That's interesting because I find it far easier to be consistent (particularly at speed) with a pick, in tone and volume.
Guess because that's where I came from with guitars so it's more natural for me.
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Does anyone NOT use a compressor? (... and why not?)
- Thread starter stringthrough
- Start date
Guess because that's where I came from with guitars so it's more natural for me.
I usually avoid using one simply because I'm afraid cutting myself some slack in terms of dynamic range will make me pay less attention to my technique. Nevertheless, in a live situation I often get buried in the mix whenever our guitarist and drummer get carried away, and I have to dig the strings to cut through which is very exhaustive. So today I got my very first bass guitar unit - a cheap compressor from China. I'll give it a try tonight.
At any rate, when practicing I don't use any effects up to the point of playing unplugged.
At any rate, when practicing I don't use any effects up to the point of playing unplugged.
I've always been more interested in effects that are more dramatic when they are kicked on. As a result, the"utility" effects like compressors fell off the radar for me. Lately I've become more curious and will likely try out some compressors over the next few months.
I don't. I feel that I should not need a device to even out my playing/level. That's what practice is for.
I’m a big advocate for compressors. But I don’t always use one.
Nor do I always use the same compressor (I have a few different ones) for everything.
Reasons?
Nor do I always use the same compressor (I have a few different ones) for everything.
Reasons?
- A compressor isn’t always needed.
- When a compressor is needed, sometimes not just any compressor will do. That’s something I learned to appreciate thanks to a really helpful recording engineer opening my eyes to the unique qualities and subtleties found in different compressor designs.
Studio or stage - A compressor can be in the chain as a "just in case" for an occasional transient or ham fisted clam.
It may only go over threshold a time or two in a set.
If it doesn't bother your tone, not a bad idea to have one.
Older guys (like myself) didn't use one live in the day, because the floor units sucked ( as in sucked the life out of your tone).
Pro rack mount stuff as has been great, since before you were born sonny!
It may only go over threshold a time or two in a set.
If it doesn't bother your tone, not a bad idea to have one.
Older guys (like myself) didn't use one live in the day, because the floor units sucked ( as in sucked the life out of your tone).
Pro rack mount stuff as has been great, since before you were born sonny!
I don't, and yet I do...
When I don't- Bass> Tronographic Rusty Box> SWR ST-800 Power Amp> Ampeg SVT810 (the RB seems to add a perfect amount of its own compression without getting too distorted or fluffy sounding, and sits in the mix pretty well, IMHO)
When I do- Bass> Comp (1 of 2 either/or)> Boss OC-2> Dirt Boxes (if they need a little more push)> Delay> Ampeg SCR-DI> Power Amp> Ampeg810SVTAlso, when I do some slapping/popping or am recording the bass direct.
Everyone has a specific function/need for comp or not.
When I don't- Bass> Tronographic Rusty Box> SWR ST-800 Power Amp> Ampeg SVT810 (the RB seems to add a perfect amount of its own compression without getting too distorted or fluffy sounding, and sits in the mix pretty well, IMHO)
When I do- Bass> Comp (1 of 2 either/or)> Boss OC-2> Dirt Boxes (if they need a little more push)> Delay> Ampeg SCR-DI> Power Amp> Ampeg810SVTAlso, when I do some slapping/popping or am recording the bass direct.
Everyone has a specific function/need for comp or not.
I don't personally as I usually play upright in live situations. However, when I play electric in the studio I let the engineers do their thing. That's what they are paid for. Occasionally I'll get called into the booth, and they'll comment on how little they had to run compression on a track, unless I am playing slap style. Then they tend to run quite a bit more to even out the attack between notes.
I've always been a straight-thru player (bass->amp), and I'm very new to the effects world. Having just bought a Zoom B1on a few months ago, compressors were one of the first things I went for, having heard so many conflicting opinions on them. Such as throughout this thread.
I alternate back and forth between three of the models...Dyna Comp, 160A, and the M Comp. After spending a bit of time getting them dialed in, I finally found settings that work for me on all three of them. I've grown to prefer the richer/fuller sound of having compression vs not having it. So, yes, I'm now an 'always on' guy.
I'm still learning about other effects and interaction when compression isn't necessary, but I have one of the above comps on in all of the patches for the time being.
I alternate back and forth between three of the models...Dyna Comp, 160A, and the M Comp. After spending a bit of time getting them dialed in, I finally found settings that work for me on all three of them. I've grown to prefer the richer/fuller sound of having compression vs not having it. So, yes, I'm now an 'always on' guy.
I'm still learning about other effects and interaction when compression isn't necessary, but I have one of the above comps on in all of the patches for the time being.
Lack of steadyness(if that's a word) in one's playing can be fixed with compressors but nothing beats hard work and technique. Unplugg that multieffect, lower the volume of your amp when you work so you can hear every dynamic variation due to your choice or to the fact you didn't play that note right enough to keep the pulse. It will teach you to be constant but also to avoid useless licks(it is not a saxophone !!!).
i always have one available, but i generally don't use a compressor unless i'm attempting to solve a problem (venues/stages/playing environments). occasionally i'll try one for an effect on certain tunes (to increase sustain a little, for example).
i come from a heavy duty studio experience: we tend to use compression to 'fix' something, although it is handy for some 'effects' use, too.
i come from a heavy duty studio experience: we tend to use compression to 'fix' something, although it is handy for some 'effects' use, too.
I rarely use a compressor because for me it's a nice-to-have, not a must-have. And I always recommend practicing at home without compression, unless the goal is to familiarize oneself with the compressor unit, or compression in general.
With that in mind: I don't use compression to even out my playing/level. The #1 reason I like compression is that it adds an extra sumpin-sumpin that helps me sit better in the mix. I don't lose any dynamics -- in fact, it helps my dynamics stand out better. Others have said the same thing in this thread and others. It's why compression is used when recording the very best musicians, and also in live performances, even if those musicians would never use compression in their stage rigs/monitors.
It's a mistake to believe that compression mainly exists to fix problems with technique. Sure, it can possibly help with that; and can also be used as an overdrive or squish effect. But the most important use of compression is to improve the mix. To borrow from a vintage ad campaign: "compression doesn't make the music, it makes the music better". Any device (or instrument) misused can make the music worse, but I'm talking about why top-of-the-line studios and sound companies use compression.
My point isn't that everyone should use compression. Again, I usually don't. Just explaining why some pros I know who have flawless technique (IMO) like to use compression. Others don't, and that's fine too.
I try to get all the dynamics I need with my fingers only.
When I was getting into playing bass I used to go watch my older friends rehearse and I remember when their bass player got a compressor. The bass sounded great when the thing was on, ...or maybe I should say consistent! lol anyway, whenever he would turn it off I would notice the guy didn't have a sound at all. His notes were all uneven and his sound was very dirty with no precision at all. That kept me away from compressors. Even when doing studio work I use very little compression.
When I was getting into playing bass I used to go watch my older friends rehearse and I remember when their bass player got a compressor. The bass sounded great when the thing was on, ...or maybe I should say consistent! lol anyway, whenever he would turn it off I would notice the guy didn't have a sound at all. His notes were all uneven and his sound was very dirty with no precision at all. That kept me away from compressors. Even when doing studio work I use very little compression.
