Live compression

[nooooob]

Im looking for a pedal/rack unit to even out my playing volume, I play pick, I play fairly hard, and tend to lose a lot of volume in the higher registers. Any good advice? I have looked at the boss lmb-3 limiter/enhancer, would anyone recommend it?

 

[walterw]

that might not be a compression thing, but an EQ thing; if you're losing volume on the high notes, it may be because you've got too much low end boosting up the low notes.

 

[nooooob]

that might not be a compression thing, but an EQ thing; if you're losing volume on the high notes, it may be because you've got too much low end boosting up the low notes.

I pretty much have it scooped

 

[walterw]

that could be it; the scoop could be knocking the fundamental off the middle and higher notes (which live in the middle of the scooped out hole) while boosting the fundamental of the lower notes, making things uneven.

flatten it out and i bet you'll get all the notes back, and sound better in the mix to boot.

 

[NOVAX]

The Diamond bass comp is a wonderful pedal. The tilt feature is genius. The box has 'tonal magic'. You can use a lesser compressor: ^ > ) but why deny yourself?

 

[nooooob]

The Diamond bass comp is a wonderful pedal. The tilt feature is genius. The box has 'tonal magic'. You can use a lesser compressor: ^ > ) but why deny yourself?

I'd love that pedal! But I forgot to mention 1 important thing; budget! Looking at no more than £150 really

 

[Zooberwerx]

that could be it; the scoop could be knocking the fundamental off the middle and higher notes (which live in the middle of the scooped out hole) while boosting the fundamental of the lower notes, making things uneven.

flatten it out and i bet you'll get all the notes back, and sound better in the mix to boot.

This pretty much sums it up: mid-scoop will suck the life from your D & G string response. This may sound strange but it does work: set your EQ while thumping the D string-7th fret (A). Can't say exactly why it works but you'll end up with a more even response up 'n down / across the fingerboard.

Riis

 

[Big_Daws]

im going to be using a LA-610 and comp this weekend live....will let you know how that goes....BTW it was our sound-techs idea to give it a go. and im like SURE! lol

 

[caligula]

I've been playing the EBS compressor pedal for many years and it has always served me very (!) well.
It can add a considerable amount of tightness and punch if you want, but can also just make things a bit more smooth and even out the notes.
Besides, it has a tube simulation which makes the tone a bit more dirty and aggressive.
I never leave home without it.
However, I wouldn't rely too much on a comp pedal, clean playing technique is a must.

Should fit your budget.
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[Wookieonbass]

The MXR M87 is a pretty good compressor pedal. I use it to smooth things out between switching between fingers and a pick as I tend to attack the strings a bit harder when using a pick. As far as the OP's problem I agree with the others it's more of an EQing problem.
Flattening out the EQ instead of scooping it should produce a more even sound across your strings.

 

[nooooob]

T

I've been playing the EBS compressor pedal for many years and it has always served me very (!) well.
It can add a considerable amount of tightness and punch if you want, but can also just make things a bit more smooth and even out the notes.
Besides, it has a tube simulation which makes the tone a bit more dirty and aggressive.
I never leave home without it.
However, I wouldn't rely too much on a comp pedal, clean playing technique is a must.

Should fit your budget.
Invalid Link Removed

This looks quite good, thanks! Do you have any experience with the Boss LMB-3? How do they compare?

 

[nooooob]

This pretty much sums it up: mid-scoop will suck the life from your D & G string response. This may sound strange but it does work: set your EQ while thumping the D string-7th fret (A). Can't say exactly why it works but you'll end up with a more even response up 'n down / across the fingerboard.

Riis

Great tip, thanks!

 

[caligula]

T

This looks quite good, thanks! Do you have any experience with the Boss LMB-3? How do they compare?

Sorry, have no experience with the Boss pedal. I have heard and checked the Boss overdrive and their compressor/sustainer and they were kind of ok in my opinion. Not really my cup of tea.
If you want to learn more about compressors and read tons of reviews, just go here: http://www.ovnilab.com/

 

[mellowinman]

I agree on the eq comments. You have to get yourself eq'd to get an equal response before you start putting in compression.

 

[Downunderwonder]

This pretty much sums it up: mid-scoop will suck the life from your D & G string response. This may sound strange but it does work: set your EQ while thumping the D string-7th fret (A). Can't say exactly why it works but you'll end up with a more even response up 'n down / across the fingerboard.

Riis

Interesting, the fundamental of that A is in the breadbasket of the lower octave mids. So EQ'ing that to sound badarse must give a mid boost to the low notes.

 

[Dragan]

+1 on EBS multicompressor. tight tone for your tight budget.

 

[bebass]

EQ EQ EQ I HATE using compression as it totally destroys one avenue of expression - and that is playing dynamics.

 

[nooooob]

EQ EQ EQ I HATE using compression as it totally destroys one avenue of expression - and that is playing dynamics.

Not everyone requires the need to express dynamics all of the time.

 

[RedMoses]

EQ EQ EQ I HATE using compression as it totally destroys one avenue of expression - and that is playing dynamics.

I Dont understand why people say this, i use compression on my pedal board and i am certaintly able to express playing dynamics and nuances with my fingers. Its really a matter of your settings, the trick is to dial in what works best for your playing style.

Ive had an Aguilar TLC for a long time, holds up to the abuse, affordable and available in most places.

 

[bebass]

IMO DYNAMICS is everything. I have run into many players that have no idea of the value of dynamics. If you squish your sound to be at the same level how can you have any influence of the dynamics? Good for FOH - Bad for bass IMO I guess if a player has no idea how to regulate and always plays too hard then compression would be needed. I LIKE to be able to go from soft to punch within a note - can't do that if it is squished.