Compression for Bass

[Odinbass]

Sorry if this has been covered before.

In addition to an amp for stage volume, I run my P-Bass through a Sansamp DI into the mixing board. It easily overloads the board and therefore has to be cut way down, making it sound thin through the PA.

My non-expert solution is to get a compressor for the bass.

They have those pedal compressors that compress the bass before the DI box. There are also those rack compressors that go in the PA rack.

I don't know which one to get? That is if a compressor is even the solution to the problem.

Just thought I'd ask some fellow bassists.

 

[Phantasm]

I wouldn't get a compressor. Try turning the level on the Sansamp down instead, turning it up until they get enough signal.

The higher you turn the drive, the lower the level will need to be. I think I have mine around 12:00.

If it's still too hot, the sensitivity on the board's preamps may be an issue. They can press the pad button on the channel or you can get an in-line pad device to pad the signal coming out of the Sansamp. This may be the solution if you want higher output to the amp and lower output to the board.

 

[Nick Kay]

There's a switch on the BDDI for controlling the level on the XLR out. Switch it to INST instead of LINE and it'll be much easier for most mic preamps to handle.

 

[walker rosewood]

^ this. no need for an 'in-line pad device' because it's already built into the sansamp.

 

[TimWilson]

I won't play the bass without compression, period. As an engineer and producer, as well as working bassist, I find it absolutely essential for live and recording. Many players will argue that good technique negates the need for compression: I say that good technique allows for more INVISIBLE compression, but compression STILL helps.

A humble BOSS stompbox ($50 used in the classifieds here) will instantly improve your sound and presence in the mix.

 

[Phantasm]

I can't ever find one that sounds transparent to me on the low notes. That's why i usually skip the comp and just try to play more evenly.

If I'm going to use a comp I like it to be a LA2A type comp. A "two knob comp" so to speak.

 

[Craig_S]

I can't ever find one that sounds transparent to me on the low notes.

I've used compression for years and never had this problem. The low end from my bass is HUGE in every room I've played. I play mostly classic rock covers. I would be missing the ability to play aggressively, with a pick and fingers, or to slap, without spiking the system constantly. Beside that, bass has been compressed, on recordings, forever. Everyone you see in concert is compressed one way or another. Why would you do it differently?

 

[bongomania]

Check the FAQ linked in my sig for an explanation of when and how to use compression. Check the reviews to learn about ones that don't kill your tone or rob low end.

 

[guroove]

I can't ever find one that sounds transparent to me on the low notes.

It's probably because you have it set too high, and you are digging in too hard to try to mess it up. Just my $.02 but if you play through an all tube ampeg amp, then you are using compression.

 

[Odinbass]

Thank you for your responses.

I should elaborate that 99% of the time I don't have the Sansamp DI 'activated', it's usually just serving as a $200 DI box. Perhaps I don't have the toggle switches set right on it, which would make sense because I don't even know what they do. I'll try to play with them and see if it works.

I will also look at the in-depth compression webpage listed here. Since playing evenly is an impossibility for me, I'll probably end up trying a compressor regardless.

 

[guroove]

If you're on a budget, the bbe optostomp is very cheap, and is very clean sounding. It isn't perfect, and will over squash notes if you dig in too hard and try to throw it off, but it does even up your sound nicely if you find the right setting for it.

 

[rpsands]

There are simple mods to do to the optostomp; had mine upgraded a little by a pedal guy. It's fantastic.

 

[guroove]

There are simple mods to do to the optostomp; had mine upgraded a little by a pedal guy. It's fantastic.

Really? What did they do, and what is the result?

 

[Jerry Ziarko]

Compression has zero to do with the problem you are describing. The input stage of the board is being overloaded. If you are using the SA only as a direct box with no active EQ, than either the trim on the input of the board has to come down, or if it is already at a minimum, the pad (-10, -15 db) on your channel has to be engaged.

 

[TimmyP]

A compressor is not what you need to solve the problem (as others have said).

However if one does want a compressor, and has a loop, the TC Triple C triple band compressor is what I used for bass and keys in the PA before we got a digital console. It can control "lumpy" lows or blasts of highs from snapping, both while leaving the mids where they need to be. (And I happen to know where one can be bought

 

[Odinbass]

Hey thanks again. I'm concluding that compression isn't the primary solution to the overloading of the mixer. I'll just have to figure out a way to lower the input level without killing my tone.

That being said, compressors seem like a worthy investment.

 

[JimmyM]

That being said, compressors seem like a worthy investment.

can be...can also be useless to you as well. i used to run one but i quit when i went back to all-tube amps.