I've never used a compressor, where do I start?

FSGrind

FSGrind

Supporting Member
Nov 24, 2016
761
1,218
4,956
#1
Hi y'all,

I'm new to using compressors, I'm actually pretty new to playing bass. I've been playing for three years now, and someone that I play with is suggesting that I get a compressor. Our sound is sort of like The Cure, & because I kinda suck he said he will help keeping all of my notes the same volume & help them sustain.

Where do I start? What is the best compressor I can buy for around $200?
(If you want to sell me one you can probably convince me)

thank you!!!
 
  • Like
Reactions: CunniMingus
#4
Gothguy said:
Hi y'all,

I'm new to using compressors, I'm actually pretty new to playing bass. I've been playing for three years now, and someone that I play with is suggesting that I get a compressor. Our sound is sort of like The Cure, & because I kinda suck he said he will help keeping all of my notes the same volume & help them sustain.

Where do I start? What is the best compressor I can buy for around $200?
(If you want to sell me one you can probably convince me)

thank you!!!
Click to expand...

Compressors can do a lot of great things, but it's a cop out to try to use them to hide poor technique.

That said, to get a good idea of what they can and can't do you should record yourself and then run that audio through some different compression ratios.
 
  • Like
Reactions: soulstew, Rickter, stigbeve and 2 others
#6
lz4005 said:
That said, to get a good idea of what they can and can't do you should record yourself and then run that audio through some different compression ratios.
Click to expand...

That's a great suggestion! I like to use a free audio software called Audacity that has a full featured compressor. You can see visually how the different compressor settings (threshold, ratio, etc.) affect the waveform.

Compressor - Audacity Development Manual
 
  • Like
Reactions: Rickter, DrummerwStrings, Alik and 1 other person
#7
Yeah, ovnilab is a great place to start. But I know it’s daunting. Compression is one really tough one when you’re dipping your toes in to see what you want to check out or get. It’s not like you can just watch demos and get it. Even in pro demos it’s tough to tell what’s happening.

I still don’t know much about comp. but for me I started with cheap comps just to get a gist of what they do to your signal. Joyo makes a decent cheap comp. Behringer and Boss. I ended up just using the TC spectrecomp. It does some cool stuff, makes my tone shine a little while adding slight compression. But I’d love to try some of the big boy heavy hitters like FEA labs, orgin effects’ Cali, keeley, some of the newer Seymour Duncan ones. But that’s some investing. Hopefully one of these days.

But yeah, study up on ovnilab first. Great resource to start off.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Rickter
#9
Just spent an hour practicing.
It was interesting to play the chart down one time without compression and then with compression the 2nd time through.

Just got a Duncan Studio Bass and A/Bd with Opto-Stomp; the Duncan is nicer; then again it was $170 vs $50(used)
I have rack mount compressors but won't take rack cases to local gigs.
To the OP, Bongos compressor review lists the Opto-Stamp in high regard for cheap. I keep one at home and 1 at rehearsal. There are plenty of other cheap ones although, if I had to do it again, I would buy a really good used units that have a good resale

Often times I like the envelope and overall tone better with out compression when playing solo.

My same set up with the band and the slightly compressed bass just sits better in the mix.
Even the best technique can sound different (and many times dynamically sweeter) with a tiny bit of leveling; it's worth experimenting with.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Rickter, Zoobiedood and svtb15
#10
I've been playing for...decades without a compressor. At least on my board. Out at FOH, yeah. there's one there some of the time. If I bought one, I'd probably end up double compressed at times, as a lot of FOH guys won't do a bass channel without one. I'm perfectly OK with this. I send an uncompressed signal to FOH, and whatever happens there., happens.

You don't have to use (or even own) a compressor to be a good bass player. Of course, owning and or using one doesn't make you a bad player either. If someone suggests you should get one, it might mean you need to work on technique/consistency. Or it could be someone that just thinks everyone needs to have one for whatever reason.

Use your own judgement. Don't buy one unless and until you understand what you're using it for, so you can find a good one for your use 0 finding a compressor you like can be a very difficult task.. I've tried many times to find a compressor that'd improve my sound, and all I hear is...artifacts. For now, I've given up.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Rickter and Atshen
#12
I had the TC spectracomp and didn't really like it. Just different strokes for different folks
The TOnePrint editor didn't allow me to transfer TONES PRINTS to my phone library.
I think the TOnePrint is sort of a Novelty right now until they make integration between the TOnePrint Editor and TOne Print phone app more seamless

I had the Keeley BAssist and their Comp Pro.. Loved them Both. and i loved the way it worked with LIVE bass . It could go from a mild 2:1 to full bore squeeze and i guess hard limit too.

But my FAVE and has been for months is the Duncan Studio BAss. If you want massive squish. It Won't do that.

What i like about the Duncan is its ability to do parallel compression.
( Back in the day it was called (NY "New York" style Compression) all the studios in the North East called it that. I worked with Bob Rosa and the Lord Alge bros. and they used Parallel ALL the time.
PArallel compression allows you to add compression and add it to my Straight uncompressed sound by using the BLEND knob.
It's The best of both worlds. YOu can Blend your unaffected tone that allows your dynamics and attack remain, and then Blend in a more squished sound underneath adding sustain and girth to each note.

There are a few other brands that also have a BLEND knob and acts the same as the Duncan Studio BAss. I tend to stay with something if it works for me and not jump around.. So im real happy with the Duncan.. Its clean, its quiet without any artifacts that i can hear.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Jim C and lowplaces
#13
Atshen said:
The best way to have even-sounding notes is to practice to play them evenly. Don't mean to be a smarta$$, it's just the truth.

And sustain? You don't need no stinkin' sustain!
Click to expand...

I second this all around.

Are you playing fast? One of the biggest causes of playing too loud is thinking that you need to play hard to play fast (even if you don't notice it) -- you're actually faster by playing softer (at least for me finger style)

Go ahead and get one for playing with your friend and they are really handy for tapping and slap if you were ever interested in doing those. However, I would keep it turned off when you are practicing on your own so you can actually practice dynamics and controlling your attacks.

Don't think you need sustain, but if are still looking for it, make sure to stay clear of the Boss CS3. It's a compressor with sustain and not what you want (I personally hate it and don't know why I haven't just sold it)
 
  • Like
Reactions: lz4005 and Atshen
#14
I kind agree it’s best not to use a compressor as a crutch but if it helps make you sound better I guess go for it. As for compressor recommendations you can get lots for under 200. Something with a LED that shows you the pedal is compressing your signal might be good for a beginner to the effect. I always have my Markbass compressore on but don’t always have it doing much or any compression. The compressore is around 200 if memory serves and it’s amazing but probably more than you need to spend. Definitely consult the ovnilab website that was mentioned as it’s the ultimate guide to compressor and compression.
 
#15
IMG_0315.jpg
Whatever you get make sure you have a clear understanding of what all the knobs do.
When I first got the Markbass Compressore I made notes as I knew little about compressors.
 
  • Like
Reactions: LowActionHero
#16
Once you understand what compression does and how it works you can make a better choice. A good explanation for using compression is here from the Low End University site, courtesy of Gear Gods. Ovnilab has already been mentioned numerous times and is an incredible resource. In the end I ended up looking at the “greatest hits” list. I ended up going with the Seymour Duncan Studio Bass. Have been really happy with it. New they cost about $155. Can surely find one used for less, but they are still a bit rare used.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top Bottom
Back