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Does anyone NOT use a compressor? (... and why not?)
- Thread starter stringthrough
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Ok boys and girls. Feral Feline has just experienced a meltdown. But the cat is doing fine - and will be back as soon as kitty gets some shut-eye and a good cup or two of coffee (and maybe some eggs) afterwards. So stay tuned! There's a lot more to come...but first, this word from our sponsor... 
P.S. somebody please talk me out of building that diving helmet. That is totally insane! But boy do I miss the days of those crazy home handyman, inventor, and radio/electronics experimenter magazines. Make magazine and Adam Savage don't even come close to the "where angels fear to tread" stuff some of the old guard used to come up with.
P.S. somebody please talk me out of building that diving helmet. That is totally insane! But boy do I miss the days of those crazy home handyman, inventor, and radio/electronics experimenter magazines. Make magazine and Adam Savage don't even come close to the "where angels fear to tread" stuff some of the old guard used to come up with.
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I would suggest giving a high quality outboard compressor a whirl. Most amps' onboard compressors are worthless (though I do find the compressor on the BBE Bmax to be decent at some minor peak limiting). It would be like a guitarist trying a Boss MT-2 and then thinking that he doesn't like distortion pedals.
Thanks LM, good analogy. Agreed. Would like to give a good outboard a run at some point.
Ever read Backyard Ballistics? It's a classic.
True story: a guy and his brother from my hometown, both naturally curious and mechanically inclined, and without much demand on their time from ladies, decided to build themselves a crossbow. With a little help from a cutting torch, drill press and hydraulic winch, they built one. Where did they source limb material? From the backyard truck on blocks, of course. And what part of the truck supplied the limbs? That's right, the leaf springs.
Leaf springs.
As crossbow limbs.
And it actually *worked*. Their homemade parts-built crossbow was powerful enough to shoot rebar bolts right through their penetration test medium.
What was the test medium, you ask? Why, a double-wide trailer! One presumes they did not use their own, but one never knows.
Awesome! Muy macho!
And yes, it shames me to admit I own a copy of Backyard Ballistics. Never thought of using leaf springs and rebar however...hmm
When I was 12 I got my hands on a 1950s era (I'm guessing) hardcover collection of Scientific American Amateur Scientist articles that included such gems as build your own atom smasher and your own working X-ray machine! My old man confiscated that book after I left it sitting around one day and he took a look at it.
He just might have saved my life by doing that.
This thread has made me more interested in compression. The problem is, as many have mentioned, proper compression needs some time to experiment.
I could test it at home, but that is nothing like a live gig.
I could test it at rehearsal... but while we practice at gig volume (sometimes more), that doesn't include the bass. I am probably at 1/4 gig volume and compression is not going to be noticeable.
And at gigs I am too busy with the PA to futz around with a compressor. Yes, I took the time to work out compression on the vocals, but that was a requirement, not tweaking
I could test it at home, but that is nothing like a live gig.
I could test it at rehearsal... but while we practice at gig volume (sometimes more), that doesn't include the bass. I am probably at 1/4 gig volume and compression is not going to be noticeable.
And at gigs I am too busy with the PA to futz around with a compressor. Yes, I took the time to work out compression on the vocals, but that was a requirement, not tweaking
Calebmundy
Supporting Member
- Apr 5, 2007
- 1,134
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- Endorsing Artist: DNA Amplifiers, Lākland Basses
Just sold my MXR. I couldn't really figure it out. If I could tell it was on, I was hating the squash of dynamics, or it was doing something weird to the attack. I decided I would rather rely on the natural compression of some BDDI overdrive.
I've never had to use compression live, but some subtle squash is good when I get a little excited
I mainly keep my FEA DE-CL because it just makes my bass sound better. I use it in a limited way as far as compression goes.
I mainly keep my FEA DE-CL because it just makes my bass sound better. I use it in a limited way as far as compression goes.
Hey! We're counting TWO now then! Great kudos to you too! That could make something out of this dodgy thread. Thread full of BS, prejudice, cognitive bias, and yet we have - by now - two that confessed to get something out of it, eventually.
Are you two angels or something?
With that amount of patience, you'd sure be..! If I was a lamer (beginner) and stumbled into this thread, I would go "oh, omfg, what utter bollocks, let's move on to other forums..." after less than one page.
This thread has made me more interested in compression. The problem is, as many have mentioned, proper compression needs some time to experiment.
I could test it at home, but that is nothing like a live gig.
I could test it at rehearsal... but while we practice at gig volume (sometimes more), that doesn't include the bass. I am probably at 1/4 gig volume and compression is not going to be noticeable.
And at gigs I am too busy with the PA to futz around with a compressor. Yes, I took the time to work out compression on the vocals, but that was a requirement, not tweaking
Try something simple and good. I´m relatively new to bass and especially effects. I thought a comp would limit my dynamics. I was wrong! I can now vary between the gentlest string attack to really dinging in, almost slapping strings, and have it all at a suitable volume. It even lets my touch sensitive, tube like, OD behave better. I can get more of a grindy OD on higher notes, without low notes overpowering the OD into fart-territory. Which especially my Barbershop does if I´m not careful. I considered an Empress, but to many knobs for a newbie
Diamond was tempting, but expensive and I dindn´t know if I wanted the colouration its known for. So I ended up with an EBS MultiComp. Easy to set up. Select mode, adjust comp to taste and output. Done. May try something different later, but comp, in some form stays!
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Interesting project, I'll have to say! But... WHAT did they use to COMPRESS the leaf-springs? Did they use a winch from the same truck, or did they have to go on a witch hunt for a windlass, but which brand winch was the winner or was it blocked and tackled, if indeed that was what they used to wind spring-things up? If I ever saw those two cranks coming down the pike, I'd make a bolt for it after bowing out of the situation, otherwise I might wind up dead. I hope they've since turned over a new leaf.
That last para gave me a headache, I need a cold compress, (shun the thought).
"Does anyone not use a compressor and why not?"
I don't use a compressor 'cause the boss won't buy one for the shop.
I don't use a compressor live, it tends to send my DB to feedback city; I have a small-yet-growing collection of compressors. When you pack them tightly together they spawn...
My purchase of a compressor is what prompted me to sign in to this forum.
(hi!)
It's really a swell piece of equipment I bought, but in the month that I've had it, I've not been gigging with it. Typically I trust the sound guy. But at home, I've been digging it and have a feeling once I find that magic tone I'm looking for I'll start carting it with me.
(hi!)
It's really a swell piece of equipment I bought, but in the month that I've had it, I've not been gigging with it. Typically I trust the sound guy. But at home, I've been digging it and have a feeling once I find that magic tone I'm looking for I'll start carting it with me.
Thats the one I use. However I am not using it as a limiter but rather a soft compressor using a low ratio(usually 2:1). It just tames the peaks when I dig in and really makes the bass sit clear and fat in the mix. For the gigs I play which are primarily production shows its not quite a must have, but it definitely makes a big difference.
Cord->fridge->food. Nothing in between.
I have 3 compressors in line at all times in my rig, but none of them are engaged...just to teach them a lesson!
Same here. Mine are:
Compression: between 2:1 and 3:1 but most times at or very close to 2:1
Threshold: -30dB or -20dB depending on the instrument
Gain: 0 - <6 set for unity most times, or the tiniest hint of boost depending on the bass and the room
It's a "nice to have" for me as well. But not an actual necessity. I tend to see it more as a labor saving device, or a tool for dealing with problematic room acoustics. It's definitely not a part of "my sound" - whatever that means these days.
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I have been, but thinking of stopping and getting rid of my 1176. I can't seem to hear the difference anymore, I think I'm losing my hearing.
I'll gladly take it off your hands. Heck, I'll even pay postage
I have one on my pedalboard, but it only comes on for songs where the tempo is fast and I have walking lines, or fast moving parts. When the pace picks up, or its a song that needs a pick I feel like I have less control over the notes, so I engage the compressor. Even then I have it set where it only engages with peaks.
