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

[vvvmmm]

Which is totally valid. I have long used a compressor as a clean boost on guitar (I like the Mr. Squishy).

 

[Inconnu]

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.

Now I want to see you live!

 

[Medicine Man]

Now I want to see you live!

Sadly, we are off until summer of 22.

 

[Actuary X]

I've tried a few, but never found one where I thought I sounded better with it on than off.

 

[Pings Bass]

Live: never*
Recorded: always

*Any decent FOH system should handle compression

I don't like pedals live because they add too many single points of failure. In the home studio I use the compressor in the DAW.

 

[WillyW]

I didn't see a need for one, if Skunk wants compression he can add it hisseff.

 

[Killing Floor]

I use one basically as a limiter, boundary. I don't use it for leveling except minimally.
I do use it for leveling on my guitar. I'm absolutely not as good at guitar haha but I try. You could describe my guitar style as "trying".

 

[mapleglo]

Never used a compressor. There's one on my PF-800, I may have tried it once. And there's a limiter on my Ampeg VR, which I also never use. Never saw (or in this case, heard) a reason to start using one.

 

[40Hz]

Compression doesn't have to be an either/or proposition.

I haven't stopped using compression. However, I only use it when it's appropriate for me to do so. Which in my case is maybe a third of my playing time.

Compressors also don't all work or sound the same. Different compressors are better for doing some things than others. A lot depends on the music, the bass, the player, and the sound you're looking for. It's not usually wise to generalize when it comes to compressors. And just because the compressor you've tried didn't do anything special for your sound doesn't necessarily mean that no other compressor can, or ever will be, of use to you some day.

 

[Ostie]

I don't use a compressor. I don't own any pedals. I don't miss them.

 

[biobass]

I bought one, a Boss pedal, back in the late 70's when everyone said it was completely necessary for slap and pop. Perhaps, I never learned to use it to full advantage, but I hated it in live performance because, no matter how I set it, it took away from my control of dynamics. After a year or so, I stopped using it. I lent it to a bass playing neighbor of mine a few decades ago and have never bothered to ask for it back. When recording, the engineer always uses compression to some degree.

 

[funkinbottom]

No compressors for me either.

 

[Deleted member 165050]

I use one when recording, but generally not live. Although I have several.

 

[JeezyMcNuggles]

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?

I stopped using mine a good while ago. I don't like the "catch" and also, I get stronger, more consistent notes without it. And also, I have control over my tone.

 

[Dabndug]

Live, no compression on EBG and just a touch on upright. Recording, I'll use two virtual compressors at either end of a virtual processing chain - with a little light compression ar the start and the option of some very heavy compression at the tail. Unless you're a savant, or have the luxury of unlimited recording time to get the perfect take, or just like lo-fi sound, compression can be your best friend in the studio.

 

[bigjames]

I don't use it. I want to use it and I want to learn how to use it well, but I have not had the patience to bother and never found myself needing to do it myself. FOH guy will do it and in one venue, the engineer added reverb to my taste, but at home, I have never bothered.

 

[Biggbass]

I've never used a compressor on my bass. Tried it and didn't like the results.

 

[Bunk McNulty]

Former compressor addict (Dave Pomeroy: "You should turn your compressor off once in a while, just to show you can do it.") For a long time I never left home without an EBS Multicomp, a BBE stomp, a clean boost, and a tuner. Showed up one gig without any of them. End of the first set, sound guy says "You sound great, what did you do?" I haven't used any of them since.

 

[Mushroo]

Most bassists don't need to own a compressor. The sound engineer will apply the necessary compression at the sound board. (In fact, a lot of sound guys prefer that you not send them a compressed signal; it gives them less to work with.)

(And for home recordings, there is a lot you can do with software plugins these days.)

But compressors sure are pretty, though. This was my collection at its peak. I still have the Cali76 and the Union LAB.

 

[Mvilmany]

I always use a compressor while rehearsing with my band or gigging. I add compression from my DAW after recording. If I'm just going into my little practice amp, then I usually don't use compression.