active pickups have compression?

[BrandonBass]

Thats what one fo my frens told me, and now that i think about it. it kinda makes sense...

I used to own a mij jazz and stingray4. And I always sound better on the stringray, partly becus of its distinctive growl but also I find myself sounding more 'consistent' on the ray as well.

any ideas?

 

[bongomania]

It varies, but the "reality" IMO is that in most cases there is not enough compression to notice. A few, like the Warwick MEC's, are known for a more compressed sound; and some passive-instrument purists swear they can hear compression in "all" onboard preamps; but they are really the exception. IOW, sure it's possible that any one bass you play might have a more compressed sound, but it doesn't necessarily tell you anything about active onboard electronics in general.

 

[SGD Lutherie]

Active pickups don't really have compression, but they do tend to sound more even. This is because they are more sensitive to quieter signals, and depending on the power supply can have a head room limit.

I used to always use compression on guitar until I installed some EMGs, and then I didn't need it. But they don't really do what a compressor does. I still used a compressor on bass when I used EMGs.

 

[DWBass]

There's definitely some negative compression going on with the Barts in my Lakland 55-01. Almost to the point where I can get lost in the mix when I slap. Not acceptable in my book. I have plans to change them!

 

[steve_rolfeca]

Basses with a really strong acoustic output, will overdrive EMG's if they're powered at 9V. My 5-string used to distort at the lower end of the B-string, until I added a second battery for 18V operation. That was in its original configuration, with a single 40DC in the sweet spot.

But running out of power supply headroom, doesn't really sound like compression. On my bass, at least, it was a real "thbbbpppp" farting sound...

On the same note, EMG humbuckers (ie; 40DC, 40CS) have a muddled, slightly compressed sound. Even though they have that aggressive peak in the upper mids, I can still hear it.

 

[SGD Lutherie]

There's definitely some negative compression going on with the Barts in my Lakland 55-01. Almost to the point where I can get lost in the mix when I slap. Not acceptable in my book. I have plans to change them!

Well those are passive pickups, so where is the compression coming from?

One of the things is people get used to pickups with magnets for pole pieces like Jazz basses. Now you see that Leo didn't put a single magnet under the string. This was to reduce the attack, and give a more even, or compressed tone. The Music Man pickup is quiet the opposite in that regard.

More modern designs, such as Barts, often use blades for poles, and the magnetic force is coming from a bar magnet, so it's more even across the top of the pickup, and not stronger under each string. The pull on the strings is less too.

So that gives a more even tone that sounds compressed to some people who are used to the peaky response you get with rod magnets. What you are hearing is more of the softer sounds, and a little less of a jump at the loud end because the magnetic pull at the poles is not as strong.

Bass sounds good with some compression. Most of the recordings and live performances have the bass going through some kind of compressor or limiter. It helps keep the bass heard in the mix, and you don't have to worry about playing something that will jump out too loud.

 

[DWBass]

Well those are passive pickups, so where is the compression coming from?

Good question! It doesn't do that with my other basses (both have Jazz pickups). This is my second 55-01 and my first one did it to. Maybe it's not a compression thing. But there is no 'booty' while I'm thumpin'!

 

[SGD Lutherie]

But there is no 'booty' while I'm thumpin'!

Must be the pickups. Compression would give you more booty, not less. I use two; an old MXR AC Limiter, and the multi band compressor built in my Trace Elliot head. I get a fatter sound with them than without.

 

[walterw]

doesn't that lakland have an active preamp? maybe that's what seems to be "running out of room"?

EMG makes a big deal about their new X-series pickups (which have the same coils for the same basic tone as before, but upgraded internal preamps with more headroom) as having a less compressed, more "natural" sound. (the ones i've heard do indeed sound bolder and livelier.)

 

[DaLoCo]

Sorry SGD, but to clarify....this would then make it feel little less responsive, simply because the high volumes when digging in do not get accentuated as much?

I recently built a bass, and with the acte pre it seems to do a good job, but yes, it seems a little phlegmatic in it's volume variation. With a passive setup it responds better...but I have to say, this is subjective. I like the response of my Warwick $$ Rockbass, which is passive. Now I am comparing soapbars with MM style... which is another variable.

 

[SGD Lutherie]

Active systems should work just fine when digging in.

If your active bass has tone controls try boosting the lows slightly. Don't assume flat is the best setting.

Now the big question is why you want it louder when digging in? I want my bass to have more bite when I dig in, but I don't want it louder since I'm already at the right volume.

 

[12bass]

EMG makes a big deal about their new X-series pickups (which have the same coils for the same basic tone as before, but upgraded internal preamps with more headroom) as having a less compressed, more "natural" sound. (the ones i've heard do indeed sound bolder and livelier.)

There shouldn't be an issue unless the signal exceeds the available headroom; 9 V is generally sufficient to prevent that from happening. As for the new X pickups, my suspicion is that increased headroom is not the main difference. I would suspect an improved preamp circuit, perhaps something cleaner/clearer, and not so harsh sounding like the regular EMG active pickups. Slew rate might also be a factor....

FWIW, I've found that a Q-tuner delivers far more of the instrument's nuances than any EMG I've tried. Not sure that I'd say it comes down to compression though. The real explanation for why certain active pickups sound they do is probably complicated, but may be due in part to the ultra-low current active components used in the preamp circuitry. I've found most low-current op amps to have less-than-stellar sonic characteristics.