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Here's what I want. Should I compress?

scottfeldstein

scottfeldstein

Roots and fifths and a little extra.
Jun 20, 2011
6,544
4,412
57
San Marcos, California
endlessblue.bandcamp.com
#1
Primary importance: When I'm at high volume levels it would be nice to know that there's a Limiter that, when set correctly, will help prevent speaker over-excursion when I bang a low E or other really loud note. My amp (GK MB500) has a limiter on it, but I think it's just there to prevent the amp itself from clipping, not my speakers from being overtaxed.

Secondary importance: The issue of pushing the speakers too hard aside, I'd like to have all the notes I play be roughly a similar volume. Of course, I'd like to preserve some dynamics, but I find some notes virtually disappear while others knock everyone over. It would be nice to even it out. Also, I switch from finger style to slap a lot and I'd like to even out the volume differences there, too.

I don't want a compressor/limiter to do anything else to my sound. I don't need it to EQ. I don't want it to add "dirt." I don't want it to do anything except adjust volumes as I play.

I don't want to turn it on and off. If it's doing what I want (above), I just want it on all the time. I don't want to adjust its settings mid-song or even mid-set. I just want it to dial it in and leave it.

I'm not opposed to a pedal, even though I wouldn't be stomping it a lot. If it does what I want and it's cheap, I'd do that.

I'd probably be happier with a rack unit, but then I'd have to drop $100 on a rack, get rack ears for the MB500 and then sit around regretting that I already bought a bag for the amp :)

Finally, I really like this link that someone posted in another thread. Compressor Reviews But even it is a little overwhelming. What I'm looking for is "yes, it sounds like you want a compressor. They'll generally do the things you say you want." And "From what you're saying, I think you'd be really happy with the compressor I use which is _______."

Thoughts?
 
#3
Yes, it sounds like you want a compressor. They'll generally do the things you say you want. And from what you're saying, I think you'd be really happy with the compressor I use which is EBS MultiComp.

Okay, I don't have a compressor yet, but that is what I'm going to get as soon as I can scrape up the cash. It's exactly what you're describing.
 
#5
JKos said:
> but I find some notes virtually disappear while others knock everyone over.

Are you sure it's not techinque or something else going on that a compressor shouldn't be the fix for?
Click to expand...

Yeah.

Well, no. But this isn't my first rodeo. I've been playing off and on for the last 30 years. And if I haven't learned to modulate my volume with my hands yet, I probably won't ever do so :)

Come to think of it, one of the reasons I want a compressor is so that I can stop worrying about modulating my volume so much. I'd rather think about keeping time and getting the riff right than "I better hit this note lightly or it'll sound like an earthquake" or " I better slap this riff lightly or it'll sound like I just turned up." I'm imagining it would be very liberating.
 
#6
scottfeldstein said:
Come to think of it, one of the reasons I want a compressor is so that I can stop worrying about modulating my volume so much. I'd rather think about keeping time and getting the riff right than "I better hit this note lightly or it'll sound like an earthquake" or " I better slap this riff lightly or it'll sound like I just turned up." I'm imagining it would be very liberating.
Click to expand...

M87 seems to do a better job at limiting than other compressors that I've tried. I don't want to sound like a broken record, so I'll leave it at that. Definitely give one a try. They're starting to hit Guitar Centers now.
 
#7
I am pretty much in the same boat as the OP. Since I have been working on cleaning up my fingerstyle playing, I have noticed a there is a definite difference in volume when I switch between fingerstyle and slap. I love the tone I get from my amp, but I would like to even my levels out a bit. I have read through several reviews on Bongo's site and have been considering a compressor for some time. The two I had in mind were the Aggie TLC and the Seymour Duncan double back. He seems to give them high marks for transparency, which I assume means they won't be coloring my tone other than evening out the levels.
 
#10
You might want to give your bass' set up a once over to see if anything's amiss that might be contributing to some notes disappearing.
I use the Maxon CP-9 pro+. It's not exactly cheap but it's really easy to use and doesn't color your tone. It will do what you want.
 
#11
It could easily be your pickup is favoring your low strings, which I'm assuming are the one's that are too loud. Or you have your overall EQ scheme slanted too heavily towards low end which isn't at all uncommon with us bassists. But that can definitely make low notes much too loud compared to the higher notes.

I'd personally start there. Then go for a compressor later if you still think you need to.

Note Bongo has a "top picks" list you can simply choose from. I liked the RANE DC-24 for a rack compressor which is in his list. Only downside is the stupid power brick which uses an oddball 6-pin phone connector as opposed to something more standard. Not a problem unless you break it like I did, though you can just crimp one back on easy enough.
 
#14
alec said:
???
Click to expand...

Read the OPs post... my response was a cut and paste from his request. He said:


scottfeldstein said:
... What I'm looking for is "yes, it sounds like you want a compressor. They'll generally do the things you say you want." And "From what you're saying, I think you'd be really happy with the compressor I use which is _______."

Thoughts?
Click to expand...

So, while my recommendation of compressor was legitimate based upon reviews and my experiences with them (even though I don't currently own one), the opening was an attempt at humor, just giving him what he asked for...
 
#18
scottfeldstein said:
What I'm looking for is "yes, it sounds like you want a compressor. They'll generally do the things you say you want." And "From what you're saying, I think you'd be really happy with the compressor I use which is _______."
Click to expand...

Uh ... yes, it sounds like you want a compressor. They'll generally do the things you say you want.

And from what you're saying, I think you'd be really happy with the the RNC ("Really Nice Compressor") by FMR Audio if you want something "non-pedal." http://www.frontendaudio.com/FMR-Audio-RNC-Really-Nice-Compressor-p/9999-06429.htm

If you're okay with the fact that it's not a pedal ... it is simply, hands-down the finest compression in it's price range known to mankind. In pedal format, I would recommend the Joemeek "floorQ" or the Aphex Punch Factory. Reasoning: Both of these brands have moreless specialized in compression through the years; compression is what they do and they rarely screw it up. Guitar pedals are just kind of secondary for them. MXR is another company who have made some stellar compressors through the years, so i don't think you could go wrong there either.

This M87 of theirs will give you control and metering over EVERYTHING, so if you can't make it sound good ... it's probably your fault, because every parameter is under your control. And I don't understand why people feel like they need this "Bongo" guy to bless it, as if he were the pope of compression. Like with anything else, it's audio, and you're either going to like the sound or you're not.
 
#19
scottfeldstein said:
For posterity: I just pulled the trigger on the MXR M87 Bass Compressor. It still doesn't have a review over at Bongo's place, but seems just like the Aguilar TLC only with a visible meter on it.

Maybe I'll post a review once it arrives.
Click to expand...

Your amp limiter will keep your speakers from over excursion and the compressor will help with the dynamics. The limiter in your amp is at the ideal location for speaker protection because it is last in line. Adjustments to volume, EQ or turning on an effect pedal will never exceed the threshold setting on the amplifiers limiter. The MXR has a very fast attack and with a high ratio it will act as a limiter. If you are using lower compression ratios then you may want to also use your amps limiter to protect the speakers.

There is also a pedal call the Thumpinator by [SFX] that removes the subsonic low frequencies that can cause speaker over excursion.


chessrocks said:
And I don't understand why people feel like they need this "Bongo" guy to bless it, as if he were the pope of compression. Like with anything else, it's audio, and you're either going to like the sound or you're not.
Click to expand...

Bongo is the same guy that the OP linked to for compressor reviews… click the link then you should “understand why”.

-Frank
 
#20
boomertech said:
Bongo is the same guy that the OP linked to for compressor reviews… click the link then you should “understand why”.
Click to expand...

I've read his little reviews, and I'm still not star-struck. Seems like a guy who likes compression, has some worthy opinions and takes some time to write about them. Very helpful, but still not prepared to anoint him "compressor God."
 

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