Bass Compression

[Papabull]

Hi all, I'd really like your opinion(s) on this question.

Where is the best place to put my compressor on my pedal board Pre  (ie before all pedals) (Pre amp/Distortiion/Fuzz/ Chorus / Octaver?) or at the very end?

 

Does it make a difference.

As an aside (for info) I've not used compression before but hopefully getting one this week.

Id be very grateful for your thoughts.

 

Best wishes

 

Paul h

 

[cheddatom]

There's loads of information on this in the Effects sub forum, but yes it makes a difference where in the chain you put it. You might be using the compressor to add punch, or you might be using it to even out dynamics, which are very different applications. The best position in your effects chain depends on what you're using the compressor for. 

[itu]

Some want to tame tiny technical errors in their playing (volume based, not wrong notes). This may also help some fx like octavers when in front of the unit. 

 

If you want to use all of the potential available of the fx you have, I would put the comp to the end of the chain. Then your playing affects effects (?) before you compress the result. Think about an envelope filter that squeaks after dynamic changes in your playing. 

 

I suggest you to try it right after the bass, after an OD/dist/fuzz, and after the fx chain. Turn knobs bravely to get an idea of how a comp really works. It can be an effect or a peak tamer. 

 

Many want the comp to cut the peaks (less peak volume), but also to push more vol to the sustain phase of the note (you know ADSR?). That way the volume sounds louder than it actually would be without a comp. Do trials and read more about compression from Sound On Sound articles. 

[Terry M.]

46 minutes ago, Papabull said:

Hi all, I'd really like your opinion(s) on this question.

Where is the best place to put my compressor on my pedal board Pre  (ie before all pedals) (Pre amp/Distortiion/Fuzz/ Chorus / Octaver?) or at the very end?

 

Does it make a difference.

As an aside (for info) I've not used compression before but hopefully getting one this week.

Id be very grateful for your thoughts.

 

Best wishes

 

Paul h

 

I'll tag along along for the ride in the hope I might learn something. I've also never used compression. Why do you feel you need one of curiosity?

[Papabull]

Really trying to finesse the sound that I produce to be able to reproduce a smooth and consistent output.

 

[dave_bass5]

Best place to put it IMO is in a cupboard somewhere and get on with life 😂

[neepheid]

I have no idea if what I'm doing is correct, but I have mine after things which need to detect notes/work on dynamics (tuner, detuner, pitch shifter, synth/envelope) but before my OD/EQ.

 

Works for me, your mileage may vary.

[Papabull]

That's very useful, thanks so much!🤨

[cheddatom]

if you're using it as a limiter (smoothing out peaks) and you place it between your bass and your distortion, then the distortion will not react to your playing dynamics as much. It won't get dirtier when you dig in harder, because the limiter will tame that. For that reason, I would like a limiting compressor to be after distortion in the chain.

[Papabull]

Thanks for your considered opinion (Cheddatom) that makes absolute sense to me. I really appreciate your thoughts. Cheers Paul h

Quote

 

 

Edited 7 hours ago by Papabull

[Terry M.]

10 minutes ago, Papabull said:

Really trying to finesse the sound that I produce to be able to reproduce a smooth and consistent output.

 

How long have you been playing bass? Again I'm just curious as there's no right or wrong answer. I've seen a few raised eyebrows whenever it's mentioned I've never used one 

[Papabull]

I didn't realise all bassists use compressors.

I've known quite a few professional players who kind of frown on their use saying it limits their dynamic range and musicality. Also that an excellent technique means that a compressor can become redundant. 

I suppose though that if one owns a compressor one could use it discreetly depending on the style of music being played. 

 

In answer to your question, " how ling have you been playing bass?" the answer must be 'Not long enough to know everything"

I guess the reason these forums can be useful is that its possible to get helpful answers from musicians who have some knowledge on a particular subject.

How long have you been a musician? 🤪

[Terry M.]

10 minutes ago, Papabull said:

I didn't realise all bassists use compressors.

I've known quite a few professional players who kind of frown on their use saying it limits their dynamic range and musicality. Also that an excellent technique means that a compressor can become redundant. 

I suppose though that if one owns a compressor one could use it discreetly depending on the style of music being played. 

 

In answer to your question, " how ling have you been playing bass?" the answer must be 'Not long enough to know everything"

I guess the reason these forums can be useful is that its possible to get helpful answers from musicians who have some knowledge on a particular subject.

How long have you been a musician? 🤪

Been playing bass since 2008 so not sure if I'm qualified to be called a musician yet 😅

[Dad3353]

10 minutes ago, Papabull said:

I didn't realise all bassists use compressors...

 

Not all bassists use compressors. As with many other things, there are solutions to one's problems; it's only useful if you have a problem that it can resolve. Do you play at home, in studios, 'live' at gigs in pubs or theatres..? What amp set-up and other Fx (if any...) do you use..? Answers to these will help, maybe, get an idea of how to advise. Hope this helps. 

[Terry M.]

18 minutes ago, Papabull said:

 

In answer to your question, " how ling have you been playing bass?" the answer must be 'Not long enough to know everything"

So all of us basically 🤭

[Papabull]

33 minutes ago, Dad3353 said:

 

Not all bassists use compressors. As with many other things, there are solutions to one's problems; it's only useful if you have a problem that it can resolve. Do you play at home, in studios, 'live' at gigs in pubs or theatres..? What amp set-up and other Fx (if any...) do you use..? Answers to these will help, maybe, get an idea of how to advise. Hope this helps. 

HI, I compose and record at home. I've played in my own 16 piece contemporary big band, theatre pit orchestras, A soul band and about to start playing in my own octet. I've experimented with assorted pedals but never really used them live. My pedal board at the moment that I'd like to start using comprises of a Boss Tuner, Dark glass Vintage Delux preamp, Darkglass Micro Tubes B7K Ultra, Darkglass Duality Fuzz, Boss CEB-3 Chorus and MXR Bass Octave deluxe (see attached photo). My Amp is a Genz Benz Streamliner 900 and my cabs are Bergantino 12 inch driver with horn (x2)IMG_2485.HEIC

 

Hope that helps.

Edited 6 hours ago by Papabull

[itu]

Those orange pictures cannot be seen here. Convert them to jpeg. 

[Dad3353]

19 minutes ago, itu said:

Those orange pictures cannot be seen here. Convert them to jpeg. 

 (For @Papabull...) ...

 

[MichaelDean]

I use a very mildly set one at the beginning of my signal chain on my GX-100 to provide a bit more note attack. You almost wouldn't know it was on until you turn it off. There are still plenty of dynamics to play with. After it I've got overdrive, fuzz, distortion, octaver, delay and reverb to play with.

 

I tried it in a few different places before settling on the beginning of the chain, but that was where I preferred it. Don't be afraid to play around and twist the knobs to the extremes to find the limits of what it can do. 

[MrDaveTheBass]

Hi @Papabull I must admit I smiled when I saw your thread title. It really is one of those how long is a piece of string topics, and is a very deep and dark rabbit hole to fall down. 

 

Personally, I didn't use compression for about 30 years, then came on here and decided that I should. I then spent a fortune on various boutique compressors before eschewing compression altogether. Currently though, my amp is an Orange LBT, which has a bloody great compressor built into it, so compression is now very much baked into my sound. I'd very much recommend having a look at https://ovnilab.com/faq.shtml as I found it an invaluable resource. Enjoy the journey and try not to bankrupt yourself! 🙂

[Lozz196]

No matter whether someone who knows how to set up a compressor or I (who doesn’t) put one in my signal chain to me it never sounds as good as when it isn’t there. But that’s live, in the studio it always makes it sound better in the mix.

[Papabull]

A massive thank you to all for your various contributions. It's very much appreciated.

CHEERS Paul h

[ezbass]

I didn’t use compression on my bass for years. However, I did a recording, where I sent the results to a friend of mine who ran a FoH company and produced the best live mixes I ever heard (not hyperbole). He is is also a recording artist. He liked what he heard of my recording, but suggested some subtle comp settings to enhance the sound. I tried them and was really surprised how much better the bass sat in the mix. That was it, I went and bought a compressor (an MXR M87) and it’s now my always on pedal. I put it at the end of the chain in order to use it like compression on a recording.

[Stub Mandrel]

There sre no right answers as it all depends on what you want to achieve. 

 

I suggest you try a compressor before and after your pedal board and see what happens.