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What Compressor are you using?

#21
i use a dbx163x (the half space one) and its not transparent, but doesnt claim to be, sounds good, but i only use it to tame dynamics for live gigs during those quiet songs that need sort of a 'pedal tone' without a punchy attack that i get from my 10" speakers and thunderbass, so i guess yo ucan say i use mine like an effect (sustainer?)
 
#22
Munjibunga said:
Well, I haven't used one for the last 27 years but I just put a dbx 160A in my new rig, and have been playing with it. My first gig with the new rig is tomorrow, so we'll see if I join the ranks of the compressors.
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OK, I'm not a compressor guy. I played half of the first set with it in the loop, then the rest of the gig without it. I just like the open sound of the amp without compression. BTW, the Aggie sounded great (without compression).
 
#25
Y'know, this thread has got me to thinking about my live setup (again).... I keep trying to simplify my setup (which due to being a solo bassist and using loops is problematic).

After posting and reading other posts I looked around at some of the gear I have in my studio which does not get a lot of use...and then looked at my rather slim pedal board (which has two Didgitech FS300s for controlling loper functions, the aforementioned Aphex Punch Factory, and a SansAmp BDDI).

My Rack has a Lexicon JamMan, TC Electronic M-one, Raven Labs MDB1, Raven Labs PMB2, and Raven Labs PHA1 (which used to be used as a preamp, but now I employ as a "Mor-Me" type headphone mix for studio gigs..very helpful!). I took the PHA1 out and replaced it with the Joe Meek MC2 Stereo compressor...lost the pedal board ; no longer needing either the Punch Factory or SABDDI (now having only need for the 2 Digitech pedals to control the JamMan)..and it sounds fantastic. Clean and quiet...I had forgotten just how good that Joe Meek compressor is. Granted I have it set so that it barely kisks on (I use piezo powered Godin AEB's which have an incredble dynamic range, and using a lot of varied right hand techniques can really make the levels fluctuate).

I guess I should say "Thanks, guys"...y'all got me to slim down my rig a bit more. No more pedalboard (and one less thing to schlep around!). Now I can bring along the PHA1 for sessions and not have to have it in the rack....

The Joe Meek is designed for studio use, but is well built. I wouldn't say it is totally "transparent", and cranking it can provide tons 'o squash (and a very retro sonic vibe), but it does have gobs of headroom and is much quieter than the Aphex pedal (no real suprise there). I have it set for for very little squash, so most of the time there is no gain reduction involved, only when going from a pizz fingerstyle line to a slapped not or other percussive device does it kick in. Even when no compression is kicked in, it adds detail and presence to overal sound of my basses. Methinks me likes.

Max
 
#27
Currently I use a smidgen of compression from my Eden WT-300, but I don't really like it - I tend to dial down the gain so the compressor doesn't kick in.

What I like about compressors live is that they bring up the note during the decay which seems to help the bassline cut through better without actually increasing the volume. So I can hear what I'm playing better without ridiculous volume. The thing I don't like about the Eden built-in comp is that it has a slow response and this makes the attack punch like crazy - too much for my taste. It's a neat effect but it's not my sound.

I also have an RNC. I like those. But so far I've never brought it to a gig, I usually carry as little gear as I possibly can.

The EBS compressor is really great. I don't have one but I've played one a couple times. Much more transparent than the Eden, dead simple to use, very clean sound.

I'm really curious about the R. Keeley compressor on bass too. I love his work in general but haven't heard that one yet. But from the guitar samples I've heard it might goose the attack too much for my taste, hard to tell.

--PW
 
#29
dbx 262 review

that's my review on tb of the dbx 262
it's not bad, and cheep if you can find one on e-bay or the like
like munji said, the amp will sound better without the dbx on (the 262 has a bypass switch - even so, i'm sure just having it in the loop alters the tone a bit). However, i find that once the whole band got going it really didnt bother me. I'm using it mostly to catch really hot transients and some boosted low end i use on some songs, so it's more for speaker protection than to even out dynamics.
 
#31
Lyle Caldwell said:
...The dbx 166a has a sonic signature too. You don't care for it. Neither do I. But that doesn't mean "compressors suck tone."

My faves for bass are the Manley El-Op and the Purple Audio MC77, followed by the Empirical Labs Distressor, the Drawmer DL241, and the FMR Audio Really Nice Compressor.
Click to expand...
Ahh.. Here's where I'll say it: SOFT-KNEE compression sucks for bass! (or 'over easy' as DBX calls it)

You gotta go with a hard-knee compressor! (I kinda like soft-knee for vocals and drums)

Joe
 
#32
Joe P said:
Ahh.. Here's where I'll say it: SOFT-KNEE compression sucks for bass! (or 'over easy' as DBX calls it)

You gotta go with a hard-knee compressor! (I kinda like soft-knee for vocals and drums)

Joe
Click to expand...
i agree, i generally use the hard knee setting on my dbx
the only time i use the ever easy setting is when i want a "soft" sound like in some blues or similar stuff. otherwise over easy really isnt the best sound for bass.
 
#33
I really dig the Trace Elliot SMX's compressor channel for live stuff. It's too bad that the amp itself is so prone to tonal coloration.

In the studio I almost always go straight into the board and then use the Sonitus:FX multiband plugin that comes with Sonar 3PE, or sometimes the Waves C4 plugin.
 
#35
I don't use a compressor live. I don't like a bunch of pedals either..maybe distortion if anything. A really big rock band that i got to open some shows with through the US for did one thing..they called it the "secret weapon"..it was an aural exciter..honestly, it made no difference to me out front. The FOH guy will run you through compressors anyway...but in the studio I love the Distressor...it is the best thing...a lot of engineers are running about everything through them nowadays. Heavy compression is used, and yes the bass is compressed on pretty much every album made...it sits in the mix better and levels it out.
 

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