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Ampeg SVT VR +compressor???

H

hmm..username.?

Jan 31, 2009
4
0
#1
Alrighty then,
I am currently playing a new SVT VR (the 70's reissue model) which I love the sound of... Usually I am playing out of the 2nd bright channel and am now looking at rack compressors for live sound, but ultimately recording- Now the problem I am facing is that I know that the VR is compressed to some extent, but do some channels by pass the compression ( maybe some channels do not run through the pre amp? ) ? Even if all channels are compressed, would it be a bad investment in buying a rack compressor? I am worried about over compressing my signal, loosing my attack, tone, and what ever goes along with over compressing a bass signal- What should I do? Also, the amp is ridiculously loud, and sometimes my Epiphone Viola puts out a ton of low end on lower notes (which I bought a good equalizer pedal to fix and works well), but feel that a compressor may further fix this and make the rig sound super bad ass as well (not to mention the pro's of using it during recording). Furthermore the 1st Channels (especially the non-bright channels) are almost unnecessarily low end and loud. I was thinking a compressor would help me get a better sound out of these channels, but, keep in mind this is the reissue not the original model. So there is no master volume to depend on in order to get the tubes to growl- So when it comes down to it, the first channels are almost useless to me because of my guitarists 12 watt (but soon to be 45 watt) amp, cannot even come close to competing with my rig at volumes loud enough to get the tubes to distort (especially in the 1st and non-bright channels). Phew... that was allot- Ideas? Suggestions?
 
#2
If you wanted distortion at low volumes, you should have bought the SVT-CL. The VR is an old-fashioned SVT where distortion is totally based on how loud you are. It's definitely incredibly loud at distorting volumes...it doesn't distort until 300w. But all is not lost...first off, I think the old fashioned style SVT with no gain/master sounds better than the CL, although the CL is a killer sounding amp. Second, all you have to do is add a bass overdrive pedal and you will get an excellent tubey-sounding overdrive at a low volume if you need it. And if you want it to sound like a cranked SVT at a low volume, I highly recommend the Sansamp VT pedal. I use it for distorted tones with my Ampeg stuff and it nails the tones to the wall.

Also, if you're getting boom, it's almost certainly the Beatle bass, although newer Ampeg cabs are boomy these days and don't help. I always have to add mids and treble and roll off bass when I use them. But the 2nd channel is fine to use if you want, and it's voiced a little less boomy and with more upper mids, more or less like a B-15. Use the controls if you need to.

A tube amp doesn't have a compressor built in. The way the tubes process the sound acts as a natural compression, albeit a very light compression. A compressor shouldn't change the sound of what's coming out of your amp. All it should do is reduce your dynamic range a little to tame peaks and valleys in your playing. It's not going to make your amp get quieter distortion. You need to try one with someone who knows how to set one up before you decide if you want one.
 
#3
Jimmy's got you covered there, heed his word. I don't think you need a compressor, but check out the FAQ linked in my sig. It should answer most of your comp questions. FWIW if you are recording at home, a compressor is a must-have, but if you are recording at a studio -even a modest project studio- they will already have compressors, you won't need to bring one.
 
#5
hmm..username.? said:
Do you think a compressor would make it sound over compressed? My main worry was spending money on a good compressor and having it sound like ****-
Click to expand...
It's always a possibility. Compressors can be noisy, especially cheaper ones, and especially if you over-compress. And many cheaper ones just plain don't sound good...they do what's known as squashing.

Spend a couple hours at the music store sometime and try a few compressors on your bass. You may like it, you may not. I used to run one, then I stopped because I went back to tube amps fulltime and they sound much better to me uncompressed. It's not a necessary piece of gear for live work by any means, and it's definitely not going to solve all your problems. But compressors are very useful pieces of gear and I'm with Bongo that they're a must-have in-studio. A good studio will have several.
 
#6
A good tip with single volume, powerful tube amps is to use expansion, not compression. Basically the same effect but with a negative ratio.
It boosts on peaks, making them crunch easily. At the same time, it keeps a very low noise level. Tubes tend to naturally compress the signal so your tone doesn't get altered much.
Now if you want full on distortion, not only crunch, this tip is useless. I'd then suggest using an overdrive pedal that will most of the time sound much better than a distorting amp.
 
#7
i use all tube ampeg including the VR and i do sometimes use a compressor in front of them...either the EH Blackfinger...which i love...its a true tube compressor in a pedal..a large pedal but still...or i use the EBS multi-comp...they sound very different but i love them both...i dont use much compression on with either one, if i were going to buy just one...i would get the EBS plus its much much easier to use and navigate...2 knobs...1 switch thats it...vs like 6 knobs on the EH one...lol...sometimes i use my back up amp an ampeg svt 350 and the EH really opens that amp up since it is solid state...
 

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