Do you use compression live?

[paf77]

I've heard that using compression is better for recording and not so much for live situations. If this is true, how come compression isn't so great for live?

 

[projectMalamute]

I'd say the exact opposite.

A (very experienced) guy I work with was getting a wonderful mix out of a pretty generic hard rock band the other night. He had like 6 channels of compression smashing the hell out of a bunch of stuff. Way, way more than I would ever put on a recording(or I would probably use live for that matter). Sounded fine in context.

 

[jtrow]

Compression is great for live situations. Used in context, of course. I don't try to smash the hell out of anything, but each and every band requires something different. If your drummers kick foot isn't always even, say on slow songs he kicks really soft and on fast songs he kicks really hard, you could use a compessor to even it out some. But really it's up to the sound guy, he's the one out front listening to what needs to be done.

 

[bassman1185]

I play in a pretty aggressive hardcore/rock band, and I always have compression going. It helps clean up my tone and keep my sound punchy and consistant even when I'm jumping around and making a fool of myself on stage.

 

[fishtx]

I run it sometimes on my pedalboard...but the FOH guy we used says he almost always has it on my rig...

I go back and forth all the time with compression...I'm using it right now...but it's been on and off my board so many times I can't count them all...I think it might be a room to room thing with me...

 

[ronpopparon]

These are some great responses! I depend for the FOH man to keep it clean for the room. Every room is different. When the pink noise generator is all over the EQ spectrum we pinch the headroom and tighten up the lower frenquency. On stage, now that is a different story. When the rhythm player is sawing on an electric guitar the mix is tight. When he switches to an accoustic, the drone eats my lunch. Solution, compression. I get back the punch that the Fishman pups stole from me. Thinking about, putting my foot through his old box and buying him a Maton might be good...Nah!

 

[anderbass]

Do you use compression live?

Yeah, one of the things tube powered amps offer is the way they can just naturally compress both the sound and feel. Obviously they're not everyone's cup-o-tea, but this is one big reason so many guys prefer-em.

 

[51m0n]

Oh yes.

Especially in a gig where I use lots of different techniques (worst of all slapping and tapping for me) - just helps keep things even.

 

[Ubersheist]

As for bass, I use a bit of mild compression all the time, 24-7. I also use some more squashed, flatter compression on particular songs that require that sound. There's one song that I try to get a really, really punchy 'thumpa-thumpa' sound on in the intro, so I crank up the compression with an attach just shy of the fastest possible and then as short of a release as possible. Sounds 'fing great!

 

[nysbob]

I only use as a sustain effect - much like a guitarist would. And fairly sparingly at that. I want full dynamic control on the gig.

 

[JimmyM]

I don't like it in my amp anymore, but I've done it in the past, and I don't mind it in the PA unless the soundman squashes it.

 

[Vic Winters]

My BBE Opto Stomp sits in my rack, always on, set for very mild compression. I wish BBE would offer it in a 1/2 rack.

 

[PocketGroove82]

God Bless Compression.

 

[ChrisBlizzard]

I always like to have compressors handy for the mix live. the better the singer, the less compression i'll give them (but i deal with some pretty bad ones with bad mic technique) for the bass, USUALLY, if i'm mixing a band where the bassist wants compression, they're doing it themselves, sometimes you might need to add a little more to tighten it up, but for most places for all the but the greatest mix, it's not really needed. I might put one on the bass side chained from the kick though, gove the kick more room when it needs it and let the bass have that room when the kick doesn't need it... more of a studio thing to do, but why not use studio tricks live?

 

[geeza]

Always. A long time ago, I used to use an MXR DynaComp.
Nowadays, I always use this: [Invalid or Expired Link Removed]

 

[jaywa]

I might put one on the bass side chained from the kick though, gove the kick more room when it needs it and let the bass have that room when the kick doesn't need it... more of a studio thing to do, but why not use studio tricks live?

Exactly. This is the kind of thing that separates the really "pro" sounding live mixes from those that are decent but still missing that certain "something". Props to you.

 

[Nedmundo]

I've only used it a few times on stage, either when I want some help evening things out, or when I think I'll be pushing my rig, and I want more headroom by taming the transients. I haven't used it in awhile, but if my band ever starts playing larger venues I probably will.

 

[Phat Ham]

I always use compression in my rig. The SansAmp has a decent amount of compression built in, plus I have an Ashly compressor in my rack. In the metal band I play in it makes a huge difference having it there.

 

[SteveC]

I go back and forth. I am currently not using my BBE. I did some A/B'ing last night and while I could hear a bit of a difference - mostly when I played "Peg" or some other slap stuff - I don't think it's enough for me to haul it around.

I like to travel as light and simple as I can.

 

[Godbody]

I use compression live 100% of the time, the only exception is when I kick on distortion (since that adds its own compression). Could anyone in the audience tell me what the difference is when I tap compression on and off? Probably not. But it sure does make a difference in the amount of compliments I get.