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So… who’s not using a compressor at all ?

#3
I don't use one and I don't think it is mandatory utility unless you are producer or sound guy.
More so, chances of musician misusing compression and sounding like crap grow when you are standing on a loud stage, unable to hear the whole band as audience does. Compression is intended for a objective listener, with good ear, standing in the audience - and that is sound guy.
I spend my energy and time on my playing, entertaining audience, and heaving good time, and leave the rest to guys whose job is exacly that.
 
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#4
I don't need a compreseor as I actually know how to play the instrument. The tone and control is all in my fingers.

Joking. I record my bass and virtually every recording of a bass uses a compressor. In my case I prefer to use an analogue pedal than to add it in the box (that means the computer).

And when I'm just playing and not recording...I still use a compressor as I like how it sounds and feels, I just lower the ratio compared to when recording.
 
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#5
I think I tried one once…..:D
My pedalboard has an ART Phatboy that has a switchable compressor/limiter.
I’ve never liked the compressor sound, but the limiter seems to enhance the sound of my other pedals.
And it also seems like whenever I’m recording, the producer invariably squashes my bass sound with too much compression.
 
#10
I never used a compressor until I found one whose sound I like. Now I use it all the time. But it’s because of the way it makes my bass sound. The dynamics management would annoy me if it was too noticeable.

So if you don’t like how your compressor sounds, or don’t notice it having/adding a sound at all, then it is definitely ok to take it off your board and not use it.

I never got the idea of trying to make all effects come out at the same volume. For me that really defeats the purpose of most effects - the change in gain is a feature, not a bug.
 
#11
Is a compressor less of an issue at stage/gig-volume?

For my playing at home I always have it on, but I remember "back in the day" with my 2x15 cab and 200W cranked-up, the tone was different (speaker distortion), and the volume highs/lows were less extreme.

Just going by memory, though: it's been years...
 
#12
Inconnu said:
Just curious. So far I have a compressor to limit the peaks of some effects… but those have recently been replaced… not sure I need to compress anymore.

Who stopped using a compressor and did you regret it?
Click to expand...

Eden solid state heads have compression built in, some adjustable, some input driven. My Eden tube head does not, so I just need to be little more careful but my technique.

I had a Boss compression pedal years ago and found out I tended to over do it. You know the old story, it two is good, 8 must be better.
 
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#13
The only time I use one is at the end of the chain to stop some of the wild effects like self oscillating analog delay or goofy Earthquaker pedals from getting out of hand. Other than that, I've never noticed a difference with or without.
 
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#15
My live playing involves "bad" technique like windmill powerchords, slapping while jumping up and down, punching the syrings, picking up the whole instrument by the B string and dropping it and all sorts of other poor taste overplaying. I always use one. Dont get me wrong, i have the talent to stand in back and play even volume eigth notes, but a show is supposed to be a show.
 
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#17
revd said:
I don't need a compreseor as I actually know how to play the instrument. The tone and control is all in my fingers.

Joking. I record my bass and virtually every recording of a bass uses a compressor. In my case I prefer to use an analogue pedal than to add it in the box (that means the computer).

And when I'm just playing and not recording...I still use a compressor as I like how it sounds and feels, I just lower the ratio compared to when recording.
Click to expand...

You had us in the first half not gonna lie.
 
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#18
dbsfgyd1 said:
Eden solid state heads have compression built in, some adjustable, some input driven. My Eden tube head does not, so I just need to be little more careful but my technique.
Click to expand...

I can't help but dream about what a WTDI pedal would sound like with that tube head - especially inna effects loop -you'd have compression and a S/S (or at least combination) front end.
 
#20
I haven’t used one in years. Live sound consoles and recording software have them and my playing isn’t to dynamic. There are some I like the sound of but I feel the subtle difference isn’t worth carrying around an extra box.

I do notice a few people seem to have them set with hardly any comp on there playing. But they have the output level higher. So I feel some people use them and like them but they are just hearing a slight boost and not the actual compression
 
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