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?
- Thread starter thedude
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Duarte
Well-known member
I usethe Electro Harmonix White Finger, which I use for just a light compression to smooth out my sound a little. It's a really good compressor actually, and make really fatten up your sound and help you 'cut'.
However there is nothing worse than an over compressed sound, all squished and that...ewww.
However there is nothing worse than an over compressed sound, all squished and that...ewww.
Hellboy
Well-known member
I have a couple of Retrospec Squeezebox´s. Lovely compressor. I´ve heard that they might start to make them again. Basically a Urei LA-2A in a stomp box. Wonderful device. If you find one, make sure to buy it.
The key thing is not to compress the signal too much. 3 - 5 dB maximum. Otherwise you´ll just lose all dynamics....
//J
The key thing is not to compress the signal too much. 3 - 5 dB maximum. Otherwise you´ll just lose all dynamics....
//J
Grand Wazoo
Well-known member
and lombardini
Well-known member
I've tried many (analog man, emma...etc) and the final choice is a Carl Martin for it's studio sound, very clear and very true to the original tone...I'd love to try a Retrospect..
keko
Well-known member
Well, I must spice this thread with my point of view on this matter:
1. When I play bass, I don't use any compressor/limiter device. That's my choice and my sound signature, I just like to have control over dynamic of my way playing a bass, just with my fingers, feeling, ear...etc.
2. When working my regular job as a sound man, I use compressor/limiter devices for many purpose, and recently rarely doing a live band sound works, but when doing it, sometimes have to use it for "bad" (dirty) bass players!
When I said "dirty" bass players, I was talking about bass players who play with bad dynamic, don't produce clean tone, have bad bass...etc.
Than I suggest him/her to give me pre-EQ signal from DI output from an amp, or connect the bass through signal splitter direct to the stage box, so I could take direct signal from bass guitar to my mixing console. Than I process that signal through compressor/limiter unit (dbx, Behringer, Drawmer) and parametric EQ on the bass guitar channel, ...and make decent correction to improve bass sound as better as possible!
1. When I play bass, I don't use any compressor/limiter device. That's my choice and my sound signature, I just like to have control over dynamic of my way playing a bass, just with my fingers, feeling, ear...etc.
2. When working my regular job as a sound man, I use compressor/limiter devices for many purpose, and recently rarely doing a live band sound works, but when doing it, sometimes have to use it for "bad" (dirty) bass players!
When I said "dirty" bass players, I was talking about bass players who play with bad dynamic, don't produce clean tone, have bad bass...etc.
Than I suggest him/her to give me pre-EQ signal from DI output from an amp, or connect the bass through signal splitter direct to the stage box, so I could take direct signal from bass guitar to my mixing console. Than I process that signal through compressor/limiter unit (dbx, Behringer, Drawmer) and parametric EQ on the bass guitar channel, ...and make decent correction to improve bass sound as better as possible!
bizmarckie
Well-known member
Playing live, no compressor for me. Studio only.
Hellboy
Well-known member
Hellboy
Well-known member
Here is a very nice compressor!
Sorry....
//J
Sorry....
//J
bradfordws
Well-known member
BBE Opto Stomp works for me. I just put together a mini-pedal board that fits in a briefcase. I only use the compressor for slap style where I need to even out the level a bit. I used to have a board with 6 pedals the was stolen, so I downsized when doing this one. I previously had the Boss compressor - I like the BBE better. The second pedal is a chorus.
MK Bass Weed
Well-known member
I only use the compressor for my distorted/fuzz sound so it doesn't get away from me.
Keep in mind, I use two amps and split my signal, lows to one amp, highs to the distorted amp, which overall helps keep my stage volume lower! Anyhoots...if I was stuck with one amp, NO compressor for me, only in the studio. If you I chose to use one live overall, I'd have to practice with it, as I find it does effect how I play.
Keep in mind, I use two amps and split my signal, lows to one amp, highs to the distorted amp, which overall helps keep my stage volume lower! Anyhoots...if I was stuck with one amp, NO compressor for me, only in the studio. If you I chose to use one live overall, I'd have to practice with it, as I find it does effect how I play.
strummer
Enormous Member
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. In the studio, I won't use a compressor, because there I'm fully concentrated on the performance.
I like the simple EBS compressor stomp, though those esoteric ureis and the likes are fantastic too.
I like the simple EBS compressor stomp, though those esoteric ureis and the likes are fantastic too.
smallequestrian
Well-known member
Magnus, are you utilizing the built in compressor on the RH450 at all or are you just using the EBS full time?
S
sitonmybass
I don't like to use compression. I prefer to control my dynamics myself; I don't want something doing it for me.
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shakinbacon
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BBE Opto Stomp works for me. I just put together a mini-pedal board that fits in a briefcase. I only use the compressor for slap style where I need to even out the level a bit. I used to have a board with 6 pedals the was stolen, so I downsized when doing this one. I previously had the Boss compressor - I like the BBE better. The second pedal is a chorus.
I have this compressor and it is excellent for the money. I've tried a few and in its price range it is one of (if not the) best.
On an unrelated note, I suggest trying to get that Boss Tuner out of the signal path. They are notorious for messing with the tone (reducing low and high frequencies). Do you have a tuner out you could use perhaps? If it improves your sound you can thank me later
bradfordws
Well-known member
I have this compressor and it is excellent for the money. I've tried a few and in its price range it is one of (if not the) best.
On an unrelated note, I suggest trying to get that Boss Tuner out of the signal path. They are notorious for messing with the tone (reducing low and high frequencies). Do you have a tuner out you could use perhaps? If it improves your sound you can thank me later
Crap. What do you recommend over the Boss tuner? I sorta wanna keep it all plugged in as it is now, but I use the Genz 9.0 that has a tuner out - so run the cable from the tuner out to that input on the amp, no?
mynan
Well-known member
No, run a cable from the "tuner out" on the amp to the "tuner in" on the Boss and take it out of your signal chain between your bass and the amp.
shakinbacon
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I have a Genz 6.0 and use the tuner out myself. This keeps the tuner out of the signal path. If I need to silently tune I hit the mute button on the head. (excellent choice on the Genz Benz by the way)
I actually have a Peterson StroboStomp pedal (fantastic but expensive tuner) that I use with the tuner out. It is true bypass but I don't like anything between the bass and head. I found the tuner to cause a "click" when I engage it sometimes if its in the signal path.
Anyway, your tuner is fine and it may not be an issue for you. I just recommend doing an A/B using the tuner out or not. In your case this means taking the tuner out of your chain and having the next pedal be the one connected to your instrument (or effects loop).
hope that was clear. If not please ask away
shakinbacon
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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.
If you must use a tuner in the signal path, get a Peterson or the new Korg pitch blacks look good too (1/2 the cost)
All this to preserve the tone of the precious Musicman
S
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.
Boss' website and owner's manual don't specifically mention "true bypass" but I do remember hearing/reading something somewhere about it being a better pedal in terms of sound degradation.
www.hardwirepedals.com
www.bossus.com
Boss' website and owner's manual don't specifically mention "true bypass" but I do remember hearing/reading something somewhere about it being a better pedal in terms of sound degradation.
www.hardwirepedals.com
www.bossus.com
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