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Difference between Boss LMB-3 and a compressor?

TheFantod

#5 of the Pentaverate. Took Col. Sanders' spot.
Aug 7, 2009
571
66
Eastern N.C.
www.reverbnation.com
I'm a bit confused here.

Boss recommends both their LMB-3 Limiter for Bass. I've also read that some recommend a compressor, like the Boss CS-3 or an Aphex Punch Factory.

What is the big difference between a "limiter' and a "compressor." Is having both redundant?

If this topic is answered under an FAQ or has been hashed to death, please forgive, this is my first time posting.

Thanks in advance....
 
The Boss limiter has a threshold dial, and a volume dial as well as the compression amount. Until your signal reaches the volume of the chosen threshold, the compressor doesn't kick in fully, so you have uncompressed dynamics Until you up the energy, kick in that overdrive pedal or hard picking, whatever...Then you get squash, which may be life saving! I use one in the send/return on my Peavey Tour 700. Saves speakers, preamps...from a wrongly set VT or Supermassive Black Hole volume level. Maybe someone bumped it.