Compression?

[register2]

I have a Boss Bass Compressor and find that I can't really use it live, because when I do my bass gets lost in the mix - once I turn it up enough to be effective, I lose most of my attack. I'm starting a new rock project in which I'll be playing bass and singing, so I'm thinking of coupling it with my overdrive so I can be a little "lazy" with my bass playing while I focus on vocals.

Speaking of coupling compression with distortion - do y'all put the comp before or after the disto in your signal chain?

 

[lowliferumble]

I always use compression, but mine is a rack mounted unit that is the last in line before the power amp. I love the ability to have a very consistent volumes but get the powerful and biting tone of really digging in with my fingers. I haved used so many different brands over the years. My signal path goes like this: SR4 (3band)->Sansamp RBI->NEI 321 xover-> Highs to effects processor(this week it is a Korg Pandora) -> DBX262 channel 1->QSC MX1500 channel 1 -> Mesa Powerhouse 1000 highs
Lows ->DBX262 channel 2 -> QSC MX1500 channel2 -> Mesa Powerhouse 1000 lows

I use a rack mount DT2000 Korg that I run out of the Sansamp RBI "uneffected output" . This is a tone that always puts a smile on my face and a stirring ...... well you know !!

 

[Aussie Mark]

I use a compressor live, and I really can't agree with andrea that a compressor is only for sloppy bass players. It is a tool as any other, and in a loud rock band just the knowledge that you have an upper limit makes for a better stage show.

+1

I use an Aphex Punch Factory optical compressor. You'd hardly know it's switched on, it's so transparent.

 

[Aussie Mark]

Speaking of coupling compression with distortion - do y'all put the comp before or after the disto in your signal chain?

I put the compressor at the start of the chain, actually, straight after the tuner. Tuner > Comp > Overdrive/distortion

 

[Grand Wazoo]

that's the way to do it Mark

 

[nashman]

Maybe I'm doing something wrong (?) ... the way I have my rig set-up, my gain is set such that the compressor (on my head) rarely comes on.

 

[sitonmybass]

The "HardWire" brand "HT-2" tuner has "true bypass." My Boss tuner is the older/original "TU-2" so I'm going to switch to the newer Boss "TU-3" tuner.

Just bought the Boss "TU-3" tuner (nice pedal) which I'll be trying out tonight for the first time. I know this thread is about compression but since we went "off" a little bit I hope I can be excused for the hijack.

 

[mynan]

Oh, I think if you try the tuner out and run it back into the return of the effects loop you will bypass the eq stage... I could be wrong though. Ask agedhorse on Talkbass - he designed it and is a great guy.

I think you misread my post...

 

[Yango]

I use the Demeter Compulator. It's the most transparent compressor pedal you're ever going to plug into. Do yourself a favour and check it out. I've used Boss, Aphex, BBE, Ross and EBS. If you don't want to 'hear' the compressor... Demeter's got your compressor.

Demeter Amplification - Products

This guy has tried out truckloads of compressors, and put up his reviews here:

Compressor Reviews

I hope this helps you in your quest.

 

[shakinbacon]

I think you misread my post...

wouldn't be the first time

Sorry for making the thread divert a bit

 

[ZiggyDude]

Wow! We got a semi thread split!

OK - Somethng for the purist. The rest are welcome to taunt me.

Thread 1A - on compression. I don't use it for the "Dirty" reason. But I do need technology then. When I use the Ampeg SVT4-Pro I set the limiter to just barely glow on my hardest notes. This is an SLM version - no idea how good the current stuff works. The compressor is all but naught - things just wash after 3.

The outboards boxes are always a guessing game. If I was to rely on this I would rather get a rack mount unit similar to an Alesis compressor limiter. You can see how far you are overdoing it and then tell yourself to calm down. All sorts of bar graphs red for too much and green for you are OK. And it will stop the ugly fingers (or testasterone.)

But, partially due to commitments but most the huge sound and not yet lost my back, I have ditched the Ampeg and gone with vintage Acoustic. Suddenly no electronic help. And when you lay into that old big iron power amp too hard - it will send out a shock wave. We are talking lawsuits from some needle neck!

So, I need a "Visual" - and the Line 6 rackmount wireless was the answer. A very good signal (your bass output) bar graph. Stay below that and you are OK.

The addded part is a dose of humilty. I record EVERY job with a Zoom H2. If I get out of hand it tells me. Since I listen closer to me than anyone else - I learn to modify behavior real fast. Which takes me back to the top of the post.

1B - The second part. NEVER put a tuner inline. Too many reasons to type. If you don't have a tuner out (like I gave up with the 4-Pro) then use a SANS Amp or some other splitter.

Just my rather mellow two cents... Not that I have an opinion I just wander and prattle.

- Ziggy -

 

[shakinbacon]

my apologies for splitting the thread

Sorry everyone

I just couldn't let good MM tone go to waste

 

[kevins]

Here is a very nice compressor!

Sorry....

//J

so is this one!

 

[Musicman Nut]

I'd like to hear a roundabout about everyone's opinion on bass compression, moreso for live situations, but whatever. More specifically, I play a Musicman sterling, and am considering adding a compressor to my rig. Any suggestions of a good one? I like the MXR Dynacomp, but don't have much experience with it for bass. Any suggestions?

I spent 10 Years on Building a very good Compressor, to get the good Parts was extremely difficult but I did it and it sounds Killer, Then Dudley turned me on to a Mark Bass one, and all I can tell you is if you like that fatness these things give you, this one will blow you away, All the Compression is done through the tube and you won't here it but man can you feel it and you'll know when it's by passed.
So 100% Mark Bass one for me.
Yes i did retire mine.

 

[strummer]

Magnus, are you utilizing the built in compressor on the RH450 at all or are you just using the EBS full time?

Paul, the RH450 compressor is a very subtle unit and I like it a lot, but so far I'm still using the EBS box because I know the settings intimately. The RH450 comp is very good, but the one control knob kind of throws me

 

[sitonmybass]

I used my brand new Boss "TU-3" tuner at a night gig after buying it earlier in the afternoon. I really prefer it to the older/original "TU-2" that I had.
I traded my two Boss tuners ("TU-2" and "TU-8") towards the newer "TU-3" but I didn't have time to A/B the "TU-2" and the "TU-3" to determine if one provided less signal degradation. I can only report that I like the newer version better.

 

[oli@bass]

I used to play with a rackmount dbx 160 for almost two decades but found that I have very little use for compression since I started to use the volume pot on the bass. I've always thought that the best way to build a compressor would be to have it built into the bass' preamp and the volume put after that.

So, live no more compression for me, just the natural compression added by a tube head or good tube simlulation like the SansAmp RBI.

I spent 10 Years on Building a very good Compressor, to get the good Parts was extremely difficult but I did it and it sounds Killer, Then Dudley turned me on to a Mark Bass one, and all I can tell you is if you like that fatness these things give you, this one will blow you away, All the Compression is done through the tube and you won't here it but man can you feel it and you'll know when it's by passed.
So 100% Mark Bass one for me.
Yes i did retire mine.

THAT sounds very convincing! Will try one ASAP, just out of curiousity.

 

[djaxup]

The Markbass Compressore is getting rave reviews all over the net.
Check Ovni Labs, they have a nice pdf based review. I can send you than one too if you want.

Distorsore and Synth Bass Pedals also seem like very nice pedals. Youtube has a nice Markbass Synth Pedal review from Musik Schmidt. It's in german, but what matters most is the sound i guess.

 

[mixmastered]

Indeed the MarkBass products are great!

I use the Compressore as well. Never needed any other brands. It really fattens and warms your sound. But loses some high end as well. Which might be a good or bad thing depends on yourself.

The only thing about the MarkBass pedals. They are HUGE! And have their own power supply. Imagine if you had 3 of those pedals in your setup.. gosh..

 

[Kirby]

Now you have me interested in the Markbass Compressor Dave. I like Oli have used a dbx 160A for over two decades in my main stage rig. It has always been set very conservatively. Just enough to take the edge off really aggressive pieces.

I also have the t.c. electronic compression pedal. Has anyone compared teh Markbass to the t.c. electronic nova dynamics pedal?

I may need to try the new Markbass. After all the rest of my stage rig glows yellow now!