I'm debating taking compression out of my signal path. I don't slap or tap and the band seems to like my sound uncompressed.
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Worship Bass Pedalboards
- Thread starter Cshanks5
- Start date
What's your compression pedal and what are your settings?
I know from a FOH standpoint, first thing i do is compress bass if it's not on the board. Not that my bassists are inconsistent in their playing, but compression really helps so that you have a consistent low end.
I'd have to look and see. I have the ratio at 4:1, longer release, maybe a shorter attack. I know I used the same patch on Sunday with compression on or off being the only difference, and the band preferred the more "open" sound of no compressor. I didn't use one for YEARS. I was using an Empress for a couple years before I went to the Stomp.
4:1 is what I use for a worship context. But I tend to favor a longer attack time and shorter release unless the song doesn't require any 8th notes. If I'm using the compressor with synth sounds then I'll go for a shorter attack and longer release, maybe a higher ratio as well.
Did the band prefer the sound of no compression in a mix? Or when listening to solo bass? Those are two very different contexts, as I'm sure you recognize.
Do you play into a tube like preamp later in the signal that may be doing some of the compression but reacts differently to your playing dynamics? Like the classic tube amp that may get a bit fuzzy when you dig in. So you get the compression but also more nuance from the playing, which is ideal.
My 2 compressors I'm alternating is the Stella and PC-2A which I find sound great but at home, just with my Sansamp BBI V2 only, I'm getting a great tone that seems pretty smooth so I may try a Sunday with just it. I'm thinking there's a blurb in the BDDI manual about not needing external compression for a reason (I do have the Blend almost maxed). I do tend to dig in and play less "even" so it may be an interesting reality at playback..lol.
jacoby75
Supporting Member
- Mar 11, 2010
- 5,661
- 10,716
- Disclosures
- Endorsing Artist: Mike Lull Custom Guitars, DR Strings
I have read countless times that in theory things that offer "tube amp simulation" or overdrive, like the BDDI, have some inherent compression, much like a real tube amp would. That may be true. But I still far prefer my tone with an actual compressor used in conjunction with something like that for the added punch and sustain that it can add.
Try the Tube Comp in the legacy list. LA-2A style comp is the best on bass IMO. I tend to run around 6:1 ratio on bass, with a quicker attack.
Also worth considering the Ampeg Opto Comp (which I use both in pedal and hx stomp forms) and Rochester (CLX-52 designed by Billy Sheehan) - depends on what you're after.
The Spark Booster is great for getting the edge of grit or just adding some harmonic mids.
I like to run a gentle amount of compression. It's pretty subtle but it gives a volume consistency that sounds more polished to me, as well as thickening up the tone a bit.
Like SteveC, I'm also using the Empress Bass Comp. LED metering is the best I've seen and the tone switch can give a hint of saturation and a mid boost or cut that just makes everything sound better.
Add the Empress Para Deluxe EQ and you will be amazed. I might be sorry I let those 2 pedals go. Empress would have a real winner if they put those two together.The Spark Booster is great for getting the edge of grit or just adding some harmonic mids.
I like to run a gentle amount of compression. It's pretty subtle but it gives a volume consistency that sounds more polished to me, as well as thickening up the tone a bit.
Like SteveC, I'm also using the Empress Bass Comp. LED metering is the best I've seen and the tone switch can give a hint of saturation and a mid boost or cut that just makes everything sound better.
jacoby75
Supporting Member
- Mar 11, 2010
- 5,661
- 10,716
- Disclosures
- Endorsing Artist: Mike Lull Custom Guitars, DR Strings
Empress Bass Comp’s tone switch to the left is life. So rich and juicy. There is just something about that bump in the lows that is so different than anything I have been able to replicate using EQ on my board. It is pure magic. And of course the compression itself is also fantastic.The Spark Booster is great for getting the edge of grit or just adding some harmonic mids.
I like to run a gentle amount of compression. It's pretty subtle but it gives a volume consistency that sounds more polished to me, as well as thickening up the tone a bit.
Like SteveC, I'm also using the Empress Bass Comp. LED metering is the best I've seen and the tone switch can give a hint of saturation and a mid boost or cut that just makes everything sound better.
I agree the left position is magic. (For a clean tone. I prefer the middle position for synth sounds and the middle or right for drive.) But I'm pretty sure the left position is actually a midrange cut around 500Hz. It's not a bump at all, though it sure sounds like one. The right switch, on the other hand, is an upper midrange bump around 2kHz.
I've been Stomp'ing my bass for a while but am really missing my Darkglass VMTD - I don't use it for a lot of OD, just adding a bit of hair to my "always on" tone. Since I'm keeping the Stomp and Morningstar midi switcher, I got a bit bigger board. And, now that I have a bigger board, I can add the VMTD...but I still have some space. So, I just got a B7KUv2 to play with! And down the rabbit hole I go...AGAIN!!
Even if the B7KU replaces the VMTD, I'm keeping the VMTD. The only thing I might want to add is a Source Audio C4. And then, lasers for my basses, pyrotechnic effects...
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Just managed to snag a TC hypergravity at a discount. Nothing magic but even the stock spectra comp is very useful. The fatter sustain notes can definitely be felt. Dead quiet as well. My Valeton GP-100 is now only used for EQ, tuner and IR (shift-line's SVT 8x10).
Pretty much settled for now but you guys got me curious on them empress comp lol.
Pretty much settled for now but you guys got me curious on them empress comp lol.
Stomp into Khan is my regular board. Just downloaded Helix Native. It sounds so good through MainStage it has me wondering how to use my MacBook Air as my total board. Maybe MacBook into Khan?
