OT-Compression

[Randracula]

Anyone hear use a compressor with their EBMM basses? I'm considering the Aphex Punch Factory but my basses/rig already sound really good so i'm wondering if I even need one?

 

[barkatozz]

Mine is built into my amps. With that said......I have it set at half way.

 

[0557]

I use the punch factory. It doesn't color the tone and works in a similar way like the distressor. Its an optical compressor. great punch and simple to use. and can be used as a DI, wet or dry. Its in line before my avalon, thru in-ear monitors, that is all I use in my situation. paid $129 at G. the only complaint is the input /output jacks are plastic and I would recomend mounting it to a pedal board.

 

[bassmonkey]

I've never used any effects whatsoever and am totally clueless about them. Could someone tell me what a compressor does. how it alters the sound and in what situations it would be used.

 

[Mobay45]

Mine is built into my amps. With that said......I have it set at half way.

+1

 

[prickly_pete]

http://sound.westhost.com/project45.htm

 

[Randracula]

I use the punch factory. It doesn't color the tone and works in a similar way like the distressor. Its an optical compressor. great punch and simple to use. and can be used as a DI, wet or dry. Its in line before my avalon, thru in-ear monitors, that is all I use in my situation. paid $129 at G. the only complaint is the input /output jacks are plastic and I would recomend mounting it to a pedal board.

Do you happen to have any soundclips of the Punch Factory?

 

[SteveB]

See my post in this thread .

 

[Randracula]

See my post in this thread .

I've tried a couple of different compressors in my live rig before but I always seemed to like my sound better without it.What i'm wondering is if I just haven't tried a " good" compressor yet.I'm not not talking about high end studio compressors though,just $200 and under stombox compressors.None of the compressors i've tried have been Optical compressors either thus my curiousity with the Aphex Punch Factory and possibly the BBE OptoStomp.

 

[SteveB]

Randy,

In the end, all the compressor is doing is narrowing your dynamic range. If you aren't having a problem with the way your rig sounds now, I wouldn't bother with one. I bought a Boss stompbox compressor for my pedalboard and I never use it because I feel like I'm fighting it when it's on.

I have a rackmount Behringer Multicom Pro XL for my home studio. It works great to compress vocals and bass guitar. It's got 4 independent compressors on board in one unit. I'm pretty happy with the way that one works in the studio setting.

 

[Lazybite]

Seriously I think you have answered your own question... if it sounds good with out it don't use it.... leave that to the deskman...and compression is one of those things you really need to be clever with (ie really know the ins and outs) because if you do it wrong you will get that sucking or pulsating sound... it also a good way to quickly muddy up a mix.... I would avoid cheap compressions as well... they are fine for demo work......but they can make real dent's in tonal quality

 

[Psycho Ward]

I've got several compressors and they do wonders on my non-EBMM basses. But on the SR4 and SR5 the suck the life out of them, I much prefer the Balls straight. But I'm not getting recording gigs on bass, I'm still too much of a student on bass, and it seems like compression is really valuable in the studio.

I do like some compression when trying to slap, but I'm far, far away from being a slap monster.

 

[Dr. Nick]

...I do like some compression when trying to slap, but I'm far, far away from being a slap monster.

+1

 

[AnthonyD]

Mine is built into my amps. With that said......I have it set at half way.

+2

 

[Psychicpet]

Heya Randy,
like much of what has already been said, if it's sounding good then I'd let it be. I've had soundmen ask me if I have a compressor in my signal chain due to eveness but I have EBMM basses and a great teacher to thank for that BUT I also did a gig a while ago sharing with another band and their bassist used my rig and when he saw there wasn't a compressor in my rig he just went "hmm, no compressor?...hmm." and he's a big time Nashville guy so i guess in Music City they like it squarshed
but if you're using it right compression can be a silent but deadly tone acomplice and really give you a nice signal to send to FOH. Also look out for the old dbx single slider half-rack compressor boxes, they're amazing!(and simple to use)

 

[Randracula]

Heya Randy,
like much of what has already been said, if it's sounding good then I'd let it be. I've had soundmen ask me if I have a compressor in my signal chain due to eveness but I have EBMM basses and a great teacher to thank for that -

I had a similar thing happen yesterday on a recording session.I went direct with an MXR-M80 D.I. and my SR5. After my take was done,the engineer commented on how even it was.We listened back to it with the bass soloed and then with everything else and he said that he probably wouldn't even put any compression on it cause it already sounded great.Anyways, I've heard that an optical compressor can also add a little tube like warmth to your sound.This is one of the reasons I was considering trying a compressor again along with protecting my speakers.I'm definitely not interested in any hard compression that would take away my dynamics but if I can find one that will enhance my amplified tone while still letting my SR4/5 's natural sound come through then i'm all for it. My curiousity will most likely get the best of me

 

[strummer]

I use an EBS multicomp w/ comp set at about 1/4, dual band mode (switch in "active"). My comp settings do not excuse bad right hand technique, but 1) keeps my preamp from overloading when i do B string fist whackings, and 2) makes the occasional pop sound just a little more there.

 

[Randracula]

OK, GAS got the best of me and I got the Punch Factory. I'm very happy with this thing.It's very transparent and adds some fatness to my rig without messing up the great tone of my EBMM basses.I highly recommend it for anyone looking for a compressor for their bass/guitar rigs.

 

[SteveB]

OK, GAS got the best of me and I got the Punch Factory.

gear whore!

 

[Randracula]

gear whore!

I MUST HAVE THEM ALL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!