Delamitri79 Posted June 15, 2019 Share Posted June 15, 2019 Hey folks. I currently run bass into tuner into di into desk. Thinking of adding a compressor just to tighten levels. Whose using them and what ones Cheers Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ribbetingfrog Posted June 15, 2019 Share Posted June 15, 2019 I run through an amp into a desk. tried with and without compressors and like both! i can never decide which way to go. currently running without. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lozz196 Posted June 15, 2019 Share Posted June 15, 2019 If running a clean sound I’d say it’s got to be worth a go. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stu_g Posted June 15, 2019 Share Posted June 15, 2019 I used a boss cs2 for years swore by it but after I joined my latest band I found it a bit noisy so I just do without now but I did like the punch of a compressor. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
T-Bay Posted June 15, 2019 Share Posted June 15, 2019 Spectracomp - cheap, unobtrusive but gives that nice fatness 5 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fretmeister Posted June 15, 2019 Share Posted June 15, 2019 Yes. Keeley Pro. It made me sell my Cali76 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NancyJohnson Posted June 16, 2019 Share Posted June 16, 2019 I had an EH Black Finger. Everybody telling me how it would revolutionize my tone. Couldn't tell the difference to be honest. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ed_S Posted June 16, 2019 Share Posted June 16, 2019 I’m in the ‘yes’ camp - an EBS black label Multicomp on my main originals band pedalboard, a Boss BC-1X on my occasional covers project pedalboard, and a Markbass Compressore for recording in the studio. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
xgsjx Posted June 16, 2019 Share Posted June 16, 2019 I use one when recording, but not live. If you're looking at getting a compressor, try & get one with a meter, it makes life sooo much easier. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Johnny Wishbone Posted June 16, 2019 Share Posted June 16, 2019 Yes, TC Spectracomp. Tremendous. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jean-Luc Pickguard Posted June 16, 2019 Share Posted June 16, 2019 I've tried a lot of compressors. My favourite is the TC spectracomp, which along with my tech 21 VTbass and thumpinator is an 'always on' pedal on my board. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jus Lukin Posted June 16, 2019 Share Posted June 16, 2019 (edited) - Edited March 3, 2022 by Jus Lukin Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
itu Posted June 16, 2019 Share Posted June 16, 2019 (edited) Most of the people have tried one or three compressors and may be able to tweak that one a bit. This guy has tried a few: http://www.ovnilab.com/ There are very good pages (like S.O.S. = Sound On Sound) that have (more or less) simple descriptions how a compressor works and how the settings affect sound. Take a look and learn about attack, hard knee and other details. https://www.soundonsound.com/techniques/classic-compressors https://www.soundonsound.com/techniques/compression-made-easy See that short note on Max bass and if in need, search after other articles. Hope this helps. Edited June 16, 2019 by itu missing link 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
steve-bbb Posted June 16, 2019 Share Posted June 16, 2019 Boss LMB3 if travelling light otherwise a dbx160a lives permanently in the rack case with the head - FOH guys always love it if you set it up fairly subtle it is quite transparent but stops any unwanted booming surprises making their way to the desk Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bassalarky Posted June 16, 2019 Share Posted June 16, 2019 Another vote for the TC Spectracomp. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mykesbass Posted June 16, 2019 Share Posted June 16, 2019 There's a really authoritative thread from way back by @51m0n on here somewhere. Hopefully he'll know where it's hidden all these years later! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tauzero Posted June 16, 2019 Share Posted June 16, 2019 I think it was his "Compression 101" post - https://www.basschat.co.uk/topic/30431-is-a-compressor-of-any-real-value-in-fast-rock-music/page/3/?tab=comments#comment-1148269 1 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kevin_lindsay Posted June 16, 2019 Share Posted June 16, 2019 (edited) I've got a TC Electronic RH750 head which has the built in Spectracomp compressor. It's a handy tool to rein in unwieldy bass sounds (P-Basses immediately spring to mind). However, for the past while I've been using my hand painted edition of the JHS Pulp 'n Peel v4. It also works as a DI unit to feed the front of house. Edited June 16, 2019 by kevin_lindsay Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
neilp Posted June 16, 2019 Share Posted June 16, 2019 I've just acquired an Ashdown ABM500, which has a built in one-knob compressor. I'm still playing with gain levels and compressor settings, but I have to say I'm pleasantly surprised how much variety in compression attack and ratio you can get. So at the moment, it's yes, but the built in Ashdown, the Boss and TC that I had on my board are in the cupboard..... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mykesbass Posted June 16, 2019 Share Posted June 16, 2019 37 minutes ago, tauzero said: I think it was his "Compression 101" post - https://www.basschat.co.uk/topic/30431-is-a-compressor-of-any-real-value-in-fast-rock-music/page/3/?tab=comments#comment-1148269 Thank you - well remembered! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bolo Posted June 17, 2019 Share Posted June 17, 2019 On 15/06/2019 at 21:43, Delamitri79 said: Hey folks. I currently run bass into tuner into di into desk. Thinking of adding a compressor just to tighten levels. Whose using them and what ones Cheers If you're going straight to desk odds are they will have compression running on your signal already. If you want more texture or whatever your first chat should be with the sound guy/gal I think. I use a Cali76 compact. Used a MXR basscomp for years but decided it was too clean. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
51m0n Posted June 17, 2019 Share Posted June 17, 2019 Infamy infamy, they've all got it in for me... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HazBeen Posted June 17, 2019 Share Posted June 17, 2019 (edited) Another Keely Compressor Pro/Bassist or GC2 supporter. Also the Markbass Compressore is very good. Did not like the Spectracomp at all, to offer some balance against some of the above. Point is I guess that compressor preference is very personal. I generally like DBX160 based compressors (the Keeley's are), others like Urei based pedals, others like Multiband compression. Edited June 17, 2019 by HazBeen 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
uk_lefty Posted June 17, 2019 Share Posted June 17, 2019 I have tried the boss limiter enhancer, line 6 constrictor and Ashdown amp onboard comp. The line 6 was more of a guitar pedal but it has three settings that are very easy to use and some knobs to tweak, quite cheap second hand. The Boss unit I preferred to use on "enhance" for my fretless. The Ashdown amp compressor I was leaving on most of the time of I had no compressor pedal and couldn't really tell you what it was doing but it certainly wasn't making anything sound bad. I've now got quite a sophisticated Boss multi FX with loads of different compressor models so will be playing around with that when I get time to create my own patches. Overall I'd say use one for live or recording to add presence, but that's just me with my kit and my playing. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NHM Posted June 17, 2019 Share Posted June 17, 2019 some gigs I play through a Keeley Bassist - on other occasions just direct to the amp. It's how I feel on the day as to what sound I want. I like it 'on' but I like It 'off' just as much if not more, as 'off' is more versatile. It's the only pedal I use, the rest have been ditched as redundant; I'm tempted to move it on but I haven't quite got there yet. The Keeley does the job very well and adds a very musical/complementary sound if that's what you want. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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