Im just starting too understand and use compression and what it does for me is: making the attack and volume across my strings more equal, particulary fattening up my D and G strings and for example make sure my slapping doesnt disappear in the mix when i switch from fingerstyle too slap midsong. I do only like a small amount of compression and I only like it when my peak isnt limited too much and the compressor is slow enough too maintain my attack. EBS multicomp does this well
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To compress or not to compress?
- Thread starter Daniel Douglass
- Start date
Teijo K.
Commercial User
Well first you need to know why you would want to use it, and then how to. I would say while being one of the most powerful tools a bassist can have, it's also one of the most difficult ones to really use right. Could be better to tackle that one a little later down the line.
Ok but the last thing I’ve ever wanted in a bass was sustain. I’m more interested in muting notes than sustaining them. I’ve never really understood why bass players want sustain.
There are two reasons why I like to use a compressor: to prevent spikes when playing harder and to make the high notes sound more even with the low notes. There are many world class players much better than me with super high end Basses that use compressors. If they’re ok with it then I don’t see a problem for me.
Sustain isn't always the correct terminology but point taken. A compressor will alter the larger envelope including attack and decay...very useful tool!
Riis
I use two compressors (not at the same time, mind you!)-
1. An Optical, DOD280-style for basic limiting duties. This provides a nice, even sound (especially if I get just a little too aggressive!). It truly is one of those "you don't notice it's on until you turn it off" devices.
2. A VCA-style that has all the things one would not normally want to hear in a compressor- I've set it up to squash the dynamics during picking or slapping style. It's a little noisy (has an undefeatable noise gate that occasionally can be heard cutting in). I don't think I'd use it if I didn't pick or slap (more picking these days)..
I toggle between the two with an A/B foot-switch.
1. An Optical, DOD280-style for basic limiting duties. This provides a nice, even sound (especially if I get just a little too aggressive!). It truly is one of those "you don't notice it's on until you turn it off" devices.
2. A VCA-style that has all the things one would not normally want to hear in a compressor- I've set it up to squash the dynamics during picking or slapping style. It's a little noisy (has an undefeatable noise gate that occasionally can be heard cutting in). I don't think I'd use it if I didn't pick or slap (more picking these days)..
I toggle between the two with an A/B foot-switch.
I use my compressor to even out certain passages when I'm using Class D or Hybrid amps. When I'm using Class A/B amps I don't because the All tube power section compresses it nicely by itself.
Class A/B and tubes are not one and the same... You can have a non-tube A/B
I've recently started using a compressor (TC SpectraComp).
The effect on tone is very subtle. It does even-out the volume of different strings (my main aim), and the overall sound has more "punch" (I'm guessing more attack with the profile I've loaded) and much more sustain.
In my case, it's worth it (especially as I picked up the pedal on special offer).
I found the information at Compressor and Audio Gear FAQ very useful.
At the end of the day, it's mostly a personal taste thing as with most things. I'd definetly recommend trying it out (maybe borrow a compressor pedal for a fellow bassist?) and spending the time learning the basics of how it works and how to get the right settings.
The effect on tone is very subtle. It does even-out the volume of different strings (my main aim), and the overall sound has more "punch" (I'm guessing more attack with the profile I've loaded) and much more sustain.
In my case, it's worth it (especially as I picked up the pedal on special offer).
I found the information at Compressor and Audio Gear FAQ very useful.
At the end of the day, it's mostly a personal taste thing as with most things. I'd definetly recommend trying it out (maybe borrow a compressor pedal for a fellow bassist?) and spending the time learning the basics of how it works and how to get the right settings.
I Have an Hartke TX 600 with a very decent built in compressor. It's allways on. It evens my playing, and that's it.
I use a heringer Vamp pro rack preamp. I was looking around one day and saw that Dug from Kingsx had one in his studio rack. So i copied down where he had his setting including the compressor knob. Its odd if u slowly raise up the knob you honestly get mothing much but when u hit the exact spot he has his, wow it just jumps out at you. And its the only spot it does.
Now how do i know it makes abig diff. Well the other night i forgot my chord for my behringer. So i had my freinds touring head which is a modified Peavey lol. Plugged bass in sounded good. Found another chord plugged in Behringer and wow just opens up sound. Two of my buddies were there and they were like wow huge diff. And i bave 6 month old strings on a franken musicman sub with a custom pickup. Mine is passive and right now only is being run i single coil mode. Sounds huge. The compresoor helps me alot especially when u play around with it. That one sweet spot is just amazing.
Tone wise im i the Squier Lee Butler Hook type clear crunchy and lots of bottom end. So the compressor helps me open it up a bit but still tames it equally across the strings.
And again behringer isnt for everyone but i learned to program mine and the compressor def helps. Ask my drummer whi cant figure how the clears tone of my MM and Spector NS2A rattle him off his seat while being clear.
My point after the long ramble is experiment until i found Dugs setting i didnt use it. Also another neat experiment i tried i hokked 3 diff chorus together and use them all. I got a weird result. They actually ooened up my sound when all.activated together. Strange.
Bottomnline experiment what one person likes another may dislike. Only you know what works for you
Now how do i know it makes abig diff. Well the other night i forgot my chord for my behringer. So i had my freinds touring head which is a modified Peavey lol. Plugged bass in sounded good. Found another chord plugged in Behringer and wow just opens up sound. Two of my buddies were there and they were like wow huge diff. And i bave 6 month old strings on a franken musicman sub with a custom pickup. Mine is passive and right now only is being run i single coil mode. Sounds huge. The compresoor helps me alot especially when u play around with it. That one sweet spot is just amazing.
Tone wise im i the Squier Lee Butler Hook type clear crunchy and lots of bottom end. So the compressor helps me open it up a bit but still tames it equally across the strings.
And again behringer isnt for everyone but i learned to program mine and the compressor def helps. Ask my drummer whi cant figure how the clears tone of my MM and Spector NS2A rattle him off his seat while being clear.
My point after the long ramble is experiment until i found Dugs setting i didnt use it. Also another neat experiment i tried i hokked 3 diff chorus together and use them all. I got a weird result. They actually ooened up my sound when all.activated together. Strange.
Bottomnline experiment what one person likes another may dislike. Only you know what works for you
- Mar 19, 2013
- 1,612
- 2,694
- Disclosures
- If only I were that good....
I think most bass players want a reasonable amount of sustain from their instrument because your use and control of legato is the sign of an accomplished player.
It's also a simple matter to employ various muting techniques to rein natural sustain in. But it's a far more difficult matter to try to coax additional sustain out of your instrument when it's not there naturally.
Or so I think anyway.
I run my compressor on at all times.
Keep in mind, a lot of cheap-mid priced units have a lot of noise at loud volumes.
I saved up and spent the cash on a Cali76 CB and it was worth it.
No noise.
At all.
Keep in mind, a lot of cheap-mid priced units have a lot of noise at loud volumes.
I saved up and spent the cash on a Cali76 CB and it was worth it.
No noise.
At all.
TC SpectraComp. Set at 12 and leave on. Multi band compressor in a small pedal
Evens out overall sounds, no frequency gets lost.
So, let's say you find yourself with a tone and volume you are comfortable with and hit a note above, say from B and up on the g string and feel like the volume isn't there.
This pedal evens it out. Pretty nice and easy.
Evens out overall sounds, no frequency gets lost.
So, let's say you find yourself with a tone and volume you are comfortable with and hit a note above, say from B and up on the g string and feel like the volume isn't there.
This pedal evens it out. Pretty nice and easy.
I'm on Frank's waiting list, & eagerly awaiting one of his wonderful DE-CL compressors.
WOW! This is a great thread. A LOT of different opinions and a LOT of information in a short amount of time. And most everyone is being civil. This thread is like everything you would ever want to know about compression for basses in a crash course. Stuff a lot of us would not necessarily think of, but SOMEONE did. This should be required reading for anyone playing a bass guitar. GOOD question, Daniel. THIS is why I am on TALKBASS. THANKS!
My EBS multicomp is with me almost all of the time and used almost every time I plug in. It just pleasantly increases the sustain, tone, and makes musical thoughts sound better as a whole.
Good for you! I have been using mine since 2013 ( I think), I was on his list too, well worth the wait, I've never looked back after I put it on my board ;-) Rock on!
I'm on Frank's waiting list, & eagerly awaiting one of his wonderful DE-CL compressors.
