To compress or not to compress?

[EthanHall]

i was reading a bass supplement that came with a guitar magazine and it said every bassist should be using a compressor pedal,

1) would you agree with that?
2) what does it actually achieve?

1) No. One shouldn't make absolute rules governing exactly how players achieve the sound they prefer.

2) The main function is to reduce a signal's dynamic range. But the good news is that you can use it to do much more.

For example, I run a Lightning Boy Audio Op-2 tube compressor always on in my direct pedalboard rig. Set transparently, it does help keep my playing a little bit forward in the mix. *But* I use it primarily to help mimic the tone of a tube amp with mild natural compression, but more so for the option to push into some harmonic content. Since I am usually direct and rarely need to deploy my hybrid tube head, this unit gives me some choices from clean and modern to a "warmer" feel.

That said, certain playing styles do tend to call for more compression, such as slap, which I can't do anyway

My best advice is to listen to a lot of A/B bass compression demos and see if these begin to unlock any potential sounds you really like.

Regards,
Ethan

 

[brainiac]

i was reading a bass supplement that came with a guitar magazine and it said every bassist should be using a compressor pedal,

1) would you agree with that?
2) what does it actually achieve?

For sure! Compression is all I use on my '78 MusicMan Stingray and my '68 Fender Telecaster. Clean and punchy

.

 

[Bearston]

I didn't use compression for years, I developed my style where I control the dynamics through right hand technique. Then one day I plugged into a compressor, wow, what a difference. Got stuck on that for a year then played one night without the compressor. Wow, what a difference. Nowadays I rarely use a compressor, I love controlling dynamics on my own and let FOH deal with whatever that may want to do. It's also difficult to find a decent, musical box that suits your rig and playing style. Your ears will develop over the years and you will naturally "compress" the sounds on your own, but impatience over technical development will find a comp. in most rigs.

 

[jamro217]

Not necessarily. I know very well how to control all of those devices. It informed my decision to not use them. Not that they're bad, just that I figured out other ways to control my sound that don't involve them.

That's good, and it puts you in the minority. Most people either consider compression an effect (like flanging or distortion) instead of an enhancement, or can't really tell the difference if it's on or off.

 

[Brad Johnson]

That's good, and it puts you in the minority. Most people either consider compression an effect (like flanging or distortion) instead of an enhancement, or can't really tell the difference if it's on or off.

I love not being in the majority. I've owned compressors, aural exciters, etc. and used most sound processors that have been around. While compression can definitely be used as an effect, it can be used as a fix too.

When I figured out what I could control dynamically with my hands I didn't like relegating some of that control to a box. That's what works for me and apparently a minority of folks and I'm cool with that. It's also kind of cool when engineers tell you that they didn't have to fix what you were laying down.

As far as not being able to tell the difference if it's on or off, that speaks to different issue.

 

[boomertech]

-Frank

 

[Life of Brian]

i was reading a bass supplement that came with a guitar magazine and it said every bassist should be using a compressor pedal,

1) would you agree with that?
2) what does it actually achieve?

I never liked pedal compressors until I tried the Aguilar TLC. I use it in conjunction with the Aguilar Tone hammer DI/Pre Amp. These are always on. I particularly like the way it and the Tone Hammer works with my passive basses like my Fender J and my Lakland US 4460. They actually bring them up in the mix and centers the tone with more punch. The TLC compressor excels at taking the quieter nuances and putting at the same dynamic volume as the other notes if that makes since. Other brands I've tried do this but in a noisy fashion with a tone suck. I would try a pedal Compressor with another DI/Preamp. I love the Aguilar stuff.

 

[Life of Brian]

I never liked pedal compressors until I tried the Aguilar TLC. I use it in conjunction with the Aguilar Tone hammer DI/Pre Amp. These are always on. I particularly like the way it and the Tone Hammer works with my passive basses like my Fender J and my Lakland US 4460. They actually bring them up in the mix and centers the tone with more punch. The TLC compressor excels at taking the quieter nuances and putting at the same dynamic volume as the other notes if that makes since. Other brands I've tried do this but in a noisy fashion with a tone suck. I would try a pedal Compressor with another DI/Preamp. I love the Aguilar stuff.

However I don't use the compressor as much with my active Pedulla's. I do find any floor compressor sucks the boutique sound from these types of axes.

 

[monsterthompson]

View attachment 2787761

-Frank

Couldn't sell many units if Leo called it the Imprecision.

 

[Jollygreengiant]

It can help even out your attack but I'd question why I needed a boost on my D and G strings in the first place. Is it a setup issue like pickup height? Is it my technique? If so, the real fix could be something else.

As far as bass compressor vs. regular compressor... it depends. Your budget and what you're trying to accomplish will factor into that. It would be nice if things were simpler but they rarely are. Lots of options, including the option of not using an option.

I didn't think of the pickup height being a factor, thank you for bringing that to my attention. As far as technique, I play using my fingers; trying to pluck the D and G strings harder for more volume doesn't seem to make a difference though...

 

[Brad Johnson]

Pickup height is often overlooked. It's one of the first adjustments I do on a new to me instrument. That, neck relief and string height can cure all sorts of ills.

 

[Bassplaayr]

i was reading a bass supplement that came with a guitar magazine and it said every bassist should be using a compressor pedal,

1) would you agree with that?
2) what does it actually achieve?

I don't. I've found that it keeps me from using the dynamics that I apply to a song. I want the ability to be quite when needed and loud the same. A compressor for me is like putting a governor on an engine.

 

[JimmyM]

I don't. I've found that it keeps me from using the dynamics that I apply to a song. I want the ability to be quite when needed and loud the same. A compressor for me is like putting a governor on an engine.

That would be a limiter, not a compressor. A compressor would be more like putting a governor on an engine to keep it from being too powerful and not powerful enough

 

[engedi1]

I don't. I've found that it keeps me from using the dynamics that I apply to a song. I want the ability to be quite when needed and loud the same. A compressor for me is like putting a governor on an engine.

I think this is only true with too much compression. It's possible to use compression and still have dynamics.

 

[jamro217]

I love not being in the majority. I've owned compressors, aural exciters, etc. and used most sound processors that have been around. While compression can definitely be used as an effect, it can be used as a fix too.

When I figured out what I could control dynamically with my hands I didn't like relegating some of that control to a box. That's what works for me and apparently a minority of folks and I'm cool with that. It's also kind of cool when engineers tell you that they didn't have to fix what you were laying down.

As far as not being able to tell the difference if it's on or off, that speaks to different issue.

I agree about manually controlling your instrument, Brad. That's what good technique is all about. With some combinations of basses and amps (not to mention the effects chain), compressors really help. Fretless basses, especially.

 

[jamro217]

When you get to be our age the only compression you should concerned with is the kind of socks you wear.

 

[monsterthompson]

With some combinations of basses and amps (not to mention the effects chain), compressors really help. Fretless basses, especially.

I've certainly found a compressor helpful with my fretless with my Demeter amp which has no gain control, though not necessarily on my Darlglass amp with gain and overdrive available. The variables in the combination is certainly important.

 

[jamro217]

I've certainly found a compressor helpful with my fretless with my Demeter amp which has no gain control, though not necessarily on my Darlglass amp with gain and overdrive available. The variables in the combination is certainly important.

That doesn't even scratch the surface of room acoustics, FOH, etc. With so many potentially harmful entities just waiting to trash your tone, any and all devices available for combat are welcome.

 

[jw23mind]

I've tried multiple times over the years experimenting with compression, and I always end up going back to none. I think it sounds great at first, but makes me feel disconnected from the instrument, and my playing ultimately suffers because I get less of that "feedback" of what my hands are or are-not doing. Same experience with using an under-powered tube amp in a loud rock band: my playing suffered due to a loss of clarity. I DO like lower gain overdrive because it retains some clarity and actually enhances changes in attack, assisting with that hand-to-ear feedback.

 

[deepestend]

I’m about to try it again with a diamond comp clone. I used to have an EBS that I loved but I’m wondering if some of that love was just for the boost that it provided.