To compress, or not to compress, that is the question

[odineye]

Lately I've been wondering if I need a compressor because I've noticed that my E and A strings are quite a bit louder than the my D and G strings. From what I understand about compressors, it would help even out my string volume, but I have some concerns about using one. Mostly I play bass distorted with various fuzz pedals that are set to be very loud (ie not unity gain). My band also has clean parts but these parts are much quieter, so what I'm wondering is: Would a compressor be able to even out my string volume and still allow me to have my quiet/loud dynamics between my distorted and clean tones? My other main concern about compressors is being able to dial them in correctly since I've never used one. Seems like it could be tricky, but I figure having one with a lot of parameters like the MXR M87 would be nice. Thanks in advance.

Lots of great advice on compressors so far, so I'll just say, before you go chasing that white compressor down the rabbit hole...

For the issue you're describing, I'd definitely take a look into your bass's setup (String balance, pickup height/balance) First. I think compressor are wonderful tools, and use them all the time, but I think you'll want to be sure you're using one to enhance your tonal palate and not to correct a problem that may have a better solution.

 

[ddnidd1]

Assuming you've physically adjusted your string to string volume balance as much as possible .

Since your ONLY goal in this thread is to maximize the string to string balance, shoot for a Ratio of 4:1, relatively slow attack and relatively fast release regardless of the compressor you choose, assuming the pedal gives you access to those parameters.

And just a FEW db of reduction. Hopefully it will have a reduction display.

Also when you're comparing the effect in/out of circuit, be sure In and Out are at THE SAME VOLUME LEVEL. Things that are louder always sound better to the human ear - Fletcher Munson Curve.

 

[theholeinthings]

Thanks for all the great advice! Once again I don't think my problem is the bass because it is setup quite well in my opinion. Plus, I really only have this problem playing on my Mesa M6 which is my main gigging amp these days. Makes me wonder if Mesa put a built in compressor on the M9 because the M6 really needed it. Looks like I'm going to probably hunt down a M87 to try out. Would you guys put a compressor before or after an envelope filter and Whammy? I'm thinking after but that is kind of just a wild guess.

 

[odineye]

Thanks for all the great advice! Once again I don't think my problem is the bass because it is setup quite well in my opinion. Plus, I really only have this problem playing on my Mesa M6 which is my main gigging amp these days. Makes me wonder if Mesa put a built in compressor on the M9 because the M6 really needed it. Looks like I'm going to probably hunt down a M87 to try out. Would you guys put a compressor before or after an envelope filter and Whammy? I'm thinking after but that is kind of just a wild guess.

If you're using it to even out your string to string level, than I'd say before. In my opinion, it would help you get a more even response from your filter, plus the added bonus of your Whammy tracking better.

 

[MattStonewall]

There are diagrams online that show what placement order you should put effects. Whammy is before compression I believe.

 

[BazzTard]

I own the MXR 87 and it's an easy compressor to use. I have my settings around the same as GroovinOnFunk. I use a Malekko Diabolik fuzz and a SansAmp tech 21 bass driver for overdrive after it and when I dig in hard; especially with the Diabolik; it really comes out. The LED peak meter at the top is handy dandy!

great to hear, I just bought the Sansamp PBDDI and have the M87, yeah !

To the OP, the M87 is great,it's not that hard to use once you realise the ratio is left at 4:1 mostly, the output won't change much,so it's only the input, attack and release that you'll play around with.

 

[MattStonewall]

So just for some further knowledge what applications would someone use the other Ratio settings on the M87? 8:1 for recording? Why is that compared to live setting?

 

[ddnidd1]

So just for some further knowledge what applications would someone use the other Ratio settings on the M87? 8:1 for recording? Why is that compared to live setting?

That's totally arbitrary.

 

[bongomania]

Oh it's not that one ratio is for live and another for recording, etc. It's just that when people are recommending where to start with a compressor, they are wisely suggesting a light setting. Start light, don't overdo it.

From there, experiment to see/feel/hear what the other settings are like for you. Stronger compression is useful when you know how to use it.

 

[JimmyM]

Thanks for all the great advice! Once again I don't think my problem is the bass because it is setup quite well in my opinion. Plus, I really only have this problem playing on my Mesa M6 which is my main gigging amp these days. Makes me wonder if Mesa put a built in compressor on the M9 because the M6 really needed it. Looks like I'm going to probably hunt down a M87 to try out. Would you guys put a compressor before or after an envelope filter and Whammy? I'm thinking after but that is kind of just a wild guess.

That sounds to me more like a frequency response thing or phasing issue causing a drop in volume. Does the volume come back when you play higher notes on the D and G string?

 

[hintz]

If you're using it to even out your string to string level, than I'd say before. In my opinion, it would help you get a more even response from your filter, plus the added bonus of your Whammy tracking better.

I politely have to disagree with the placement of compression before an envelope, especially if its touch responsive, or even dirt. Just my experience, but I use the DOD fx25 and have had better luck with compression after, same with quality dirt pedals!! If OP wants to maintain a uniform signal, I would think having comp at the end will ensure an even signal better than having it up front, which would allow better tracking with some sounds(like an octave or whammy)but at the expense of nuances from other FX, IME....

 

[theholeinthings]

The volume on my D ang G strings is fairly uniform throughout the neck. There isn't a crazy difference in the volume of each string but enough for me to notice that the E and A are louder. I kinda doubt most people would really notice though. I'm just getting to the point where I'm getting really close to the sound in my head and I feel like a compressor might add something that I've been missing out on.

 

[jazzsoul]

compress

but use a good compressor!

 

[SirMjac28]

I like a really compressed sound.

 

[davy4575]

sounds to me like a couple different issues, Id check your string health (are they old, lots of use, ready for replacement?) Check your bass. pups, etc? At any rate,

I would still compress anyways. I run all my effects via the effects send and return loops in my amps so that I can bleed in however much of the effects chain I want. Thus My compression (an Alesis 3630) is ran direct as I want the compression applied to the signal right after the bass. Why? That is where the signal is going to be the most in need of boosting or cutting. Its a two channel compressor so I run it as an insert if you will right after my signal is split (I run a dual amp setup)

For me, I like a very quick attack (how quickly the compression is applied to the signal), and a moderate to slow release (how long the signal is captured in compression for) a high threshold (at what volume compression is applied) and I keep the make up gain (gain compensated for the reduction in volume due to compression) at just above zero. That adds up to very discrete compression just to smooth out the big peaks during recording. I like the compression as a tool for the most part, not to color the sound.

 

[SteveCS]

I politely have to disagree with the placement of compression before an envelope, especially if its touch responsive, or even dirt. Just my experience, but I use the DOD fx25 and have had better luck with compression after, same with quality dirt pedals!! If OP wants to maintain a uniform signal, I would think having comp at the end will ensure an even signal better than having it up front, which would allow better tracking with some sounds(like an octave or whammy)but at the expense of nuances from other FX, IME....

I politely have to agree and disagree with both you and odineye on this. Depending on what you are trying to do, compressors can be used before, after or before and after touch-controlled effects. If you think about it, your compressor is also just another touch-controlled effect. In front of the EF, the compressor can be used to modify the envelope to which the EF is responding - possibly by enhancing the peak at the start (slow attack time) or by elongating the decay (high ratio/low threshold/slow release settings). As others have said, it can also be used to improve tracking. Used after the EF, the compressor/limiter can tame resonant peaks which, under some circumstances may cause clipping. How useful the various types/models are in each position is of course another discussion...

 

[Marihino]

I love compressors and have mine (Cali76 currently) pretty much always on. However, I like them for what they do to each note's attack/envelope/sustain/decay, to the overall tone and presence, not for compensating for uneven volume. You want consistent levels between your clean and fuzz? Set you fuzz to unity. Want consistent string-to-string and note-to-note levels? Set up your instrument and work on technique. If compressor's job were to even out note-to-note volumes, then surely it wouldn't change a thing if I only played one single note through it? Not saying it wouldn't do that too to some extent, but it's not what I consider its purpose and always better to solve problem at their source rather than add extra devices further down the chain to cover them up. Having said that, by all means compress, it can do wonders to how your bass sits in the mix.

 

[brianrost]

I really only have this problem playing on my Mesa M6

Alarm bells are going off here. Take a good look at your amp settings before buying a compressor.

 

[brianrost]

So just for some further knowledge what applications would someone use the other Ratio settings on the M87? 8:1 for recording? Why is that compared to live setting?

This is what ratio means:

At 1:1 there is no compression

At 2:1 for every 2db of input signal above the threshold, output signal only increases 1db

At 4:1 for every 4db of input signal above the threshold, output signal only increases 1db

Etc.

So it's a tradeoff when setting the ratio and threshold. Unless you are out to really squash the signal the lower the threshold, the lower the ratio. High thresholds with high ratios (like 8:1 or more) are used for limiting. Setting the threshold too low is a common mistake that ends up destroying your dynamics. Compressors with LEDs indicating when compression is active make it easier to set the threshold, otherwise you have to use your ears to figure out when it's kicking in.

Compressors with only or two knobs are either using fixed ratios and varying the threshold or they vary the threshold and ratio together.

 

[SwitchGear]

My experience with compression is it is very useful to tame low-lows in acoustically challenged, boomy rooms, where the lowend overtakes and overwhelms more then its share of sonic real estate.