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Compressor with different controls for each frequency range
- Thread starter Nsoderstrom
- Start date
Funny you mention parallel (i.e. compressor with dry blend). Back when I was rack rigging, my favorite compressor was the Rane DC-24 dual-band: great transparency whether I was playing softly, digging in fingerstyle, or slapping. However none of the other rack comps I'd used (dbx, Ashly, Symetrix) had the parallel feature.
When I switched from rack rigs to pedals-plus-amp a decade ago, I did my research and chose the Empress Compressor. In short it was the pedal comp I was looking for, in large part because of the Mix control, which was a mix of wet and dry (parallel). Because it was so effective I didn't bother to investigate dual-band pedal comps. I've never tried the "New York" style of parallel (adding an EQ), mainly because I'm a K.I.S.S. guy and get good enough results without it. But I can see how NY style could make a good thing better.
To the OP: I am definitely NOT saying parallel is better than multi-band, but depending on your goals it could be what you are looking for, and for me parallel is more intuitive to operate.
/not-completely-off-topic
Some good suggestions here. For what the OP says they are looking for, I would recommend these three though there are differences and nuances to consider with each:
1. SA Atlas: Testing Compressors: Cali, Smoothie, Empress, Diamond, Keeley, FEA, Darkglass, Doc Lloyd, JHS & more
2. Becos Twain: Testing Compressors: Cali, Smoothie, Empress, Diamond, Keeley, FEA, Darkglass, Doc Lloyd, JHS & more
Runner up, the FEA DB-CL (which is not readily available): Testing Compressors: Cali, Smoothie, Empress, Diamond, Keeley, FEA, Darkglass, Doc Lloyd, JHS & more
I would stay away from the TC Electronics Spectracomp. Not in the same league as the above devices. It is noisy, unreliable, often introduces strange artifacts, and doesn't offer on pedal controls which is a real issue when trying to dial in a pedal friendly compressor with multi-band controls. Once you have a Spectracomp side-by-side one of the above devices the differences are obvious.
1. SA Atlas: Testing Compressors: Cali, Smoothie, Empress, Diamond, Keeley, FEA, Darkglass, Doc Lloyd, JHS & more
2. Becos Twain: Testing Compressors: Cali, Smoothie, Empress, Diamond, Keeley, FEA, Darkglass, Doc Lloyd, JHS & more
Runner up, the FEA DB-CL (which is not readily available): Testing Compressors: Cali, Smoothie, Empress, Diamond, Keeley, FEA, Darkglass, Doc Lloyd, JHS & more
I would stay away from the TC Electronics Spectracomp. Not in the same league as the above devices. It is noisy, unreliable, often introduces strange artifacts, and doesn't offer on pedal controls which is a real issue when trying to dial in a pedal friendly compressor with multi-band controls. Once you have a Spectracomp side-by-side one of the above devices the differences are obvious.
Wow I really appreciate it, I’m going to have to try check all of these out if I can, the Atlas in particular it seems. Definitely for live use.
Personally the filter control on the Cali76 for me turned out to be another way to solve the issue people tend to want a multi band comp for. Because the low end of the bass is the most dynamic aspect of the sound of bass guitar. So most compressors trigger based on the low frequencies. Multiband compression can solve that problem but the filter on the Cali also solves that and to me it’s a more user friendly way to go about it
Yes, the high pass filter. That is a feature available on many compressors such as the Becos Stella and Empress Bass Compressor. But quite dramatically different than multiband compression.
I've recently wondered how multi-band compression might enhance bi-amping (miss my GK gear).
The Atlas's default dual comp I think crosses over at 800 hz. I like how it allows blending of the two bands with a single knob.
The Atlas's default dual comp I think crosses over at 800 hz. I like how it allows blending of the two bands with a single knob.
I use a Darkglass X7 live/for rehearsal, and usually Reaper's stock MB compressor or the TDR Nova dynamic EQ sidechained to the kick in the studio.
While technically not multiband compression, I use the X7 to compress everything below ~200Hz, it helps to thicken up the low end and keep my dynamics in check (heavy fingerstyle death metal bassist here), while the top end is distorted for that clank and grind. Without compression my low end just sounds weak and anaemic, even if I boost the lows a few dB.
To the OP: There is a FEA DB-CL in the classifieds right now. They rarely come up so here’s your chance.
I'm torn assembling a tiny board:
Drybell Module 4 (Orange flavor) into Messenger DI (w/HPF & LPF)
Drybell rightly recommends the Module 4 first-in-line for feel, but from what I read above the compressor can benefit from the HPF up front.
A HPF in front of compressor can potentially make the compressor (re)act differently than how it does when it has a HPF in the side chain.