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Is a bass compressor really necessary?

#41
A compressor isn't necessary, but I will say its a nice to have. Every bass player that I have introduced to using a compressor has either bought one and uses it all the time or adds one to their wish list.

I love my Diamond Comp, it adds a nice punch and sheen to the sound. Its one of those things that I really notice it when I turn it off. I can play without it, but I prefer to use it with my Fender Jazz bass. Now with my Musicman Sterling 5, I prefer not to use a compressor.
 
#42
the problem with compressors is that most folks have no idea how to use them. This is exacerbated by the cheap cruddy sound of most MI compressors.
As far as "not blowing speakers" compressors lower the peak level, hence raising average volume level. So a misused compressor is just as likely to blow speakers as a misused amp.
 
#43
Yeah, I think the "speaker protection" would come from a hard limiter, set to a pretty high threshold. Not really what I think of as compression, with a lower threshold (near 0) but a slight ratio of 3:1 or 4:1, and maybe a few dB of make-up gain, which is more of a tone tweak IMHO. I was rarely compressing more than 2 to 4 dB, but a nice one adds some thickness/girth while also adding some nice presence/sheen to the highs.
 
#44
I'm another who cycles through the use compressors. Right now they're OUT - as are all effects. Only thing I'm using is a tuner and the parametric EQ in my GB head. Your sound is in your hands. Not a bunch of boxes.

That said someone on here posted an outstanding article on how to correctly use compression. What it boiled down to was "if you can hear the compressor working, you're compressing too much."
 
#45
Live I never use one. I like my dynamics as I expect them to occur (I don't slap but do use both fingers and a pic at times) and haven't blown my berg nv215 with my blueline yet.

Recorded, I always use one in post production especially if I'm re-amping.
 
#46
Compression a crutch for poor playing ? Thats nonsense. Compression can be viewed as and used as an effect but when used properly as an always on tool it is extremely subtle and should'nt affect your tone in any negative way. There is no instant gratification when getting into using a compressor there is definetly a learning curve unlike some of the more fun stiff like overdrived and distortion. When i was younger and more active always rehersing with bands and gigging i hated compression , any rig i had with built in comp I would always leave off. Most of my playing now is alone in my soundproof practice room and in this context you really become pretty intimate with your gear. This is how I really got my head wrapped around compression and in retrospect n the past I just didnt understand it.
 
#48
+1 for live use of minimal compression . . .
I believe that the most common "real-world" example of manipulative compression is the TV-watching experience of the ads suddenly blaring out at you.
The environment is described by your preset volume & peaks are "limited" by the broadcast wave envelope, but the advertiser's production team has significantly increased the sub-peak amplitudes within that envelope . . .
Then, again - I could be strolling down the wrong block . . .
 
#53
Saying that using a compressor is cheating is one of the dumbest things I've ever heard. It's not used to hide technique; if you have a good understanding of it, it can increase the dynamics of your playing. Granted, I learned to play without a compressor so I don't need it, but with compression I can get a much more raunchier attack when digging in while sound controlled and tight. I most certainly don't squash my signal either.

Whether you need it or not, doesn't matter because it is a tool for people who know how to use them. You can't rate a tool's effectiveness by looking at people who don't know how to use it.

Oh and, to the uninformed traditionalist in the first page, Geezer played trough tube amplifier which naturally compress the signal, while overdriving it which compresses it even further, not to mention the compression in the recordings and in live shows. Learn before you make uneducated opinions.
 
#55
Compressors can be approached like EQ.... They can, if used fairly aggressively, change the tone as a dramatic effect. But when used in a moderate or light handed way, they can sculpt a great tone out of a good one. Pick, finger, slap or tap can all do more when processed . . . or less if not done to suit. There's no single correct approach.

It's true fantastic sounds can be had with everything 'flat' and no compression. You can do a massive amount with just the plucking hand. Think of how much more compressed the bridge pickup sounds compared to a similar neck pickup. Dynamics are lost with heavy compression - but heavy use of effects of any kind will compromise the original sound. You can always split signals!

I look forward to getting a full featured compressor... So far I have tried the Compressor on my multi effects pedal (zoom b2.1u). It works but hasn't impressed me too much. It's just sensitivity, attack and level. I know from messing with synths release matters, especially with notes intended for long synth parts, not crucial for everything but something I'll look out for in a compressor. My current leading option (even if it is a highish end brand) is the MB compressore.
MarkbassCompressore800.jpg


Ratio might come in handy too. (My pedal has a ratio for the limiter, but not the compressor... which kinda sucks. The ratio seems a little high as far as I can hear).
 
#56
René_Julien;12930305 said:
Well that's what I want to do with my bass. :D
Click to expand...

Some of the time it'll work, sometimes... not so much. Like all effects I think the best approach is to look at how it's used, give it a try, and see from there!

Florox said:
Saying that using a compressor is cheating is one of the dumbest things I've ever heard. It's not used to hide technique; if you have a good understanding of it, it can increase the dynamics of your playing. Granted, I learned to play without a compressor so I don't need it, but with compression I can get a much more raunchier attack when digging in while sound controlled and tight. I most certainly don't squash my signal either.

Whether you need it or not, doesn't matter because it is a tool for people who know how to use them. You can't rate a tool's effectiveness by looking at people who don't know how to use it.

Oh and, to the uninformed traditionalist in the first page, Geezer played trough tube amplifier which naturally compress the signal, while overdriving it which compresses it even further, not to mention the compression in the recordings and in live shows. Learn before you make uneducated opinions.
Click to expand...

Seems legit. The reality is we hear umpteen layers of compression on all of our 'bass benchmarks'. When we hear the awsome bass track from fairies wear boots on the radio? Compressed in the amp, compressed on the tape, compressed in the mix, compressed during the remaster, compressed in the radio station.... maybe more or less but It's all over recording AFAIK... and I'm not even close to an expert so go see & hear for yourself.
EDIT>>>> Don't pretty much all sound people put a little (or a lot) of compression on a bass signal, unless the bassist is already doing it themselves??? (or is playing very consistently, I'm not pretending to know too well).

caeman said:
Country music often depends on compression for the "chicken pickin'" style.
Click to expand...

So much of pick and muting styles developed in the days of tube amps had compression going on . . . probably more than once. Live reproduction probably needs the same kind of technique and effect. Kinda like playing some bootsy funk without a little wah or octaver - It's not that it's not possible... but it's great to have it to hand! :bassist:
 
#57
I use an EBS Multicomp to tame the Darkglass B7K. I max out the preamps level because it seems to sound better that way. Problem is my amp will start clipping, so I use the Multicomp to stabilize the ship's rotor engine...
 
#58
Not talking about compression as a noticeable tone shaping effect, the situation I found compression meaningful is in the context of a band. During recording, practising or even live. The result of barely noticeable compression comes through the best when you play with a band. Say you play a pop or rock song with a thick sound that requires a steady bass line that gets through. With a compressor the bass line is more likely to sound consistent, while w/o it's a risk some notes disappears behind the other instruments. If that make sense :)
 
#60
karla684 said:
Not talking about compression as a noticeable tone shaping effect, the situation I found compression meaningful is in the context of a band. During recording, practising or even live. The result of barely noticeable compression comes through the best when you play with a band. Say you play a pop or rock song with a thick sound that requires a steady bass line that gets through. With a compressor the bass line is more likely to sound consistent, while w/o it's a risk some notes disappears behind the other instruments. If that make sense :)
Click to expand...

I guess it does... it's as much EQ as compression... if you don't have some mid or highish frequencies that be heard through the mix... all you have is a low rumble. That can work but I'll bet careful use of dynamics and EQ* together give the best results in the studio and on the stage nearly every time. Certainly when many effects are used.

* and compression of course
 

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