Compressor Pedal Use (New Bass Player)

[HolmeBass]

You don’t need a compressor. I played for decades without one. I heard how nice it could make my bass sound and feel when recording in a studio. But finding a pedal that actually made my bass sound and feel good was a serious challenge.

I would say don’t worry about a compressor pedal right now.

 

[Memphis Soul]

Joe Meek oversimplified it but provided the best concise definition: "A compressor makes the loud bits quieter and the quiet bits louder". It's just a tool. It's not "necessary" but if used well can enhance the sound of bass. Like any other tool, if misused it can be detrimental. If you want to hear an example of heavy handed compression used on purpose to produce a signature tone, check out Joe Dart. It's not my sound, but it suits him and the music he plays.

I listened to a Vulfpeck album to hear his playing and really dig his tone and playing.

 

[IceBlueBoogaloo]

I listened to a Vulfpeck album to hear his playing and really dig his tone and playing.

I’ll be in the kitchen when one of those Infiniti ads comes on with “Got To Be Mine” playing and immediately recognize Joe’s sound.

I think if you want something to play around with, a TC Spark 4-knob and either a Keeley GC-2 or an optical compressor pedal would give you lots to play around with. Dial the Spark in for touch-responsive hair and then either use the compressor to polish or squish it a bit more to get an amp-like sag.

 

[Peteyboy]

Trying to attach a picture of my favorite comp pedal but I haven't been on Talkbass for a while and I'm screwing it up. Anyways, I'm recommending the Diamond Jr - simple and sweet.
View attachment diamond jr.webp

 

[logdrum]

I really only like my dbx 160 but that's a big unit to carry. So when I got my Source Audio Atlas put it in bass mode and no need to try others. 6 useable bass presets. I used the dual and studio mode

 

[Peteyboy]

that's a big unit to carry.

If only I had a nickel for every time I've heard that? I'd STILL be broke!

 

[evanrunyon]

Invariably, some sort of compression ends up on whatever tracks I’ve recorded but I’ve never found much use for it live.

 

[Solude]

Need, no. Want, yes.

Do not get the Fender pedal though. It "won" worst pedal of the year on many sites. Do get a compressor you can control the attack and release on. Compressors with locked attack, release, ratio etc. are not terribly versatile.

If dynamics are important, then you just place the compressor after your drives to retain the tone but even out the volume. That way it sounds dynamic but is also level. Similar to setting a guitar amp so that when you roll off, drive goes down but volume does not.

 

[nixdad]

@Memphis Soul -
Not to sound like a broken record, but save yourself a lot of trial and error and invest in a JHS Punchline from Sweetwater while you can (at this point less than 30 of 1,000 remain.)

Not only will this give you the incredible 60’s bass tone that you seek, it includes a very effective and musical compressor. If you don’t like it, they’ll allow you to return it.

I’m not sure if you’ve bought yourself an amp yet, but your signal chain will be easy:
Bass with flats - Punchline - Amp (set amp tone controls flat.)

You’ll be amazed at the results.

 

[davelowell2]

You don’t need electricity. I slept all night without it. ***…

Compressor pedals are fun! We don’t NEED any of this stuff! Enjoy playing! Enjoy pedals! Have fun! You get to decide!

 

[stubbsonic]

... the claim that it only "removes dynamics" is flat out ignorance.

Can someone give a brief explanation of why this isn't true?

 

[J. Montgomery]

I've played bass guitar and upright bass for 34 years and have never used a compressor.

 

[Memphis Soul]

@Memphis Soul -
Not to sound like a broken record, but save yourself a lot of trial and error and invest in a JHS Punchline from Sweetwater while you can (at this point less than 30 of 1,000 remain.)

Not only will this give you the incredible 60’s bass tone that you seek, it includes a very effective and musical compressor. If you don’t like it, they’ll allow you to return it.

I’m not sure if you’ve bought yourself an amp yet, but your signal chain will be easy:
Bass with flats - Punchline - Amp (set amp tone controls flat.)

You’ll be amazed at the results.

No I haven’t bought an amp yet. I believe you about the Punchline. I looked at those on Sweetwater but don’t have the cash for one at the moment hence the no amp. I spent the last $800 of my disposable cash on the bass so until I can save up for some more gear I will just be playing through headphones. I would love to have one though they seem really cool. I looked at them the last time they were brought up to me. I wish they weren’t a limited model so I could get one next month but they will probably be sold out by then. Thats why I’m asking so many questions. I need to know what I need to save for and what I can do without.

 

[Memphis Soul]

I've played bass guitar and upright bass for 34 years and have never used a compressor.

Thanks that’s good to know. I have a compressor/sustainer pedal for guitar but I never use it as I’m not sure how. I just use the one overdrive pedal and my amp.

 

[darwin-bass]

Compressors really seem to be misunderstood and create lots of space for folklore, inaccuracies and downright falsehoods.

 

[Memphis Soul]

Compressors really seem to be misunderstood and create lots of space for folklore, inaccuracies and downright falsehoods.

Exactly why i am so confused over them and why just reading other threads about them is just confusing as you see so many different descriptions of what they do and how to use them.

 

[Fuzzbass]

Can someone give a brief explanation of why this isn't true?

In theory, a compressor only makes things quieter, which reduces overall dynamics. In practice, it's often used to make a signal sound more dynamic in the mix. Just one relevant example is using long attack and short release times: this lets note transients pass through unscathed, so each note has more definition and 'pop'. Works well for me when playing with my 11-member "big band": sometimes the onstage mix can be too dense (they don't use in-ears), so I sometimes use a comp for that extra 'pop' which allows me to hear myself better without increasing my stage volume. That said, a compressor without attack/release can help as well: I can play as dynamically as I want without having to worry about my quieter notes disappearing in the dense mix. Fixing the mix is a big reason why compression is universally used on recordings, even those by the very best musicians. It's not to correct for bad technique, it's to make individual tracks more cohesive and the overall mix more dynamic.

Then there are auxiliary functions specific to many compressors: the Urei 1176 was often used to add FET harmonic richness, even distortion. Other compressors are used for punch, warmth, etc. These artifacts/functions are not compression per se, but are frequently used both live and in the studio, and it's common for bassists to want some extra 'zazz' with their compression.

Again, the Ovnilab FAQ has a great overview of the versatility of compression (though it can be a lot to wade through).

Exactly why i am so confused over them and why just reading other threads about them is just confusing as you see so many different descriptions of what they do and how to use them.

Don't feel bad. Compression arguably has the steepest learning curve of any "effect", in particular because it isn't typically used as an effect, but simply a way of making an instrument or overall mix sound better. It took a long time for me to learn how to use compression properly, and that's normal. Check the Ovnilab FAQ for tips on how to use compression.

 

[stubbsonic]

In theory, a compressor only makes things quieter, which reduces overall dynamics.

A compressor only makes LOUD parts quieter; and when make-up gain is added, makes quiet parts louder; the result of which reduces overall dynamics.

In practice, it's often used to make a signal sound more dynamic in the mix.

I take issue with your use of "more dynamic". It can help a mix, no doubt. But how is it making a signal more dynamic? A compressor bringing up quiet bits isn't making a mix more dynamic. It is making it less dynamic. Not a 'bad thing" per se.

Just one relevant example is using long attack and short release times: this lets note transients pass through unscathed, so each note has more definition and 'pop'.

With a really slow attack time, the attack portion is intact-- so only the decay portion has less dynamics.

Works well for me when playing with my 11-member "big band": sometimes the onstage mix can be too dense (they don't use in-ears), so I sometimes use a comp for that extra 'pop' which allows me to hear myself better without increasing my stage volume.

Is that a pretty common use? To make it so you only hear the beginning of your notes, not the sustain part?

That said, a compressor without attack/release can help as well: I can play as dynamically as I want without having to worry about my quieter notes disappearing in the dense mix.

Again, that is less dynamics. If your quiet parts are made louder, that is reducing your dynamic range.

Fixing the mix is a big reason why compression is universally used on recordings, even those by the very best musicians. It's not to correct for bad technique, it's to make individual tracks more cohesive and the overall mix more dynamic.

Making individual tracks more cohesive, and controlling the level of an overall mix is NOT making it 'more' dynamic. It is less dynamic. Full stop. I suppose we're still in the waning days of the Loudness Wars, but I don't know what mastering people are doing these days.

Then there are auxiliary functions specific to many compressors: the Urei 1176 was often used to add FET harmonic richness, even distortion.

I've always been curious about the difference between the color added by a tube compressor, vs adding color via a separate saturation processor.

Don't feel bad. Compression arguably has the steepest learning curve of any "effect", in particular because it isn't typically used as an effect, but simply a way of making an instrument or overall mix sound better. It took a long time for me to learn how to use compression properly, and that's normal. Check the Ovnilab FAQ for tips on how to use compression.

I'm certainly not disagreeing that compression can be useful for particular situations. But I've just never understood the claim that it doesn't reduce dynamics.

I get that our bass notes vary both in volume and timbre as we go from soft to loud. The compressor attenuate the louder notes, but preserving to some degree the timbre changes. I'd say that preserves some of the range of expression, but not specifically the dynamic range.

 

[tpa]

The in some circuits appraised mwah is to my ears a natural compression from plucking technique.

 

[HolmeBass]

I listened to a Vulfpeck album to hear his playing and really dig his tone and playing.

The Vulf compressor is a serious part of the whole band’s sound. But it’s not a pedal between the bass and amp, it’s on the recording chain.