Compressors

saxonbass

saxonbass

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My Aphex compressor (the Punch Factory) has died on me! I don't feel inclined to replace it... if I do, it'll probably be with the EBS multi-comp - which seems a lot sturdier than the Aphex.

Just wondering what others thought about the use of stomp box compressors - for live work, and for rock playing (not splapping) - do you think it improves your tone? What about those of you who have a compressor built into your amp... do you tweak it up a bit, or ignore it!

I think it does thicken and improve the tone if used sparingly, but I'm turning into a bit of a "minimalist" with effects (maybe just another phase)
 
I used to play through a DBX cheap mini compressor and it did improve the sound of the bass, the live engineers were hppy to get the bass already compressed, as they didn't have to do much to make it sound good. I had a $500 Ibanez bass then, so it was appropriate. When I bought my current bass, Ken Smith BSR4, I've found that the mini DBX wasn't doing good anymore, it only made the bass sound worse, so I don't use a compressor in my chain before the power amp, only at the FOH or a good tube compressor in the studio. Anyway if you can afford a decent compressor (like DBX 160), I don't think it can do something bad to your sound. About stomp compressors, never found one that works like a real one, most of them sound like they're squashing too much (with fast attack times) or anything but enhancing the natural tone of the bass (that's what a compressor is supposed to do). But maybe other people here had better experience with stomp compressors, it's just my opinion.
 
I agree about the bass. My Thumb already seems to have a compressor built in ;)

I don't even find I need to compress much for recording, normally a little to the DI and nothing to the amp.

My Streamer S1 is a completely different beast, so I can't comment on that yet.
 
I've been debating the addition of a compressor for quite awhile and just can't convince myself to do it. In the studio it certainly makes sense (on the software side), but live? Being a humbucker player also adds to my thinking, but there's something to be said for having your pickup height well balanced and playing with a consistent tension. But maybe I'm kidding myself...
 
i dont really use it to improve my tone as such. i use it more to "focus" all the sound in a way to make myself more placeable in the mix which is a problem with cheap basses. not really had any experience of using compressors with good instruments

as for the pedel compressors ive personally not found one that i like but i've not tried an expensive one yet...im sure something like the ebs will be great (ebs are making that a bit of a habbit :wink: )
 
i use a dbx 160xt which is basically an older version of the 160a. i use it mainly as speaker protection, but i have found that it does tighten and fatten up the sound quite a bit.
 
johnson said:
i use a dbx 160xt which is basically an older version of the 160a. i use it mainly as speaker protection, but i have found that it does tighten and fatten up the sound quite a bit.
Click to expand...

i was just having a look at all the dbx stuff. just trying to work out exactly which model is which, when they were made etc, theres loads 160, 160x/xt/s/a lol

looks like quality stuff though, but relativly hard to find
 
odominguez said:
The 160 series is actually not a bad choice at all.
Click to expand...

i must convince myself that i have absolutly no need for one though at all.
 
yeah, IMHO the dbx 160a or xt are excellent sounding compressors for bass, if rack mount is your thing. i don't know if dbx even makes a pedal compressor? i wasn't in the market for a pedal compressor when i bought mine. i have seen a few 160a compressors come up from time to time on ebay, the seemed to be priced rather fairly. maybe try craigslist as well.
 
Thanks, guys... really useful stuff.

Reading the reviews of the EBS multi comp on the Harmony Central site, it does seem to me that it does a lot for cheaper basses, but less for expensive ones.

For live work, a rack mount may be a better bet, but I don't want to go there yet.... and basically, there's nothing wrong with my sound at the moment that needs "fixing". Maybe if someone wants to buy me an expensive present, I may go for the EBS... or a DBX. For now, I think I've saved a bit more money towards my CS dream bass!
 
I have an Aphex Punch Factory too.
I never use it with my Thumb, with in my opinion doesn't need any compression.

I use it with almost often my Precision, and sometimes with my Jazz.
 
i have heard good things about the Aphex Punch Factory as well.
 
My Punch Factory was very good... but it stopped working properly. Although it works OK most of the time, I couldn't trust it on a gig. I've had it about three years.
 
IMHO a compressor will never improve your sound. The question here is which one will ruin you sound less :-)
I use an old symetrix 501, I am very happy with that. DBX 160x is a very good choice. The trick is to use very little compression.
As octo said, I didn't neeed compression at all with my thumb NT, but used to cut a little when slapping. So, the gain reduction LED s are not lightin at all when normal playing.
EBS stompbox works good.
 
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