Compressor Help

i had the same challenge. what helped me was playing with the compressor and recording via DAW. when you see how the waveform changes it helps you to see what you should be listening for.

 

Remind me what was the problem you thought a compressor would fix...

 

Good thing about the MXR Bass Compressor is the meter. I had it for a while. When I used it, the meter would light up to the last green LED, -7dB gain reduction. I had the output and input settings at 12 o'clock, which is mild compression. Increase the output setting clockwise, and you'll get more aggressive compression. When you use the release setting, you'll see how slow or fast the LED meter will move back. That is how slow or fast the compressor will release the note you played. Attack is opposite. When you use the Attack setting, you'll see how slow or fast the meter moves up to the output setting as you strike the note.

I just watch what the meter is doing. I struggle the hear what a compressor does.

 

Cut through the mix? Use old school compression - Over drive. Overdrive is just a ton of compression on your instrument. It controls your peaks and cuts you through a mix. A light overdrive like a 5th Gear pedal will do way more for you in terms of clarity and cutting when it comes to playing in a live situation.

I had the MXR. I used it as a limiter to control peaks from a filter pedal. It was not something I would use to cut through a mix with.

 

The mxr is known for being transparent-sounding, so it might not make a really big difference to your sound.

Between it, your rig and the Sansamp i’d say you should have all the tools for a solid live sound. I’d live with it for a bit and try tweaking your eq - boosting mids can help cut through.

 

Didja read this yet?
MXR M87 Bass Compressor and M76 Studio
That might help if you haven't.

Do you have the BDDI before or after the comp? I was doing it before, but I switched it to after.

I'm also learning, got a Keeley Bassist recently, my first comp.

 

It's common for a compressor, set "well", to not have a big audible effect. You basically shouldn't hear it working, under normal circumstances/settings. As BBSam mentioned, you can see the results on a DAW. In that "most normal" situation, ideally you will sound better to the audience or the rest of the band, but it will be hard for them to say exactly why you sound better. If you're trying to get a more even level overall with wild finger action, then go ahead and raise the input on the pedal until all the LEDs light up while you play. From there you can dial the ratio to get a sound or feel that suits you.

 

I don’t have the MXR, but I know it seems that the DarkGlass Hyper Luminal has to almost “warmup” like hear you play for a while, before it kicks in and makes a difference. For how long are you recording for the test?

 

As stated above,set it to where you have about 4 to 7 db gain reduction. Adjust output to compensate for the reduction. Attack around 11:00,release about 2:00. That will get you in the ballpark. If its set right, you wont hear a big difference.

 

Part of "cutting through" is emphasizing your transients (pick/finger attack). Turn your attack knob to the right to let more of them through (that's a longer attack time -- as in, more time before the compressor clamps down -- not "raising your attack" at all, but it will make it more apparent). Another part is letting your notes peak naturally so that sounds get louder when they're supposed to. Try keeping your ratio lower, especially if it feels like you're digging in too much and not getting any louder. Adjust your input to make sure you're keeping the compressor active (you can see this on the display) -- too much input and the compressor will squash everything in a weird-sounding way, not enough and it won't do much of anything. Play around with this until it feels like your sound is breathing the way it should. Adjust your output so you're driving whatever comes after it appropriately. Compressors make things that are too loud more quiet, so depending on how your bass interacts with other pedals and/or your amp, you might not need a compressor at all.

 

I run my Smoothie first in my chain, so it does its job without being influenced by other pedals or effects kicking on and off. And I dial the Smoothie in for the bass first, before anything else. When I've got it right, ghost notes, muted clicks and pops are balanced and focused, not buried under the louder stuff. I've started thinking of the compressor like the focus adjustment on a pair of binoculars. Once you get it right, the fine details are sharp. Adjust output to work with your other equipment.

I'd suggest working with just the MXR by itself for a while. Does it have a blend or separate volumes for dry and compressed output? Try working with just the compressed signal and no dry to better hear how the compressor controls are changing your sound. I usually run the comp/dry mix weighted towards the comp side.

It's easy to get into a tug of war with a compressor. You're digging in for more, but not hearing it, because the comp is all lit up doing everything it can to tame your enthusiasm. If your led meter is pegged all the time, you're fighting it.

You need to find the balancing point for your style and attack.
No compressor is going to fix wild variations in attack, but it can help. Set right, the comp will allow expressive, dynamic playing, but overall volume range will be limited. If you need to get louder, you'll turn up something else.

Once you get it dialed, you'll really miss it when it's off. And that is likely to get you thinking about your right hand technique and attack.

Some guys use the comp always on, some folks use it as a step up boost, some like it for slap. Mine is always on.

Good luck!

 

This video really helped me dial my compressor in: