what's the purpose of a compressor?

[jake5]

do i need a compressor?

i really don't know what they do to tell you the truth. i had a little half rack sized dbx compressor back in the day when i gigged a ton...basically just got it in a trade and used it.

i know it's said that they add sustain, and that they sort of clean up/ even out your tone...any truth to that?

i play a hamer monaco superpro w/ wcr's--through rivera quiana--w/ large pedalboard w/ 3 od's, wah, envelope filter, octave, phaser, leslie sim, delay, chorus...anybody think i need one?

one of my fav guitarists is trey anastasio and he's known for using ross compressors...he does have crazy sustain.

i've got some scratch in the paypal...and wondering if i need a compressor?

thx,
jake

[realityczech]

They make you sound smoother than you really are.
Use sparingly or you'll be in a 12 step decompressor program in no time.

[apoyando]

They basically change your dynamic range..making the softer sounds louder..a limiter does the opposite..it limits the output level.....the effect is to even out your attack/decay when you play..can also make some distortions smoother, or noisier..you should try one chained with your other pedals if you can...it will bring up in volume any noise before it as well....

[NewarkWilder]

a really good compressor will add some meat and sustain to your tone, although people can definitely make an argument you lose some dynamics. some will go as far to say even that people use 'em to make up for a lack of talent. thats going way too far though... id say the majority of big time guitarists probably use a comp. some styles practically require it, country chickin' pickin' for one... I really like mine, not on all the time and when it is on its set relatively low but for me it just gives my tone some extra oomph. if you do get one though... don't go cheap. keeley, analogman, barber tone press (actually thats a great value one though some say it can reduce high frequencies)... are all solid choices. personally i'd reccomend the Mirage RAF--very high quality for a good price.

[jake5]

COOL. thanks guys.

[chriswuzhere]

IMO - I wouldn't play clean country without one... Other than that, I don't use it much...

[jake5]

so does a barber tone press for example add sustain?

[BMF Effects]

For 24 years I did get the whole compressor thing, then I played a script Dynacomp and the light bulb lit up. Now I find myself using it more often than not.

[jonlarsen002]

I've been struggling to see how a compressor fits into my rig as well. I have a Les Paul and I find it hard to find a good setting with my Tone Press.... maybe it's because I already have tons of sustain to start with. Or maybe I'm expecting more of the "compressor" squashed sound. I'm considering just getting a dynacomp, but there is a part where I theoretically like the parallel comp option... just haven't found a use for it yet with my rig. Playing around with different OD's, Delays, and Reverbs seems to be as much as I can handle for now.

[burningyen]

Originally Posted by jake5

so does a barber tone press for example add sustain?

Definitely. My advice is to just go to your local guitar shop and try a few compressors to get a sense of what they do.

[Zero]

If you don't have enough hiss or white noise coming out of your amp you definitely need one.

[Cuthbert]

The Barber does add sustain.