What are your thoughts on compression?

[Jared Lash]

Well compression lowers the peaks and lows of your playing allowing you to keep a sound that is relatively the same. If I were to use it I would turn it on very low because I play with meaning. When I hit it hard I want it hard and visa versa. I kinda think of compression as training wheels.

I can see how some people might see it that way. In general you can greatly diminish the need for compression with good technique.

But I can think of at least three ways in which that's not the case:

(1) You want a very aggressive slap tone. You can refine your slap technique so that it is basically the same volume as fingerstyle. But if you want that sound that only comes from thwacking the strings with reckless abandon you'll need compression to even out the volume.

(2) You want the sound of effected compression ala Tony Levin or Stuart Zender or any number of others. Up until recently, this was part of why I used compression. For what I do now I want a cleaner compression, but "effecty" compression is an interesting tone.

(3) You have envelope filters or other pedals that generate big volume spikes. Some pedals (the DOD FX25, Frostwave Funk-A-Duck are memorable offenders) really need to be tamed to be useful in a live environment.

 

[Akeris]

I like super-squishy compression when used as an "effect", but I HATE playing with subtle "even-out-your-dynamics" type compression. I can control my own dynamics, and it's one of the things I enjoy about playing bass.

 

[warwick.hoy]

I've never had compression frustrate my dynamics because that isn't what I'm using it for.

My goal with compression is to warm up an otherwise clanky tone. It allows me to use the higher frequencies on the EQ and keep them from being to shrill and abrasive.

 

[Joe Nerve]

Yeah, might be this week some time. My main complaint with the Carvin compression I had before is that it had absolutely no effect. I could turn it all the way up, all the down, or off and I never could hear a difference so I could dial it in. Nothing of substance. I remember once, being bent over my head with my bass in my hand plunking, listening, and trying to figure out what it was doing. I was listening so hard I suddenly felt drool drop off my chin. LOL.

EDIT: Maybe I'll take the boob bass in so you can relate. Although this is not my main bass.

You just described the compression on my Fender. Lest the drool.

Glad my boobs are still in loving hands.

Somebody's going to sig that now and I'm going to be sorry I said it.

 

[Joe Nerve]

I've never had compression frustrate my dynamics because that isn't what I'm using it for.

My goal with compression is to warm up an otherwise clanky tone. It allows me to use the higher frequencies on the EQ and keep them from being to shrill and abrasive.

My goal is to sound like bernard edwards.

 

[DrGroovenstein]

What would be helpful is someone to record two clips with the same equipment. With and without compression.

 

[Jared Lash]

Glad my boobs are still in loving hands.

Somebody's going to sig that now and I'm going to be sorry I said it.

Life is full of regrets. . .

 

[jnewmark]

About 6 months ago I went through a compressor purge. I was primarily using a dyna comp at that time, and it just felt like it either did nothing or it squashed my sound to oblivion. I sold what I had and went sans compressor for a while, but then I found the BBE Opto Stomp. Holy crap I love that thing. Maybe it's just my playing style, but the Opto lets my bass absolutely sing. The compression is soft and natural, and it's not nearly as noisy in my chain. It's subtle, but capable.

Could I live without compression, sure. Do I like what this compressor does to my overall tone? Absolutely.

This is the pedal I use when not using my Roland combo. Very nice pedal that seems to match up well with my GKRB700ll. I think Bongo gives it a thumbs up, especially since it is a true by pass.

 

[MakiSupaStar]

What would be helpful is someone to record two clips with the same equipment. With and without compression.

There are ton of these. Do a search for BongoMania's compression review. It's amazing. More compression than you could possibly want. It might even be in the wiki.

 

[warwick.hoy]

My goal is to sound like bernard edwards.

Like this?

Invalid Link Removed

(wait for it)

 

[MakiSupaStar]

Like this?

Invalid Link Removed

(wait for it)

Wow what a great little vid. Thanks man.

 

[bluewine]

I have been battling with this compression issue for the last few months, because on a technical level the application makes sense.

I have seen a lot of bands playing in different types of rooms , sometimes the bass signal is tight punchy and even, sometimes it's loud, un-even and bouncing off the walls (destryoyng everyone elses performance).I am not sure bass players hear this when they are on stage.You sure hear it in the audience.


Anyway I have been playing around with an old DOD FX-80 B Compressor /Sustainer and I have a much better understanding of what compression does. I like it.

I play a variety of different basses through a GK rig.I am going to invest in a an ebs multicomp (185.00 new).

 

[asad137]

(1) You want a very aggressive slap tone. You can refine your slap technique so that it is basically the same volume as fingerstyle. But if you want that sound that only comes from thwacking the strings with reckless abandon you'll need compression to even out the volume.

(3) You have envelope filters or other pedals that generate big volume spikes. Some pedals (the DOD FX25, Frostwave Funk-A-Duck are memorable offenders) really need to be tamed to be useful in a live environment.

These two are my reasons for using compression. I switch between slap and fingers during a few songs, and my slap technique gives me big volume spikes (probably also due to bass setup, as the action is sort of a medium height), and I use a compressor to help make sure my amp doesn't hit its output limiter.

And I have a EHX Q-tron envelope filter that, even in the "non-boost" setting, can make a note really loud during the filter sweep.

Asad

 

[Bjazzman]

does the compression usually go last in the effects chain?

 

[warwick.hoy]

does the compression usually go last in the effects chain?

compression should at the very least go after dynamic controlled FX such as envelope filters. Then it is all about personal preference.

EDIT: as the general rule of thumb with FX, there is no right or wrong way...trust your ears.

 

[Mudfuzz]

does the compression usually go last in the effects chain?

That's the way I have it but suit your self.

 

[bongomania]

There's a section about where to put it in the chain in my FAQ.

 

[JimmyM]

I used one for a few years. It was cool, but I recently quit using one because I started digging the sound better without it. I never used a lot of compression, but when I accidentally forgot to take it out of bypass one night, I noticed I missed that little extra bit of dynamic range I took out. Great for in the studio, though.

 

[Nyarlathotep]

I find compression almost limiting

 

[BassDudeSA]

I'm one of the compression haters. I am also one who believe most of your tone is created through your fingers and style much moreso than the bass or amp you use. I also believe that a great player can make most crappy basses and amps sounds pretty good as long as they are reasonably functional. I also believe that $300 basses can sound just as good as $3,000 basses and have proven that claim.

Compression, to me, takes the "natural" out of my playing. I absolutely want spikes and dips in volume. Granted there are some notes that just stand out more than others, I don't want everything balanced out, I will compensate on my own. If nothing else, if balancing out the highs and lows seems difficult, then great, more of a challenge for me to overcome, but it really has not been a problem.

I will however submit to a compressor in the studio, not that it is my choice to use one or not anyway as the engineer/producer, at least one that knows what he is doing, knows how he wants to balance out the sound. To the degree compressors have been used on my playing in the studio, I am not sure, but I'd never play live with one, that is fo' sure.