Compressor help

[la bam]

Hi all,

Im using a markbass evo 1 which has a built in compressor. However there is no info out there on how to set it.

Ive tried but it just seems to break up the sound straight away.

Its slightly digferent to a usual compressor (and the markbass compressore) in dials. This one has:

1. Fx dial on the amp itself (6oclock off 5oclock on full).

2. Setting 1 = ratio.

3. Setting 2 = attack.

4. Setting 3 = release.

There are no other settings.

Im after a compression sound to be transparent (ie so it doesnt change the sound), but just need to balance all the volume of my strings out (ie currently theres a difference between E and G).

Any help appreciated.

[la bam]

The main issues i have are:

1. I dont know what the fx level knob does?

2. The ratio can be set between 0 and 10 (bit doesnt say what measurement that is).

3. Attack settings are between 9.99ms and 100ms. (Ie no lower).

4. Release between 100ms and 1.50s.

Edited January 9, 2018 by la bam

[Kevsy71]

Hi la bam - I'm guessing that the fx level knob relates to 'make up gain'... regarding what that means, and also 'ratio' and how all settings interact, best to read 51m0n's excellent blog on compression which is archived here:

http://web.archive.org/web/20130215154741/http://blog.basschat.co.uk/setting-up-a-compressor/

Also worth reading this thread discussing compression when playing live:

https://www.basschat.co.uk/topic/316618-live-bands-compress-bass-since-when/

Hope that helps!

 

 

 

[elephantgrey]

I would actually guess that the FX knob is threshold not makeup gain.

 

Here's some more reading on how/why to compressor (and the obligatory ovnilab link): http://www.ovnilab.com/faq.shtml

[Kevsy71]

2 hours ago, elephantgrey said:

I would actually guess that the FX knob is threshold not makeup gain.

Yes, could well be! The manual is not very clear on that point:

"9) FX 1 LEVEL Controls the level of the effect of channel 1." 

...which for the case of the compressor coud be taken as meaning threshold, makeup gain, or blend with dry signal 

 

 

[la bam]

Thanks everyone. Much appreciated.

Yes, the manual is useless!

The effect seems to break up the sound within a mm of turning on. Ie push it to 7 oclock and its already really compressed.

I'll keep experimenting.

[Kevsy71]

1 hour ago, la bam said:

 

The effect seems to break up the sound within a mm of turning on. Ie push it to 7 oclock and its already really compressed.

 

Raising the input level has the same effect as lowering the threshold - so it seems like the signal level could be being raised by the FX level dial, and hence triggering compression at a lower threshold than you want. You could try lowering the gain earler on in the channel chain, and/or reducing the ratio, to reduce the compression.

[la bam]

nearly sussed this now!

managed to get a sound that is transparent. the compressor now isnt really 'sound' noticeable, ie little squash, but it really kicks in early. literally 7 oclock and its really on. it does do a great job when loud, really controls the volume without squashing when hit hard, and seems to really balance the strings.

desperate to try it loud now!

the only last thing to sort is that turning the fx knob up now really boosts the volume!

 

thanks for the help.

Edited January 11, 2018 by la bam

[Painy]

On 11/01/2018 at 19:05, la bam said:

the only last thing to sort is that turning the fx knob up now really boosts the volume!

Sounds like the fx knob is possibly controlling the level of the signal going into the compressor over a fixed threshold then so the more signal you put in over that threshold the more compression will be applied.