Compression?

[thedude]

Well thanks everyone for your replies. I kinda forgot that I posted this, and I came back to a whole mess of ideas/opinions.

I like the idea of controlling the dynamics by your technique. I've not found a compressor for bass that works exactly how I'd like it to. I just feel like most of the time it diminishes my tone. Especially since most of the time I play bass heavy hard rock.

That being said, I sometimes play jazz, and other music where the bass is more of a background character. I feel like it could be useful in those situations. Or especially when I slap.

All in all, the most intriguing to me sounds like the Mark Bass Compressore. I've not had a chance to use any of their effects, but their amps blow me away. Still not sure if a compressor is something I need or not, but that's probably what I'd get if I do purchase one.

Thanks for the feedback everyone, it was interesting to see everyone's opinion on the matter.

Josiah

 

[the snuggler]

Optical compressors are the new black the bbe opto stomp is a rather transparent compressor, and only $60 something dollars to boot. It really does calm your frenzy down a tad.

 

[Powman]

I think it reaaly depends on where you set your kneepoint. Some folks like to use the compressor as a means of significantly changing the tone. As such, they would use a lower kneepoint.

I use the compressor as insurance to prevent my mistakes in playing dynamics from coming through. As such I use a high kneepoint and hope that I never allow the compression to kick in.

 

[Datta]

I rarely use a compressor/sustainer live, and when I do it's only for 8va tapping (when soloing). I love the additional sounds I get and the extra control on bends. My compressor is a PreSonus Eureka (designed as a single rack mic pre, but an awesome bass compressor)

 

[Rick Auricchio]

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

Just adding my two cents here. I set the RH450's comp to just grab the hardest notes I play. Typically, I don't want any compression when I play, but it's nice to have the comp tame the peaks. (I don't slap regularly at all, but once in a while I'll hit it hard.)

 

[cyoungnashville]

compression IS my sound. i want my bass to sound like a damn kick drum by itself. i love the pump that a good compressor gives you. in fact i cant live without it. its at least 50% of my tone, conservatively. that being said, i used to haul around a vintage blackfaced beast that weighed a ton, and cost more than my car.... until i heard the markbass comp. now the 1176 stays home..... even on recording sessions.

 

[projectapollo]

i used to haul around a vintage blackfaced beast that weighed a ton, and cost more than my car.... until i heard the markbass comp.

I picked up the Makrbass comp based on Craig's suggestion and really like it.

 

[Straight UP]

I use the Rebel Head 450. Like Rick Auricchio I have mine set to kick in only on the very hardest notes played. Otherwise no compression.

 

[supadave]

Another resurrection!!!! I'm going down the compression route in an attempt to even out string volumes a little (after checking my pup output is ok). I'm looking for subtle not squish. I'm 95% sold on the Diamond Bass Comp but is there nayone who can give me a view on it from experience? Decent reviews are hard to find on this one. I've also tried the Love Squeezer and thought it was pretty damn good but Diamond gear is generally of the highest qual and thats where I'm going. Its not available here so I haven't been aboe to test one but I can get it delivered from the US for $320.
Any thoughts from anyone?

 

[ksandvik]

For certain music, a compressor is very important for the bass sound. So it depends on what kind of music or tonality you want to achieve. So don't throw out the baby with the bath water.

 

[Kirby]

I have a db160x for live use, but in studio nothing beats the smooth LA-2A in my opinion

 

[J Romano]

There is an article in the current Bass Player magazine (June 2011) on compressors, called Compression 101. Very basic, but a good read. Might be helpful.

 

[Grga]

Compressor only when recording for me, on stage I like the pure sound of the Bongo (flatwounds), in the meanwhile I use cabintes with 8" speakers.. exellent sound, BAM - really no compression needed in my live setup.

 

[aussie]

My Ashdown comp isn't handling my new SR4 too well - distorts very easily. Upon reading up on them on the net it seems they do have this problem with high output active basses. So I'm in the market for something new, just to tame my dynamics a bit rather than changing my sounds, and that won't break the bank. Any suggestions? Thinking maybe the BBE Opto?

 

[J Romano]

Don't know how big the piggy bank is, but check out the MB Compressore. Handles all my basses well, even the Bongo. I mainly got it for my '88 SR 4 fretless. Low output, but the Compressore brings it right out into the mix!!!

 

[keko]

Well, ...I must add something, ...some of You guys saw what I wrote before long time ago at this Thread, ..I'm basically against any effects, including compressor at live performance (not for studio), but lately as I'm getting older and tired of +20 years of live giggin', I recently started to adding just slightly compressor on my amp!

This weddings I play are lasting really long and my fingers getting tired after few hours, so I decided to color my bass tone with some compressor "touch", ...not bad for now!
I'm using temporary older 2006. F Bassman combo in 115 configuration with USA Eminence speakers, and running post preamp DI out forward to mixing console, so compressed tone goes through the PA support too!

In the future I'm planning to get modern powerful bass combo, as strongest/compact as possible, ...than I'll continue to make experiments with compressor tone!
Most interesting so far to me is "spectracomp" from TC Electronic, ...'cause it allows to correct separately compression of low, mid and high strings/fret positions notes of any bass, and You can store it in presets! Great invent!

 

[groove]

Yea Keko, you're right...i am also thinking of buying compressor maybe EBS Multicomp...two nights of gigging in a row, 4 hours of playing per night, my fingers just killing me...i think comp will do some help

 

[Yango]

My Ashdown comp isn't handling my new SR4 too well - distorts very easily. Upon reading up on them on the net it seems they do have this problem with high output active basses. So I'm in the market for something new, just to tame my dynamics a bit rather than changing my sounds, and that won't break the bank. Any suggestions? Thinking maybe the BBE Opto?

Check out the Demeter Compulator. It doesn't color your sound at all, and there's absolutely no loss in the bottom end. Also, for a hot signal there's a trim pot inside. I've tried out EBS, Keeley, Boss, Ross, Markbass, Effectrode, Barber, Aphex (probably the most useless of all) and probably a couple of other that I can't recall, and nothing has done the job as well as the Compulator. I use it for both live and recording... it's very quiet. If you can get your hands on one... grab it!!!

Demeter Amplification - Products

There's also the Compulator Pro, which is the same compressor with a few more bells and whistles.

Demeter Amplification - Products