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Compressor Position
- Thread starter Baker69
- Start date
May want to check the Boss manual. IIRC, they're designed to accept an instrument-level signal.
Riis
Why I ask is that rather than plugging into the compressor and have trailing leads I could simply use 2 short cables to the send/return sockets and place the compressor directly on top of my combo?
I normally have the compressor permanently on so it does not need to be positioned on the floor.
The benefit of having a compressor at the beginning of the signal chain is the still low signal-to-noise ratio.
But other than that, whatever sounds good to you is absolutely "legal".
But other than that, whatever sounds good to you is absolutely "legal".
Yes, you should be able to put the compressor in the effects loop as described for this reason, if you like. However, I think the point they were focusing on is that, while we can confirm that putting the compressor in the loop will "work" from a technical perspective, we can't confirm whether or not it will change the way the compressor affects your tone/signal. Moving the compressor from the front of the amp to the effects loop places it at a different point in the signal chain, and this can potentially impact how the compressor works, so you'll just have to experiment to see which seems better for you.
Put the compressor in your chain where it suits your ears. Make/acquire cables of lengths that serve your visual esthetic. You will have to choose which master to serve first.
If that's the plan, why not plug into it on top of your amp and then run a patch cable from the comp to your input?
As others have said, the only thing that matters is that it sounds good to you.
You can still put your compressor on top of your amp and still have just one lead from your bass going to it. Then a short patch cable going from the compressor's output to the input of your amp.
So, as everyone else has said, try out both ways. You can still accomplish what you want (a clean stage with only one lead to worry about, which is the one coming out of your bass) and put the compressor before your preamp or you can do as you mentioned and put it after.
So, as everyone else has said, try out both ways. You can still accomplish what you want (a clean stage with only one lead to worry about, which is the one coming out of your bass) and put the compressor before your preamp or you can do as you mentioned and put it after.
Last edited:
JeezyMcNuggles
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- Feb 23, 2018
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I don’t see where a compressor belongs in an effects loop circuit. Id imagine it depends on how you hook it up. Certainly not just a compressor into an amp effect loop.
I find it weird that this hasn’t been answered directly in this way:
it depends on the output level of your fx loop. Sometimes they’re instrument level, sometimes they’re line level or at least stronger than instrument level… still others may have a switchable level or have some volume control (or are post preamp gain control).
Meanwhile many pedals prefer instrument level pretty strongly, whereas others can take a generous range and/or pad the input appropriately.
In your case, not knowing the amp, I’d say figure out how your amp is arranged, and what your pedal can take.
OR just plug it in and try it, it will certainly work to SOME degree and is harmless to try.
That was my first thought - it depends on the amp. If it’s a line level fx loop the OP
May be better off using a rack or studio grade compressor, or a multifx unit that handle line level - such as an hx stomp.
My second thought is the OP needs to remember that adjust the preamp gain and eq will change how the compressor reacts. You’ll need to adjust the compressor every time you tweak the amps tone controls.
I skimmed responses, but I didn't see this bit to be aware of:
If you put your compressor in your FX loop, be mindful that ANYTHING you do with the preamp gain and EQ is going to impact how that compressor works with your signal. If you have the compressor before the preamp input, you can adjust the controls on the amp itself without impacting the compression. With it in the FX loop, anything you do on the preamp section will require a possible recalibration of the compressor.
If you put your compressor in your FX loop, be mindful that ANYTHING you do with the preamp gain and EQ is going to impact how that compressor works with your signal. If you have the compressor before the preamp input, you can adjust the controls on the amp itself without impacting the compression. With it in the FX loop, anything you do on the preamp section will require a possible recalibration of the compressor.
Thanks for your replies guys, I think to simplify things it’s probably best to secure the Boss BC-1X on top of the amp and just run a short patch cable to the input socket on the amp.
It’s a new combo I’ve just bought, it’s a Markbass Mini CMD 121P IV combo. Fortunately it’s carpet covered so my compressor pedal which has Velcro on the bottom should stick securely on there and not get accidentally pulled off on to the floor by my bass lead.
It’s a new combo I’ve just bought, it’s a Markbass Mini CMD 121P IV combo. Fortunately it’s carpet covered so my compressor pedal which has Velcro on the bottom should stick securely on there and not get accidentally pulled off on to the floor by my bass lead.
