Do you user a compressor with an active bass?

[Altitude]

An onboard bass preamp is an equalizer and sometimes a gain circuit. Nothing more.

 

[sawzalot]

I keep hearing you don't need a compressor with an active bass because it already compresses the sound.

Not sure where you heard this, but it's not true.

That said, I do use a compressor, but not because I'm playing an active bass, it's because I want the effect that a compressor provides.

 

[Bass Ape]

Do not ever take advice from the person who told you that.

If you're not that familiar with compression then you want to get something that compresses the signal with the least futtering.

I use a UAFX 1176, but I would not really recommend it as a starting comp.

 

[DaveParker39]

Yes.
Lots of parts of your signal chain compress the sound: active preamps, compression pedals, overdrive and other fx pedals, an overdriven preamp, most bass amps have build in limiters, mixing board, etc... the pedal serves a specific purpose, in my case: limiting my attack so that pops/using a pick/fingers are similar, volume-wise, and a bit of EQ and gain.
Your signal path can and should have compression at multiple points.

 

[CryingBass]

I am kinda thinkin that a compressor is needed ESPECIALLY for ( typically hot ) active basses. Especially for slap-happy dudes.

YMMV! ( but I doubt it )

 

[Justin Keoni]

I always have my Niche Humboldt on, and have used it with a Dingwall NG3, Fender Flea Active Jazz, EBMM Sterling, a custom bass with an EMG P/J setup, and a Sadowsky Jazz. Recently, I’ve started using the compressor in the H90 after the Humboldt for clean tones, and I also use several different compressor plugins when working in the box (I like the DBX 160 and the Distressor).

Just curious, how do you run your Niche comp? Do you have your mix at 50/50?

 

[MikeBass]

I keep hearing you don't need a compressor with an active bass because it already compresses the sound.

But a tube amplifier also compresses the sound, yet it's not the same thing. Is that also the case for active basses?

Do you use a compressor with your active basses?

Whoever told you that is dead wrong on many levels.
All active electronics are (more or less) is EQ and allows you to have longer cable run with less impact on the sound.
Active EQ DOES NOT have compression built in or compress in anyway. And I’m not aware of any active system that ever had compression built in.

I always compress regardless of the bass I’m using. And I have a very debatable view of how bass players should compress their signals. (Debatable meaning most tend to disagree until they fully understand why and hear the final sound).

As with anything though, let YOUR EARS decide what YOU like.

 

[MNAirHead]

all the time -- the the sound guy does it again

 

[Smurf-o-Deth]

Just curious, how do you run your Niche comp? Do you have your mix at 50/50?

Like this:

 

[Deleted member 389437]

I always use a compressor, no matter what bass Im playing. Only In very small cases will I turn it off, where its effecting the sound in a way I dont desire. But 99% of the time its an always on pedal.

 

[Turnaround]

I keep hearing you don't need a compressor with an active bass because it already compresses the sound.

Perhaps some active basses do. But certainly not all.

 

[JazznFunk]

There is no 'built in compressor' on an active bass. Yes, I use compression with active basses.... often, it's a tube compressor (MarkBass Compressore). Sometimes, it's a solid state VCA compressor (Seymour Duncan Studio Bass Compressor). Both do the same things in different ways, and work great with active or passive basses.

 

[the_Ryan]

I keep hearing you don't need a compressor with an active bass because it already compresses the sound.

But a tube amplifier also compresses the sound, yet it's not the same thing. Is that also the case for active basses?

Do you use a compressor with your active basses?

Active preamps do boost the signal, but they don’t compress the bass at all.

I’m using and enjoying the Broughton Onmicomp.

 

[AlvarHanso]

Yes, and generally have compression via Source Audio UltraWave and/or Atlas. Those are almost always on, and different settings for different tones, but always with compression to even things out between strings, as well as for taming synth sounds. Using an Ibanez SR505 with very hot Bartolini pickups.

 

[SkylineFiver]

Bartolini pre with Seymour Duncan Studio Bass Compressor always on.

 

[andruca]

I don't even play at home without (quite abundant) compression, no matter what bass. I've used and owned all kinds of actives, nowadays only a couple Stingray5s, everything else is passive. I tend to play harder stuff (ska-punk, HC, modern metal) either plucked or picked, at different levels of OD/preamp gain, while always fat and punchy. I just clean the OD gain/blend the subtler I need to go, but compression and overall EQ remain the same.

 

[PhillipHolbrook]

I keep hearing you don't need a compressor with an active bass because it already compresses the sound.

But a tube amplifier also compresses the sound, yet it's not the same thing. Is that also the case for active basses?

Do you use a compressor with your active basses?

A Boss bass compressor is number 2 in my signal chain after my bass, then there is a master compressor at the console.

 

[Wasnex]

I keep hearing you don't need a compressor with an active bass because it already compresses the sound.

But a tube amplifier also compresses the sound, yet it's not the same thing. Is that also the case for active basses?

Do you use a compressor with your active basses?

No. I don't generally use a compressor when playing bass. I find the some amps already compress more than I want on stage. If there is too much compression, it makes it harder to hear and I instinctually overplay to try and get my sound to pop out of the mix.

It's a different story when I am running sound. Compression is used to help all of elements of the mix integrate better.

I have never really noticed active basses being more compressed. My first bass was a Ric 4001, passive. I eventually mod'ed it to be active. My next #1 was a Yamaha BB5000, which was also passive. My #1 since around 1995 has been a Yamaha TRB6P, which is active.

I generally prefer active basses. To my ears, on average active tends to sound better. I have heard some passive basses that sounded incredible, but in my experience they tend to be fairly rare. I still own two passive basses Daion PowerMark XB and Washburn Bantam (headless).

 

[MYLOWFREQ]

No, because I don't use an active bass I would use a compressor if played an active bass.

 

[dbsfgyd1]

I keep hearing you don't need a compressor with an active bass because it already compresses the sound.

But a tube amplifier also compresses the sound, yet it's not the same thing. Is that also the case for active basses?

Do you use a compressor with your active basses?

I have with my Eden rig, but no too much squash. I think it works well with slapping. Funny you posted this it just so happens today I messing around with my active bass and compression, the first time in 4 years.