Best Bass Compression

[stedtale]

Hello again-

What do all of you you for your live compression, if you use it? I'm trying to decide if I should get a nice standalong compressor for my live sound.

Thanks!

 

[brianrost]

I never use compression live, only when recording. If you are trying to decide whether to get a compressor for live use you need to consider why you think you need it.

 

[stedtale]

I guess I've just always thought that compression helped to even out your sound and clean it up a little bit, just like it does in the studio. I'm I thinking wrong on that?

 

[SteveC]

Compression always sems to bring out very strong opinions. To each their own. I don't see anything wrong with trying it if you want. If it works for you, great. If not, great.

Compression, like everything else, can be used for good or evil. I use the "built in" compressor on my Eden head. It's subtle, leaves me with dynamics, but also takes out the big "spikes" that occur from time to time.

I really like the PreSonus BlueMax Compressor. I just set it on the "bass" preset. Worked great for what I wanted.

 

[stedtale]

Yes there is always the built in compressor. I am looking for a new head...

 

[BuffaloBass]

Picked up a Dunlop power supply for my Demeter Opti Compressor since I think I will be using it more often than not. Its very subtle, like a 12" vs a 15"speaker. Like the additional punch. Likely leave it on all the time, except for a few tunes we do that are light and airy with simple melodic bass lines.

 

[westland]

I just received my Thunderfunk TFB 550 amp ... Dave Funk has built a 'Limiter' rather than a compressor into the amp, claiming that it leaves the sound with more of its original character than a compressor. It limits the spikes without affecting the soft to high-normal volume tones. I can't tell yet as I am still waiting for my speakers (Accugroove Tri112Ls *boast* )

 

[uly_]

Can't live without my Aphex helps me control the tone and gives that deep "ooomf" sound(guess its called "punch" )

It's on at all times.

 

[Scottie Johnson]

I don't have a compressor, but my amp does have a limiter, which is good, since I am running 900 watts into a Acme 2x10.

I like to have the limiter there for a safety net. I also think that as long as you don't over-compress your sound, you'll be fine. Although I have been looking at the Keeley Compressor pedal.

 

[bassguitar]

I use the compressor slightly on my Yorkville xs800h slightly. Though I almost never see it light up unless I'm really banging away. I use the limiter too, though the amp master is rarely past 4 so I don't know if it's ever being used or not.

 

[ingo62]

Hi Low-Enders,

I'm using the dual band-compressor of my Trace SMX-Preamp. It's a no-brainer, low comp at 10 o clock, high comp at 9 o clock and ready. It's subtle and works for me, just speaker protection and taming the "pops" a bit

Greetz from ol' Germany

Ingo

 

[Unchain]

I use the Boss Bass Limiter/Enhancer. Picked it up for $25.00 on eBay, and it leaves me with plenty of volume and tone to work with, but evens out everything nicely. It isn't the best, but unless you want a rack unit, it's one of the nicer limiter/compression pedals I've seen.

 

[Petary791]

Originally I got one (Aphex Punch Factory) when I was still rocking out on my Squier. I thought it would make my **** bass better, but alas, the guy at Guitar Center screwed me over. ANYWAYS, I didn't use it for a while, but I decided to plug it in again recently. I really liked it, but i'm not using it again. I'm pretty sure i'm not gonna add it again. I like being able to control my own dynamics and whatnot.

 

[Tedintheshed]

It all depends on what you want to use the compression for. I use a dBX 160X, basically for speaker protection.

Hello again-

What do all of you you for your live compression, if you use it? I'm trying to decide if I should get a nice standalong compressor for my live sound.

Thanks!

 

[Tedintheshed]

No, you're not. That is one use.

I guess I've just always thought that compression helped to even out your sound and clean it up a little bit, just like it does in the studio. I'm I thinking wrong on that?

 

[el_Kabong]

I use the Boss Bass Limiter/Enhancer. Picked it up for $25.00 on eBay, and it leaves me with plenty of volume and tone to work with, but evens out everything nicely. It isn't the best, but unless you want a rack unit, it's one of the nicer limiter/compression pedals I've seen.

+1 The controls are quite sensitive tho, they can take a bit of fiddling to set up so that they sound good. It's quite easy to squash the life out of your sound with this box.