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Compression and Preamps

thunder_dan

thunder_dan

Nov 18, 2010
29
0
#1
Greetings all. I am new to rack mount options, so I need a little help. I recently disassembled my pedalboard because I'm playing in a metal group and need very few effects. I got rid of my Sansamp Bass Driver and opted for the RPM. After reading the scores of reviews here on TB, in hindsight I should have gotten the RBI, but I digress. I'm also running a Line 6 G90, wireless and a Korg Pitchblack Pro Tuner. So my question is this: If I have a limiter built into my amp, do I really need a compressor/noise gate for my rack? I understand at times the RPM or RBI for that matter may get a little hot, but will my amp limiter compensate for that? Any help will do, I don't want to waste time buying too many components.
 
#2
what kind of amp?

are you using the sansamp as an "effect" in front or as the actual preamp, by going into your amp's effects return?
 
#5
thunder_dan said:
Greetings all. I am new to rack mount options, so I need a little help. I recently disassembled my pedalboard because I'm playing in a metal group and need very few effects. I got rid of my Sansamp Bass Driver and opted for the RPM. After reading the scores of reviews here on TB, in hindsight I should have gotten the RBI, but I digress. I'm also running a Line 6 G90, wireless and a Korg Pitchblack Pro Tuner. So my question is this: If I have a limiter built into my amp, do I really need a compressor/noise gate for my rack? I understand at times the RPM or RBI for that matter may get a little hot, but will my amp limiter compensate for that? Any help will do, I don't want to waste time buying too many components.
Click to expand...

No. Well, not useless you just want a compressor.
 
#6
I'm using an older solid state Ampeg SVT, running the wireless into the tuner, into the Sansamp into the Ampeg directly. I don't need many effects and prefer the cleaner tone with just a hint of distortion/fuzz/boost which I hope the RPM will provide. I was just concerned about my amp peaking. Occasionally while playing, my peak signal stays on constantly and was curious to know if a compressor would help with that. Never owned a compressor or needed one for that matter so I'm not even sure if I should buy one, although I did find a good deal on an older model with a noise gate built in.
 
#7
bongomania said:
By "hot" did you mean high output? If so, you just turn down the master volume a bit.

Check the faq linked in my sig for articles about setting up a rack rig, and whether you need a compressor. :)
Click to expand...

Thanks a lot for the links Bongo, I've seen your page before, it's great!

Now I just need to figure out if I should get the RBI instead of the RPM! I know that deadhorse has been beat to death here on TB!
 
#8
thunder_dan said:
I'm using an older solid state Ampeg SVT, running the wireless into the tuner, into the Sansamp into the Ampeg directly. I don't need many effects and prefer the cleaner tone with just a hint of distortion/fuzz/boost which I hope the RPM will provide. I was just concerned about my amp peaking. Occasionally while playing, my peak signal stays on constantly and was curious to know if a compressor would help with that. Never owned a compressor or needed one for that matter so I'm not even sure if I should buy one, although I did find a good deal on an older model with a noise gate built in.
Click to expand...

The RPM (or RBI) will provide some OD but nothing that I consider to be distortion or fuzz. How it interacts with your SVT may be another story altogether, though. Have you considered a dedicated OD pedal instead? I'm no expert but, based on the positive feedback from others, I bought and use a Fairfields Circuitry Barbershop for the soft break-up I think you're describing. FWIW, I use an RPM or pre-PSA Sansamp rackmount as dedicated preamps and run directly into my power amp > enclosure du jour. The RPM does have some compression folded into the tube emulation design but I still have a separate comp pedal on my board.

Riis
 
#9
Zooberwerx said:
The RPM (or RBI) will provide some OD but nothing that I consider to be distortion or fuzz. How it interacts with your SVT may be another story altogether, though. Have you considered a dedicated OD pedal instead? I'm no expert but, based on the positive feedback from others, I bought and use a Fairfields Circuitry Barbershop for the soft break-up I think you're describing. FWIW, I use an RPM or pre-PSA Sansamp rackmount as dedicated preamps and run directly into my power amp > enclosure du jour. The RPM does have some compression folded into the tube emulation design but I still have a separate comp pedal on my board.

Riis
Click to expand...

Thanks for the advice. I want to do away with a pedal board altogether hence the RPM. I did have the Bass Driver Pedal but it didn't seem to do as much as I thought it would do as far as OD goes. I bought the RPM as an upgrade, hopefully it will deliver a bit more edge to my tone. I'm very happy with the Ampeg and just need a bit more warmth and OD. I don't need any effects with the band I'm in now so I'm thinning the herd and going with a 3 space rack into the amp directly. After reading the links Bongo supplied, I don't think I'll be purchasing a compressor after all as I don't have any other effects to alter my signal level.
 
#10
thunder_dan said:
Thanks for the advice. I want to do away with a pedal board altogether hence the RPM. I did have the Bass Driver Pedal but it didn't seem to do as much as I thought it would do as far as OD goes. I bought the RPM as an upgrade, hopefully it will deliver a bit more edge to my tone. I'm very happy with the Ampeg and just need a bit more warmth and OD. I don't need any effects with the band I'm in now so I'm thinning the herd and going with a 3 space rack into the amp directly. After reading the links Bongo supplied, I don't think I'll be purchasing a compressor after all as I don't have any other effects to alter my signal level.
Click to expand...

I follow ya. The RPM could very well provide all the subtle compression you'll ever need. Have some fun and bypass the SVT's tone section by running the RPM directly into the FX return, power amp in, whatever. I run my blend at ~75%. My friend, walterw, is a proponent of running it 100% for the full-on, balls-to-the-walls tone. If you haven't figured it out yet, the sweepable mid-range control is one of the best things going.

Riis
 
#11
:D

to be fair, while i run my sansamp at 100%, i back the drive (which at 100% blend becomes my pre-gain) down to where it's still a decently clean sound, with maybe a little grit when i dig in.
 

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