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Empress Compressor w/ active 5 string bass

#21
Raman said:
Thanks.

I just found where I'd read that :
• Overdrive, distortion, and fuzz compress your signal already, so additional compression is often unnecessary. Additionally, compression can often roll off the "edge" of the distorted signal, even to the point of nearly canceling out the dirt effect altogether (in extreme cases). So you don't want to place the compressor after the dirt. On the other hand, many overdrives work/sound best if your signal has a wide dynamic range going into them, so in that case you wouldn't want the compressor before the dirt either! It's often best to just switch the compression off while using OD/distortion. If that's not an option, just experiment to find the compromise that sounds OK to you.
Arranging your effects
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Adamixoye said:
We all respect Bongo/Ovnilab around here but I think he might be overstating that a little bit. I don't know that it's true that many overdrives work or sound best if you signal has a wide dynamic range going into them. If your want your OD to be dynamic, for it to "clean up" when you pull back or get dirtier when you "dig in," then sure. But if that's not important to you, then really I don't see what the issue is with compression before dirt.
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It really depends on what model compressor it is and how it's set, as well as the intended effect.

I can tell you that the way I have my Cali76 set before hitting my dirt pedals makes the tone both thicker AND dirtier, and it's still very dynamic; I never turn it off.
 
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#23
cannedveggiessuck said:
Bassist Compressor - Robert Keeley
Very transparent, none of the aforementioed issues.
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Yes, I'd seen that Keeley made a bass-specific unit. Too bad I bought mine before time.

Anyhow, I just spoke with the seller and it seems the Empress will be mine!
My sister lives in the town next to his and should go pick it up this afternoon. I should have it in my hands at the beginning of the week! :cool:
 
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#29
From the different answers, nobody mentioned using the side chain.
I find it very interesting that there should be one, but at the same time I hope I won't have to use it. I mean, I can see myself experimenting with it, but I hope it won't be necessary because I end up finding that my lows are squashed (all the answers above have convinced me it won't).

Does anybody use it? And if so with what and what for?
 
#31
Raman said:
From the different answers, nobody mentioned using the side chain.
I find it very interesting that there should be one, but at the same time I hope I won't have to use it. I mean, I can see myself experimenting with it, but I hope it won't be necessary because I end up finding that my lows are squashed (all the answers above have convinced me it won't).

Does anybody use it? And if so with what and what for?
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I've been thinking of trying a fixed filter (solder a capacitor inside a pancake plug), it's supposed to make it compress the lows less, but I've really not felt a need so I've not gotten around to doing it.
 
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#32
I have experimented with the sidechain by running a parallel bass signal (splitting my signal) & cutting all of the lows in the sidechain trigger signal with eq. It makes the compressor pump less hard when pushed to more extreme comp settings. It's kind of a pain, though, because the Empress sidechain input has to be balanced in (TRS).
 
#33
scotch said:
I have experimented with the sidechain by running a parallel bass signal (splitting my signal) & cutting all of the lows in the sidechain trigger signal with eq. It makes the compressor pump less hard when pushed to more extreme comp settings. It's kind of a pain, though, because the Empress sidechain input has to be balanced in (TRS).
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For a simpler experiment you could hook up a graphic EQ pedal, use a standard insert cable.
 
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#37
I made a little filter with a cap and stereo pancake jack
Very easy.
Great pedal.
I don't use super heavy compression so it doesn't have much audible effect
Could be cool to use with a kick drum feed in an electro band
 
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#39
Raman said:
Officially mine! Now in my sister's hands, and in mine around Monday or Tuesday. :hyper:
Got it for CAD 175$ (They sell new for CAD 295$ + 15% taxes in Montreal.)

Thanks everybody for the advice !
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Great price for a great compressor! I used to use the Empress with my Warwick Thumb5. Never had a problem.

I also run a compressor always on, along with 1-5 dirt pedals at a time, with at least 1 or 2 always on. Sounds great to me.

Never used the side chain, but it looks like you've already got a lot of great advice on how to try messing around with it.
 
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#40
Reading about it and watching those videos, I'm not sure that an envelope filter in the sidechain is the best idea. A tremolo pedal, on the other hand, could be fun to try! (And it so happens that I may have an Ibanez Tremolo pedal at the bottom of that same closet.)

This said, I can't wait to try out the pedal. I've not used compression for nearly a decade. The Keeley that I've used, and a Boss previously, coloured the sound a fair bit. But the tightening effect of compression on an otherwise boomy bass was very satisfying. It added a very subtle dimension that really did cut into the mix. Like the bass suddenly knew exactly where it's space was.
This unit will be a different beast. There are lots of threads on here about clean compression (like Empress) VS effect compression (à la Diamond). I struggled with that choice. But bottom line is I want transparency. And I want control. The Empress and the Opti-Fet stood out as best choices because they offer both according to all testimonies and sound clips available. And as much as some simpler units are good at automatic triggering and balancing, like the the Keeley was, in the end I'd rather have control over what happens.
Many people talk about the LEDs on the Empress as being the deal-maker when they bought. I'm sure I'll love the LEDs, but in my mind it's rather the quality of the unit, coupled with the no-nonsense layout of the controls, that sold me to the Empress. (It's exactly what I found when I bought my Empress Multidrive last year.)
 
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