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Any reason to not use a compressor?

#41
The honest, serious explanation is that you hear your dynamics better with the SVT precisely because the compression enhances your signal. That's the chief difference between crappy compressors and good ones, as well as crappy settings (user error) vs good settings. A mediocre compressor just flattens your signal crudely; the SVT has a complex dynamic interaction with your signal, a "bounce" and an envelope that sounds totally natural, but is in fact reducing the peaks of your waves. Done well, compression actually makes dynamics easier to hear.
 
#42
It's already been stated but the usefulness of compression relies directly on its application and it seems more often than not that people dismiss it before they're learned how to control it. I myself was guilty of this when I first started using compression and I even bought and sold a few units before I actually had a clue as to what I was doing :rollno:

Subtle use of compression can help the individual notes of say, a fast, complicated run jump out at you. Or, if you are an aggressive slappa, it can really help even out the dynamics and enhance your percussive style.

Personally, I only really use compression for the more virtuoistic stuff (e.g. tapping, slapping... pretending to be Claypool etc :P )
 
#45
To the OP, you mentioned the use of an Active EQ/Preamp on your bass and clipping on the amp, but liking the tone at the current gain settings. There is a difference between gain and level on most amps. Any chance you are able to dial back the level (most amps have a -10db pad or higher for such a case) and dial the gain accordingly to avoid the clipping?

Question: When does the amp clip? Mostly on the E string? Or all over the fretboard?
 
#46
I was also about to post "not really a battle". :) If I ticked off Jimmy too badly he'd send Bowser after me!

Expanding does increase the dynamic range, but doing that makes the more subtle sounds quieter. So it makes subtle dynamic changes less perceptible!
 
#47
SteveC said:
This should be interesting....

An inexpensive one that is very simple and not in your face is the BBE Opto Stomp. $100 or so.
Click to expand...

+1 on the Opto Stomp

It's doesn't take any characteristics out of your bass that you don't let it. For me, it protects me from getting too loud when I really dig in. I like a little compression on mine, and this pedal is an "always-on" type of pedal.

For the "noise" aspect of the FX chain, I went with a power supply brick to supply isolated outputs. A lot of the noise you get in FX chains is because the pedals share non-isolated power.
 
#49
caeman said:
To the OP, you mentioned the use of an Active EQ/Preamp on your bass and clipping on the amp, but liking the tone at the current gain settings. There is a difference between gain and level on most amps. Any chance you are able to dial back the level (most amps have a -10db pad or higher for such a case) and dial the gain accordingly to avoid the clipping?

Question: When does the amp clip? Mostly on the E string? Or all over the fretboard?
Click to expand...

Yeah, all over the fretboard. I don't have a light touch. What do you mean by level?
 
#51
StealingYerMail said:
Yeah, all over the fretboard. I don't have a light touch. What do you mean by level?
Click to expand...

On a dirt pedal, or EQ, or preamp, you may have two knobs, labeled: Level and Gain. They are not the same thing, they modify the signal a different way.

I don't have the technical knowledge to explain it as I should be able to do...must do a Google search.
 
#52
MarTONEbass said:
I have heard that using a compressor too much can result in a reliance on it and thus, not working on your technique with dynamics, etc.
Click to expand...

topo morto said:
- the reliance thing as martonebass said
Click to expand...

First off, anyone using a compressor is probably playing a style of music that doesn't use a whole lot dynamics, especially for a support instrument like the bass. Secondly, I would argue that using a compressor encourages more refined technique as all the mistakes you make - fret clicking, fingers sliding on strings, etc. - are much more noticeable.

I think using my amp too much has resulted in a reliance on it, thus I haven't been working on my technique to make an unplugged bass louder than the drums in a club setting. (Note: I don't use a compressor. Just pointing out BS when I see it.)
 
#53
It's actually simple: gain is how much your signal is increased, and on an amp that is controlled at the input--so you can think of gain as "volume going IN". The level knob, AKA "master" or "master volume", turns down the preamp from its max gain, at the very end, to adjust the level you want at the output--so think of it as "volume going OUT".

The point of them is that increasing gain at the input can increase OD or other tone coloring, but you don't always want that to mean the volume goes up too. Or vice-versa, maybe you want a clean sound, no OD and less color, so you turn down the gain--but you still want plenty of volume, so you turn up the master.
 
#54
Muaguana said:
First off, anyone using a compressor is probably playing a style of music that doesn't use a whole lot dynamics, especially for a support instrument like the bass.
Click to expand...
False on two counts: first, people use compressors in every amplified genre that has ever been invented. Second, bass is not always a "support" instrument.
 
#57
After reading Bongo's page a while back, I bought a BBE Opto and have really liked it. It's always on but is tranparent and really doesn't kick in until I slap. It helps keep my volume even through the funk and doesn't muffle my tone.

I've tried cheaper compressors in the past (Boss & Digitech) and found them to suck tone. To all those writing negatively about compressors, if you used a cheaper one, I can't blame you for feeling the way you do.

A good compressor should work without you knowing that it's on. Trying one that actually works correctly may make all the difference for you.
 
#58
bongomania said:
It's actually simple: gain is how much your signal is increased, and on an amp that is controlled at the input--so you can think of gain as "volume going IN". The level knob, AKA "master" or "master volume", turns down the preamp from its max gain, at the very end, to adjust the level you want at the output--so think of it as "volume going OUT".

The point of them is that increasing gain at the input can increase OD or other tone coloring, but you don't always want that to mean the volume goes up too. Or vice-versa, maybe you want a clean sound, no OD and less color, so you turn down the gain--but you still want plenty of volume, so you turn up the master.
Click to expand...
Good post, thanks. :D
 
#59
I bought an EBS pedal compressor that fits in the subtle category and that I really like, but I bought it after I had a big enough amp to need it. Maybe that $200 goes toward an amp? Nothing better for technique than being able to hear yourself without wailing on every note!
 
#60
I use one with my combo. I like the Opto- Stomp (bought used for around $40.00) for live use but it's too noisy for studio use. Compressors for bass are very useful, they can give you tonal options that are impossible to achieve otherwise. I find that I can get a thick sustaining tone, using one while employing a "digging in" technique. When I desire more natural dynamics, I switch it off.
They are a cool tool for many applications.
To avoid clipping, you will need to either turn down or get a bigger amp. Really no other real world options there.
 

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