Compression Quession

[lowphatbass]

I’ve never really used compression live, never owned a stand alone unit. Years ago I played an old Eden VT series head that had a Demeter compressor built in, I think I left it off most of the time. I realize ‘on-boards’ aren’t remotely at all the same thing as a good/real compressor, the Eden/Demeter was probably better than most but maybe that’s not saying much...no offense to either company.
Lately I’ve been wondering if a compressor could make my life easier and/or improve my sound. I play a fair amount of medium club gigs with limited/no FOH support. The range of material and volume/intensity levels can be very broad on any given night. I don’t mind turning around to adjust my volume a few times and ‘settling-in my eq at the top of the gig, beyond that I really don’t want to be turning knobs.

Try a compressor? Talk me out of it(by talking me into it)

 

[Wasnex]

I’ve never really used compression live, never owned a stand alone unit. Years ago I played an old Eden VT series head that had a Demeter compressor built in, I think I left it off most of the time. I realize ‘on-boards’ aren’t remotely at all the same thing as a good/real compressor, the Eden/Demeter was probably better than most but maybe that’s not saying much...no offense to either company.
Lately I’ve been wondering if a compressor could make my life easier and/or improve my sound. I play a fair amount of medium club gigs with limited/no FOH support. The range of material and volume/intensity levels can be very broad on any given night. I don’t mind turning around to adjust my volume a few times and ‘settling-in my eq at the top of the gig, beyond that I really don’t want to be turning knobs.

Try a compressor? Talk me out of it(by talking me into it)

IMHO try one...you might love it, or you might hate it...or maybe you will think meh .

If you do try one, you need to spend some time and learn how to use it. You will definitely not like it if you don't .

I don't like heavy compression when I am playing bass. With up tempo music I like just enough so you can feel it, rather than hear it. If the compression is too heavy, it causes me to overplay because the dynamic range is so limited that it becomes harder to hear myself.

With slow music, compression may be nice if you want a bit more sustain.

You say the volume and intensity levels are so broad that you have to adjust your amp. I don't think a compressor will help with this. A compressor narrows you dynamic range, so I would expect it to make the problem worse. Perhaps what you need is for everyone else to use a compressor .

 

[superheavyfunk]

As far as I'm concerned, there are two main reasons to use a compressor: 1) your technique sucks and you want something to help you mask the fact, or 2) you're looking for a particular sound and after trying a lot of other options, you've determined that a compressor is the solution.

When I was in that situation, I spent a lot of money trying to figure out which camp I was in. After a few years (and a lot of practice), I eventually realized that my technique sucked and I wanted something that would give me a little warmth and would even out the difference in volume between slapping, picking and fingerstyle, since I use all three.

I probably bought, sold, and lost money on something around 50 different compressors, EQ pedals and drive pedals before realizing exactly what I needed and finally buying the one that did what I needed it to do... The lesson? Don't be like superheavyfunk. Take the time to work on your chops and figure out *EXACTLY* what you want and why. Have fun reading and drooling over all the available gear but don't just buy stuff because you hear ppl talking about it, or you think it will magically improve your tone, because it won't. You'll just waste a lot of money and time that you could be using instead to improve your technique and your ears.

tl;dr: don't buy stuff if you're not positive that it's something that you need. Compressors aren't magic boxes and there's a good chance you'll waste a bunch of money if you don't know what you really need.

 

[DarkStar90]

People use compressors for different reasons. Personally, I enjoy using a compressor to help make my bass sound more even and that allows my pedals to track evenly. Pedals tend to sound better on bass when a compressor gives them an even signal.

In my opinion, compressors are a must for bassists. Not necessarily for evening bad technique, but because the bass guitar is a naturally dynamic instrument that often benefits from compression.

When using a comp live, i tend to use lighter compression than i would while mixing. Its more of a feel thing at that point. I also find that i don't dig in so hard if im using a compressor.

 

[40Hz]

Lately I’ve been wondering if a compressor could make my life easier and/or improve my sound.

Without a more specific sonic goal in mind, the short answer is: no.

Precisely what are you looking to fix or improve in your current stage sound by adding a compressor to your signal chain?

 

[JRA]

Compression Quession

i'm thinking that you've already started using compression!

seriously: i think posts #2, #3, and #4 cover it: but until you play with one yourself, how could you know? IME: the best compressors are rack-mount units (pro audio pieces)--- but there are lots of players here who have sung the virtues of pedal types and are very happy with those.

good luck choosing a compressor for your own use!

 

[Inconnu]

I mainly use a compressor to:
1. Tame volume peaks caused by effect pedals such as envelope filters.
2. Make volume variations between different pickup configuration (series vs parallel, single vs humbucker) I have on my basses less dramatic.
3. Switching between techniques in a song might make volume changes even with a good technique. Even Marcus Miller says he’s using a compressor for that...

I use an always on ART tube MP/C preamp and comp. Cheap, effective.

 

[lowphatbass]

Great points made across the board!
Thank you to all.
In particular the idea about leveling-out signal for effects makes a ton of sense.
I’m not trying to “fix” anything, not looking to clean-up any technique issues. I think I’m probably good for now without using a compressor live. I really appreciate all the responses!

 

[Fuzzbass]

There are LOTS of reasons to use a compressor. Here are the main ones IMO (and I'm sure there are others) -- in no particular order:

1. Hard limiting with high threshold for speaker protection
2. Hard compression with lower threshold for a squashed effect
3. Tone shaping: imitate a tube amp pushed hard; add warmth, add brightness/attack, tonal balance
   
4. Subtle, transparent smoothing to sit better in the mix
5. Natural-sounding leveling for slapstyle playing, catching the occasional wayward note
6. "Fixing bad technique" (a valid usage, but not typical)

FWIW my usages are 3 and 4, but your goals might be different. Bottom line: think about the "why".

IMO compression is the most difficult effect to use properly. As others have said, start learning. This is a great place to start: Compressor and Audio Gear FAQ

Once you've become more familiar with compression and have ideas on why you want to use it, it'll be easier to determine which compressors fit your goal(s) and budget. This ain't easy these days as there are a butt-ton of compressor pedals to choose from, and many offer good value at an affordable price. The Ovnilab site linked above hasn't been updated in awhile but is still a great resource. So is the stickied compressor thread right here on Talkbass.

 

[Cuzzie]

Anyone who says using a compressor to mask bad technique is talking utter rubbish - compression is not there to mask poor control.

Compression is a tool to a greater or lesser degree across all instruments, vocals included.

Vocal example - when a singer is blasting a high note and opening their pipes, they are probably singing louder than the other notes. They use microphone control and move the mic away so that it will appear to be of a similar volume to the other notes. They will also have compression at the desk.

Broadly speaking if compression is used correctly your quieter notes will be brought up a tad and your louder notes decreased a tad to even the sound, but still leave you with a dynamic range where you can still play quietly and loudly and with expression.

It allows the band mix to be cemented and EQ’d more easily to give a pleasant overall sound.

Some people will also say that they understand compression used on a record but not live, that’s rubbish as well, why would you treat your live crowd any differently to your crowd listening at home?

Some compressors like the Origin Effects Cali76 range based on the studio Urei 1176 also have a pre-amp in can can affect your tone.
FET, solid state, optical etc. Can all
Impart a pleasing tone to your bass

Use it or not is of course anyone’s choice, but it’s a valid aid if used correctly.
Don’t discount on board amp compressors, treat each on its merits - some are very good

 

[jbybj]

don't buy stuff if you're not positive that it's something that you need. Compressors aren't magic boxes and there's a good chance you'll waste a bunch of money if you don't know what you really need.

I think this is very bad advice.
Spending money on gear that ends up not being what you need is a given for a musician. How is one ever going to discover what you “really need” without trial and error, exploration, and discovery. It’s not wasting money, it’s putting money to the use for which it is designed.

 

[P-oddz]

"Compression is used to mask your terrible technique because it sucks"

 

[dannylectro]

I’m relatively new to the compression game... but I’ve found that I can use it to keep my bass from banging the pre-amp on my Mesa WD800 too hard (amber light) when I need an ultra-clean tone for softer songs in the country band I’m playing with.

 

[Real Soon]

For your purposes, it may serve you nicely in unexpected ways, but kicking one on in order to play three different songs in a row completely differently may not be it. Pounding the strings could end up sounding squished or clicky, playing softer could end up being boomy (due to more low-end content coming thru thanks to less compression getting applied), and you might end up feeling like you have LESS dynamic range rather than MORE.

It's both a style effect and utility, but a more specific utility than overall level control. Maybe a pedal solution that sets your overall volume to a handful of presets (or continuous a la a volume pedal) would accomplish this particular goal best?

That said, I have a compressor that was getting utility use recently (controlling a fuzzed, high-resonance filter sweep), and might be getting colorful sonic use soon, so please don't consider my argument against them overall. They're wonderful additions to the board, and if you're playing in a cover band, you may well need that sound to capture the feel of a whole pile of songs out there.

(also dannylectro's mention of using it to limit signal so as to control your amp's behavior... I wish I was using one when I had my GK MB Fusion heh)

 

[MynameisMe]

Compression has helped with some of the lower end boominess I had been getting out of my Fender 200 Rumble. It also has evened out some string volume issues I had on different basses. I like it. I’ve heard the technique thing before and that is not my experience.
I can turn up loud enough to hear myself on stage and not get asked to turn down.

 

[ElectricBass72]

I'm a big fan of the compression on my Line 6 amp and my Eden DI box. I use light to moderate amounts of compression depending on the song. I play several different basses, some active, some passive... and compression gives me a good even sound every time I plug in. Until now, I've never heard of compression being a "crutch" for a bassist with bad technique. I like a lot of sustain and growl from roundwound strings... and compression makes the bass sound god-like.