• 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.

Let's talk about compressors

#102
eigentone said:
I really don't get why so many people piled on to @2112 's comment, either. I wish there were more people who could make a good recording without using a compressor as a crutch. It's not a bad thing to aspire to. Dynamics are a big part of a great groove.
Click to expand...
I can make a great recording without a compressor but it sounds better to me if there's a little squeeze on it. Sounds fatter. We don't like 2112's comment because it was a bit 'holier than thou' snarky and completely unnecessary.
 
  • Like
Reactions: tfer, eigentone and MDBass
#103
Josh Kneisel said:
How is it recorded without natural compression happening in the signal chain? Are they using magic? Also, I am willing to bet even classical music is mastered with some sort of limiter on the stereo mix.
Click to expand...

Because the entire signal path (Mics, Pres, ADC) has a very high dynamic range. There's no magic there. What in that chain do you believe is acting as a compressor or limiter?
 
#104
eigentone said:
False.

@MDBass's original argument was not "every recording these days" it was "every single album you've ever heard". Big difference.

BTW I owned a recording studio. I can safely assume I have spent more hours in them than you have.
Click to expand...

FWIW I know people who own Porsches who don't know how to drive.
 
  • Like
Reactions: TheSlenderman, Fuzzbass, Jakeman and 1 other person
#106
I use the TC Electronic SpectraComp. Great mini pedal. There are some really good TonePrints to download too.
 
#107
TheLowDown33 said:
I too have the Studio Bass and it's a very underrated comp. It's very um...polite I guess is the word. It's not going to squash the signal unless you really want it to and there's very little coloration. It's definitely one of those "you don't know it's on till its off" kind of things.
Click to expand...

I'm going to say that my Keeley Bassist is similar. I Like it better than my MXR for it's simplicity and it sounds fantastic. I don't think it does much to my tone. Anyone else agree about their Keeley ?
 
#109
scaled.jpg
 
  • Like
Reactions: TheSlenderman, Ti-Ron, ObsessiveArcher and 5 others
#110
eigentone said:
Well go on and ask GearSlutz.com if every bass ever recorded has a compressor on it ;)
Click to expand...

Looks like this whole diatribe was based on you not reading my original comment carefully enough.

I never said every bass ever recorded has a compressor on it; I said it had compression on it, which includes, tubes, tape, etc.

Back to suggestions for the OP now, eh? :thumbsup:
 
  • Like
Reactions: Josh Kneisel
#111
MDBass said:
Looks like this whole diatribe was based on you not reading my original comment carefully enough.

I never said every bass ever recorded has a compressor on it; I said it had compression on it, which includes, tubes, tape, etc.

Back to suggestions for the OP now, eh? :thumbsup:
Click to expand...

Sure. Go on and ask GearSlutz.com if "every single album you've ever heard has multiple stages of compression on the bass" ;)

Or do you admit you were exaggerating?
 
#113
eigentone said:
Sure. Go on and ask GearSlutz.com if "every single album you've ever heard has multiple stages of compression on the bass" ;)

Or do you admit you were exaggerating?
Click to expand...

Another appeal to authority fallacy while still misquoting what I wrote, which was "frequently multiple stages".

Even still: tracked straight into the board, to tape, is one stage of compression.

One more round of tape on the mix/master bus, even without any tubes or compressors anywhere to be found, is multiple stages of compression.

The horse is dead, stop hitting it.
 
#115
MDBass said:
Another appeal to authority fallacy while still misquoting what I wrote, which was "frequently multiple stages".

Even still: tracked straight into the board, to tape, is one stage of compression.

One more round of tape on the mix/master bus, even without any tubes or compressors anywhere to be found, is multiple stages of compression.

The horse is dead, stop hitting it.
Click to expand...

I quoted you correctly. Here's your post (emphasis mine):

MDBass said:
A. You don't understand how compression is used to musically enhance a bass signal.

B. Not to be the bearer of bad news, but every single album you've ever heard has multiple stages of compression on the bass, and there's a really strong likelihood the FOH is compressing your signal as well ;)
Click to expand...

Are you denying your exaggeration because you have already forgotten what you wrote?

Also, your analog tape argument doesn't hold up. Analog tape had a maximum dynamic range of about 90 dB. That's plenty of dynamic range and about the same as a CD. It would compress if you hit it too hard, but for your argument to be correct would require every recording to tape to hit the tape hard. That simply was not the case. Tape compression was not always desirable, particularly for bass. I'd say it was most desirable for close mics on drums. Recording to tape did not necessarily result in the audible dynamic range reduction or "compression" you speak of.
 
Last edited:
#116
Baltimore Bass said:
I suppose those details would've helped, haha.

I'm looking for something to make my tone bigger and rounder. I've got a decently big rig (MarkBass Little Tube 800 and an Ampeg 610) and I play flats on Fender P and Jazz basses. I gig with a reggae band. I'm looking for something versatile, as I'm not exclusively a reggae player. The compressor would be paired with an MXR M80 DI+, chorus, and envelope filter.

In terms of budget, I'd really like to keep it under $200, but would shell out more for something that really knocks my socks off.

One of the things that used to worry me about compression is that it would take some of the dynamic control away from my right hand fingers, but in a big loud setting I'm not so worried about that. Also, I know that compressors can be set to be pretty mild.
Click to expand...

If it doesn't need to be a pedal, feel free to try the JoeMeek threeQ's optical compressor.
Side benefit: It provides an EQ, and a send output on line level that can be used as DI or for recording.

If budget wasn't an issue, an 1176 would be quite something :D
 
  • Like
Reactions: MDBass

Latest posts

Top Bottom
Back