Compressor pedal

[Rollin Thunder]

simple quartion regarding position of compressor pedal in an effects loop,

Should it, be at the start of the loop and everything run through that, or at the end before the amp. Only really use about 3 pedals fuzz,envelope, but looking to add chorus and mayday overdrive/boost.

One of my amps does have a built in compressor as well so am I better using the built in one or the separate one.

 

[ShowKing]

I'd just go bass -> compressor -> other effects -> amp.
No effects loop.

Built in compressors can be ok but separate compressors usually have more precise control to get the compression right for you. I like to use separate compressors.

 

[Rollin Thunder]

I'd just go bass -> compressor -> other effects -> amp.
No effects loop.

Built in compressors can be ok but separate compressors usually have more precise control to get the compression right for you. I like to use separate compressors.

Thanks, that's what I was thinking the built in compressor is fine but just one control button.

 

[Bassmike62]

Compression Bible: ovnilab.com

 

[5544]

 

[eddododo]

I would not use a compressor before an envelope filter , personally, unless you're trying to soften the response of the effect. My personal preference has been to use it after, to tame some of the filter peaks that get out of control, while keeping my playing dynamic to keep the duck quacking

 

[Sunset Shalom]

It depends what you are going for. A simple way to look at it is comp first = more dynamics and comp last = more limiting but of course it depends on the gear and how you use it.

Some fuzz pedals are crazy loud and through a medium to big amp can be dangerous if your not careful. So I like to use a comp pedal as a limiter after sometimes, then I can crank fuzz pedals without insane ear melting volume spikes. Of course then I need to remember to turn down before I turn off the comp but I always turn volumes down to be safe.

I have 2 cheaper comp pedals so I put one on both sides of my chain to use for different purposes. Many amps also have various forms of compression and for studio stuff you can compress things after playing them for the most experimentation. I tend to just keep it simple when I use any at all though but its fun to check out all the fancy boutique pedals or vintage rackmount stuff and even free VST compressors which can be surprisingly complex

 

[Feral Feline]

Compression Bible: ovnilab.com

+1

@Rollin Thunder — start with the FAQs

 

[Orion1985]

When I first started using a compressor pedal I reasoned that I would run it first so that I would have a more even signal and that I would hear a more true version of the effects (I pretty much only use overdrive) that came after it. Sometime afterwards I tried the comp after my overdrive and found that I preferred this to my previous method. I feel like the overdrive reacts to my natural dynamics and then the compressor helps to keep the volume more consistent.

 

[willbassyeah]

i prefer to put compressor last, i tried it at the start with my chain and it just makes my dirt pedals (distortion, fuzz, od) sound lame, same thing with envelope filter, octaver, etc etc. It makes more sense for me at least to have it last.

When we think about it in a recording sense during mixing (generally speaking), compression is added in the mix after all the tone sculpting is done. I use this same approach for my live. Use compressor to even everything out.

 

[Crazy Otto]

Sometime afterwards I tried the comp after my overdrive and found that I preferred this to my previous method. I feel like the overdrive reacts to my natural dynamics and then the compressor helps to keep the volume more consistent.

This is what I do also...I like to give my dirt a full signal, then sometimes run compression at the end -- whether I have it on or not depends on the sound I'm chasing, since dirt already has some inherent compression. But it's always at the end of the chain.