Compressor Pedals.

[Cosmia]

Anyone got any favourites?

I'm looking at a dbx brand one, if only because that's what Kim Deal uses.

[edgebass5]

I've yet to find a compressor in a pedal format that really excites me. All of my favorites are rack compressors. The Rane DC-24 is AMAZING. The RNC is quite good. The DBX 166XL was great. If you're into the BBE thing, the BBE MaxComp is basically a DBX compressor with BBE circuitry thrown on the front end.

[:amaze:]

i have a 89$ boss one, it works for me, but nothing special.




:amaze:

[NoOsH]

would someone please explain to me in dumbed down terms what exactly a comp does?
im yet to understand the concept

[Joelbassman]

I'm no expert, but basically, when you aren't plugged into an amp, your 'dynamic range'(how quiet a note can be to how loud it can be) is say _______ this big. When you plug into amp it increases quite a lot to say _____________________ this big. A compressor decreases that range, essentially making the loud notes quieter, and the quiet notes louder. This gives a more even sound, and you don't get horrible peaks when you accidentally pluck an open string or something.

On my pedal it has two knobs, one for the Ratio of compression and one called 'Threshold'. Now correct me if I'm wrong, but the threshold knob is the level you set the maximum noise you want. Again, I may be wrong, and I'm not sure if this is on other pedals or rack compressors. Then the ratio is I think how much you wanted it compressed by. I.e. 1:2 or 3 or 4 or even infinity. I'm not too sure how that part works so I'll leave it up to someone else to go into further explanation.

I bought a cheap Behringer BLE100. Which compresses and has a 'Enhancer' featrures which just gives you a bassier tone. It's quite nice for the price(70NZD), and works fine for me. But I don't know how it compares to pricier models.

[edgebass5]

A compressor decreases that range, essentially making the loud notes quieter, and the quiet notes louder.
Close, but no cigar. All a compressor does is make notes quieter. The only thing that can make quiet notes louder is plucking harder or increasing the output from your amp.

On my pedal it has two knobs, one for the Ratio of compression and one called 'Threshold'. Now correct me if I'm wrong, but the threshold knob is the level you set the maximum noise you want. Again, I may be wrong, and I'm not sure if this is on other pedals or rack compressors. Then the ratio is I think how much you wanted it compressed by. I.e. 1:2 or 3 or 4 or even infinity. I'm not too sure how that part works so I'll leave it up to someone else to go into further explanation.
Threshold controls when the compression kicks in. You set the threshold for a specific level of input voltage. Anything below this level is unaffected. Anything above it gets compressed to the amount set by the ratio control. The ratio control is what determines how much compression is applied. A ratio of 2:1 means that anything that exceeds the threshold by 2dB will be compressed to 1dB above the threshold. Apply that convention for each ratio setting and you'll get an idea of what's going on. Infinity:1 means that ANYTHING that exceeds the threshold will be compressed to 1dB above the threshold.

[:amaze:]

Close, but no cigar. All a compressor does is make notes quieter. The only thing that can make quiet notes louder is plucking harder or increasing the output from your amp.


true, all compression does is make notes quiter, but many compression pedals have a built in level/volume control to set a "minimum" volume, if you will.




:amaze:

[edgebass5]

That level/volume (or something 'gain') control simply controls the output gain of the unit. It has nothing to do with controlling the output dynamic of the compressed signal. In other words, the output dynamic will by uniform regardless of how the output gain control is set.

[:amaze:]

but if you set the gain quite high, and then set the compression lower, it will create more of a "slot" of dynamics that you can achieve. i dont know how to really explain myself, but it makes sense to me :confused:




:amaze:

[Cosmia]

http://cgi.ebay.com/BASS-Guitar-pedal-lot-EQ-COMPRESSOR-CHORUS-TUNER-NEW_W0QQitemZ270269512865QQihZ017QQcategoryZ41415Q QssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

This looks like a good deal. What do you guys think?

[edgebass5]

but if you set the gain quite high, and then set the compression lower, it will create more of a "slot" of dynamics that you can achieve. i dont know how to really explain myself, but it makes sense to me :confused:




:amaze:

Well.... Maybe you're just not explaining it clearly, but it doesn't make any sense. The gain/level knob on a compressor isn't for anything but matching the input impedance of the next piece of equipment in the signal chain...

[Jimbobntnr]

Well.... Maybe you're just not explaining it clearly, but it doesn't make any sense. The gain/level knob on a compressor isn't for anything but matching the input impedance of the next piece of equipment in the signal chain...

are you thinking limiter?

[Joelbassman]

but if you set the gain quite high, and then set the compression lower, it will create more of a "slot" of dynamics that you can achieve. i dont know how to really explain myself, but it makes sense to me :confused:




:amaze:

I get you. I think:amaze:. And I think Edge is thinking of a limiter...But I dunno.

[naut]

Close, but no cigar. All a compressor does is make notes quieter. The only thing that can make quiet notes louder is plucking harder or increasing the output from your amp.

well, in reference to the most commonly used downward compression that'd be right. however there is such a thing as upward compression.

[Raayl]

well, in reference to the most commonly used downward compression that'd be right. however there is such a thing as upward compression.

i love how you speak as if you have any connection to music left what-so-ever.

don't listen to him, he's drunk and high and having pre-marital sexual intercourse with a walking hot topic ad.

[Jimbobntnr]

don't listen to him, he's drunk and high and having pre-marital sexual intercourse with a walking hot topic ad.

a couple good reasons to listen to him tbqh

[edgebass5]

are you thinking limiter?
Nope. A limiter is nothing but fixed ratio, high threshold compression.

well, in reference to the most commonly used downward compression that'd be right. however there is such a thing as upward compression.
Upward compression to my knowledge only exists in the digital world of post-production. It does exist, but in the context of what we're discussing it's irrelevant. When someone starts manufacturing an outboard unit that does both downward and upward compression, and doesn't induce a ton of noise into your signal (which I often find upward compression does in post production)... Well... Count me in :thumb:

[josh3184]

you realise the ts asked a question yes? :P

http://cgi.ebay.com/BASS-Guitar-pedal-lot-EQ-COMPRESSOR-CHORUS-TUNER-NEW_W0QQitemZ270269512865QQihZ017QQcategoryZ41415Q QssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

This looks like a good deal. What do you guys think?

I wouldn't go for no name brands tbh. As I'm sure many people will agree, you need to try out different pedals in a store if you can, as different compressors will sound slightly different. As a good guide for compressors, both pedal and rack versions, I'd look at this webpage:

http://www.ovnilab.com/index.shtml

[edgebass5]

you realise the ts asked a question yes? :P

Do you realize that I answered his question in my first post? :thumb:

[:amaze:]

Well.... Maybe you're just not explaining it clearly, but it doesn't make any sense. The gain/level knob on a compressor isn't for anything but matching the input impedance of the next piece of equipment in the signal chain...


if you turn the volume up very high, even the softest plucks will be quite loud.

if you turn the compression to a substantial amount, this will put a cap on at a certain level.

therefore, if you have both turned to the right settings, you will be able to have both a minimum and maximum volume.





:amaze:

[edgebass5]

If I'm hearing you correctly, what you're describing could be achieved by setting a low threshold and a high ratio independent of the gain/level output of the compressor, which again, is there to match the input impedance of the next device in the signal chain.

I'm not saying that it doesn't work, but it's tantamount to using the butt-end of a screwdriver to hammer in a nail. Why not use the right tool for the job? Set up the compressor to do it's job as it's designed, and still have the proper functionality of the gain/level control as well?

The only caveat I can see to this whole thing would be if the next device in your signal chain had a really high input impedance and you needed to set the gain/level control on the compressor very high anyway to maintain a decent signal to noise ratio.

[josh3184]

Do you realize that I answered his question in my first post? :thumb:

touche, but I was referring to the second question ;)

[:amaze:]

If I'm hearing you correctly, what you're describing could be achieved by setting a low threshold and a high ratio independent of the gain/level output of the compressor, which again, is there to match the input impedance of the next device in the signal chain.

I'm not saying that it doesn't work, but it's tantamount to using the butt-end of a screwdriver to hammer in a nail. Why not use the right tool for the job? Set up the compressor to do it's job as it's designed, and still have the proper functionality of the gain/level control as well?

The only caveat I can see to this whole thing would be if the next device in your signal chain had a really high input impedance and you needed to set the gain/level control on the compressor very high anyway to maintain a decent signal to noise ratio.

i agree, that might not be what it's meant for, but it can effectively achieve it.

it works for me in my effects chain, and i don't even have a nice compressor....





:amaze:

[edgebass5]

it works for me in my effects chain, and i don't even have a nice compressor....

and that's the real issue. If it's working, then it's certainly not wrong. I'm still wondering if we're just misunderstanding each other. To me it sounds like you're trying to achieve a very narrow dynamic range. In other words you're trying to go for a VERY even, squashed, heavily compressed, etc. type tone. Is that correct or are we on two different wave lengths?

[Cosmia]

you realise the ts asked a question yes? :P



I wouldn't go for no name brands tbh. As I'm sure many people will agree, you need to try out different pedals in a store if you can, as different compressors will sound slightly different. As a good guide for compressors, both pedal and rack versions, I'd look at this webpage:

http://www.ovnilab.com/index.shtml

The only store close to me doesn't have any.

[chaosMK]

I like the ART Levelar tube compressor. You can find them used for like $25-30. I used mine to roll off the aggressive highs that result from my explosive slap style.

[NoOsH]

soo.. i dont mean at all to hijack this thread or anything, but i was thinking about compressors and wondering, if they are meant to keep your volume below a set level does that mean that i could use one at the end of my effects chain to balance out my effects in case a knob gets nudged and gets too loud, or just in case i dont have them all at a totally even level... this is my understanding i need someone who knows a little more to confirm this though

[edgebass5]

All a compressor does is reduce output dynamic. If your effects are creating too large of a dynamic, a compressor will reduce it. As far as helping with a knob getting nudged... It could potentially help, but as is the case with any piece of gear, don't expect it to make up for your own mistakes.

[:amaze:]

i have been told compressors work best at the beginning of an effects chain, true?




:amaze:

[edgebass5]

i have been told compressors work best at the beginning of an effects chain, true?




:amaze:

Absolutely false. In fact, that is the best way to add a bunch of excess noise into your signal chain.

A compressor reduces dynamics. Devices in your signal chain, more often than not, increase dynamics. The conflict that occurs because of this makes for one noisey rig. This is especially true when we're talking about EQ. If you try EQ a compressed signal you might as well just have an effect called "White Noise Hiss Box" :lol:

EDIT: One thing I'd like to clarify is that a compressor may have a more dramatic effect on the reduction of output dynamic if you put it earlier in the signal chain, but that potentially increased effect is not likely worth the awful signal to noise ratio that's created.

[:amaze:]

hm. so should i try it at/toward the end?




:amaze:

[edgebass5]

At the end will almost always be better from the standpoint of a less noisey signal.

[blizzard]

Another reason to put them at the end is that if you have effects like Envelope Filters in your chain they won't really work right.

[lemoley]

i use to use a BOSS CS-3 guitar pedal which worked fine but now im wanting something a little bit more resonant so im selling it

i would suggest you look into BOSS and Digitech, sure there not some high-end company but there built like tanks and for the money you anit going to get anything better