Who doesnt use compression?

[JimmyM]

"Try and play more dynamic!"

"Dynamic? What do you mean, dynamic..... I am already playing as loud as I can!"

I don't use it. I don't like it in studio. If you listen to lately produced music, you will hear highly compressed productions. Ever heard of the "cvompression wars"?

For some kind of slap-bass compression works fine. But I like it as it is. I want to have control over my dynamic playing, and I have a GenzBenz GBE 1200 that gives me the headroom I need.

In fairness, anything can be overused. Compression wars result from too much usage all over the place. Well-applied compression should be unnoticeable, unless you're using it as a squash effect a la Beatles in the late 60's.

 

[meatwad]

I play with dynamics. I have good right-hand technique. I use subtle compression. Always.

 

[chadds]

You put jam on one slice, peanut butter on another, put one on top of the other. Press them firmly together. That's good compression.

 

[Lync]

Most of us use it whether we want to or not. Many amps have some kind of compression or at least limiting going on and they have come to make that part of their tone.

I was chuckling the other night at my gig...small place so I only brought out my B100r...it did the gig, but I ran all night with the master on 10 and the gain around 5. I could hear it compressing...but in a good way. It keep the low end from farting and reeled in the highs. Sounded pretty damn good.

 

[arai]

In fairness, anything can be overused. Compression wars result from too much usage all over the place. Well-applied compression should be unnoticeable, unless you're using it as a squash effect a la Beatles in the late 60's.

Agreed.
I think this is a problem some people have. They can't hear anything happen so they play with the dials until they can. But they are over compressing the signal, over compressing can be cool but it is not in a lot of cases. So it sounds better when they turn it off. And that puts them off compressors

 

[Brad Johnson]

Never. Studio? That's up to the engineer. Live nope. As is said above, it can cover sloppy technique, and limits the dynamic possibilities in your playing. I want to go from grazing the strings to full on thump. If i need greater volume I add more cones and/or watts. But hey, to each his own.

That's my story too and I'm sticking to it.


I don't begrudge anyone who does, I just found that I prefer the instantaneous control I've developed with my hands. Live, I've often had FOH guys ask what kind of compression/limiting I'm using because my signal goes out so even. the work paid off for me.

 

[Brad Johnson]

Here it is again. Compression = your technique sucks. Surely there must be good players who use compression.

Of course. It's a great tool in the right hands. In many others, it's a great crutch. The "problem" is rarely the compressor.


By the same token, if you HAVE to have it because your output is all over the place, your slap is always way louder than your fingerstyle, etc... your technique may indeed suck.

 

[JehuJava]

Since there seems to be a relative dearth of pro-compressor supporters and a glut of anti-compressor supporters on this thread, I'll submit this article from Bass Player (a reputable source if you ask me) as evidence on the pro side:

BassPlayer: Compression Basics

Not to ruffle any feathers, but I do find it ironic that so many players in here seem to think that their technique is so good that they can't benefit from compression at all. I've been playing bass for a long time (about 20 years), I am a classically trained musician (cello, piano, and bass), and have very good technique, but I still clank out a note every once in a while that was way louder or softer than I meant it to be that my compressor has kept in check.

Hmmm...I must've missed those comments about peoples technique being so good they don't need a compressor.

Wait...nope...still not there.

And yes...your use of dearth and glut did not go unnoticed.

 

[Brad Johnson]

Since there seems to be a relative dearth of pro-compressor supporters and a glut of anti-compressor supporters on this thread, I'll submit this article from Bass Player (a reputable source if you ask me) as evidence on the pro side:

BassPlayer: Compression Basics

Not to ruffle any feathers, but I do find it ironic that so many players in here seem to think that their technique is so good that they can't benefit from compression at all. I've been playing bass for a long time (about 20 years), I am a classically trained musician (cello, piano, and bass), and have very good technique, but I still clank out a note every once in a while that was way louder or softer than I meant it to be that my compressor has kept in check.

Not to ruffle any feathers either... I've been playing a long time too and I can say with all honesty I don't clank out notes once in a while as you described. In all seriousness for me to do that would probably require me simultaneously sneezing, coughing or farting... basically involuntary actions that would cause me to play/move in an involuntary manner.

In fact, upon further reflection, I've been able to not clank out notes while doing all of those things. Granted, while doing all of the above at once might present a challenge.

So yes, I guess my technique really is that good. Thanks for the confirmation.


I guess I don't really get why some people look at others who've been able to control their dynamics manually as some sort of arrogant or bad thing. Anyone should be able to do it.

 

[krstko]

I don't use compressoin much because I don't even know how xD

 

[taurus1]

a question for the guys with perfect technique. do you get upset with recording engineers using compression on individual bass tracks, or stereo bus compression, therefore ruining your perfect technique and dynamics, for all to hear?

 

[Brad Johnson]

a question for the guys with perfect technique. do you get upset with recording engineers using compression on individual bass tracks, or stereo bus compression, therefore ruining your perfect technique and dynamics, for all to hear?

First, despite what some seem to think, you don't need "perfect" technique to control your output, it only needs to be "good". Is that upsetting? I'd hope not and maybe we can move on from the perfect technique nonsense.


When I've recorded, just as in the instances where I play live, I haven't run into engineers who've felt the need to "fix" my good technique-laden output individually. Sorry.


IOW if they use compression it's not to obviously fix a problem I'm causing. And since I don't typically use it as an effect, it largely goes unneeded. Studio compression IME has been far less obvious than what many bassists use to conform what they do to a dynamic range. hth

 

[Brad Johnson]

Early on when I first got a chance to use compression I thought it was very cool. I didn't really have to refine/control what I was doing dynamically, it did it for me. Sweet... but before long it dawned on me way back then what I was giving up control-wise and I decided to see if I could get a better handle on my dynamics minus a gadget.

Strangely enough I think what really brought that home was when I bought a cheap Strat copy several years after I'd been playing bass. I'm not one of the classic frustrated guitarists that most people think bass players are, I came straight from brass instruments to bass. Anyway, I got the guitar and what I noticed was that with very little skill on it, just by running through an effect I could actually sound passable shredding solos. Of course without an effect I sounded like crap. Before my ego could get the best of me and thoughts of being the next Al Dimeola ran amok, I pictured a gig where my effects unit broke and I had to play unadorned with my "fixer".


That's when I knew that I needed to get my act together first and then, should I so desire, I could use the effects at what they're best... tools to enhance what I do.

I have a pretty nice bass multieffects unit. Some of the patches have compression to varying degrees. I like the unit but I've also gone a year between using it.

 

[eukatheude]

Don't have one, though i'd use it very lightly and mostly to give me more sustain and a punchier attack.

 

[seamonkey]

Are we ready to talk about multi-band compression
It's a whole different arena

I think the TC is the only "head" with multi-band, but plenty of studios use it, and effects processors, and of course plug-ins

 

[4-string]

I got an EBS MultiComp a few years ago, up until then I never used it. I like how it sounds in tube sim mode, so I tend to just leave it on.

For live use I never felt it was too much, but when I listen to some gigs we recorded and realize that plenty was added at the board as well I just don't know....probably time to sell it.

 

[taurus1]

First, despite what some seem to think, you don't need "perfect" technique to control your output, it only needs to be "good". Is that upsetting? I'd hope not and maybe we can move on from the perfect technique nonsense.


When I've recorded, just as in the instances where I play live, I haven't run into engineers who've felt the need to "fix" my good technique-laden output individually. Sorry.


IOW if they use compression it's not to obviously fix a problem I'm causing. And since I don't typically use it as an effect, it largely goes unneeded. Studio compression IME has been far less obvious than what many bassists use to conform what they do to a dynamic range. hth

you're still implying that the use of compression is somehow related to poor technique, or technique that isn't "good".
I find that to be ignorant and arrogant, "is that upsetting?"

if this were true, why would every major recording studio and major touring FOH/monitor rack, contain high end compressors? is it because everyone who records/tours there has technique that isn't "good"?
compression is a tool, no different than eq, gates, effects etc.

 

[rummy]

Never once did.

 

[rpsands]

Man, if one thing is guaranteed to stir up a hornet's nest of crap it's tubes. If you need a second hot topic, compression is it.

 

[KJung]

you're still implying that the use of compression is somehow related to poor technique, or technique that isn't "good".
I find that to be ignorant and arrogant, "is that upsetting?"

if this were true, why would every major recording studio and major touring FOH/monitor rack, contain high end compressors? is it because everyone who records/tours there has technique that isn't "good"?
compression is a tool, no different than eq, gates, effects etc.

Don't really have a dog in this hunt. I've never felt the need for any sort of compression with my backline personally, but it can be an interesting effect, and if used expertly, can get a couple more db out of a 'too small rig' by reducing peaks, etc.

My only comment on the above is that recording studios (and to some extent) large front of house systems, use compression as an aid to the overall mix when balancing instruments with each other. That is quite different from someone using compression to 'even out their technique', which in some cases (like slapping), can also be useful. However, apples and oranges there to the discussion of a bassist using compression with his personal backline IMO.