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MXR M87 and multiple basses

Gyver

Gyver

Jul 17, 2011
1,253
1,985
Binghamton, New York
#1
Howdy,

I recently added a MXR M87 compressor to my board. If I set the output for unity gain with one bass, does it make sense to keep the output the same with other basses that require lower and higher input settings on the pedal (and therefore losing unity gain with those basses)? It made sense to me in a live setting when using multiple basses to keep the volume even when switching instruments, but I couldn't find any threads on the topic. Curious what people think, thanks.

Gyver
 
#2
What I suggest is using the compressor for dynamic control rather than for bringing different instruments to the same volume. So I would use a volume pedal or other fixed volume controls to set the chain for each of the instruments, and put the compressor last after all that, and not change the comp settings unless you want to change the dynamic response.
 
#3
Hey Bongo: I use the same comp at the end of my chain with an SA programmable EQ at the beginning. With my different basses, I adjust the EQ output so the comp LEDs seem the same with each bass. Will this method give me a (mostly) equal output on my basses?
 
#4
Rickenmonster said:
Hey Bongo: I use the same comp at the end of my chain with an SA programmable EQ at the beginning. With my different basses, I adjust the EQ output so the comp LEDs seem the same with each bass. Will this method give me a (mostly) equal output on my basses?
Click to expand...
Yeah, exactly, use each programmed patch of the EQ as a volume preset.
 
#5
I use the same compressor, and I use (primarily) 2 P-Basses, however my Seymour Duncan equipped bass is WAY louder, so I picked up a MXR Micro Amp and set it to boost my quieter bass up to that level, works great, sounds great too, and it allows me to just leave the compressor settings alone....It took me more than a few bend practices to get the M87 to sound how I liked it, and the thought of having to adjust it "per bass" really sucked.
 
#6
Turtle71 said:
I use the same compressor, and I use (primarily) 2 P-Basses, however my Seymour Duncan equipped bass is WAY louder, so I picked up a MXR Micro Amp and set it to boost my quieter bass up to that level, works great, sounds great too, and it allows me to just leave the compressor settings alone....It took me more than a few bend practices to get the M87 to sound how I liked it, and the thought of having to adjust it "per bass" really sucked.
Click to expand...
 
#7
I assume you put the micro amp at the front of your chain and the compressor at the end of your chain with this setup? I have the compressor at the beginning of my chain right now, and I used to have a micro amp at the end of my chain. I think I will try switching them around and see how it works.
 
#8
Turtle71 said:
I use the same compressor, and I use (primarily) 2 P-Basses, however my Seymour Duncan equipped bass is WAY louder, so I picked up a MXR Micro Amp and set it to boost my quieter bass up to that level, works great, sounds great too, and it allows me to just leave the compressor settings alone....It took me more than a few bend practices to get the M87 to sound how I liked it, and the thought of having to adjust it "per bass" really sucked.
Click to expand...

I do the exact same thing :) for my fretless J-bass, which has lower output than my P-bass: Micro Amp before Comp, gain set at 10 o'clock. The M87's settings remain constant. Perfect combo.
 
#11
I have the M87 at the front of my chain because I use a few effects (envelope follower, delay, distortion) and I've heard it is best to have it before the effects on a pedal board so you are compressing the clean signal before messing with it. I suppose putting the micro amp 1st and the M87 2nd in the chain would work...
 
#12
My chain is Tuner-->Micro Amp-->Chorus-->Phase-->Dirt-->Zoom MS60B-->M87-->BDDI.

I prefer the Comp at the end, as it helps with any "spikes" that the other effects generate..The MS60B using some of the filter patches, can send some pretty big spikes..

As has been said multiple times, it's always best to experiment with what you've got, and find what works best for you! :bassist:
 
#13
I have a radial instrument selector i/o pedal at the front of my chain. It has a dim level setting and i use that to lower the input level of my hotter bass to match my other basses which are pretty much medium output. Its a passive pedal so no power required.

The m87 works the way i want it on all my basses without fiddling with any knobs :)

ImageUploadedByTalkBass1400465716.672983.jpg



Sent from my iPhone using TalkBass
 
#15
Gyver said:
I have the M87 at the front of my chain because I use a few effects (envelope follower, delay, distortion) and I've heard it is best to have it before the effects on a pedal board so you are compressing the clean signal before messing with it. I suppose putting the micro amp 1st and the M87 2nd in the chain would work...
Click to expand...

I definitely would not want it before an envelope filter or distortion. It will kill the dynamics they need to work correctly. Maybe before an octave would be okay though.
 
#16
I'm very pleased with this setup, glad y'all suggested putting the M87 at the end and using the micro amp first. We have one song where I have the Bassballs, Envelope Filter and Delay going at the same time and the compressor smooths out the chaos of those three running together perfectly. The Micro Amp makes switching basses a breeze as well - excellent.
 
#17
It's true the best set up is the one that you find works for you. Congrats!
I have the radial I/O and use it the way ShowKing does. It's pretty simple, and works the way I need it to. I also boost the signal after, depending on if I'm switching between electrics or between electric and upright on a given night.
I tried my M87 in front of my Octave pedal, but found that it didn't make up for poor technique. :) I can trigger the Octave perfectly if I play just in front of the pups on my P (thanks to plenty of TB discussion for the technique tip...); apparently, that's where the clearest, least-overtoned notes come from on my bass.
So my compressor's at the end of the chain, as well.
 

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