question about compressor for mm

[vovkinson]

Hi guys!

I'm looking for a good compressor for my Sterling MM.
Are there some rack compressors with appropriate characteristics?
I don’t feel like using any pedal with 9 volt power supply, sometimes it’s not enough of voltage to support electronic device for the signal processing with minimum distortion factor, especially for active outputs like MM .
Somebody told me that DBX is kind of a good stuff, but never tried them…
Any suggestions?

 

[Mobay45]

I used to have a dbx half rack space compressor/limiter that worked well back when I had a GK 400RB. I sold it when I got the Hartke 3500 since it has built in compression. Both seem to do the job though.

 

[jubjub721]

i would have suggested the punch compresser pedal
it is sposed to be liek the top line pedal compresser
to bad u want a rack mount

 

[vovkinson]

jubjub721

Have you used any particular kind of those pedals?
If you have, what kind? DigiTech, Boss, MXR etc...

Thanks

Vlad.

 

[midopa]

I have a DigiTech Bass Squeeze compressor and here's my take on it: It sucks. The darn thing broke down a week after I had it. No abusing and no loud input signals, just tender love and care. Then the thing decides to dump me for Grim Reaper. That guy has ruined my relationship with lots of gear I've used.

On second thought, maybe it's because I'm loving my gear too much to abuse them. The Hartke Kickback 15 I used at church broke down and I never pushed it to the limits. Maybe I have to start spankin' my gear now. Bwahaha

 

[giddy4geddy]

I've got an Alesis compressor/limiter in my rack that seems to work real well, and it didn't break the bank when I bought it ($99). Takes up a full rack space. It's not only good for bass but anything you would want to run through it. I do some recording with it and have used it with vocals, acoustic guitars, even a drum machine. You can find it in the Musician's Friend catalog.

 

[fifthorange]

i might be going off topic but does anyone have the sansamp bass driver of the mxr? i would really like some input.

 

[Psychicpet]

Hi Vovkinson, what are you using your compressor for? Is it specifically to use when slapping or just to have a part of your signal chain? dbx is a really good name to go with. BUT if it's just to "even out" your sound, just try to be patient and work out your right and left hands a bit more. A couple of friends of mine who are monster players have really gone with out compressors with the whole thought that it takes away from the original tone and they can get some really good control with their hands...... I always get guys flickin' on the compressor on me when ever I've done little project recordings though so hey, why not go with the dbx!

 

[Rhys]

While we're on the topic of compression. Has any one used the Boss Bass limiter/enhancer?.
If so what do you reckon?

 

[jubjub721]

ok
Sombody asked my bout the pedal i was talking about. The particular one Iwas thinking off was the Aphex punch factory. i have never used it, but bass player says that it is one of the best pedals on the market. it also has a wet setting so that u can go from the pedal dierectly to a pa and such. but since u do have a rack mount u must not have a problem with ur amp.

 

[fifthorange]

the BOSS compression sustainer is pretty good, mind you, that is the only compression i have tried.

 

[vovkinson]

Hi Psychicpet!
Thanks for your advice... I just want my mm to sound at the same level whenever I'm slaping or fingerpicking...
My setup is low-action and there IS the difference between slaping and picking...
So I'm gonna need some stuff to bring it to the same level

Vlad.

 

[LeftyLB]

I was horrified when I plugged my Ray into my pedals for the first time.

I have been using the Boss Compression/Sustainer for years, but the minute the Ray went through it, it made the Ray sound terrible.

This is an interesting thread, because I have two problems to solve. To get a consistant level across all the strings and secondly to get a much more controlled sound when switching to slap from fingers mid-song.

I am hoping that when I finally upgrade my amp to the Hartke 3500, the problem of the slapping will be solved by kicking in the EQ whilst leaving the compression switched on all the time, but at a low level.

Liam

 

[Psychicpet]

Hi Psychicpet!
Thanks for your advice... I just want my mm to sound at the same level whenever I'm slaping or fingerpicking...
My setup is low-action and there IS the difference between slaping and picking...
So I'm gonna need some stuff to bring it to the same level

Vlad.

I hear ya, same issues with my own playing. But don't give up on trying to get a good slap tone/volume and finger tone/volume without having to use anything or change any settings, maybe not on gigs but at home while you're practicing. A buddy of mine who plays alot of modern Gospel music goes from slap to fingers to slap back to fingers in the same song quite a bit and he's the one who's completely gone off of effects and has really refined his right hand technique to even out the volume... I still don't have near that control
Happy hunting though for a compressor!

Peter

 

[midopa]

Hm... Slap in gospel, eh? I'm in my English Ministry's praise team and I have incorporated slap once in a while, but the praise leader tends to like slow, solemn, and hymn-like songs. Not much opportunity to slap there, eh?

Anyway, can you provide some recordings or so? The only time I actually play bass as a performance is during church praise. I practice tons of different things at home but never really get to implement them. I'm wondering how your friend's playing may sound in the context of gospel.

I'm also affected by the volume difference of slap and finger. Slapping just creates a significant more amount of volume. What I have tried recently, since my darn DigiTech compressor is broken, is to lightly slap when coupling the style with finger. It's harder to do, since my technique has been to essentially hammer on the strings in building speed and accuracy. But, practice makes perfect and maybe it's an option you can try out before shelling out a buck or two for a pedal or rack.

 

[LeftyLB]

OK,

So there is definitely a school of thought that says that it is not a divine right to obtain all our sound needs from our equipment and that what we see as a failure in our bass is actually a failure in our hands!

Serious re-think on technique coming up then for me.

Volume down, fingers need to work harder and then slap will not sound so out of control. - This might hurt for a while.

Thanks

Liam

 

[Psychicpet]

Even though we're up here in Canada, he plays alot of "Southern Gospel" style. Some Worship Leaders/CDs to check out are anything by Fred Hammond, Rev. TD Jakes, etc.
Working on right/left hand dynamics is a great "Grail" quest of sorts too!
And yes, he's stripped down his rack from tons of gear to his Kinal (who he's endorsed by) into his Eden.

peter

 

[cgworkman]

Hm... Slap in gospel, eh? I'm in my English Ministry's praise team and I have incorporated slap once in a while, but the praise leader tends to like slow, solemn, and hymn-like songs. Not much opportunity to slap there, eh?

I play allot in church as well as local studios - Gospel music has evolved big time as far as bass players are concerned. I have my fair share of both slap and finger picking when doing Gospel music.

 

[cgworkman]

Some Worship Leaders/CDs to check out are anything by Fred Hammond,

peter

Definately... Fred Hammond is actually a bassist - and quite good also. The church groups I play with do allot of his stuff. Allot of people frown on Gospel music - but these days you'd be surprised at how complicated Gospel music is. Some of the hardest material I play is gospel..... I do studio work, so I'm lucky enough to be able to play a wide variety of styles - Gospel being some of the most complicated stuff there is!!

But I definately have plenty of chances to slap, etc. when doing gospel.

 

[Mobay45]

Man, you guys are really getting to me. I haven't ever had much need for slap bass, but when I do try you would probably compare it to a Hoover vacuum cleaner.

Any recommendations on a good teaching video for slap technique?