krispn

Well I got my hands on a comp and I'm enjoying playing with it. Had one gig withit and a second tonight. I'll let you know how it goes but so far I have to say it's been a good addition to my board! Thanks for the collective input! G

Like everyone else it depends on what you want your pedal board to do for you. Do you want a funk rig? A metal rig? Do you need 4 or 5 different 'tones' for a covers band? etc etc I've always got by with a tuner and a drive pedal. My previous rock band required that I had some fuzz for some tunes so I fooled about with some and they worked for the band but not really tones I'd use outside of that. They are currently for sale In saying that I'm not a huge fan of modulation effects but that's more to do with not really seeing the point of them in the stuff I play/style I play I'm currently playing in a folky/trad covers band and an originals band doing less heavy tunes. I wanted a board that allows me to sound as much 'the same' at various gigs as I can due to amp shares etc but also give me a good solid live sound. For me this means a tone pedal, something with a valve for warmth and some dirt. If I could find all of these qualities in one box that'd be great but I've currently found this to be a good combination! For the pub band I run: Valve comp > DI >FOH/amp so the house gets a warmed up, ever so slightly compressed bass signal. The originals gig it's: Bass > Tuner> Aguilar DB924 preamp > Loop A valve compressor > Loop B ODB-3 > amp The loop allows me to change between sounds without having to tap dance too much! I basically have the comp on all the time warming things ever so slightly. Currently trying to find an OD which adds just a little hair onto the sound as I don't need a crushing driven tone. The Db924 just adds a nice fullness as I normally bypass the amp eq and run into the power section. [attachment=108364:IMG_0499.jpg]

I was playing a gig at the weekend and the 'headline act' were naturally sound checking first. The bassist had tried his clean tone and then used his effect box when the sound guy asked: Soundguy Anything else that would affect your volume level? Bass player No but i'll need to change the amp settings for one song. I wanna take some treble and top end off. SG OKaaay... but you'd be better doing it on the bass? BP Oh OK! (pauses for about 5 seconds) Anyone know how I'd go about doing that? SG Erm see those knobs on your bass? At this point 4 people approached the stage. I'm not sure if was to help or just to get a little closer to a real life genius! The disappointing bit was even a few drummers knew what to do!

Andy got a scratch plate from me. Met in town, had a chat and deal done. Rumours of an Edinburgh bash ? Nice bloke and easy peasy transaction!

Ben is another top BC'er. We chatted about gear and discovered we've had similar tone journeys! We did a deal on a pedal and Ben had the good insight to bring it with him to work ahead of getting my payment so it was ready for immediate dispatch. Good luck with your gear Ben! How long until we're all back to using a p bass and a TE combo

Titus Pullo continue their live music campagin at Sneaky Pete's this Saturday playing along with Sabi, Echo Arcadia and another act who's name escapes me but I'll update as soon as I'm reminded. It's a Bainbridge gig! We're on about 9pm. As ever be good to say hello if any of you are in for the gig!

Oh and lad's your both welcome to swing by and try it out if you're interested in compressor's

Hey Mcnash I consider myself zinged! oh and one of my bands has now split up after a couple of years so my experimentation might have left me with an extra bass and no band to play it in Luke I'm sorted for now thanks and I think it will work nicely for what I have in mind. Just a little eveness and the slightest pinch of colour to the sound.

Sorted!

Hey Chris Anything specifically that stands out for you? In the tlc clip I posted the non compressed clip at about 10sec compared to the same bit compressed, along with the little added 'shimmer' is what stands out for me. It's hard to explain but to me a good comp will add that presence or added push without majorly affecting my tone. I play p basses mainly and would dig that little extra sparkle without using a pre amp to boost frequencies.

Thanks for that Pete.

Thanks for that but I meant to add I've read through that thread and the reviews of the pedals that interest me those being the Maxon, Rothwell, MXR M87, Aguilar and Markbass. Thanks for the suggestion I'll go check out some video reviews online

I've recently read through the post about essential effects and as I'm now in another new project I got to thinking about using a compressor! My pedal board is certainly more rock orientated and features: Pedal-train Mini Toadworks Roundabout A/B loop Loop A Boss ODB-3 Wren and Cuff Phat Phuk B (W&C) Loop B Fender Sublime fuzz (SL) which replaced the W&C pedal in the pic. As the SL is so huge it sits on the floor beside the pedalboard and also means I don't have to have the fuzz with me at every gig (it's not needed at every gog so that works out ok for me). This leaves space on the board where the comp would be, likely last in the chain after the dirt pedals and not connected to the A/B loop at all. I use the ODB and W&C in channel A of the loop pedal with channel B having a the SL. This allows me to get some 'natural overdrive' (ODB) and /or a bump/boost with the PPB - I use them together to fatten the drive or the PPB on its own to add a little extra during solo's or in some of our prog inspired mid-sections. Having them in a loop reduces the need for tap dancing on stage I might switch the ODB to something else but for now it stays. Loop B is a SL which recently replaced my Pickle Pie as it wasn't a sound that worked for me in this band (but a great pedal)! I'm currently in three bands: one which used the set up above, a pub band where my tuner and JDI are all I need and a new project which has got me thinking about using a compressor. I always aim to play in a way that suit's the part of the song, either harder or softer depending on the feel and vibe. I'm not a slap merchant but feel that some of the bass lines I'm playing in this newer band might sound good with a little bit of the old tighten up! The bass parts are varied - simple country type things, other's have a little more groove to them. In the rock band the dirt usually negated the need for comp but as this stuff is mostly all clean (so far) and some of the bass is a little more r'n'b/electronica inspired (although you'd never tell by listening to them) I thought it might work. I've been listening to some demo's online and like the TLC (specifically the Matt Novesky demo and how it add's a little bit of sheen to his P bass tone). Ultimately I think I'm after a compression which doesn't give huge squish but evens and 'sharpens' things ever so much. Have a listen as this is what I like. [url="http://www.aguilaramp.com/tlc_compressor_settings.htm"]http://www.aguilaram...or_settings.htm[/url] With that in mind I was thinking of just grabbing the TLC but I'd appreciate some views from you guys using compressors, especially if you have been through a couple and have similar requirements as I've mentioned. I've tried to outline what I like and how I'll be using it but just ask any other questions if I've not been clear. I've never used comp before so I'm a noob! Oh and I've read through the Mega Thread on TB and the onvilabs guides. The TLC does appear to be well thought of as does the Maxon. As ever thanks look forward to the candour! G