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Should I ditch my compressor?

creis2

creis2

Guest
Nov 11, 2011
703
1
Cambridge, MA
#1
So I've played an ampeg head for years, which had a built-in compressor that let me really shape my tone.

I recently bought a new GK 700rb head, and after a pretty hefty tax return, some new pedals. I'm currently loving my VT pedal through the 700rb, through my NV610, it's great.

I also bought a MXR M87 compressor pedal, mainly because I thought I needed one. After hours of tweaking, I can't find this pedal useful at all, it really kills my tone. I'm a pretty basic p-bass/head/tweaterless cab/ plug in and play kind of guy. I'm not all that picky with my tone, in my personal opinion, the less knobs the better.

Does a compressor do me any good with protecting my speakers? Does it also act as a limiter at all? Bare with me and please speak in layman's terms, I'm not all there when it comes to this kind of thing.

My playing style is pick/mid-tone/smooth bass lines. Even when I play live, I don't slam on my strings too much, I pretty much keep my pick in my hand at all times.:help:
 
#3
DiabolusInMusic said:
Who said you need a compressor, many don't use them and you should really practice without one.

If your tapping and slapping that is a much different story. Especially in a live scenario.
Click to expand...

The one knob compressor was my best friend on my Ampeg, I just always assumed it was needed. I'm not of a tapper or slapper, I guess I should return it. At almost $200, I could find some kind of pedal I can use.
 
#5
I've never been a big fan of compressors, I really like the idea of playing dynamics, if I want to be quiet, ill pick softly and vice versa. However, I'm using an Ampeg Portaflex 500 atm, and it has a built in one knob compressor which I have set at 8 o'clock, just cuz its there.

Im a pick player aswell, and its pretty easy to control your levels that way. If I was a finger player I would probably have a compressor.
 
#6
Lowactnsatsfctn said:
Send it to me:hyper:

If your playing is consistent enough to not need it, then your in a good place. I'd hold on to it just in case I was using a rig that didnt have the same limiter/compressor built in. How long has it been since you've used it?
Click to expand...

My old head, which I've played for years, had a compressor. I just bought my GK head about 2 months ago, and this pedal two weeks ago. So I'm thinking about running my rig compressorless.
 
#7
G3Mitch said:
I've never been a big fan of compressors, I really like the idea of playing dynamics, if I want to be quiet, ill pick softly and vice versa. However, I'm using an Ampeg Portaflex 500 atm, and it has a built in one knob compressor which I have set at 8 o'clock, just cuz its there.

Im a pick player aswell, and its pretty easy to control your levels that way. If I was a finger player I would probably have a compressor.
Click to expand...

Yeah, even though I've been a finger player for the 15 years I've been playing bass, I use a pick when I play live and with a band. I just personally like the tone. If I played with my fingers live, I would def hold onto my compressor, mainly because I'm a spaz.

But I feel like I'm pretty consistent with a pick. In my honest opinion, more knobs, more problems. I like to plug in and play. I guess I should do more research before I spent so much money, but I thought this pedal would be my best friend.
 
#8
creis2 said:
Yeah, even though I've been a finger player for the 15 years I've been playing bass, I use a pick when I play live and with a band. I just personally like the tone. If I played with my fingers live, I would def hold onto my compressor, mainly because I'm a spaz.

But I feel like I'm pretty consistent with a pick. In my honest opinion, more knobs, more problems. I like to plug in and play. I guess I should do more research before I spent so much money, but I thought this pedal would be my best friend.
Click to expand...

A spaz that likes to plug in and play? haha. i understand... its far less stressful, but im so fussy with tone etc.

But yeah, it sounds to me like you don't really need the compressor, maybe just keep it for home use.

btw, +1 for VT. Love that ****.
 
#10
I've noticed that using a compressor live, for me, has helped me out a great deal. I currently sing lead vocals (cause there is no one else that can/will though I do enjoy it).
I feel that in my case it has helped me maintain a consistency I didn't have when I'd play and sing before I got one.

Having said that, if I didn't have singing duties, I might opt for playing without one....
 
#12
The final answer here is: Your GK head is all the tone you need. GK is a gentleman's amp, and needs no additional tone modification from a mere compressor pedal.

Just send the pedal to my house for safe-keeping. :)
 
#18
A stompbox compressor to protect your speakers? No
To even out your signal and fatten up your tone? Sure!
A compressor is a difficult effect, especially for people with un-trained ears. A smooth transparent compressor in your chain won't even be heard unless you really know what you are listening for. As a result, noobs tend to tweak them to the point where they can hear the changes and at that point you've gone too far.

I agree with the previous poster, I use right hand dynamics to vary my attack to fit each part of each song and therefore wouldn't use a compressor very often.

But it's still a nice pedal, for the rare occasion I might want one, I've heard that's a great pedal!
 
#19
If your MXR comp is killing your tone then revisit your settings. It should be a really transparent unit. Chances are you won't notice it's on when it's set up right.

If you set it to kick in when you dig in you'll probably be able to turn up the gain on your GK to get more of its growl going.
 
#20
newbold said:
If your MXR comp is killing your tone then revisit your settings. It should be a really transparent unit. Chances are you won't notice it's on when it's set up right.

If you set it to kick in when you dig in you'll probably be able to turn up the gain on your GK to get more of its growl going.
Click to expand...

+1
My tone is completely unaffected by my M87, just the dynamics. It took some adjusting, but I'd be surprised if you couldn't get there too.
 

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