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compression pedal for bass?
- Thread starter snakesandarrows
- Start date
I've been using a Demeter Compulator with great results. It's very transparent and is a very smooth compressor.
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The Bass Smasher.
I play with my fingers but still find that I only truly need compression when I play basses with Active pickups. I like this pedal for that instance.
The Bass Smasher.
I play with my fingers but still find that I only truly need compression when I play basses with Active pickups. I like this pedal for that instance.
+1
EBS comp is the best I've played yet. Great comp without squashing your tone. Well worth the money IMO.
Buy it used. You can probably get it for around 120-130. VERY worth the money.
I really love compression from tasteful to full squash. On any given tour, gig or recording session you'll always find any one of these three at my feet or in my rack.
For an "old school" style (60-70's rock/funk/motown) the Aphex "Punch Factory" is fantastic! More modern and clean with quicker response and articulation, go with the EBS "Multi-comp". Clean and pristine (closer to a DBX 160), I use the BBE "Maxcom". They all have their own sonic personalities and I find myself constantly swapping them in and out depending on what I'm going for.
Your buddy in bass playing,
James LoMenzo
For an "old school" style (60-70's rock/funk/motown) the Aphex "Punch Factory" is fantastic! More modern and clean with quicker response and articulation, go with the EBS "Multi-comp". Clean and pristine (closer to a DBX 160), I use the BBE "Maxcom". They all have their own sonic personalities and I find myself constantly swapping them in and out depending on what I'm going for.
Your buddy in bass playing,
James LoMenzo
I´m still looking for the right comp for me, I really want to try the Distressor and the LA3A on bass but this are a lilttle expensive for me and my search is in the pedal area. The TLC has a nice look.
My search for a comp is for live issues mostly, in the studio I leave it for the engineer to take over (many cases is me also) where the La 2a, 1176, or the La610 does a good job for it.
I´m not really a fan of multiband but I I do like to have control over the attack and release.
My search for a comp is for live issues mostly, in the studio I leave it for the engineer to take over (many cases is me also) where the La 2a, 1176, or the La610 does a good job for it.
I´m not really a fan of multiband but I I do like to have control over the attack and release.
I used to use a Boss LMB-3 for peak limiting, and tried out quite a few cheap comps, with none of them impressing me. I finally got ahold of a Pigtronix Philosopher's Tone, and my search is over. It can do crazy extreme squash, super-long sustain, and peak limiting (making my LMB-3 superfluous). It can do subtle stuff too (blend knob is your friend), but I have no desire for subtle compression. I want it as an effect.
I tried the EHX Black Finger today. After a couple of years of its sitting idle in a case I brought this baby alive and launched my Telecaster bass through this squasher to my Trace rig. There was some annoying static that I cannot explain. Otherwise it worked fine in the "lamp" and "squash" mode. I also could get a nice overdriven tone out of it by maxing the pre-gain. The tone of the bass itself was retained at moderate settings, and the compression was not really pronounced - until I pressed on the pedal to turn the effect off.
The Telecaster bass might not be a good bass to compress to start with, it is thumpy, not biting in any way, so results might vary using more modern bass designs.
The Telecaster bass might not be a good bass to compress to start with, it is thumpy, not biting in any way, so results might vary using more modern bass designs.
+1!
I've bought one used this weekend and honestly, I've never thought a compressor would improve my tone that much (Fender Jazz Bass MIA)!
If you play finger style, it's just awesome!
Two knobs and dumbed down.
Hey James,
A little off topic but, now that you're using a pick more nowadays, do you find yourself using less compression?
I had a few comp pedals that I've really dug.
One constant on my pedalboard (and live playing) has always been a wet envelope filter, so taming them has always been somewhat of a concern to me. Plus I like funky squash, so it has been a long search to find the right comp for me.
Some I've tried (and liked) and my notes:
Aphex Punch Factory - I know bongo didn't dig this one, but I actually liked it. Gives some punch and sheen though really only capable of mild compression so it didn't suit my needs.
Modded Boss CS-3 - Got this one on loan from bongo. Surprisingly good comp. I believe it was the Humphrey mod version. Good squash, low noise, worked more than decently as a peak limiter. I could have bought one of my own and been very happy.
Demeter Compulator - Very smooth and good for taming filters. I LOVE this pedal with fretless bass and may buy one again solely for that purpose.
EBS Multicomp - I can see why a lot of people dig it and it is versatile (multiband, tube sim) but it wasn't the right pedal for me, probably because I tend to favor a higher compression ratio.
Maxon CP9 Pro+ - what a great, clean compressor. Not for fattening, or funky squash but dbx style compression in a stompbox. I really like it.
Frantone Sandwich - This one gives very effected compression. Like orange squeezer style comps (I had a nice VTP Citrus Squeeze at one point) but much better with good lows and clean highs. Fat, goopy, syrupy compression. I loved it.
On a budget, I think the Boss LMB-3 is good. In the midrange I really think the modded Boss CS-3 is a comp more people shoudl try. On the next tier up pricewise, I really like the Maxon and the Frantone depending on if you want clarity or squish.
Personally, I picked up a Retrospec Squeeze Box and I'm done looking at comps. It is the perfect compressor for me and my style.
As a side note, I've never much liked compressors built into amps, but my new TecAmp Puma 1000 has a compressor that really surprised me with how good it is. No documentation came with the head about it and my email looking for more info hasn't been returned so I can't tell you anything about it other than that it sounds fantastic.
One constant on my pedalboard (and live playing) has always been a wet envelope filter, so taming them has always been somewhat of a concern to me. Plus I like funky squash, so it has been a long search to find the right comp for me.
Some I've tried (and liked) and my notes:
Aphex Punch Factory - I know bongo didn't dig this one, but I actually liked it. Gives some punch and sheen though really only capable of mild compression so it didn't suit my needs.
Modded Boss CS-3 - Got this one on loan from bongo. Surprisingly good comp. I believe it was the Humphrey mod version. Good squash, low noise, worked more than decently as a peak limiter. I could have bought one of my own and been very happy.
Demeter Compulator - Very smooth and good for taming filters. I LOVE this pedal with fretless bass and may buy one again solely for that purpose.
EBS Multicomp - I can see why a lot of people dig it and it is versatile (multiband, tube sim) but it wasn't the right pedal for me, probably because I tend to favor a higher compression ratio.
Maxon CP9 Pro+ - what a great, clean compressor. Not for fattening, or funky squash but dbx style compression in a stompbox. I really like it.
Frantone Sandwich - This one gives very effected compression. Like orange squeezer style comps (I had a nice VTP Citrus Squeeze at one point) but much better with good lows and clean highs. Fat, goopy, syrupy compression. I loved it.
On a budget, I think the Boss LMB-3 is good. In the midrange I really think the modded Boss CS-3 is a comp more people shoudl try. On the next tier up pricewise, I really like the Maxon and the Frantone depending on if you want clarity or squish.
Personally, I picked up a Retrospec Squeeze Box and I'm done looking at comps. It is the perfect compressor for me and my style.
As a side note, I've never much liked compressors built into amps, but my new TecAmp Puma 1000 has a compressor that really surprised me with how good it is. No documentation came with the head about it and my email looking for more info hasn't been returned so I can't tell you anything about it other than that it sounds fantastic.
Hi Andy,
No not at all, I still like a good amount of push, maybe even more so with a pick. The real determining factor as to how much I use has more to do with the type and quality of the bass itself. For me, most of my multi-laminate neck-through basses seem to require a bit less than my bolt-ons. I've got a fantastic new Wyn bass that actually sounds better with almost no compression at all. An incredible instrument btw, check 'em out here... Invalid Link Removed
