Compression

[BeowulfKingsley]

I'm sure an old much asked question...do you use compression units live, and how much? I've always just used my natural dynamics, and I'm pretty even really, but after 35 years I'm tempted to try to smooth things out a bit more. What moderate-priced stomp boxes do you use? I'm using a passive Jazz Bass into a Gk setup myself, no effects.

[jbird327]

I also have been playing bass for about 35 years and just purchased a T-Rex Squeezer compressor. I have used it live a few times but I always end up turning it off during the gig. I think at this point, I like my sound without one. It is a nice compressor with a lot of control and it sounds better on bass than the Keeley and Analogman which I also own (and use on guitar).

[mgood]

If the sound guy thinks I need compression and wants to add it at front of house, that's fine. But I don't want to hear it in my rig or in my monitor.

I end up fighting it. I play a little harder and a little harder and don't know why. Then I realize that all my strings are buzzing because I'm plucking the heck out of them. That's when I turn off the compressor. It squashes my dynamics. That's what it's designed to do.

I have a Carvin CG200 in my rack, but I bought it for recording. It's in my rack because I don't have anywhere else to put it. Since it's there, I do use it for slap sometimes, but I don't slap much.

[TedintheShed]

Originally Posted by BeowulfKingsley

I'm sure an old much asked question...do you use compression units live, and how much? I've always just used my natural dynamics, and I'm pretty even really, but after 35 years I'm tempted to try to smooth things out a bit more. What moderate-priced stomp boxes do you use? I'm using a passive Jazz Bass into a Gk setup myself, no effects.

I use a dBX 160X in my rack for speaker protection, and I keep it on always. It asn extremely transparent unit and does the job nicely.

[stratzrus]

Originally Posted by TedintheShed

I use a dBX 160X in my rack for speaker protection, and I keep it on always. It asn extremely transparent unit and does the job nicely.

I wondered about this.

I was considering geting a compressor despite some dynamic loss in order to protect my speakers.

I just picked up two SWR Triads and am concerned about blowing them since both of them were blown when I bought them.

Any other suggestions of a good transparent compressor?

stratzrus

[mgood]

Originally Posted by stratzrus

Any other suggestions of a good transparent compressor?

Being a Carvin nut, of course I suggest the Carvin CG200. It's worked great for me. It really is one of the better compressors in that price range.

Originally Posted by TedintheShed

I use a dBX 160X in my rack. . . .

I've always liked dbx products. If I were looking for a comp other than the Carvin, and didn't want to break the bank on a really high-end compressor, I'd go with the 166XL. Honestly, I wouldn't give much thought ot anything else. And if I were looking for a really top-notch compressor, dbx (one of their more expensive models) would be on my short list of manufacturers to chose from.

[fizzogy]

for a $100 pedal it does the job nicely. I don't use much compression either and also prefer to rely on using "natural" volume control for dynamics, but for a smoother tone and when some added sustain is desired, adjusting one "soft knee" knob does the trick (easily controlled with a foot too).

St

[The Golden Boy]

Originally Posted by BeowulfKingsley

do you use compression units live

No.

It messes with my own sense of dynamics.