Ok, so I do understand compressors, but not the way I see a lot of people use them. I see many people use them to make all the notes the same volume, but that seems a bit lame. First of all, you should be able to control your note volume, if not then you need to improve your technique. Second, if you accidentally hit something the pedal could make it more noticeable. Finally, I feel that altering note volume is an important part of bass playing, especially if you want to give your playing some personality. Even if you had a separate volume pedal there are some things that would be nearly impossible to do. That is all. Thank you for enduring my rant and share your feelings (possibly hate) below. I apologize in advance if your feelings were hurt and if so explain to me why I'm an idiot please.
Enjoy the benefits of a premium membership!
Upgrade Account
-
TalkBass has been independent since 1998. Add your voice.
Create a free account to reply to discussions, view embedded media, and browse with fewer display ads.
Join free Log in
Want zero display ads or expanded classifieds tools? Compare plans.
I don't understand compressors
- Thread starter JRuben
- Start date
- Status
- Oct 7, 2000
- 18,619
- 38,939
- Disclosures
- Endorsing artist: Musicman basses
I use the compressor on my amp. All you say is true, though if a compressor is set carefully, it will kick in only when ya want it to and you'll still have tons of room to play dynamically. My main reason for using a compressor are for getting that tight, almost percussive sound that's quite hard to get with a bass and amp alone. My favorite example is in the vid below. Truth be told, I have no clue whether he's using a compressor or not, but I certainly can't get a sound like that without one 
. Unless I'm really pushing my amp. The second reason is that with quicker shred like stuff, it kinda smooths things out a bit. Much like distortion does for guitarists. And for bassists. Anyhow... I use compression minimally, and I love the bass sound in this song:
. Unless I'm really pushing my amp. The second reason is that with quicker shred like stuff, it kinda smooths things out a bit. Much like distortion does for guitarists. And for bassists. Anyhow... I use compression minimally, and I love the bass sound in this song:
Hard to beat Bernard Edwards.
Is he using a compressor - well, it's a studio track, so I'd be stunned if he didn't have a compressor patched in, likely a really nice one too.
I bet though, he could sound like that w/o one, because........Bernard Edwards.
Is he using a compressor - well, it's a studio track, so I'd be stunned if he didn't have a compressor patched in, likely a really nice one too.
I bet though, he could sound like that w/o one, because........Bernard Edwards.
I've posted in a older topic about compressors and hated the experience. Everyone knows that compressors are just devices to re-shape the dynamics of the notes, but all think this is a big secret, and the end all guys think how you said: "...people use them to make all the notes the same volume...". End point. I will not make this mistake again. Apparently you said everything there is to be said about compressors. Plus: I Hate compressors, even when I need one. Sadly the people use them to make all the notes the same volume (echo here please).
Why would anybody's feelings be hurt?
You don't like/want/understand them and it's fine. I know there are plenty of people that love them, and that is cool too.
So, what's the big deal? It's not like you have to use them.
You don't like/want/understand them and it's fine. I know there are plenty of people that love them, and that is cool too.
So, what's the big deal? It's not like you have to use them.
I've come to realize most people using one play without PA support. I've tried a few, and never liked it. But my soundguy always puts a compressor on my signal. Same when we recorded. And that never bothered me.
I could attempt to answer but frankly it's getting tiresome to respond to this viewpoint again and again. How many "I hate compressors" threads does TB need really?
Suffice to say, compression is not about giving up dynamics or a crutch for poor technique - I suggest you go read the FAQ section of ovnilab.com, maybe that can give you a more nuanced understanding.
Suffice to say, compression is not about giving up dynamics or a crutch for poor technique - I suggest you go read the FAQ section of ovnilab.com, maybe that can give you a more nuanced understanding.
Like fret no more said, check out ovnilabs for the best info for bassists in regards to compression...
Me, I love how a good compressor helps me sit in the mix *and* makes playing easier, its like a weight is lifted off my hands, almost like a good tube amp....but its not for everyone
Me, I love how a good compressor helps me sit in the mix *and* makes playing easier, its like a weight is lifted off my hands, almost like a good tube amp....but its not for everyone
Love that song!! It also helps with the bass he was using...I recently got the same bass he used around then...
1976 BC Rich Eagle, this bass is great with funk and well, any style
No hurts. I think it's because the musicians think that using compressors shows (for themselves) your lack of technical and/or performance. This is not true, compressors too can solve this "problem", but are much more than that. Still I do not like them, I think it's “almost” possible solve any dynamics issue with your fingers, some brain and correct setup and/or rig. Not so easy, but possible, and better. Ok, easy play is cool, stay "in" the mix is not a problem for me, but agree with hintz, tubes, compressors is not for all the people.
Nothing wrong with that /\...
Lots of guys with ridiculously huge pedal boards don't like comps either, I do now,but I just had to find the right one, which I have (at least for now, you all know how gas is)....
Different strokes,YMMV, etc..
Lots of guys with ridiculously huge pedal boards don't like comps either, I do now,but I just had to find the right one, which I have (at least for now, you all know how gas is
)....Different strokes,YMMV, etc..
I don't think it's about "making all notes volumes the same".
It's about fine tuning the dynamics, setting the range perfect.
But, I could agree that comp. could be overrated in small gig setting, those subtle differences get lost there. The louder the sound gets, more control you need, so it is neccesity for big show.
I could never get it right, so I don't use it for bars and clubs. Of course, I let the sound man do his thing for big stage.
It's about fine tuning the dynamics, setting the range perfect.
But, I could agree that comp. could be overrated in small gig setting, those subtle differences get lost there. The louder the sound gets, more control you need, so it is neccesity for big show.
I could never get it right, so I don't use it for bars and clubs. Of course, I let the sound man do his thing for big stage.
If dynamics was only about volume levels then I would almost agree that someone with great technique could do what a compressor does. But it's not just a volume control ... I would like to see the fingers that can control the envelope of a signal and change the attack and decay of the waveform, changing the punchiness or tightness of the sound. It may be subtle when used right, and it may not be all that necessary when playing live, but the effect is there and you simply can not do all the compressor does with just your technique.
Whether you personally want or need this effect or not is another matter, I sometimes like a sound without compression, sometimes it's better with the compressor on. It's a tool, it's not universally good or bad, use it if and when it makes the music better.
Even on the ovnilabs site, he suggests that you really don't need, or necessarily want compression with dirt as dirt does that by nature, but I like the added control so I run mine after my overdrive and it doesn't make everything the same dynamically , it just enables me to play lighter and still be heard...
I'm fact I don't know any musician that want all their notes always the same *all* the time, that would be terribly boring
I'm fact I don't know any musician that want all their notes always the same *all* the time, that would be terribly boring
Disagreed with this. For one given note, all you can ever control is the initial impact. From there, you have zero control (apart from muting it maybe?). This is where a compressor comes into play.
It certainly won't make a bad sounding musician sound good, but a good one sound a bit better by giving more control.
1 - Ok, sorry FretNoMore, but I said this: “…but are much more than that…”, do you don’t read this?
2 - “…control the envelope of a signal and change the attack and decay of the waveform…” is a setup for me, plus performance, not 100% sure.
3 - I'm not disagree to you, but compressors are a tools for who needs a tool, and a effect for who needs a effect, or not can playing without one. That’s normal, this is not a discussion, it's just an exchange of experiences, it is not possible to say that an experience or opinion is more correct than another.
@Fernando Costa, my apologies, I quoted your post but it was really a more general reply and not necessarily to you, I don't think we have any disagreement.
Relax FretNoMore, here there are only opinions, different ways to see and understand music. It's a positive thing.
I use compression when recording, so I can play with all the nuance I want, without having to worry about overdriving the signal into the red. Why would anyone complain about that? When I discuss compression with people, I compare it to makeup - do it right and it enhances without being obvious. Overdo it, and the results are just garish.
- Status
