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COMPRESSOR RECOMMENDATION

G

Godbody

May 27, 2008
676
6
#1
I need some suggestions on what compressor pedal to buy.

First some background:
I play in a three piece punk band (imagine if the Misfits and Fugazi had a baby; that's the sound we have). My weapon of choice is a Jag played through a Behringer 450w head and a GK 4x10 cab. I do almost all tremolo picking, and I leave the gain cranked.
We're a young band, and we've only done a handful of gigs so far, but I notice that I get lost in the mix as soon as I go for some high end work or solos (which I do fairly often, since there's only one guitarist).
I love the sound I get in practice, but it needs to be consistently audible live. So I'm guessing compression is the way to go, right?

tl;dr version: what's a good compression pedal for around or under $150? The cheaper I can get away with, the better.
 
#2
"Getting lost in the mix" usually has a lot more to do with EQ than compression. Just for your described tone/style/budget I'd probably recommend a bass-modded Boss CS-3 or a Line6 Constrictor, but I do not mean to suggest that it will necessarily help you be heard in the mix. I would instead suggest an EQ pedal ( or even the EHX Steel Leather, you're prob. the ideal customer for that pedal) and just kick the pedal on during your treble/solos etc.
 
#3
thanks for the speedy reply!

The ehx steel leather looks very interesting, I can't believe I've never seen it before. I might see if I can find one to try out. but the problem I'm having is that the notes I simply can't play as hard aren't heard.

As far as EQ goes, I have my preamp and amp tweaked to get the exacting tone I want (I'm very picky for a punk). I'd rather not have to change that around if I don't have to. It sounds perfect for 70-80% of the notes.

here's an example of a song my band covered early on that's roughly representative of my tone and style:



It opens with a little solo work that I (obviously) want plainly heard. I belive the notes aren't reaching my amp with equal power, cuz my G string just doesn't have the same force as my E, right?
So wouldn't that mean I would want a compressor versus an expander?

I know I'm long winded, but it feels like this is the last hurdle I have to jump before my tone is perfected. Its physically making me anxious until I can figure it out. I really appreciate help and suggestions on this.
 
#4
i would maybe try boosting your mids a bit... also i think you could have your bass louder in the mix.. the guitar is quite loud..

your saying the g string doesnt have as much force as the e string.. could possibly be that your pickup height needs adjusting - closer to the strings on the g string side.

im in a 3 piece band.. not as punky but still quite noisy and i also strive to have a bass sound that cuts through the mix well.. i dont use any compression although i may one day.. i find its all in the mids especially the higher mids for cutting through and the lower mids for the power. also figure out what frequencies your guitarist isnt boosting and try boosting them. then you arrent fighting over the same sonic space

i find the tone i like when i play alone when im practising doesnt work too well when i put it in a band context.. i also make sure that the lines that me and the guitarist write allow for my sound to come through. (as well as his)

btw i use a rickenbacker into an ashdown abm500 head into an ampeg svt410hlf head.. if i want to stand out even more i use an ibanez turbo tube screamer set with the drive about half way just to add some grind and presence.

..
 
#5
nickbear, its good to hear someone else's experiences in a three piece. We're a loud band for sure, and its not like the guitar player is fighting me for sonic space. I do more solos and melodic runs than him in most of the songs, and we like it that way (maybe I have Peter Hook Syndrome). I just hope I can find a way to make the sound consistent.
 
#6
Godbody said:
...the problem I'm having is that the notes I simply can't play as hard aren't heard.

As far as EQ goes, I have my preamp and amp tweaked to get the exacting tone I want (I'm very picky for a punk). I'd rather not have to change that around if I don't have to. It sounds perfect for 70-80% of the notes.
Click to expand...

Sure, and that's why you'd only kick on the EQ pedal when needed during those solos/etc. and then kick it off for the rest of the time. Just an adjustment as needed time to time.

Godbody said:
I belive the notes aren't reaching my amp with equal power, cuz my G string just doesn't have the same force as my E, right?
So wouldn't that mean I would want a compressor versus an expander?
Click to expand...

Oh, each can be used to achieve some aspect of what you want, but for punk rock I believe an expander increasing the dynamic range of the high-mid notes would have a more percussive quality, versus the more all-one-level smooth quality of a compressor squashing the lows so much that the highs are effectively at the same level. TBH I always recommend getting a professional setup (including adjustment of the pickups and every aspect of the action) to fix uneven string volume levels, rather than using compression. Compression is more of a "last resort" in that case.
 
#8
Godbody said:
As far as EQ goes, I have my preamp and amp tweaked to get the exacting tone I want (I'm very picky for a punk). I'd rather not have to change that around if I don't have to. It sounds perfect for 70-80% of the notes.
Click to expand...

That's part of the problem: what sounds good in the mix may lack character when soloed; solo tones often get lost in the mix. What's a guy supposed to do?!?

I've found several active EQ / DI pedals that allow you to switch back and forth between two presets. I've been using a Seymour Duncan Paranormal 3 band DI box which includes a slap contour switch. Essentially, you set the EQ for your normal "mix" tone. When your time in the limelight finally comes around, stomp the switch and the bass and treble are boosted while the mids are scooped a bit. Adds sonic presence and sparkle without really undermining your basic tone. There's about a gazillion pedals (SansAmp, Fulltone, etc.) available within your price range.

Riis
 
#9
I recently got a Keeley Comp. and having tested it a bit (live, rehearsing & recording- with a 3 piece Rock band and 7-8 piece Reggae\Ska crews) I can say it makes my P sound more focused ,tight and therefore noticeable in it's upper register.
with a long enough attack time and not too much compression my bass didn't lose too much low-end.
It's about 80$ over the budget you mentioned, but then again you said you're picky about
tone.. cheaper ones did make my signal squeashy and brighty.
lol i thought in punk rock you were just supposed to crank it as loud as you can, and beat the #@% out of anyone objecting :)
 
#10
bongomania: I'm still gonna try out the expander, but if I understand expanders correctly, they make soft notes softer and loud notes louder. I guess my ears will be the judge. As far as setup goes, I think I have it dialed in optimally. I used to be in the tool & die trade, and I fancy that, along with a few years of familiarity with instruments, means I can do as good a setup as possible, short of seeing a real luthier. You're probably gonna turn out to be right.

ric5: I had a line6 basspod for a little over a week; it sucked so hard I took it back. Everything I've ever tried from them sucked every ounce of original tone.

Zooberwerx: I've never worked with a DI box; aren't they more for going to a PA? And I don't slap. I hate the technique, to be honest. Any reccomendations for non-slapping EQs?

Zeeverthebeaver: I'd have a hard time paying more for a compressor than I did for my amp head (which I got at a ridiculous price). Oh, and I still crank it as loud as I can, and schedule an appointment with Dr. Martin for any objectors. But when the guitarist breaks a string and I have to play "Anesthesia" for a few minutes, I like it to sound decent.
 
#11
One more thing! I was just checking out the MXR Super Comp online. It seems to have a pretty good range of attack, and I think it would leave most of my tone intact. Also, I found it ridiculously cheap. Anyone have experience with this pedal?
 
#12
Godbody said:
Zooberwerx: I've never worked with a DI box; aren't they more for going to a PA? And I don't slap. I hate the technique, to be honest. Any reccomendations for non-slapping EQs?
Click to expand...

Just about everybody and his mother makes some type of outboard preamp (as opposed to onboard pre): SD, Sadowsky, Sansamp...and those are only the S's! Some have 3 band EQ, some 2 band, some are channel switchable, some are not. Maybe the SansAmp Programmable BDDI would be a good choice. You can preset 3 separate distinct voicings / volumes and toggle amongst them as desired. You can even set the same basic tone but manipulate the output via level / drive on each channel...I think.

Riis
 
#13
Zooberwerx said:
Just about everybody and his mother makes some type of outboard preamp (as opposed to onboard pre): SD, Sadowsky, Sansamp...and those are only the S's! Some have 3 band EQ, some 2 band, some are channel switchable, some are not. Maybe the SansAmp Programmable BDDI would be a good choice. You can preset 3 separate distinct voicings / volumes and toggle amongst them as desired. You can even set the same basic tone but manipulate the output via level / drive on each channel...I think.

Riis
Click to expand...

That sound wicked sweet, and would probably help spice up our 90-minute set. What sort of price ranges are we looking at? I just found out that there's some stage lighting we're investing in, so cash for the band is even more strapped :hmm:
 
#14
Godbody said:
That sound wicked sweet, and would probably help spice up our 90-minute set. What sort of price ranges are we looking at? I just found out that there's some stage lighting we're investing in, so cash for the band is even more strapped :hmm:
Click to expand...

I saw a couple new for $209 on E-bay. Do a search under "completed listings" for a better idea of what they go for used.

Riis
 

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