What do you like about compressors?

[Frank77]

I was a "compression denier" until I tried a good one (compression is the one pedal you shouldn't cheap out on, IMO), now it's almost always on for me - I only turn it off when using envelope filter. I could do without one if I didn't have the pedalboard real estate, but I prefer to have one.

I only use a subtle amount, but it seems to make my bass sound a bit more driven and alive. On rare occasions, I can use it as an effect by lowering the threshold and/or increasing the ratio to get a nice "pop" on the front end of the note.

Different types of compressors will have a different effect on your tone. Personally, I use an FEA labs Opti-FET and it adds a certain amount of warmth (adjustable via DIP switches), but it still sounds like my bass. The true special sauce of this box though is the sidechain EQ, so you can choose WHAT gets compressed and how much.

I just heard that a new batch of OvniFX Smoothie will be coming out in November, so depending on the price I might be tempted to give that one a try, too. Shipping to Canada was a deal killer for me last time around...

 

[kleinenenten]

I use a DOD Milk Box for light compression, but honestly, the biggest reason is for the extra highs it gives my bass. I play flats because I very much prefer their tone to rounds, and the Milk Box increases them just a tad without being harsh and it increases my sustain a little. So I get a nice thump and decent treble without getting into rounds territory.

Granted, I’m unaware of any other compressors that can add highs via a knob like my Milk Box, and I use this for a specific niche reason, but I love this compressor. I’m always interested in hearing about other compressors with similar features, since the DODs are getting old and can be slightly noisy, but not bad.

 

[And I]

Mine is always on and rarely does anything. Mostly I use it for the indicator lights... I set it to just barely pull down the E and B strings for better balance. And the gain reduction lights show me when I'm playing too hard so I can ease up.

 

[40Hz]

There’s two broad use cases for compression. It can be used primarily as a limiter. Or it can be used more as an effect. Each compressor that’s out there is designed to mainly focus on one or the other. But each goes about it in its own particular fashion.

So when you say “compressor” my first question is: which compressor are you talking about? They’re every bit as individual sounding and working as overdrives are. The differences may be fairly subtle at times. But they’re still clearly audible once you know what to listen for. And I can’t think of any gear choice that’s more dependent on someone’s own personal tastes than a compressor is. Which is why there’s so many choices out there. Between my guitarist SO and myself here’s something like seven or eight different compressors to choose from in our home music space. She and I will use different ones depending on what we’re doing - when we decide to use one. Because one size does not fit all situations in the compressor world.

Compressors are just like every other piece of gear. They’re a tool. Not some magic box loaded with pixie dust that will do nothing but wonderful things for your sound. There’s a learning curve involved in using one effectively. And they’re not necessarily something you’ll want to have on all the time in your signal chain. But they do have their uses. And I think they do the most for you when they’re applied lightly even though David Gilmour would probably disagree.

Bottom line: if you like what they do then use a compressor as you see fit. If you don’t like the one you have, maybe try a different one. If it still doesn't work for you then put it aside and don’t worry about it.

 

[MotorCityMinion]

What? No HPF promo yet?

 

[Rogatien]

Use whatever tool you need to get the job done, to be happy. With my current rig, mine is always on. I like the way it "fattens" up certain frequencies, I like how focus and precise it is, even if it's minimal compression settings. I know nothing about compressors or any other pedals, I just go with my ears, fiddle the knobs until I find what I like. Someone mentioned making his tone more "alive" with the compressor he's using, applies for me too, that's a good description.

 

[gregmon79]

I know compressors are consider necessary for many bassist out there, but I just can't get into them at all. Maybe I am just not familiar enough with compressors, but I cannot find many tones I like using. When I do use a compressor i set the ratio very low (around 2.5 or 3) for just a slight bit of smoothing.

When I turn the compressor up any I just feel like it crushes all the life out of my tone and all of the demos of compressors I've heard make the bass sound sterile.

I'm not trying to bash anyone's tone, I curious on how others use your compressors. What do you want it to do to your tone and what settings do you use on your pedal? Maybe y'all can help me find a new angle on the subject

I was someone who didn’t use compression for a long time. I didn’t get it. It’s not something you really get until you use it really. But even then it’s not very easy haha. I still don’t fully comprehend compression. But I get why it’s used and how in most cases. I use comp but in my case, I use it to enhance my tone as well as add slight compression. I use the TC spectracomp. To me, a comp can really bump your tone and sound onto that next level when utilized in the right way. Sometimes, it does just get in the way. It’s not always needed. For band and live use, I went without and was very happy comp free for years. But I know for some, it helps even out their playing technique and limits spikes in volume from pick/plucking attack, some use it as a tone enhancer or warmer, some use it to limit and help protect against super sub or high freq’s.


It’s one of those things, to me, that can really help a player. If it hurts you, you’re either doing it wrong (no offense) or you’re just trying to use the wrong tool for the job. Or maybe you simply don’t need one. There are a ton of factors to think about when it comes to our tone and sound. Pick/finger attack, what kind of amp and cab we’re using, what kind of bass, is it active or passive, high output or low. Is there a lot of EQ happening in your chain or not enough? How is the room responding, how is the bands freq’s interacting with yours…..I can keep going. This sorta goes with everything we use. But comp can be a very touchy and precise thing. Or mellow. That’s what’s so cool about it IMO. But there are many comps out there these days and they are all def not created equal. I’d suggest try a few different ones. If you still can’t find one that helps you, gets you what you want, then it’s possible you don’t need it…

 

[Slevage]

Sure beat hand pumps.

 

[BurningSkies]

I was someone who didn’t use compression for a long time. I didn’t get it. It’s not something you really get until you use it really. But even then it’s not very easy haha. I still don’t fully comprehend compression. But I get why it’s used and how in most cases. I use comp but in my case, I use it to enhance my tone as well as add slight compression. I use the TC spectracomp. To me, a comp can really bump your tone and sound onto that next level when utilized in the right way. Sometimes, it does just get in the way. It’s not always needed. For band and live use, I went without and was very happy comp free for years. But I know for some, it helps even out their playing technique and limits spikes in volume from pick/plucking attack, some use it as a tone enhancer or warmer, some use it to limit and help protect against super sub or high freq’s.


It’s one of those things, to me, that can really help a player. If it hurts you, you’re either doing it wrong (no offense) or you’re just trying to use the wrong tool for the job. Or maybe you simply don’t need one. There are a ton of factors to think about when it comes to our tone and sound. Pick/finger attack, what kind of amp and cab we’re using, what kind of bass, is it active or passive, high output or low. Is there a lot of EQ happening in your chain or not enough? How is the room responding, how is the bands freq’s interacting with yours…..I can keep going. This sorta goes with everything we use. But comp can be a very touchy and precise thing. Or mellow. That’s what’s so cool about it IMO. But there are many comps out there these days and they are all def not created equal. I’d suggest try a few different ones. If you still can’t find one that helps you, gets you what you want, then it’s possible you don’t need it…

The problem in 'getting it' aka understanding what it can and cannot do and how it does it is based on not just a few transparent parameters but on a series of interactive parameters that aren't necessarily the same ones that most players are used to thinking about and adjusting when it comes to 'effects'. It takes some thinking around the concepts involved and sort of understanding how it works with your signal and/or how each of the different controls can not only be adjusted but also affect other aspects of the compressor.

To that end, compressors with lots of controls can be really intimidating and confusing and easily miss-adjusted. But to the same extent, when designers build compressors with small feature sets you're relying on them to have 'hard wired' things in a way that works for you...which is why there are so many options and so much 'compressor churn' for players looking for one.

I was looking for one that would remain sounding natural and not overly artificial, one that didn't kill my signal due to my boosted lows...so the Cali 76CB was a natural choice. It has a 'dry volume' control (mix in some non-compressed sound) and it also has a side-chain HPF (no, it's not stripping lows out of my signal, just making sure my lows aren't prematurely triggering the compression) both of these things help me sound way more natural but retain some of the tight-and-punchy aspects of a compressor. To that extent, it doesn't have a full feature set...no switch for soft knee/hard knee. No RMS/Peak. and instead of individual attack release controls it's got one that goes from fast-attack/slow-release counter clockwise to slow-attack/fast release on the clockwise side. Some compressors don't give you even that much control...as long as you like what it does that's fine. Otherwise find one that does or has enough control that you can make the adjustments you need.

 

[Mediocrity Man]

I was a "no compressor snob" until a few months ago.

One day I spent an afternoon messing around with all the on board compressors of my Zoom MS60B.. and paying close attention I noticed that the compressor added some focus and clarity to the notes.. Not bad for a cheap digital unit...so I went for a dedicated analog compressor pedal.

I knew a guy who makes clone pedals by and and I ordered him a Demeter Compulator clone...an analog optical compressor.

I received it and since day one I love it..I hear the focus and clarity of the notes I talked before, but now with some added warmth coming from the all analog circuit...This particular pedal of mine has a very small low mid bump which beefs up the tone a little bit but not in a drastical way. It's my always on pedal now...

Almost the same experience for me. A little bit of compression with my Zoom and my sound is tighter and more focused. It's on all the time for live shows and has become a part of my sound.

 

[BurningSkies]

Almost the same experience for me. A little bit of compression with my Zoom and my sound is tighter and more focused. It's on all the time for live shows and has become a part of my sound.

Tighter bass sound means playing tighter and with more precision...which also leads to a tighter band overall.

 

[micguy]

I have a TC electronic one that, every year or two, I drag out, reprogram (let's try a different approach to compression), and try out all over again. I think it's made it to 1 gig. The way I play, I like having all the control of my dynamics in my hands. I realize other people do things differently, but I'm not a compressor guy

 

[BwanaDust]

for sound reinforcement (part of my day job) I use them all the time. For recording, I use them on virtually every track (sometimes even with classical music). On my bass, I use the built in compressor on my amp, just barely hitting it to keep the speakers from breaking up if I bear down on the bass.

 

[JRA]

In my case I tried compression because someone else was using it... I tried it , I liked it and , finally I used it.

(i like 'em, too!)

 

[BurningSkies]

I have a TC electronic one that, every year or two, I drag out, reprogram (let's try a different approach to compression), and try out all over again. I think it's made it to 1 gig. The way I play, I like having all the control of my dynamics in my hands. I realize other people do things differently, but I'm not a compressor guy

I turn it off when I want fuller control of dynamics (particularly on the 'quiet' end of the spectrum) then I turn it on when there are songs where the mix would benefit for it.

 

[Thumpin6string]

Tried several compressors. Some squashed the notes and others seemed to do nothing. Then I got my Markbass Compressore. It added warmth without the squash while keeping everything at the same level. I keep it permanently on. I run mine bass > HPF > Compressore > amp.

 

[Seashore]

I think it really depends on the amp you’re using and sometimes overdrive pedals as well. Both of which can add some compression to your signal. With some amps I like to use a compressor pedal, with others I feel like the I already get enough compression from other components of the signal chain. If your amp already provides some compression then a compressor pedal used to the point where it’s actually noticeable might sound overly compressed.

100%. I have a few things (including a compressor) that are always on in front of my rig, and I think of them as the preamp section I need to get my head sounding like it needs to sound. My compressor also adds a bit of treble sheen and a slight volume boost, both of which are great in this situation. I've used it in front of other amps for its tonal characteristics, but in some signal chains it's definitely "too much".
____

Another thing to consider is how "compressed" the rest of the band sounds. If the drummer hits hard (or just really evenly) and the guitarist uses a lot of distortion, then the band's overall sound is going to be inherently more compressed, and your sound will likely benefit from more compression to bring it in line with everyone else. If the sound is more dynamic, a compressed bass can stick out like a sore thumb during quiet parts and/or disappear during louder parts.

 

[micguy]

I turn it off when I want fuller control of dynamics (particularly on the 'quiet' end of the spectrum) then I turn it on when there are songs where the mix would benefit for it.

I play church gigs. At least 80 percent of the songs I do, I need to do "quiet" during part (sometimes most) of the song.

 

[Low Down Brown]

Boom...

If your picking hand technique is consistent, then compressor just evens the signal a bit. You're not cheating. I see compressor as a sonic tool to get a consistent tone to help the overall mix.

...and BOOM

Part of the problem is that people are assuming that a compressor is used as either an effect or to 'solve a problem' (like uneven technique).

To me it's a great note-shaping tool. I've already got an even technique but i can really slot your dynamics effectively if that suits your musical habitat. I can use it for infinite sustain or to keep things punchy and bubbly. And when applied with a good ear, you may not even seem like you're using it to others.

Well said.

For me, comps are tone shaping effects. I tend to gravitate towards the compressors that add something or color your sound in some way. I like the way different compressors affect different basses. I like the way some VCA comps have a certain punch to them and how some optical comps have a nice warm, beefed up, almost tubey tone. And then, tube comps ...they're their own special brand of compy goodness.

 

[BurningSkies]

I play church gigs. At least 80 percent of the songs I do, I need to do "quiet" during part (sometimes most) of the song.

Sounds less like "I'm not a compressor guy" and more like it's not a compressor gig.