Do you use a compressor live?

[seanm]

Simple question: Do you use a compressor when playing live?

Sometimes counts as yes. Used to counts as no.

And it must be live in front of an audience. Using a compressor in the studio does not count. Using one for rehearsals does not count.

 

[Zooberwerx]

Yep, I use an FMR RNC in the effects loop of either an RBI or SWR IOD. Sometimes I'll use the compressor models in my Boss ME-50B. They're less subtle but work well, nonetheless.

Riis

 

[j-bass-kreep]

I don't use one but I know most PA's have a compressor on the mixer signal so yes but against my will

 

[SpankyPants]

Sweet avater, Zoob!

Anyway, I generally use compression on my GT-6B... but that varies with patches. Sometimes I'll put it in front of a synth patch or I'll just use the comp in my default/clean bass patch.

I'm trying to get bongo to sell me one of his soon, though ;-D

 

[seanm]

Zooberwerx, does the RNC give any extra sustain?

 

[Eric Perry]

Yep, all the time. For the compressor as well as the gate (Alesis 3630)... I've been bitching about it for over a year now and keep saying I'm gonna swap it for a dbx.

...I've been a lazyhead.

 

[Zooberwerx]

Zooberwerx, does the RNC give any extra sustain?

Yes. Its not so much sustain but rather it slows the rate of decay. I'm sure there's a better explanation...all I know is that it works! The compressor's response varies with threshold, attack, and release settings. The RNC is a very forgiving component.

Riis

 

[jnewmark]

I use it live whenever I have to slap and pop. Other than that, I keep it switched off.

 

[SuperDuck]

I did until I sold mine. Now I'm on the prowl for a new one! But when I had one, I always used it live.

 

[markjazzbassist]

No. I don't use it in my home either.

 

[SpankyPants]

That's because compressors and envelopes hate each other. Too much squash for the squishies.

 

[Crabby]

all the time. Good cheap speaker protection! Also keeps my tone a little more even and punchy. helps taps and harmonics cut through better. I use the good ol Aphex Punch Factory which is subtle yet very sweet.

I also love the built in Comp on my Eden Navigator pre amp and actually use both most of the time.

 

[seanm]

Yes. Its not so much sustain but rather it slows the rate of decay. I'm sure there's a better explanation...all I know is that it works! The compressor's response varies with threshold, attack, and release settings. The RNC is a very forgiving component.

Riis

Makes sense to me. Thanks.

I don't use one but I know most PA's have a compressor on the mixer signal so yes but against my will

Hmmm, maybe I should have added carrots? I didn't think of this option.

 

[Mudfuzz]

Yes; I have a Alesis micro compressor/limiter which I like a lot, I set it really light just to add some extra bounce.

 

[Funky Doctor]

Every now and again I'll bust out with my demeter compulator. Not too often though. But that still counts for yes.

 

[The BurgerMeister]

given the timing, i'd vote carrots on this poll. i'm in the middle of a "should i use compression live" quest. i've got an EBS multicomp on the way, and a gig next wednesday. hopefully the EBS is here by then. i've done many gigs without compression and have been fine, but my new bass is a little uneven in the string response department.

so: carrots.

 

[SpankyPants]

You've chosen speciDIE, my friend.

 

[The BurgerMeister]

pshh... only ALWAYS.

speciDIE is the only way to fly.

 

[bongomania]

I don't have any live gigs in the recent past or immediate future, but I doubtless would use a compressor- at a minimum, just as part of my ongoing reviewing and learning process. Also, I think I would be inclined to have some sort of peak limiting in the system, even if the threshold was high enough that it didn't touch my dynamics 99% of the time.

 

[12bass]

Sometimes I do. Sometimes I don't.

If I use compression I generally patch my RNC into the effects loop of my Eden, or between the Ampeg SVP-PRO and Eden's effects return. For lots of gigs I don't bother, but sometimes use the onboard compressor.

When I do patch in the RNC, there are times when I feel that it is holding me back, not allowing my playing dynamics to come through, so I tend to back off on the ratio and attack to allow more expressiveness.