I never tested a dual band compressor pedal, but I am looking into the idea of getting one. The question is: is it really necessary for a bass instrument? What are the benefits over a regular compressor?
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Is dual band compressor a must for bass?
- Thread starter frankzap
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I don't think it's necessary, but it could help if you don't want to squash your low notes too much.
An alternative concept is a sidechain with a high pass filer. I use an Empress compressor with a 100 Hz HPF in the sidechain, meaning it compresses my actual sound based on a copy of my sound with the lows rolled off. The result is that it doesn't compress my low notes as much as the high notes and it sounds really natural.
I've never used a dual-band but it's probably aimed at a similar result.
An alternative concept is a sidechain with a high pass filer. I use an Empress compressor with a 100 Hz HPF in the sidechain, meaning it compresses my actual sound based on a copy of my sound with the lows rolled off. The result is that it doesn't compress my low notes as much as the high notes and it sounds really natural.
I've never used a dual-band but it's probably aimed at a similar result.
Yes, it seems that up to a point, a side chain filter may accomplish the same as a dual band compressor. One difference I see is that a chain filter will not compress the low freqs whereas a dual-band would permit a controlled compression on the lower side if needed. But, that's my main question here... would it be really needed for a bass instrument? I mean, the dynamics will so dramatically be changed that is worth the investment in a dual-band comp? I suppose someone who used both should express an opinion on the matter... On the other hand, compressors having side chain control are almost on the same price level as dual-band compressors. One logical conclusion is that both types of compressors could be "superior" to just a regular squashing comp.
"Necessary for a bass instrument?" -- definitely not. Necessary for you or other individual bassists? Maybe. Depends on what you want from compression.
I once owned the Rane DC-24 dual-band, a great compressor. Trickier to dial in than a single-band (for me, anyway), but when dialed properly in it was amazing. The Rane was a rackmount, discontinued for awhile now. I now use compressor pedals, none of which are dual-band. A dual-band pedal comp is on my wish list, but I get what I need from the comps I own, most of which offer parallel compression: the ability to mix compressed and uncompressed signal.
Parallel has different advantages than dual-band, but it works for me. Of course these days my needs are minimal: I'm 95% fingerstyle, 4% pickstyle, almost no slapstyle anymore, and I've never done any fancy stuff such as tapping or harmonics.
So... as usual, the answer is "it depends". Sorry, I know that's not much help.
I think a tool in the hands of someone who has mastered it is more important than the topology of the circuit.
But multi-band is definitely not necessary. I might argue that a blend knob is though.
But multi-band is definitely not necessary. I might argue that a blend knob is though.
A compressor of any sort isn't "a must."
I haven't used one in more than a year.
I haven't used one in more than a year.
I agree. Live I never use one. In the studio pretty much only for me. And it's not compressing much.
I can see that the EBS you are referring to is a "multiband" compressor, but has no means of controlling how compression acts on what band of freq. Just one Comp knob. It provides multiband compression as a preset sound - "a distinct type of compression" -, although they label it "dual band compressor". It must be... but it is hard wired and pre-tuned.
Not exactly. First, the manual is clear on that it's actually dual band.
Second, the threshold for either band can be adjusted via internal trimmers...
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Edit: you are correct that amount of possible tweaking is limited for this compressor...but it means that there is less chance that I will screw up my sound!
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I didn't mean to criticize. Obviously it is what they claim to be. Just noticed the lack of controls on the bands. I didn't read the manual though and didn't know there were trimmers for thresholds inside. My bad.
