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Need Help With A Compressor...please
- Thread starter kdsi44
- Start date
Mantaray
Well-known member
I'd say you should avoid stomp boxes. If you insist though, you may as well go for the Electro-Harmonix Black Finger.
When It comes to rack compressors, for low-budget but mega quality these are my favorites(and they rock for bass)
1)TLAudio FatMan Fat-1(if you find it. It is discontinued but some stores have some in stock)
2)Focusrite Platinum Series Compounder(Directly comparable with the distressor)
3)DBX 1066 or DBX 160A(a classic)
When It comes to rack compressors, for low-budget but mega quality these are my favorites(and they rock for bass)
1)TLAudio FatMan Fat-1(if you find it. It is discontinued but some stores have some in stock)
2)Focusrite Platinum Series Compounder(Directly comparable with the distressor)
3)DBX 1066 or DBX 160A(a classic)
johans
Well-known member
yeah i think a simple dbx will do the trick 
squeeze box
I bought the Aphex "punch factory" . I find it to be the best for the money.
It is an optical compressor that will not alter the tone no matter how hard you drive it. Its a stompbox but it beats my old 163x and is half the price.
I sounds great in the studio, but if a distressor and an Avalon U5 are availble I will usually use them.
RM
I bought the Aphex "punch factory" . I find it to be the best for the money.
It is an optical compressor that will not alter the tone no matter how hard you drive it. Its a stompbox but it beats my old 163x and is half the price.
I sounds great in the studio, but if a distressor and an Avalon U5 are availble I will usually use them.
RM
Evil_Ernie_Ball
Well-known member
What does a compressor realy do actualy ? 
skelly
Member
- Joined
- Oct 4, 2004
- Messages
- 8
What does a compressor do you ask?
A compressor is a beautiful thing for bass. I think of it as smoothing out all the ruff edges without loosing the PUNCH.
Look at the parameters of a typical compressor:
Threshold - This is the dB level at which point the compression/effect begins
Ratio - the ratio of compressed/effected sound to input signal
Attack - How quickly/slowly the compression/effect 'kicks in'
Release/decay - How quickly/slowly the compression/effect 'lets go'
Output - This is basically the output volume
Threshold:
When an input signal is received- think of this as when you thump your string - there is a definite intensity based upon how hard you hit the string. This intensity decreases gradually if the string is unimpeded (you let it ring). The intensity is measured in dB (decibels). The compressor's Threshold setting determines at what dB level it will start it's job of compressing.
Have you ever thumped the string too hard? A compressor's threshold level will help hide this by effecting the signal above the level you specify.
Ratio:
This is basic. Think of this like the MIX between compressed sound and natural input signal.
Attack:
How quickly does the compression start to take effect? This can be used in different ways... You can eliminate punch by setting this to quickly, but get distorted punch levels if it's too slow. You will have to play with this setting to match your style. Personally, I set this to a very quick level, with a longer release and higher Ratio setting to keep the punch.
Release/Decay:
This is how long you want to hold the compressed signal, for example, if you hit a string too hard and your signal goes above the threshold, the compressor keeps it from "clipping" and keeps the signal within your peak limits. But, as previously mentioned this can loose punch if the sustained signal is also hot. Setting a lower threshold and longer release time will help keep your signal puchy by making more of the signal "even" relative to itself.
I've drawn some quick illustrations to help.
Although this is a very basic explanation, hopefully it will help you discover how a compressor can help you achieve your ideal bass sound.
I recommend the BOSS GT-6B for all of your bass tone and effects needs!!!
A compressor is a beautiful thing for bass. I think of it as smoothing out all the ruff edges without loosing the PUNCH.
Look at the parameters of a typical compressor:
Threshold - This is the dB level at which point the compression/effect begins
Ratio - the ratio of compressed/effected sound to input signal
Attack - How quickly/slowly the compression/effect 'kicks in'
Release/decay - How quickly/slowly the compression/effect 'lets go'
Output - This is basically the output volume
Threshold:
When an input signal is received- think of this as when you thump your string - there is a definite intensity based upon how hard you hit the string. This intensity decreases gradually if the string is unimpeded (you let it ring). The intensity is measured in dB (decibels). The compressor's Threshold setting determines at what dB level it will start it's job of compressing.
Have you ever thumped the string too hard? A compressor's threshold level will help hide this by effecting the signal above the level you specify.
Ratio:
This is basic. Think of this like the MIX between compressed sound and natural input signal.
Attack:
How quickly does the compression start to take effect? This can be used in different ways... You can eliminate punch by setting this to quickly, but get distorted punch levels if it's too slow. You will have to play with this setting to match your style. Personally, I set this to a very quick level, with a longer release and higher Ratio setting to keep the punch.
Release/Decay:
This is how long you want to hold the compressed signal, for example, if you hit a string too hard and your signal goes above the threshold, the compressor keeps it from "clipping" and keeps the signal within your peak limits. But, as previously mentioned this can loose punch if the sustained signal is also hot. Setting a lower threshold and longer release time will help keep your signal puchy by making more of the signal "even" relative to itself.
I've drawn some quick illustrations to help.
Although this is a very basic explanation, hopefully it will help you discover how a compressor can help you achieve your ideal bass sound.
I recommend the BOSS GT-6B for all of your bass tone and effects needs!!!
shaver
Well-known member
i dont even use a compresser with my rig
skelly
Member
- Joined
- Oct 4, 2004
- Messages
- 8
Compression
You guys check out the BOSS Gt-6 B when you get the chance. It's got like 6 different types of compressors built in.
http://www.rolandus.com/products/details.asp?CatID=6&SubCatID=0&ProdID=GT-6B
You guys check out the BOSS Gt-6 B when you get the chance. It's got like 6 different types of compressors built in.
http://www.rolandus.com/products/details.asp?CatID=6&SubCatID=0&ProdID=GT-6B
Psychicpet
Well-known member
hmm...
What makes you think you really need to get a compressor? Usually when I've done sessions there's been some sort of compression but alot of times there isn't. You might put some on during mixing but really if you're fingers are doing the work you shouldn't need a compressor unless you really want to go for Marcus' slap tone which does have compression but not really drenched.As for evening out your sound, seriously let your fingers take care of that, your tone will love you for it
it'll breathe alot better and have more nuance and dynamic control.
my 2 bits
pd
What makes you think you really need to get a compressor? Usually when I've done sessions there's been some sort of compression but alot of times there isn't. You might put some on during mixing but really if you're fingers are doing the work you shouldn't need a compressor unless you really want to go for Marcus' slap tone which does have compression but not really drenched.As for evening out your sound, seriously let your fingers take care of that, your tone will love you for it
it'll breathe alot better and have more nuance and dynamic control. my 2 bits
pd
shaver
Well-known member
i agree
kdsi44
Well-known member
- Joined
- Sep 10, 2004
- Messages
- 252
Well....i Need A Compressor For The Tone That I Want....i Wanted To Stay Away From Rack Gear Since I Have The Svt Classic Head....can Anyone Help? Has Anyone Used The Blackfinger Before....i Tried The Aphex Punch Factory Tonight At Guitar Center, And It Totally Sucked....it Was Noisy And Colored The Tone Way Too Much...i Need Something That Is Transparent....
Psychicpet
Well-known member
In that case, I'd go with Demeter or EBS but you're only gonna get so much out of a pedal.The really nice, smooth compressors are a little more cha-ching. The compressor in the Avalon VT737 is really smooth as well as the Focusrite Red series comp.
happy hunting!
happy hunting!
Mantaray
Well-known member
Psychicpet said:
Psychicpet is correct. Good signal processors, are hi-tech gear which carry usually a hefty price tag. The Avalon 737 is very good, the Avalon AD2044 MUCH better. There is one problem though. The first one costs over $2k and the second over $3k. I think your best choice by far is the Focusrite Compounder. It is regarded as 'probably the best analog compressor in 1U in the world' by many people 'in the business'.
Evil_Ernie_Ball
Well-known member
I have a built in Limiter in my EB MM Audiphile HD500 head ... is that like a compressor or am I wrong ? 
(I'm guessing the last thing... )
(I'm guessing the last thing... )
Deaj
Well-known member
Psychicpet said:What makes you think you really need to get a compressor? Usually when I've done sessions there's been some sort of compression but alot of times there isn't. You might put some on during mixing but really if you're fingers are doing the work you shouldn't need a compressor unless you really want to go for Marcus' slap tone which does have compression but not really drenched.As for evening out your sound, seriously let your fingers take care of that, your tone will love you for it
my 2 bits
pd
I couldn't agree with this more. I don't play as evenly as I'd like but I don't like what a compressor does to the dynamics.
Bluesbob
Well-known member
Svt
will compress naturally as the input stage tubes start to overdrive. Just turn it up!
will compress naturally as the input stage tubes start to overdrive. Just turn it up!
The Rodg
Well-known member
To compress or not to compress................
I love the natural tone my bass gets without a compressor; however, I am not the only one on stage. To make matters worse, everyone is using inner ear monitors. Combine that with a band that plays all kinds of genres and you have a real dilemma. One minute they have your bass at the right level and the next your blowing out their ears on the hard stuff. I can compensate a lot with technique but tend to lose that feeling of "oneness with the bass." Who doesn't want to "get into it" when the mood hits? It would also help if they would use compression on their ear mixes (but that requires someone else to not pass the buck....
)
When you have to go from smooth ballads to slappin/popping funk or balls to the wall R&R a compressor can come in handy to even your level out (not necessarily just to limit). I DO like the roundness and sustain that my compressor can add to my notes. You have to be careful not to squash your tone though, or get that pumping and breathing action. Of course it is all up to you and how you set your compression. I have a theory that it is 50% operator and 50% quality hardware that will create the awesome tones. (you may critic the percentages but both are necessary for perfection)A piece of gear is only as good as its operator. I have heard some great tones out of cheap stomp boxes and some horrible tones out of high end rack gear.
I have used a BOSS GT6B and it has a lot of options and capabilities. I especially like how I can try to emulate all my heroes' tones and save them to individual patches and quickly switch between patcheson the fly. I wish there was a way that you can "see" what your settings are doing such as compression though instead of just one light for on or off. Of course you should trust your ear first and foremost but I kind of have a hang up with gear also showing me what it is doing with it all laid out in front of me.
The compressor I found works best for me and my instrument is an Alesis NanoCompressor. Very simple to use and to dial in with good light indicators and the very important bypass switch right there and convenient. There are times I like to just turn the compressor off without it changing my levels and this unit is easy to use (for me anyways)
I have not had great luck with other Alesis products including other Alesis compressors(issues of quality of hardware and of tone coloring) but this particular unit seems to work great without coloring my tone unless I want it to.
Good luck on the long journey of trial and error on gear.........
I feel your pain dude!!
I love the natural tone my bass gets without a compressor; however, I am not the only one on stage. To make matters worse, everyone is using inner ear monitors. Combine that with a band that plays all kinds of genres and you have a real dilemma. One minute they have your bass at the right level and the next your blowing out their ears on the hard stuff. I can compensate a lot with technique but tend to lose that feeling of "oneness with the bass." Who doesn't want to "get into it" when the mood hits? It would also help if they would use compression on their ear mixes (but that requires someone else to not pass the buck....
)When you have to go from smooth ballads to slappin/popping funk or balls to the wall R&R a compressor can come in handy to even your level out (not necessarily just to limit). I DO like the roundness and sustain that my compressor can add to my notes. You have to be careful not to squash your tone though, or get that pumping and breathing action. Of course it is all up to you and how you set your compression. I have a theory that it is 50% operator and 50% quality hardware that will create the awesome tones. (you may critic the percentages but both are necessary for perfection)A piece of gear is only as good as its operator. I have heard some great tones out of cheap stomp boxes and some horrible tones out of high end rack gear.
I have used a BOSS GT6B and it has a lot of options and capabilities. I especially like how I can try to emulate all my heroes' tones and save them to individual patches and quickly switch between patcheson the fly. I wish there was a way that you can "see" what your settings are doing such as compression though instead of just one light for on or off. Of course you should trust your ear first and foremost but I kind of have a hang up with gear also showing me what it is doing with it all laid out in front of me.
The compressor I found works best for me and my instrument is an Alesis NanoCompressor. Very simple to use and to dial in with good light indicators and the very important bypass switch right there and convenient. There are times I like to just turn the compressor off without it changing my levels and this unit is easy to use (for me anyways)
I have not had great luck with other Alesis products including other Alesis compressors(issues of quality of hardware and of tone coloring) but this particular unit seems to work great without coloring my tone unless I want it to.
Good luck on the long journey of trial and error on gear.........
I feel your pain dude!!
RocketRobin
Active member
- Joined
- Oct 28, 2004
- Messages
- 25
I use an automatic compressor made by Behringer called an Autocom Pro.
This one has a gate, frequency selection (a must have for slap 'n' tickle) and all kinds of whiz bang compressor/limiter features that I could care less about.
The reason I use it is because it does the job, it's automatic and I don't have to be a rocket scientologist to work it: i.e. set-up the gate, push the interactive buttons on the SC filters, push the automatic buttons on the comp/limiters and commence athumping.
Personally, I'd rather play than spend my time reading instruction manuals and tweaking gear
This one has a gate, frequency selection (a must have for slap 'n' tickle) and all kinds of whiz bang compressor/limiter features that I could care less about.
The reason I use it is because it does the job, it's automatic and I don't have to be a rocket scientologist to work it: i.e. set-up the gate, push the interactive buttons on the SC filters, push the automatic buttons on the comp/limiters and commence athumping.
Personally, I'd rather play than spend my time reading instruction manuals and tweaking gear
