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Compressors... Help! :)

devinp17

devinp17

Jun 26, 2014
722
355
Ontario, Canada
#1
I know that compressors have been discussed sssoooooooo many times, but I've yet to see a thread that has what I'm looking for. It seems like most people who want a compressor want it because it makes your bass sound more punchy and other things like that. But that's not exactly what I'm after in a compressor (but it's not that I don't want that... it's just not my main reason for wanting a compressor).

Now, the main reason I want a compressor is to (hopefully) even out the tone and volume of my strings. I find it really annoying the way it is right now.

So I've been looking at the Markbass Compressore and I wanted to know if, when set to proper settings, it would do this for me. If not, could you maybe suggest something (compressor or not) that would?

Thanks! Any and all help is greatly appreciated! :)
 
#3
I don't think a compressor is the way to go here. Evening out the volume of your strings sounds like a setup issue (specifically, pickup height). It might also be an EQ problem. For example, if you have too much bass boosted, it will make your lower notes seem louder than your higher notes.

Tonal variance from string to string is expected to a certain extent. Fatter strings just sound "fatter". We need to be aware of these things, and use them to our advantage. For example, an A played at the second fret of the G string will sound much thinner than the same pitch played at the 12th fret of the A string.

HTH :)
 
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#5
A compressor when set properly is supposed to control dynamics... The attack and overall volume...

If your lows are really loud and your highs are not as loud, you would need to set your compressors attack to be fast, with a threshold that is crossed only by the lower strings (most of the time) and a higher ratio (to reduce the level of anything that crosses the threshold more). This will bring down the "loudness" of the lower strings and the higher strings will then sound louder as they won't be reduced. From there you can turn up your overall level.

Many times on some instruments the E-String is going to be much boomier than the G-String... This will combat that issue.
 
#9
Pretty much any compressor will help even out string-to-string volume; the more controls the specific comp offers you, the more likely it will be able to perform in a way that suits your tastes. IOW a one-knob or two-knob comp could work, and often does work, but it really depends on luck and coincidence, whether the design limitations happen to suit your needs. This is a big part of why so many people end up thinking compressors suck.

For TONE, you really need something designed for that purpose, like an EQ, preamp, overdrive, amp simulator, etc. Some comps include those features, and some preamps/etc. include compression.
 
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#12
SLaPiNFuNK said:
A compressor when set properly is supposed to control dynamics... The attack and overall volume...

If your lows are really loud and your highs are not as loud, you would need to set your compressors attack to be fast, with a threshold that is crossed only by the lower strings (most of the time) and a higher ratio (to reduce the level of anything that crosses the threshold more). This will bring down the "loudness" of the lower strings and the higher strings will then sound louder as they won't be reduced. From there you can turn up your overall level.

Many times on some instruments the E-String is going to be much boomier than the G-String... This will combat that issue.
Click to expand...

by all means, read bongomanias compressor reviews, It steered me towards dual band compression,very useful IMO, above quote is spot on, the trace Elliot smx has preset fast attack for high frequencies and slower for lows, plus knobs and switches for both, so I have slight comp on high end, about 60% for bass, works great, it helps me stand out and allows for dynamics
 
#13
I own a Markbass Compressore, it's the only compressor I have experience with but, it's a nice device. I find if I increase the gain on the pedal and lower the volume I get a slight bit of warmth out of it. There aren't many pedals in this price range imo with it's functionally. I've read (don't take my word for it) that the Empress is another good model from what I've read and I've seen it mentioned as one to compare with the Compressore. The difference being that the empress will effect your tone less while still offering a similar level of compression and functionality. (Correct me if I'm wrong on that one).

What made me order the Compressore was the functionality of it. Gain - threshold - ratio - attack - release - volume. I didn't know about much else brandwise, but it turns out I made a decent choice in the Markbass. It took me a bit to hear the difference when turning those knobs but it works pretty well. I can't speak for the Empress but, the poster two posts above me is definitely not the first person I've seen recommend it, and I'd imagine it's a nice pedal.

What I can tell you is the Compressore is power hungry.. 12vDC @600ma listed specs. I've read about people powering it with 500ma, but personally... I'd rather have equal to or more than the minimum recommended milliamps to power a $200 pedal. That being said I can't seem to find a power brick anywhere that seems to support those specs. So for now my Compressore stays on the power adapter that came with it, and won't share the daisy chain I intend to upgrade to a power supply for all of my 9v pedals.

The Compressore is also pretty big, this isn't an issue for me personally, as functionality and end results on sound/tone are what count to me. I have successfully used it as a makeshift volume booster..and in turn, you could also use the same logic to have it lower your general volume when you click it on.. I personally keep it level with my volume out put when turned off.

And in the event that some of the above posters are onto something with the idea of your levels being out of whack and a compressor not being the ultimate answer. I find I have to roll off my highs mostly and lows slightly to get a tone that isn't too boomy out of my bass. maybe even sometimes add mids to help cut through the mix (active pups). I would do opposite for a slap tone personally but I don't slap.
 
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