Compressor pros and cons

[Ewo]

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One question: what's the best approach to a soundman when describing compression on your pedalboard and what tone you're after? Describe the ratio and settings and "take it from there?" Ask him or her to not mess with your signal? Offer to leave compression off and let them sculpt from scratch? You can't control what leaves your pedalboard so I'm curious how do-it-yourself-compression-lovers are approaching this one.

Well, my small pedalboard is in front of the amp, so the amp's getting the lightly compressed signal at its input.

For a long time I'd send the FOH the amp's DI, set to pre--meaning before the EQ. (Just plugged the line into the amp DI, didn't say anything, and played some sound check lines.) Never had any complaint; to the contrary, I got lots of compliments from the engineers. In the last couple years I started sending them the amp's post DI signal, so they'd get a nice touch of the tube in my amp, and the signal was shaped by my modest EQ touch. Again, frequent compliments--and no complaints.

Yeah, I know that's not the by-the-book approach.

 

[Fuzzbass]

When playing at home though at lower volume, I dont want a camp anywhere near my signal chain. If I'm playing at home, im practicing and i want to hear EVERYTHING in it's natural state. Comps at home just "feel" wrong to me. Like they steel possible expression.

Compression doesn't interfere with expression when used properly. That said, I never use compression when practicing my technique.

 

[PhatBottomBass1]

I believe that you have Compression and AUTO -TUNE confused?