here's my issue: I like a slightly more aggressive sound, but also want a bit more smoothness and sustain after the initial attack. Since I'm finding myself at an amp setting where the amp is feeling very dynamic, I end up 'wanting' to hit it harder to get more volume and punch, but doing so kills my fingertips and gets me a very percussive sound that dies away rather quickly.

Kromwarp · #2 01-28-2010, 06:57 PM

Ask Bongo, he'll know for sure

Jazz Ad · #3 01-28-2010, 07:13 PM

Push gain on the amp and play softer. No need for a compressor.

IntrepidCellist · #4 01-28-2010, 07:27 PM

Neither amp really 'compresses' when the gain is cranked. The WT is super clean and the E300T gets a little gritty around the edges.

BigOldHarry · #5 01-28-2010, 07:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jazz Ad

Push gain on the amp and play softer. No need for a compressor.

+1

That's the Gary Willis story... and who's gonna argue with him?

Mingus Addict · #6 01-28-2010, 07:38 PM

Sounds more like a bass and/or string problem to me. Do you have the same issue with all your basses?

IntrepidCellist · #7 01-28-2010, 07:43 PM

Yes. Active Schecters, passive P-bass, passive Rickenbacker. I generally use Elixirs, but feel like I have a similar problem with D'Addarios and Slinkies.

sonic assassin · #8 01-28-2010, 08:48 PM

well a compressor might kill the transients unless you have good control over the attack time. and most pedal compressors (read: garbage) dont have the sort of control you need.

i too play very aggressively, but i never try to squeeze notes out for long periods of time. as far as ive known, your sustain and resonance is in the bass. if i play soft, they are going to die out just as quickly

ive had blisters. i deal with them. with the drive dimed, i still hardly get the attack i want. so i just deal with it.

walker rosewood · #9 01-28-2010, 10:03 PM

Quote:

most pedal compressors (read: garbage) dont have the sort of control you need.

...but some do!

http://ovnilab.com/

bongomania · #10 01-28-2010, 10:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by IntrepidCellist

I get great transients, but they do tend to die out quickly unless I really dig in

Not meaning to be snarky, but that is the definition of a "transient": it comes and goes quickly. If you want the loudest part of your note to continue for a longer time, then a compressor can help, but Jazz Ad is perfectly correct that you can get a similar (maybe better) result by playing more softly and turning up the amp.

M0ses · #11 01-28-2010, 10:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sonic assassin

if i play soft, they are going to die out just as quickly

ive had blisters. i deal with them. with the drive dimed, i still hardly get the attack i want. so i just deal with it.

I've noticed that, too. No added sustain from digging. IMO compressors are pretty lame.

bongomania · #12 01-29-2010, 12:06 AM

Look at Geddy or Steve Harris--they are both famous for their aggressive attack and full tone, and both of them play very lightly.

IntrepidCellist · #13 01-29-2010, 12:18 AM

It's probably as much a technique problem as anything. I like more sustain in general, but when I get into it I like to hear myself and start to dig in, which gives me really unnecessarily loud transients.

I guess what I'm looking for is something to alter the 'feel' a little bit, so I don't feel like I have to push as hard to get good note response.

Swift713 · #14 01-29-2010, 08:48 AM

I'm not clear, are you trying to tame your transients or sustain them? You're trying to get an aggressive attack without having to play as hard? It sounds like a compressor may be what you're looking for but it's not clear. Get a really good comp (see bongo's reviews) and play with it for a week or so. If it doesn't help, return it or sell it.

bassman1185 · #15 01-29-2010, 09:07 AM

I'll agree with everyone who already said turn up the gain on your amp and back off from attacking your strings so hard. Your issue doesn't sound like something that would be fixed with a compressor. In fact, it seems like a compressor would be counter productive.

mattfong · #16 01-29-2010, 11:03 AM

Doesn't the WT400 have a compressor built in? my WT330 (which is basically the same amp, IIRC) has one.

If you continually get blisters you're probably playing too hard. I'd say turn the gain up and see if that helps.

IntrepidCellist · #17 01-29-2010, 11:40 AM

I'm sorry I was unclear, reading my first post helped me realize that. I like a slightly more aggressive sound, but also want a bit more smoothness and sustain after the initial attack. Since I'm at a point where the amp is feeling very dynamic, I end up 'wanting' to hit it harder to get more volume and punch, but doing so kills my fingertips and gets me a very percussive sound that dies away rather quickly.

The WT400 does have an onboard compressor, but you can kind of hear it 'pumping' slightly when it works. I'll fiddle around with your guys' suggestions tonight at rehearsal volume, see if it feels better.

stflbn · #18 01-29-2010, 11:43 AM

In my experience, I play more aggresively WITH a compressor because the compressor strips out all the spikes and variances in my playing. I play more consistently and aware of my attack without a compressor.

ryansalmond · #19 01-29-2010, 11:50 AM

For me, turning up the volume often leads to playing just as hard, because striking the strings hard lets your hear more of your own signal, which is rewarding (unless done to the point of hurting your ears), and you end up hitting the strings hard without connsciously realizing it.

As such, I set my compressor up at a high compression setting, so that if I really dig in it won't be any louder than playing lightly, and as such I won't find myself getting into the habit of digging in at times when I don't consciously intend to. With this set up I find myself naturally playing with a light touch, and dig in occasionally when going for a certain sound.

bongomania · #20 01-29-2010, 11:59 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by IntrepidCellist

Since I'm at a point where the amp is feeling very dynamic, I end up 'wanting' to hit it harder to get more volume and punch, but doing so kills my fingertips and gets me a very percussive sound that dies away rather quickly.

Note: you'll probably get more of that percussive punch that you like if you turn up the input of the amp, rather than turning up the output. Then when you play e.g. using quick sharp movements of your fingertips (speed not strength) you will hear a nice crisp articulate attack with no finger-killing, and probably with more sustain. You may also want a limiter with threshold and attack controls, rather than the one-knob compressor built into the Eden. That way you can get your signal spikes closer to the sustaining level of your notes, without killing the articulation, and without pumping.