Tattooed
Well-known member
Since the tuner thread went so good and I need a compressor, what is your favorite compressor that you've used?
- Thread starter Tattooed
- Start date
roballanson
Well-known member
I have never used one - apart from recording.
Are they any good for live stuff?
Are they any good for live stuff?
My vote is for the old Trace Elliot 2 band compressor (if you can find one) or the replacement made by Ashdown (http://www.ashdownmusic.co.uk/press/pedals.pdf). The pedal sounds fantastic with my SR5.
roballanson
Well-known member
Ashdown stuff is pretty decent. Perhaps I should have a look.
p5string said:
Trace Elliot have just started up again...
http://www.trace-elliot.co.uk/index.html
this time apparently free from external ownership.
There's no pedals yet, but the amps have dual band compression. They may introduce pedals in due course.
Dees
Well-known member
I have absolutly no experience with compressors, only with the one that is integrated in my EBS head. But doesn't EBS makes a pedal version of their compressor? I really like the one on my head,so I suppose the pedal version (if it exists) is at least as good
StingRayzor
Well-known member
- Joined
- Mar 5, 2005
- Messages
- 108
About a year ago, I picked up the old Trace Elliot Dual comps for $75 with a power supply. As far as floor pedals go, also considering the price I paid for it, I am very happy with its performance. I usually only run it on the low end of the signal and let the high end be "free". That is the best part about the dual band comps. You are not really taming the entire signal, so you are still have dynamics, albeit they are somewhat tamed on the lowend. I also only use it in situations where it is needed (I find it to be a great tool for thickening up my chorus pedal and to spruce up harmonics). Compressors should not be a crutch for the heavy handed.
I am really interested in the new Ashdown pedals, but I bet they will be expensive.
I am really interested in the new Ashdown pedals, but I bet they will be expensive.
bassmonkeee
Well-known member
I use a Fishman Pro Bass EQ between my bass and my Mesa Walkabout for three reasons.
The first reason is that the input impedance on the Fishman is 10M Ohms so I don't have any problems with the piezos of my Bongos getting squashed and sounding quacky. If you've ever thought piezos sounded tinny, and brittle then you've probably never heard them with a proper input impedance. The Bongo's piezo/EQ combo can get a great, usable sound without any mag pickups at all.
Secondly, the soft knee optical compressor is idiot proof. One knob, no fuss, no muss. It does a great job of evening out the signal without killing my tone. I don't use much, but I certainly like what it brings to the sound. It helps a great deal when I'm using my VBass as an effects processor/amp simulator since the VBass doesn't have to deal with a lot of transients.
Third, it has both a phase switch (great for any feedback related issues--more prevalent with my upright, or my old ABG), and it has a "depth" knob that is basically a low pass filter that helps tighten up the sound if it's getting too boomy.
It's also great for recording. I'll run a DI out of the Fishman, and also run a DI out of my Walkabout. That way I can blend the two signals together for different tone options when recording bass.
http://www.fishman.com/products/details.asp?id=43
The first reason is that the input impedance on the Fishman is 10M Ohms so I don't have any problems with the piezos of my Bongos getting squashed and sounding quacky. If you've ever thought piezos sounded tinny, and brittle then you've probably never heard them with a proper input impedance. The Bongo's piezo/EQ combo can get a great, usable sound without any mag pickups at all.
Secondly, the soft knee optical compressor is idiot proof. One knob, no fuss, no muss. It does a great job of evening out the signal without killing my tone. I don't use much, but I certainly like what it brings to the sound. It helps a great deal when I'm using my VBass as an effects processor/amp simulator since the VBass doesn't have to deal with a lot of transients.
Third, it has both a phase switch (great for any feedback related issues--more prevalent with my upright, or my old ABG), and it has a "depth" knob that is basically a low pass filter that helps tighten up the sound if it's getting too boomy.
It's also great for recording. I'll run a DI out of the Fishman, and also run a DI out of my Walkabout. That way I can blend the two signals together for different tone options when recording bass.
http://www.fishman.com/products/details.asp?id=43
Psycho Ward
Well-known member
I've got a DigiTech Bass Squeeze dual band compressor that I like a lot, I think it cost around a 100.00 bucks. My best compressor came in a mastering package for my computer, but I damn sure ain't going to lug that around.
Seeing a keyboard player with a computer is fairly common, but a bass player with a computer... I think you can get shot with that!
Psycho
Seeing a keyboard player with a computer is fairly common, but a bass player with a computer... I think you can get shot with that!
Psycho
I've no experience of them either in 14 years of playing, save maybe in the studio, but I leave that to the engineer.
Can someone jump in & explain what they're for, how they work & the benefits of having one in a live set-up?
Much obliged.
PS - I sound like a dip$hit I know, but I really am a 4 strings, jack cable & an amp kinda guy....
Can someone jump in & explain what they're for, how they work & the benefits of having one in a live set-up?
Much obliged.
PS - I sound like a dip$hit I know, but I really am a 4 strings, jack cable & an amp kinda guy....
roballanson
Well-known member
I am with you there matey. 20 years on and only seen one in the studio.
What do they do?
What do they do?
Psycho Ward
Well-known member
Well I’m no expert on compressors but my refrigerator has one and I liked the way it sounded.
Psycho
Psycho
Mobay45
Well-known member
Psycho Ward said:
Good point. My house a/c has 2!!!
There's a review of the Keeley one here, geared toward bass.
http://www.12stringbass.net/master.htm?http://www.12stringbass.net/Keeley.htm
http://www.12stringbass.net/master.htm?http://www.12stringbass.net/Keeley.htm
brewer
Well-known member
La-2a
SteveB
Well-known member
A compressor compresses the dynamic range of the input signal.
Thus, you set a threshold (usually in decibels) and when the input signal reaches or exceeds the threshold, the signal is reduced (compressed) according to a mathemtical ratio which is usually selectable. (4:1 is common when compressing bass on mixdown). This gently prevents the input signal from exceeding your desired maximum level.
Most compressors also have 'expander' capability, which increases the signal level when the input signal falls below a certain threshold.
Thus, the overall dynamic range of the signal is reduced or 'compressed'.
A limiter, which often is part and parcel of such a unit, provides a drastic reduction in the signal when a threshold is exceeded. This is used to keep a spike in the signal from destroying speaker cones, for example. It's like a compressor but with ridiculous reduction, as it is meant more to squash spikes than to level out normal transients in signal.
Some other fellas will probably chime in with better explanations.
Thus, you set a threshold (usually in decibels) and when the input signal reaches or exceeds the threshold, the signal is reduced (compressed) according to a mathemtical ratio which is usually selectable. (4:1 is common when compressing bass on mixdown). This gently prevents the input signal from exceeding your desired maximum level.
Most compressors also have 'expander' capability, which increases the signal level when the input signal falls below a certain threshold.
Thus, the overall dynamic range of the signal is reduced or 'compressed'.
A limiter, which often is part and parcel of such a unit, provides a drastic reduction in the signal when a threshold is exceeded. This is used to keep a spike in the signal from destroying speaker cones, for example. It's like a compressor but with ridiculous reduction, as it is meant more to squash spikes than to level out normal transients in signal.
Some other fellas will probably chime in with better explanations.
AnthonyD
Well-known member
Not likely - great job!SteveB said:
I use a Boss LMB-3 limiter myself. I have the "enhance" effect completely rolled-off and depend mostly on the ratio & threshold controls to keep me from peaking the PA when I get a little to aggressive.
whamonkey
Well-known member
- Joined
- Mar 25, 2005
- Messages
- 162
Tech 21 makes a Bass Compactor that supposedly works really well. I had the Digitech Bass Squeeze and sold it. Compression is not for me live, I feel it takes your ability to really jump on a note away. Recording I can understand I guess.
