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Bass Compressor, Which One?
- Thread starter BassBeginer64
- Start date
There is no absolute right or wrong, so don't be afraid to do the opposite.
My 2¢: run compression before dirt (overdrive/distortion) if you want a consistent level of distortion in your signal. If you want your distortion to be dynamic -- i.e. heavier dirt the more you dig in -- then you probably want to run compression after dirt.
I generally run comp before dirt for consistency, but then I stay with gentle compression so my dirt remains somewhat dynamic.
I don't use other FX. If I did, I would experiment. From what I've read, players have different preferences for putting comp before or after filter, octaver, etc. Go with what works for you.
A Maxon CP9 Pro+ came up for sale on the classifieds here so I grabbed it based on this review:
Maxon CP9 Pro+
I've found it to be as described in the review. Adds that extra presence and smoothness without noise or tone coloring. Tried it before and after other effects, prefer after. It's at the end of my chain, always on.
Maxon CP9 Pro+
I've found it to be as described in the review. Adds that extra presence and smoothness without noise or tone coloring. Tried it before and after other effects, prefer after. It's at the end of my chain, always on.
I am wearing compression socks, now I don't need a compressor, as the compression flows through me like a Jedi!
I really do like the sound and feel of the Effectrode. It's just the darn power requirements that keep it from being pedalboard friendly. It's a tasty compressor though.
Here's my review: Testing Compressors: Cali, Smoothie, Empress, Diamond, Keeley, FEA, Darkglass, Doc Lloyd, JHS & more
The Cali76 CB has a nice snap to it. It is bright, but not overly bright. Good workable low end with the HPF dialed in.
It was my recent purchase (thanks in part to your great comparison reviews)
After years of playing a Boss LMB-3 and fooling around with a few others along the way, I got an MXR M87 Bass Comp after reading about it here and listening to demos. Took me a while to get it right for me, but its now been sitting pretty 3rd in chain and doing fine. Truth be told though, the LMB-3 worked out very well also, without the bells & whistles.
MXR M87 is a great intro compressor for all the reasons others have listed. Unfortunately their instruction “manual” is nearly useless. Read up on how to use compressors elsewhere. Whether it's good enough as you progress, only you can decide. For what I do, it’s working fine. And that meter is *very* helpful.
Don't get aa compressor, or anything else that can hide issues with your technique. You can't fix it if you can't hear it.
As a beginner I would recommend you do not use a compressor, it may mask imperfections in your technique, so that you won't know what you're doing wrong!
I'm a big fan of practicing with and without effects, even early on. Take advice in the spirit it's meant, and don't sweat it. (I ge it, it gets old.)
There's value in playing without, but there's value in playing with effects (parsing that last phrase both ways). Know what you want to achieve, and find what helps you get there.
By myself no pedals, wife in the room with pedals, any way to sound better to offset the cost of all my gear, you understand. Hearing from the wife "oh you are getting better" Thanks Pedal effects!
i run the MXR 76 on bass it was easier to find $25 cheaper and does a great job so far
My favorite one after 20+ years is the DOD 525 compressor/limiter. Its an oldie from 1980 and has a weird AC plug. I handwired a voltage doubler in it and changed the jack to 2.1mm. A total sleeper for bass and runs at 18v. Let me know if you get one and I help with the conversion.
