Compressor Recommendations for Fretless

[Smallequestrian]

Don't normally post a lot of these types of questions, but even after reading Bongo's website, I'm still not sure what I need.

I've been playing more fretless at home and with the band. The one issue (other than playing in tune) is unevenness in volume. Some notes/strings seem to jump out louder than others (mostly lower notes). While some of this is technique and maybe a tiny bit is bass setup, I think a large part of it is also related to my bass in general (very hot active bass).

I've been playing the fretless into my analog octaver and I think if this uneveness was cleaned up it would help the octave tracking be a little stronger and therefore last longer (I guess I wouldn't mind some more sustain either). Does this make sense? Any recommendations?

 

[M Sterling]

FWIW I use a FEA optifet and my soundman made a comment once about how he gets very consistent volume in all ranges of my bass. It does add a little bit of a darker color to the tone (which can be elminated or enhanced with the internal dip switches). If youre looking for something super transparent, it might not be the best choice. But it will achieve what youre looking for.

 

[Stephent28]

I use an Empress compressor and it does a wonderful job.

I have been on the waitlist for an FEA for a long time and can't wait to get one.
I really think either one would smooth out your volume issues.

 

[Swift713]

I haven't much liked compression in my fretless (which is essentially a hollowbody) and I haven't really pursued it, but I really dig the tones Tony Levin gets. I'm pretty sure he mostly uses the Analogman BiComp (I think it's called) which is a Ross clone and an Orange squeezer clone in one box. I'm pretty sure he uses some heavy squash.

 

[caeman]

Guyatone ST-2. And they can be found inexpensively enough you get TWO and really even things out.

 

[bludog]

I haven't much liked compression in my fretless (which is essentially a hollowbody) and I haven't really pursued it, but I really dig the tones Tony Levin gets. I'm pretty sure he mostly uses the Analogman BiComp (I think it's called) which is a Ross clone and an Orange squeezer clone in one box. I'm pretty sure he uses some heavy squash.

The Bi-Comp is fantsatic! I'm particularly fond of the OS side. Stacking them is nice too though for heavy squash. Never been a fretless player so can't speak to that but love my Bi-Comp. As stated above, Tony uses it with grea success on fretless, stick and fretted.

 

[Swift713]

I kinda want to try an OS, my Maxon is so transparent and clinical, it would be nice to have both.

 

[Igotsoul4u]

Hello. Didn't want to start an entire thread. I have a Sterling 5 fretless and I am looking for a compressor. My main concern is that the Low B doesn't cause the compressor to overreact. I am narrowed down to the diamond or Empress. I don't want to run a sidechain EQ which concerns me when I think about the Empress. I mainly want it for getting some extra sustain when I have to do whole notes or longer.

 

[XLunacy]

Hello. Didn't want to start an entire thread. I have a Sterling 5 fretless and I am looking for a compressor. My main concern is that the Low B doesn't cause the compressor to overreact. I am narrowed down to the diamond or Empress. I don't want to run a sidechain EQ which concerns me when I think about the Empress. I mainly want it for getting some extra sustain when I have to do whole notes or longer.

You could make a high pass filter with a TRS jack plugged into the side chain in/out. Empress has a video about this (on mobile so it's kind of a pain to find and post). You could also get a multi-band compressor (FEA has one, but you'll be on the waiting list for some time) or a comp with a built-in side chain (FEA again, or the newest compact Cali76 for bass, which has a variable HPF).

 

[Igotsoul4u]

nice. I had not seen the compact cali bass. I might have to do a shootout between the diamond, empress, and cali76

 

[SGT. BAKER]

Mostly times I played fretless with no compressors. But the few times that I plugged it into my Aguilar TLC I get really good results too.

 

[Rayjay]

FWIW...

I play mostly fretless in church. I spent a lot of time reading Bongos reviews (Compressor Reviews) and almost got the smoothie.

I found a nice price on a local sale on the Xotic SP Comp, and the guy let me trial it. It sounds really great and suits my needs perfectly. The blend function is especially useful. I'm going to keep it on my board because it does exactly what I need. Its nice and small too and sounds fine on 9V.

Its also good with my hot active basses.

Before that I used the Boss CS-2 which I've had for ages. Its a great comp too, but I don't want to notice compression when I use it and this pedal is very noticeable; a great tone, nonetheless (but looses low end in deep 5-string territory) but not for me.

 

[40Hz]

I found the Keeley Bassist does everything I want on fretted, fretless, piezos, solid, and semi hollow bodies.

It is super transparent however. So if you're looking for a comp box to also add color, you don't want one of these.

 

[Nephilymbass]

Don't normally post a lot of these types of questions, but even after reading Bongo's website, I'm still not sure what I need.

I've been playing more fretless at home and with the band. The one issue (other than playing in tune) is unevenness in volume. Some notes/strings seem to jump out louder than others (mostly lower notes). While some of this is technique and maybe a tiny bit is bass setup, I think a large part of it is also related to my bass in general (very hot active bass).

I've been playing the fretless into my analog octaver and I think if this uneveness was cleaned up it would help the octave tracking be a little stronger and therefore last longer (I guess I wouldn't mind some more sustain either). Does this make sense? Any recommendations?

I use a boss Cs-2 they are discontinued but you can find them on eBay. Juan from Mars volta uses it and he plays Fretless a lot.

 

[anavar]

Hello. Didn't want to start an entire thread. I have a Sterling 5 fretless and I am looking for a compressor. My main concern is that the Low B doesn't cause the compressor to overreact. I am narrowed down to the diamond or Empress. I don't want to run a sidechain EQ which concerns me when I think about the Empress. I mainly want it for getting some extra sustain when I have to do whole notes or longer.

i use a warwick thumb 5 and the empress plays with it very well, the b doesnt get chocked out or anything like that. empress is the way to go.

 

[azwhofan]

I use one of Bongo's smoothies on my rob Allen mouse 30 and it does a spectacular job of evening-out the levels of each string and as an added bonus putting the tone control at about 1 o'clock (or just a hair above noon) really brings the mwah factor to life.