To compress or not

[jimfist]

compression...the evasive greased pig of the audio world. Loved by some, yet reviled by others. Not much to add but my personal preferences and observations. Me? Compression is an "always on" device, but I'm extremely picky about how that compression is set, behaves and ultimately sounds. I'm also a huge fan of side chain EQ and high pass detectors, as well as parallel compression.

Yup, there can be a lot to digest if you want to go down the rabbit hole of compression theory, how to set compressors, what comps have a "signature" sound or feature, why that is, and why you'd want that "signature". If you have the thirst for knowledge and understanding, then dig in! It's fantastic stuff. Otherwise, don't sweat the details too much. Get a comp - preferably one with gain reduction meters - and set it to a 2:1 (or 1.5:1) ratio, with a high threshold so that it only slightly knocks down your loudest transients when playing hard, just 1or 2 dB gain reduction. Unobtrusive sounding but it can be very effective. If you don't like what it does to the sound, or you don't think it is doing anything useful, get rid if it and let the qualified sound engineers and techs fuss with it. Concentrate on being a quality performer/entertainer instead. There is more to be gained doing that vs. obsessing over compression.

JMHO

 

[kyral210]

I always use a compressor live. I use it pretty heavily, I like the consistency it gives my sound. Being in a metal band with 2 distorted guitars it keeps my volume consistent so I don't feel the need to play harder live, which happened when we had bad sound and I wasn't using compression. After practicing enough with it even if sound is terrible I know that the volume is consistent and there and peaks in my playing don't get buried by the guitars, or be too overpowering.

As for it killing dynamics, it does to an extent. In my band it is important for the bass to consistent in volume and attack. I wouldn't be able to play like this in other styles of music, but it works for what I do. I'd suggest giving one a try. It really helps with the feel, having the compressor dialed right makes my strings feel like lightning bolts of power.

What compressor do you use of live?

 

[zagralin_arf]

Currently an MXR M87, going to be getting the Empress soon though. Just tried it and it is a badass compressor.

 

[HolmeBass]

I have loved some compressors for sure. Expensive rack mounts in the studio. I remember once playing at a friend's studio, using his studio P bass through the control room monitors. When he engaged the compressor, an EL8 Distressor, it was the magic fat wonder dust on that bass's tone. It was very subtle but at the same time light years better.

Stomp box units I have has much worse luck with. I was in Sam Ash a week ago, looking for Christmas presents for myself, trying Agiilar pedals out. I threw the TLC in, expecting to re-confirm my dislike of floor compressors. But through the ToneHammer rig and little 112 Aggies speaker, the TLC gave the magic! So I bought it. I am now very chagrined that it did no such thing at all with my Streamliner amp, and found it worthless at a gig I played this past Sunday. I am going to try a Smoothie out, if that doesn't do it I will give up on stomp box comps forever.

I will say it did still vastly improve my slap tone. So if I started slapping a lot, I would invest in a decent stomp box comp, like the TLC.

 

[Frenchy-Lefty]

I don't see why there should be a difference between recording and live really; I like a certain sound regardless of where I play. Also, if anything I personally think I have much less control of my dynamics when playing live given the higher volume, adrenalin and tension.

1. At higher volume levels, your ears naturally compress the source. Compressors tend to reproduce this perception at lower volumes. Since you usually play live at higher volumes, compression is not necessary

2. Since recordings are meant to be listened to on different systems from a tiny mono source being played at low level to a 10,000w PA system, dynamic variations are usually avoided. At the exception of classical music, most modern music is very compressed with little dynamic variations. Bass is an important component of this "loudness war" as it is called by mastering engineers.

3. When recording, compression allows to keep the recording levels from being all over the place creating distortion at peak levels.

4. In a recording, If there is the need of lowering the level of a given instrument, let's say when the singer comes in for example, you would do it using the faders during the mix. When playing live, you'd do the same thing playing with a lighter touch.
This is the main reason why I do not use compressors. Because it prevents those dynamic subtelties which I love to play with.

4. If your bass goes through a PA system, most serious soundmen will already use some compression in insert. It creates more consistency in the overall mix but mostly avoid to damage the PA with insane peak overloads.

It is totally fine to use compression live, but it is usually less for the "compression" aspect than to create variations of the envelope/attack/sustain or because a given compressor emphasize certain frequencies. Basically because you like the way it changes the tone of your bass. For example those who like slapping knows it involves wide dynamic variations and compressing can really help in those situations.

So it is absolutely not the same.