Compression, sustain, and necessity

[brianrost]

Compression for recording a demo...yes, yes, yes. If it's being recorded to a computer you will have access to compressor plugins far more versatile than any pedal.

For live performance....your call, many (most?) players have lived without over the last 70+ years.

 

[Felkara]

I use compression as a tool, but I always have some compression on at all times when playing through my board. Light compression for the usual clean tones and to take synth effects, really light compression when using dirt (compensate for the compression from the drive) and then really heavy compression (almost as an effect) when slapping or tapping, to even everything out.

 

[Fuzzbass]

Yeah, it's a tricky question.
Most FOH people will add filtering and compression to the bass signal.

(Almost) every studio master record has compression applied - either to the bass track, or to the band mix during mastering, or both.

Two related points: first, sound techs often do add compression to the FOH mix, but that's nothing to panic about if you also run comp on your signal. The more your comp works, the less the FOH comp will have to do and the result will be fine if the sound tech is reasonably competent. This leads to...

...the second point: running multiple compressors in series is a common studio technique. In short, compression sounds more natural when multiple compressors share the work. Instead of using one comp set to 5:1 ratio, the engineer can get a better result using four compressors run at 1.5:1. Easy to do with software plugins. Now, there's all kinds of other magic that could be done such as adjusting attack/release/threshold for each individual comp, but the basic principle still applies when settings are equal for all.


Again: I never say that everyone needs (or should even want) compression, but the ignorance about it can be astounding. When used properly it can improve dynamics in the mix... live and studio.

 

[chiphaleonbass]

My advice would be to find a compressor in your price range that advertises that it'll do what you're looking for and give it a try.

https://www.compressorpedalreviews.com/about

Here's a great resource to get you started that explains what a lot of the compressors you see on this forum can and can't do; how simple or advanced the controls are etc...

 

[HelpImaRock]

I use a compressor (BOSS BC-1x) because I feel like it evens out the output of the bass, not just from a dynamic range perspective, but also string to string. We have one song now where I'll bump the ratio into a territory where you can hear the compressor working, but that's the desired effect in context. I can't say whether anyone else should use a compressor, but this one works for me.

 

[Nashrakh]

Compression for recording a demo...yes, yes, yes. If it's being recorded to a computer you will have access to compressor plugins far more versatile than any pedal.

For live performance....your call, many (most?) players have lived without over the last 70+ years.

That's how I do it: in the studio, I will leave compression to the engineer to allow for maximum shaping possibilities. Live, when going through my own rig (carrying a room), I will use compression as I see fit. When going FOH, I will discuss compression with the sound guy, so either he leaves me uncompressed and I use my pedals, or I go in uncompressed and he applies it at the board.

 

[InkCow]

I truly despise this narrative that compressors are "cheating": this purity test gatekeeping crap needs to be chucked into the sea (along with the prejudice against effects and pick players). Compressors are a tool that serve multiple purposes: evening out peaks and troughs to better stay in the mix; a means to improve sustain; a way to improve clarity and definition; a tone enhancer.

Compressors are by no means necessary, but they're useful and, generally speaking, those that complain about them squashing their dynamics are either probably using bad compressors or misusing them. That said, if you don't like what it's doing, there's no reason to use one! I can't argue with the sentiment that compressors aren't a substitute for good technique, but they are extremely useful for dealing with live and recording scenarios where a lot is out of your individual control.