Does a Compressor Remove Your Dynamics?

[bftbassman]

On my Ampeg pf500 I am learning a great tone attack between balancing my gain and compression, I am using this amp to record and i am blown away how just using the amp and no pedals, how great it records and using the amp eq ...well there is no limit to the sounds i can get...and its got a growl and bite...i am learning ..less is more...i have a very nice set up eq wise and have used the bass controls and finger technique to really get "my sound" cool thing is i have the amp set and can manipulate most of what i need from the bass controls..now i am not a tap dancer(pedals) just plug and play...My bass, tuner and Ampeg Pf500 & fliptop cab and one load in...practice..studio..home...lovin it !!

 

[Bob_Ross]

If you use a compressor, do you find that it removes some of your dynamics?

If it doesn't, it's broken.

 

[scottfeldstein]

Obviously, yes, it reduces dynamics. And that's what I want. So much modern music relies on the bass guitar to provide a visceral, low end groove through an entire track. This grove cannot pop up and drop out willy nilly according to variations on strings and slop in technique. It must be always present, variations in volume minimized. Of course it does not remove dynamics entirely. I'm doing an 8:1, with the input set to compress about half that on most notes. It doesn't squash everything. It shaves off the louder notes and raises up the quieter ones. This is the kind of music I play and I expect it's the kind played by most of us here. I find it's a must-have for people playing popular music on solid state equipment.

 

[RobinG]

You keep saying ignorant and insulting things in each post. Here's a pro tip for free: when you have to put other people down, call names, and denigrate other people's ability to use tools for their musicianship--you're going to get backlash.

I posted on this thread out of wanting to share my own experience. Like I said, I'm an older player, and have a huge amount of jaded opinions. A lot of my early gigs were set it up and play, tear it down, next gig, set it up and play, tear it down, next gig, set it up and play, tear it down. Back to the Motel. Day 2.. Drive, do one gig, Day 3.. play 2 gigs etc. When that started those tours, I had a bunch of pedals, and multiple Basses. By the end I had a Bass, A cord and an amp for the sake of time and set up. more recently I played in Tribute Band at festivals with a back line (usually an SVT of some kind) and 15 mins to set up. I had more than a Bass to deal with so hard gain on the the preamp, minor EQ from my experience, and the Bass was good.

While I never have played with any outboard compression, unless trying to comp synth lines, my way is not the only way, just the path I've taken. True, I do use natural compression in how I use an amp. I will defend to my death, a Trace Elliot GP11 in any configuration with the Preamp just over the edge of clipping. That's it for me. I've played with the dual compression on the SMX 12, but I like the sound of the GP11 better.

That's not a box with knobs and an on off switch that needs an extra cord that could go wrong.

Bongomania, I do come off a bit gruff, and text is not the best place for, really, any discussion. How any of us come to our sound in any band we are in, and it works, is what works! I just wanted to share my experience, and please don't call me ignorant.

Robin

 

[fclefgeoff]

^^^ Just doesn't get it.

 

[Smallmouth_Bass]

Another question while we're on the subject: does a compressor help with dead spots?

 

[petrus61]

Another question while we're on the subject: does a compressor help with dead spots?

IME, it indeed does help, but only with somewhat heavier settings or more "colorful" units. A comp capable of sustain is crucial in this regard, but at the end of the day the dead spot will always be there and always come through. I play Fenders primarily and use compression as a way to counter the inevitable dead spots, among other things.

So yeah, it helps but isn't a cure.