how would you use these basic comp pedals?

[Whit Townsend]

I own 3 comps but none specifically for bass. Until I can afford another one more specifically designed for bass, how would you use the ones I have?
My current comps:
Dyna Comp-the generic block logo everybody knows about
JHS Whitey Tidy-pretty much a Dyna Comp with a blend, to my ear anyway. More versatile/articulate than the Dyna Comp, but the Dyna has some nice boost/grit to it.
Diamond Optical Mini-3 knobs- comp, vol, and tone. This one is way more subtle and my fav for elec guitar to even out my fingerpicking.


Ive tried all three but I cant decide which is best, they all seem to have their strong and weak points. Amp is currently a simple little Hartke 1-15 combo w/bass/mid/treble,gain and vol, and I'm playing a standard 60s inspired passive rosewood Jazz bass. I prefer not to use a pick, but thats just me. Right now my board is pretty simple, tuner> comp>dirt(just a bit of hair)>eq(GE7), in that order. The GE7 is a lifesaver but Im still not happy with the comp(s). Drive is Boss BassOD or Catalinbread SFT, both seem to work about equally for what I need. Music is original pop/rock but the band is pretty loud. My main goal with the pedalboard is cutting thru the mix, adding a bit of drive, and evening out my dynamics. I tried just the amp, but I was getting lost in the mix so I put the little board together.

Questions:
1. Which comp would you pick and where would you put it?
2. Maybe use 2 comps? If so how would you do order them? On my pedal steel I found that I got a good sound and feel pairing the Diamond into the Dyna Comp. but afraid that might be overkill for bass?
3. recc for an affordable and good sound "Bass" compressor? Cant really justify springing for an Origin, if I spent that much it would be for the one designed for slide and Id use it on my steel, lol. Im looking at the MXR, or something similar at around that price range.... if that would improve things.

 

[GrowlerBox]

Compression is like distortion, in that the differences between various pedals can be pretty nuanced but still make you love one and hate another. The three you have are different enough from one another, I think, that you’re probably best served by spending some time with each one. As I’m sure you already know, compression provides a feel as much as a sound, which likely contributes a good deal to individual preferences.

The Whitey Tighty is based on an Orange Squeezer rather than a Dyna Comp. Most would find that OS-type compressors cut less of the low end than the DC-types, and the blend control is also very helpful both in this regard and for providing a sort of de facto attack/release control by giving you some of your dynamics back. The Diamond is popular for its pretty specific tonal flavour; I’ve not used one, but I understand the main difference between the bass and standard versions is the centre-frequency of the tilting tone control (there may be others I’m forgetting).

Running two compressors is not uncommon, if not the norm. It can be difficult to get it right; the second compressor has a multiplier rather merely additive effect, so it’s helpful if at least one of them allows for fairly extensive control of the various parameters.

I hope some of that is helpful.

 

[Whit Townsend]

Thank you, makes perfect sense.
I started out with the Diamond at rehearsal a couple of times, then switched to the DynaC last practice.
Despite the handy tone control on the Diamond I wasnt satisfied with the feel or sound. Funny because I love what it does on guitar.
The DC was difficult to dial in. At lower settings it kinda sucked low end, and then suddenly at a point on the dial the lows came back but was too squishy and I didn't really like "hearing" the heavy compression. Just couldn't find the happy place, but I liked how it felt to play.
Ive only tried the JHS at home briefly. I'll try it with the band next time.
If I'm still not satisfied then Ill proceed to experimenting with pairings before shelling out for another one. I've already overcame a OD/Dist addiction, so I hate to go further down the Comp rabbit hole if I can help it.

 

[GrowlerBox]

Try moderately high compression (or more) with a lot of blend on the JHS. It’ll help with “punch”, and let you keep everything else.

 

[40Hz]

Could you provide a little bit of detail on what you are looking to accomplish in terms of sound and feel by using a compressor? As @GrowlerBox pointed out earlier, compressors come in different flavors.

You can divide compressors into two broad categories. The first are the transparent compressors which basically provide compression without affecting your tone. The Keeley Bassist is a popular choice in that group. The second category is home to the ‘colorizing’ compressors which add some tonal flavoring in addition to compression. The Diamond compressor you already have falls into this group along with dozens of others.

Compressors also employ different electronic designs to accomplish their task. This can affect how they work and sound. There’s a good article here on the different types of compressors that’s well worth checking out if you’re new to it.

So the best way to start is by clarifying your goals. What are you looking to accomplish by adding a compressor to your signal chain? Do you even need one? What is your current sound lacking that you’re looking for compression to provide? Once you have a clear idea of what you’re after, finding a compressor that’ll work for you becomes considerably easier.

 

[brianrost]

I own 3 comps but none specifically for bass. Until I can afford another one more specifically designed for bass, how would you use the ones I have?

Let’s see, you already own three. Which one do you like best?

I would never use two compressors and always place the compressor first in the chain. If the compressor is not first, any level controls you have before it (including your EQ) will be fighting with it. When playing guitar where do you put it?

 

[GrowlerBox]

My responses were based on what I took to be pretty clearly stated goals in the OP — cutting through, a bit of drive (covered by another pedal), and evening out dynamcs. Pedal order is also given.

On that second point, I might add that some (?most) compressors don’t like a buffer in front of them, so, depending on your tuner, it may be better to switch them around, or ensure the tuner in true bypass mode if that’s relevant to your model.

 

[Snaxster]

1. Which comp would you pick and where would you put it?
2. Maybe use 2 comps? If so how would you do order them? On my pedal steel I found that I got a good sound and feel pairing the Diamond into the Dyna Comp. but afraid that might be overkill for bass?
3. recc for an affordable and good sound "Bass" compressor? Cant really justify springing for an Origin, if I spent that much it would be for the one designed for slide and Id use it on my steel, lol. Im looking at the MXR, or something similar at around that price range.... if that would improve things.

Hello.

1. None of those.
2. Nope. That would answer a question that you weren't actually asking.
3. There are any number of bass-specific or bass-capable compressor pedals you could get at that price point. The MXR Bass Compressor is one. Keeley Bassist is a popular one. As someone else said here, it will be down to which you like.

There's a reason that so much effort has been put into making bass-specific compressor pedals: A proper solution is impossible to fake and hard to luck out upon. Generally, the compressor has to be designed and made with bass in mind for it to be truly effective for a bassist.

As such, what worked for guitar historically, it proved to work poorly for bass, once everyone started to care enough about bass. You may remember "the bad old days" before the rise of bass-specific equipment of every kind, from MI amps to tuners to you name it.

This is a great time in history to be a bassist. Purpose built bass compressor pedals is one of the best examples of why.

 

[GrowlerBox]

There's a reason that so much effort has been put into making bass-specific compressor pedals: A proper solution is impossible to fake and hard to luck out upon. Generally, the compressor has to be designed and made with bass in mind for it to be truly effective for a bassist.

I think it’s fair to say that using a bass-specific compressor is a “safe” approach, but I’m not sure the generalisation holds up. Some compressors, like the OP’s Dyna-Comp, are notorious for squeezing bass frequencies out of existence, but many work equally well for bass and guitar, and some work differently but provide what may be desirable effects in certain situations, like the Orange Squeezer types, for example. Blend is definitely your friend in these circumstances.

 

[Whit Townsend]

Try moderately high compression (or more) with a lot of blend on the JHS. It’ll help with “punch”, and let you keep everything else.

Thank you! I You just saved me some bucks.
Tried the JHS yesterday at rehearsal and with the settings as you described it did the thing I was looking for well enough. I ran the comp knob about 2/3 to 3/4 full and the blend knob a bit past halfway and got a pretty decent sound and feel. Got the leveling effect of the compression without sounding overly squashed. I cut thru and sounded pretty natural. I dont usually play this style of music and have rarely used any compression on bass at all in the past so I was kinda in the dark.
My amp head has a comp circuit in it, but Im not using the head right now because my cab has a blown driver and I'm borrowing the leader's combo until I get that sorted out. Plus this gig is kind of an adventure/experiment that I don't really know how long will last. So having a pedal already that works pretty well for the task is preferable.
Again, thanks for sorting out the advice I needed despite my rambling inquiry.

 

[Whit Townsend]

..........
On that second point, I might add that some (?most) compressors don’t like a buffer in front of them, so, depending on your tuner, it may be better to switch them around, or ensure the tuner in true bypass mode if that’s relevant to your model.

I'm using an off brand little mini tuner in front thats true bypass, or at least claimed to be. Thanks for this knowledge as I was considering taking the trusty old Boss off the guitar board cause your know, $25 Chinese mini pedals aren't very "cool" or "professional", despite working just fine and taking up little space.

 

[Chris Chong]

I used compressor with reduction metering (empress compressor mk1, empress bass comp, origin effects FET compressor) which allowed me to visually see and then hear the amount of compression, it helped me to conclude that I favour a lower comp setting with normal playing, around -3 db.

Since you mention MXR, suggest buying a used MXR bass comp with metering, it's not expensive. The metering will assist you in setting the comp. For attack/release, I rmb the range is the same as a 1176, you can try using the same setting as Joe Barresi,