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Compressor Discussion

Toastfuzz

Toastfuzz

Jul 20, 2007
2,823
63
Pittsburgh, PA
#1
I've been dabbling with the idea of getting a compressor lately, and need to justify the $80 or so for a decent Boss stomper.

After all my research into the purpose and use of compressors, I think it will suit my needs. I play primarily fingerstyle and slap, Claypool-strumming, and use alot of funk-inspired ghost notes and muted slaps/strums. I know a compressor set correctly should equalize the volume between fingerstyle and slap, but would it also boost ghosts and mutes to make them more audible? For example, Primus's Lacquerhead: the verse riff is is just heavy-thumbed muted notes, would a compressor bring these out? Same for chords/strums/slides that sound "diminished" compared to fingerpicked notes.

I also use a few effects that I think could benefit from a compressor, namely the FX-25 envelope filter and DD-7 digital delay, and I've heard that a compressor can keep envelope filters from peaking and clipping.

Thanks all
 
#2
I'm not at all a fan of using effects to correct technique issues, although they do work. And the Boss is more of an effect than a compressor like what you're looking for. Those cost, though. Check Bongomania's compressor FAQ.
 
#5
I think the BBE is as good as any for the money. Actually, I don't think the Demeter is that much better. I've had both but went with the BBE as it does what I need at a reasonable price.

Again, compressors aren't always for hiding technique issues. Many people use them effectively. I'm using one again and my technique is fine. I just like the sound a little subtle compression gives me.
 
#7
JimmyM said:
I'm not at all a fan of using effects to correct technique issues, although they do work.
Click to expand...

Fair enough, everyone should strive to clean up their technique as much as possible but when playing a style like Claypool's there is a limit to how even you can get slaps, pops, strums, fingerstyle and ghost notes to all sound. Even more so if you are a player that utilizes a lot of harmonics. I don't see a problem with cleaning up your technique as much as possible and then letting a compressor even things out a bit more.

JimmyM said:
And the Boss is more of an effect than a compressor like what you're looking for. Those cost, though.
Click to expand...

I wouldn't necessarily say that. First off, it depends on which Boss Compressor he's talking about. The LMB-3 is a solid limiter, but it wouldn't be my first choice to fatten up and "round out" my sound. But it isn't "effecty" type compression. The CS-3 is the other available Boss compressor. Personally, I think the stock model is pretty poor. But after borrowing the Humphrey modded version, it is a very solid unit. Tightens things up well, adds some nice sustain and is a pretty good limiter.

JimmyM said:
Check Bongomania's compressor FAQ.
Click to expand...

True enough.
 
#8
JimmyM said:
Agreed, but if we're being honest with ourselves, in this case it is ;)
Click to expand...

I don't think there is anything really wrong with this.
(Not saying you do Jimmy) If there is a professional Audio advantage then when not utilize it.

Its like a top chef saying...

Well I'm only going to use
1 pot, 1 Pan and nothing else because that is all I need to cook a word class meal...

I think its the best piece of external gear a bass player can have.

I own a couple of DBX 166s and think they are great. S
Pretty much transparent, just there enough to know they are doing there job.
 
#10
basswave said:
I don't think there is anything really wrong with this.
(Not saying you do Jimmy) If there is a professional Audio advantage then when not utilize it.

Its like a top chef saying...

Well I'm only going to use
1 pot, 1 Pan and nothing else because that is all I need to cook a word class meal...

I think its the best piece of external gear a bass player can have.

I own a couple of DBX 166s and think they are great. S
Pretty much transparent, just there enough to know they are doing there job.
Click to expand...
The thing about your chef analogy that I'd say is that make that chef use only one pot and one pan and he'll make you a world class meal anyway. I still say you're better served by working on it with your technique, but I'd agree that compression is a nice thing to have. Wouldn't go so far as to call it an indispensible effect, but it's got its moments.
 
#11
JimmyM said:
I'm not at all a fan of using effects to correct technique issues, although they do work.
Click to expand...

Thanks Jimmy, I was actually expecting this to come up, since I followed a long debate of yours in the compressor megathread regarding the same issue.

The only way I could modify my technique to do what I want is to ease down on my fingerpicking and slap technique to get the other techniques (mutes/ghosts) up to the same volume. Since ghosts/mutes/slides are more for effect than anything else, and the fingerpicking/slap are whats important, I'm not going to change that; admittably I have a very aggressive picking and slapping style, and can't mute or ghost a note hard enough to get it to match.

I've been reading up on the Boss Limiter/Enhancer, which sounds good. Which do you think would do a better job at enhancing mutes and chords, the Limiter/Enhancer or the Boss Compressor?

Please, please please dont start arguing effects vs. technique. Its been played out far too long.

EDIT: If any compressors do affect the bass tone, let me know. I'd rather have options to shape the tone than to have a completely transparent pedal, as long as it can still do a compressed clean sound.
 
#12
I would think a compressor because a limiter just cuts peaks and does nothing for valleys. I could be wrong about that, though.

And OK, enough about technique. Fair enough.
 
#13
Toastfuzz said:
I know a compressor set correctly should equalize the volume between fingerstyle and slap, but would it also boost ghosts and mutes to make them more audible? For example, Primus's Lacquerhead: the verse riff is is just heavy-thumbed muted notes, would a compressor bring these out? Same for chords/strums/slides that sound "diminished" compared to fingerpicked notes.
Click to expand...

I highly recommend you try a dual-band comp like the Rane DC24 rack unit or the EBS, Ashdown, or Trace pedals. Read the "dual band" article in my FAQ for more on the subject.

All of the playing "effects" you describe, muted notes, ghost notes, etc. are lower in level then regular plucked notes. A compressor just adjusts levels. Therefore yes, when set correctly it will "bring forward" quieter sounds, regardless of how you generate them. Note that this includes background noise as well, and that the more you raise the level of the quieter sounds, the less dynamic your louder sounds will be.
 
#14
JimmyM said:
I would think a compressor because a limiter just cuts peaks and does nothing for valleys. I could be wrong about that, though.

And OK, enough about technique. Fair enough.
Click to expand...


But wouldnt the Enhancer function in the LMB-3 work on the valleys? From reviews I read I kind of inferred that the limiter works to hold down peaks (good for envelope filter and slapping), and the enhancer would enhance the playing nuances I want louder like a volume boost, so also a tone boost.
 
#15
JimmyM said:
I would think a compressor because a limiter just cuts peaks and does nothing for valleys. I could be wrong about that, though.

And OK, enough about technique. Fair enough.
Click to expand...

AFAIK a limiter is just a compressor with a higher ratio meaning there's really no difference in how they work other than the amount of compression applied to the notes above the threshold.
 
#16
Toastfuzz said:
But wouldnt the Enhancer function in the LMB-3 work on the valleys? From reviews I read I kind of inferred that the limiter works to hold down peaks (good for envelope filter and slapping), and the enhancer would enhance the playing nuances I want louder like a volume boost, so also a tone boost.
Click to expand...

The enhancer is just an EQ control that boosts the highs and lows, leaving the mids scooped. That's literally it.
 

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