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Compressor Confusion

C

Cochise

Jan 14, 2005
163
0
58
Wilmington, Kent. England
#1
Hey guys and girls, I'm not sure if this is a really stoopid ? or not but here goes-*** is a compressor? Or more exactly, what's it supposed to do for me? I bought one off ebay the other day (a Carl Martin Comp/Limiter) and aside from increasing my signal level, and changing how long a note sustains, I can't seem to get any other change from it, yet every bass player I've met swears by them. I play a Fender Mike Dirnt signature P-bass with SD Vintage pickups, through an Ashdown ABM 500 EVO11 and an ABM410t cab. I mainly play rock/blues/60s,70s and 80s pop fingerstyle, and I don't use any other effects. Thanks for reading my ramblings...
 
#2
There are several threads about this, so use the SEARCH function. Besides, there are very understandable articles on the net, like:

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http://bg.mixonline.com/ar/audio_understanding_compressors_compression/
http://www.dbxpro.com/ftp_mirror/PDFs/WhitePapers/Compression%20101.pdf#search='how%20does%20compression%20work%20limiter'

A brief definition is that compressors limit the dynamical behaviour of a signal, this meaning, it reduces excessive peaks or makes low volume signals louder (or both at the same time). Hope these articles help. Good luck!

ANDRUCA
 
#3
Cochise said:
aside from increasing my signal level, and changing how long a note sustains
Click to expand...

Yup. That's about all a compressor does in very simple terms,..... but for a bass player (especially playing rock, blues, funk, etc.) it can make a really good difference. It keeps your sound up front inthe studio and on the stage by decreasing dynamics and putting the bass in yo face.
 
#4
Cochise said:
Hey guys and girls, I'm not sure if this is a really stoopid ? or not but here goes-*** is a compressor? Or more exactly, what's it supposed to do for me? I bought one off ebay the other day (a Carl Martin Comp/Limiter) and aside from increasing my signal level, and changing how long a note sustains, I can't seem to get any other change from it, yet every bass player I've met swears by them. I play a Fender Mike Dirnt signature P-bass with SD Vintage pickups, through an Ashdown ABM 500 EVO11 and an ABM410t cab. I mainly play rock/blues/60s,70s and 80s pop fingerstyle, and I don't use any other effects. Thanks for reading my ramblings...
Click to expand...

You bought something on E-bay without knowing it's purpose? :hmm:

Check out the links in the first response, they'll point you in the right direction...
 

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