Just bought my first compressor.

[ObeyGiant]

So as the title says I bought a used BBE Opto Stomp off the classifieds recently (haven't even got it yet) and as an effects noob (only pedals I use is a Pitchblack and a Sansamp BDDI) I had a question.

I use a Hartke LH500 as my amp and it has a build in limiter that is activated with a little button and is not adjustable as far as I know. I didn't even think about this before I decided to buy a compressor (I do a little tapping and the volume change is annoying as I normally play with a very light touch and I thought it would help with making them sound more uniform - correct me if I am off base here). I don't really know much about the differences between limiters and compressors but after a little research (Bongo's site was good) I think they are similar/related but am still a little confused. I run with the limiter on the amp turned on all the time as of now (pre compressor).

Will this interfere with the compressor? When I get the compressor should I a/b it with the limiter and use the one I like better? I assume I should run the compressor with the limiter turned off or am I wrong?

The plan is/was to find a good spot for the Opto and leave it always on along with the BDDI. But I completely forgot about the built in limiter and now am in a predicament (or at least I think...).

TL;DR: How will the built in limiter in the LH500 play with my new Opto Stomp and how should I go about using/not using them both? How would it work together if I used the pedal with the limiter on the amp on as well?

If it helps/matters I play in a 3 piece acoustic/singer/songwriter type of band (Vocals/Guitar/Bass/Violin). I cut highs a lot and cut lows a little on my BDDI (which if I understood the book that came with the pedal boosts mids) with the amp set to "flat" (not knobs at 12'' - but flat based on what I found about the voicing of this amp) with the tone knob on my passive p rolled off to try to achieve a less harsh, warm sound.

 

[bongomania]

The one thing that makes it difficult to say how the comp will interact with the limiter is that the limiter is (as you say) not adjustable, and there is no visual meter to show exactly when it is kicking in, or how much.

There's a lot to be said for using a gentle compressor across most of your signal, and a harder peak limiter just affecting the tallest peaks. But it's fairly tricky setting that up just by ear. By the time you can hear the compressor or limiter working, it's usually too much.

The BDDI will already provide some mild compression, so I'd say between it and the Opto you probably won't need/want the limiter on top. But if you go on some aggro string-bashing episodes, or ride the low B hard, you may find yourself wanting a strong cap on those peaks.

As always, experimentation is key.

 

[svlilioukalani]

I also use a Hartke LH500. A great amp. But never press the limiter button on it. It's just too extreem. You will be better off just using the BBE.

I discovered "Bongomania" this weekend when researching setting on the compressor I got this last weekend. Thats the guy who posted above. Go to his website. He knows his stuff.