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Let's talk about compressors

Baltimore Bass

Baltimore Bass

Jul 14, 2016
69
65
Baltimore
#1
I don't currently own a compression pedal, but I'm looking to add one to my board. Anyone have any recommendations? Also, what are your favorite settings, especially for playing live? I know how compression works, just looking for a starting point. Thanks!
 
#4
monsterthompson said:
Step one - Compressor Reviews

Step two - what are you looking for a compressor to do? (tone enhance, peak limit, squish, grit, etc.)

Step three - what is your budget?
Click to expand...

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.
 
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#5
Baltimore Bass said:
I don't currently own a compression pedal, but I'm looking to add one to my board. Anyone have any recommendations? Also, what are your favorite settings, especially for playing live? I know how compression works, just looking for a starting point. Thanks!
Click to expand...

I'll got out on a limb here and recommend the Diamond BCP...and I've been thru a handful of comps myself. It's a great top-tier pedal and can be had secondhand for ~$160 if you watch the classifieds. You can spend less and you can spend more but this is the best bang-for-the-buck IMO.

Riis
 
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#6
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...
Sounds like you want a Diamond. Nice and fat tone if you want it, easy on the dynamics. I currently use one with the MXR M80 DI+, but I'm not playing reggae.
 
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#7
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...

I just snagged a Duncan Studio Bass and really like it. It fits your budget. It even had a reggae preset suggested in the manual. One of the features I really like is that it has a parallel dry blend with a switch which allows the dry signal to be full signal, just lows, or just mids. It's a pretty smooth and unobtrusive box, and it works well with my P with Sunbeams.

I've tried a Smoothie, and an Accountant, and a SGFX Horizon in recent years, and a Diamond several years ago. The Duncan is my favorite so far. I'm still curious about a Keeley. I'm sure several of the usual suspects will be suggested and are worth considering.
 
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#8
I've tried the Empress, FEA Opti-FET, FEA DE-CL, Diamond BCP, Milk Box and MXR bass comp in the last year or so. I like those that I've tried in that order. For me I really dig the transparent smoothness that the Empress gives me. The next three are nice warm tone enhancers. Definitely pour over @bongomania 's reviews. So much good information there.
 
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#9
I had the MXR bass comp. It worked well but I found it a bit tough to set as the control had a wide range so small tweaks made big differences. It had lights but they didn't help me all that much.

I replaced it with an Wampler (not Empress) Ego. Very nice compressor. Easier to set but I notice some slight darkening to the tone when it runs. On my e-gtr it is fine, on bass it isn't quite as cool (though you may love it). Overall, since my pedals do double duty (e-gtr and bass) I really love the Ego but for bass only I'd probably try a Keeley bass comp.
 
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#10
monsterthompson said:
I just snagged a Duncan Studio Bass and really like it. It fits your budget. It even had a reggae preset suggested in the manual. One of the features I really like is that it has a parallel dry blend with a switch which allows the dry signal to be full signal, just lows, or just mids. It's a pretty smooth and unobtrusive box, and it works well with my P with Sunbeams.

I've tried a Smoothie, and an Accountant, and a SGFX Horizon in recent years, and a Diamond several years ago. The Duncan is my favorite so far. I'm still curious about a Keeley. I'm sure several of the usual suspects will be suggested and are worth considering.
Click to expand...
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.
 
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#13
2112 said:
I don't use compression... I have learned to control my dynamics and frankly don't feel the want or need to give full control of my dynamics to FOH.
Click to expand...

IMG_3001.JPG
 
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#15
I just picked up a tc electronic SpectraComp last week for less than $80 bucks new from Prymaxe and I'm finding it one of the more versatile comps I've ever used on my board. Its only got one knob but you have almost unlimited access to tweak parameters using a tone print editor. You can also choose from a wide variety of already created tone prints if you would rather not dive too deeply into creating your own. Full disclosure though, I'm already familiar with tc electronic tone prints and how they are used so the learning curve was minimal for me.
 
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#16
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'll add another rec for the SD Studio Bass. I read the big review tome cited above and the Studio Bass was on my short list. Got a good deal on a used one and it was all I was looking for. Can be subtle but also versatile.
 
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#18
2112 said:
I don't use compression... I have learned to control my dynamics and frankly don't feel the want or need to give full control of my dynamics to FOH.
Click to expand...

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 ;)
 
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#19
Baltimore Bass said:
I don't currently own a compression pedal, but I'm looking to add one to my board. Anyone have any recommendations? Also, what are your favorite settings, especially for playing live? I know how compression works, just looking for a starting point. Thanks!
Click to expand...

I personally love the Cali76-TX for fattening, peak limiting and tonal enhancement.

4:1 Ratio, Slow Attack, Fast Release, 5dB Reduction or less :thumbsup:
 
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