Need Help With A Compressor...please

[The Rodg]

Bheringer Autocoms are easy to use, I have a 4 channel that I use on vocals with the guys. Works pretty well.

 

[kdsi44]

still not what im looking for....does anyone here use a pedal compressor with their setup? keeley, demeter, etc?

 

[Evil_Ernie_Ball]

I like to get my slap tone "come out" more
so a compressor can help me with that ?
I have my eye on the Alesis 19" one
I would use it mostly for slap then
should I get one ???

 

[kilgore777]

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

I have this peice and like it very much... for effects, but I hate the compression- I leave it off (I was very disappointed with the compressor). Like these guys said about some other boxes, it colors the tone too much.

A really good compressor should be seemless- practically "unheard". I agree that the Avalon is a good choice- most of their products are really pristine. But. like some of these other guys... I use very little compression (limiting, only).

 

[Ben Clarke]

The explanation above is good except for the ratio. It is not like a wet/dry control on a reverb box. Ratio refers to the increase in output as compared to the input level once the signal is above the threshold.

For example: let's reference the threshold at 80dB. If the ratio is set at 4:1, an 84dB input would yield an output of 81dB. This would give you 3dB of "gain reduction", another common term when dealing with compressors. I set mine up to meter gain reduction when possible; it give me a better idea of what the compressor is doing.

A limiter by definition is just a compressor with a high ratio. (Generally 10:1 or greater.)

BTW, many full-on pro in-ear monitor rigs use the Aphex Dominator "brick-wall" limiter. I wouldn't even think of using in-ears without something like this. Think of it as safety equipment... a hard hat for your ears.

I use the Bellari half-space tube unit, and the ART get some respect. I think the Bellari is worth way more than the $100 it cost 5 yrs ago.

The Behringer Autocom is easy to use, and sounds decent, too.

 

[sandaas]

Hey KDSI44,
By the explanation I gave above the limiter is a compressor. Most compressors are limiter and vise versa. They basically work together to optimize your signal.

Thanks.
Tim Skelly Cason

Skelly's right.
A limiter is a compressor with a very high ratio, and thereby "limits" the dynamic levels of your signal to threshold.

 

[sandaas]

ohh, guess Clarke just explained this

my bad

 

[kilgore777]

Skelly's right.
A limiter is a compressor with a very high ratio, and thereby "limits" the dynamic levels of your signal to threshold.

Nice, concise explanation, though

 

[Musicfreak1988]

If you have the cash, try Avalon compressors.

 

[radiotrib]

Personally I'd lok very carefully at the Trace Elliot SMX if you can find one ... just a min ...
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=22669&item=3780815039&rd=1
there's one ... and the user guide explaining it all is at http://www.gibson.com/products/traceelliot/manuals/Smxped.pdf ... Trace Elliot are THE bassamps in my book .. so I'm pretty biassed ... but they do make good stuff, and only get clever for a good reason.

 

[brewer]

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!!!

Good lord bro, you're too smart to be a fulltime bassist. You should be a brain surgeon. Just funnin.

go with the avalon if you can.

 

[xHARPERx]

hey man, I used to use a behnger autocom 2 channel (which I will glady sell for $75us, shipped ground anywhere in the us) but yeah, I found very little use after I got my sterling, that being said they can be very useful for some styles and some basses, but I would say they're not needed with a good setup...