COMPRESSORS

moondevil

Joined: Sep 10, 2006
Posts: 250
Lancaster, CA
6 Calendar Pins

Posted on Oct 03 2006 04:11 AM

When I play clean, some of my notes JUST don't hit it. I'm not looking for a "squishy" sound but then again I'm open for anything.
I've used the compressors in my digitech RP100 but it does nothing for me. Any ideas?

—

Dean(aka Moondevil)
deanmatherly.com

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neal

Joined: Mar 19, 2006
Posts: 33
nyc

Posted on Oct 03 2006 09:57 AM

i may be misunderstanding the question, but i think maybe this has to do with your action and how the strings hi tthe frets? maybe also if you have a lower power pickups?

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badash

Joined: Aug 18, 2006
Posts: 1732

Posted on Oct 03 2006 11:11 AM

Yeah, not sure what "don't hit it" means... Compressors always sound a little "clipped" to me. It would be an expensive solution, because you'd only use the lower end capabilites of it, but perhaps a treble booster turned WAY down low?

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WoodyJ

Joined: Apr 05, 2006
Posts: 1544
Bethlehem, GA
United States

Posted on Oct 03 2006 02:04 PM

Compression, like alcohol and wild women, is best if used in moderation.

My faves are the MXR Dyna Comp, which sounds great but is a bit noisy. The absolute BEST stomp box compressor I've found is the Demeter Compulator. It's pricey, but it is very transparent and is dead quiet. You get what you pay for.

—

Jack Booth
(aka WoodyJ)

The Mariners (1964-68, 1996-2005)
The Hula Hounds (1996-current)
The X-Rays (1997-2004)
The Surge! (2004, 2011-2012)
Various non-surf bands that actually made money (1978-1990)

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RobbieReverb

Joined: Feb 28, 2006
Posts: 2364
San Jose, Ca.
3 News Pins

Posted on Oct 03 2006 07:47 PM

WoodyJ
Compression, like alcohol and wild women, is best if used in moderation.

My faves are the MXR Dyna Comp, which sounds great but is a bit noisy. The absolute BEST stomp box compressor I've found is the Demeter Compulator. It's pricey, but it is very transparent and is dead quiet. You get what you pay for.

My favorite is the Keeley (Ross clone) compressor. It runs
about $200, but it is far and away the best I've ever heard.
It is very transparent and warm sounding. In the lower settings
it is extremely quiet and doesn't squash the tone. For a tiny
little stompbox the size of a Dynacomp, it approaches studio
compressor quality. Robert uses the finest quality components.
A nicer, more customer oriented guy, you will not find. It's not
cheap, but worth every penny. His mods are legendary, and
his Keeley line of effects are great.

Bob

—

Bob

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PhatTele

Joined: Jun 05, 2006
Posts: 445

Posted on Oct 05 2006 03:56 PM

So, is the idea that you're trying to get a nice smooth attack and smooth decay?

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RobbieReverb

Joined: Feb 28, 2006
Posts: 2364
San Jose, Ca.
3 News Pins

Posted on Oct 06 2006 01:03 AM

PhatTele
So, is the idea that you're trying to get a nice smooth attack and smooth decay?

This is my half-assed explanation of what compressors do.
A compressor expands the notes that you play too softly,
and compresses the notes you play too loudly, essentially
evening out all the notes. They add sustain, and in the
extreme settings can produce feedback (a good thing
sometimes). A lot of guys consider them "sustainers", but
they are much more than that. If you want to produce
dynamics, a compressor is not very useful, defeating the
extremes between the high and low volumes. Compres-
sors are not real commonly used in instrumental surf
music. On a Rickenbacker 12 string they sound marvelous,
producing that chime so commonly found on Beatles, Byrds,
REM, and Tom Petty records. They're used a lot in studios
for recording vocals. There's no way that I would use a
compressor extensively for surf, but they are a useful tool
to have in your tone arsenal.

Here's info on where to get info on the renouned Keeley
compressor:

Website: www.robertkeeley.com & www.rkfx.com
email: fx@rkfx.com

Bob S.

—

Bob

Last edited: Oct 06, 2006 19:13:11

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moondevil

Joined: Sep 10, 2006
Posts: 250
Lancaster, CA
6 Calendar Pins

Posted on Oct 06 2006 02:32 AM

While playing clean, my higher (e's and b's mostly) don't seem to cut through as well as my lower strings, I can turn up, but everything still seems out of balance. I play a standard strat and I don't think my p'ups are out of balance, but I could be wrong. I thought a comp would tighten up the sound.

—

Dean(aka Moondevil)
deanmatherly.com

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WR

Joined: Feb 27, 2006
Posts: 3832
netherlands
2 Link Pins

Posted on Oct 06 2006 03:37 AM

you can use compressors to either trim the initial attack of a note (often used on snare and bass to get consistent volume) to lift the decay of the note (to get more sustain), or to do both at once.

Ive never used a compressor -pedal for guitar (though Im fooling around with using it on a recorded track) but I have seen that some pedal compressors give you the option to set attack and some don't (fixed attack?) I'd advise to dig into what you want to do with it, and then decide whether you need an attack control and buy accordingly.

WR

—

Rules to live by #314:
"When in Italy, if the menu says something's grilled, don't assume it is."

https://www.facebook.com/The-Malbehavers-286429584796173/

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Brian

Joined: Feb 25, 2006
Posts: 19305
Des Moines, Iowa, USA
United States

Posted on Oct 06 2006 07:56 AM

moondevil
While playing clean, my higher (e's and b's mostly) don't seem to cut through as well as my lower strings, I can turn up, but everything still seems out of balance. I play a standard strat and I don't think my p'ups are out of balance, but I could be wrong. I thought a comp would tighten up the sound.

Might wanna try raising the high e and b side of your pickups closer to the strings, and maybe lowering the low e side a tad too.

Compressors for surf is a pretty bad idea, imho.

—

Site dude - S3 Agent #202
Need help with the site? SG101 FAQ - Send me a private message - Email me

"It starts... when it begins" -- Ralf Kilauea

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neal

Joined: Mar 19, 2006
Posts: 33
nyc

Posted on Oct 06 2006 10:35 AM

i think your strat should play good without the help of compressors playing through an amp. i dont know how expereinced you are with guitars (im really not). but i think something maybe be out of whack with your set up. maybe the string is hitting the neck down the line obstructing the sound. maybe your guitar isnt intonnated, or something worng with the nut?
i really dont know too much about it. i have my guitar set up by someone else.

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bigtikidude

Joined: Feb 27, 2006
Posts: 25600
Anaheim(So.Cal.)U.S.A.
United States

Posted on Oct 07 2006 12:15 PM

kinda off topic and I posted this in the recording area, but here is an article about too much compression on modern recordings.
Jeff(bigtikidude)

http://www.austin360.com/xl/content/music/stories/xl/2006/09/28cover.html

—

Jeff(bigtikidude)

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Dane_Brammage

Joined: Jun 14, 2006
Posts: 203
3 Contributor Pins

Posted on Oct 10 2006 12:18 PM

A clean sound is a lot more sensitive to setup problems than a distorted sound. When you play with distortion, you basically get compression for free. That can easily hide a string balance problem, so definitely check your pickup adjustment. Not only between the high and low strings on one pickup, but check all the pickups against each other.

Also check for buzzes on those weak strings. If the string is buzzing against a fret, it can suck the life out of it.

Top

moondevil Joined: Sep 10, 2006 Posts: 250 Lancaster, CA	Posted on Oct 03 2006 04:11 AM When I play clean, some of my notes JUST don't hit it. I'm not looking for a "squishy" sound but then again I'm open for anything. I've used the compressors in my digitech RP100 but it does nothing for me. Any ideas? — Dean(aka Moondevil) deanmatherly.com Top
neal Joined: Mar 19, 2006 Posts: 33 nyc	Posted on Oct 03 2006 09:57 AM i may be misunderstanding the question, but i think maybe this has to do with your action and how the strings hi tthe frets? maybe also if you have a lower power pickups? Top
badash Joined: Aug 18, 2006 Posts: 1732	Posted on Oct 03 2006 11:11 AM Yeah, not sure what "don't hit it" means... Compressors always sound a little "clipped" to me. It would be an expensive solution, because you'd only use the lower end capabilites of it, but perhaps a treble booster turned WAY down low? Top
WoodyJ Joined: Apr 05, 2006 Posts: 1544 Bethlehem, GA	Posted on Oct 03 2006 02:04 PM Compression, like alcohol and wild women, is best if used in moderation. My faves are the MXR Dyna Comp, which sounds great but is a bit noisy. The absolute BEST stomp box compressor I've found is the Demeter Compulator. It's pricey, but it is very transparent and is dead quiet. You get what you pay for. — Jack Booth (aka WoodyJ) The Mariners (1964-68, 1996-2005) The Hula Hounds (1996-current) The X-Rays (1997-2004) The Surge! (2004, 2011-2012) Various non-surf bands that actually made money (1978-1990) Top
RobbieReverb Joined: Feb 28, 2006 Posts: 2364 San Jose, Ca.	Posted on Oct 03 2006 07:47 PM WoodyJ Compression, like alcohol and wild women, is best if used in moderation. My faves are the MXR Dyna Comp, which sounds great but is a bit noisy. The absolute BEST stomp box compressor I've found is the Demeter Compulator. It's pricey, but it is very transparent and is dead quiet. You get what you pay for. My favorite is the Keeley (Ross clone) compressor. It runs about $200, but it is far and away the best I've ever heard. It is very transparent and warm sounding. In the lower settings it is extremely quiet and doesn't squash the tone. For a tiny little stompbox the size of a Dynacomp, it approaches studio compressor quality. Robert uses the finest quality components. A nicer, more customer oriented guy, you will not find. It's not cheap, but worth every penny. His mods are legendary, and his Keeley line of effects are great. Bob — Bob Top
PhatTele Joined: Jun 05, 2006 Posts: 445	Posted on Oct 05 2006 03:56 PM So, is the idea that you're trying to get a nice smooth attack and smooth decay? Top
RobbieReverb Joined: Feb 28, 2006 Posts: 2364 San Jose, Ca.	Posted on Oct 06 2006 01:03 AM PhatTele So, is the idea that you're trying to get a nice smooth attack and smooth decay? This is my half-assed explanation of what compressors do. A compressor expands the notes that you play too softly, and compresses the notes you play too loudly, essentially evening out all the notes. They add sustain, and in the extreme settings can produce feedback (a good thing sometimes). A lot of guys consider them "sustainers", but they are much more than that. If you want to produce dynamics, a compressor is not very useful, defeating the extremes between the high and low volumes. Compres- sors are not real commonly used in instrumental surf music. On a Rickenbacker 12 string they sound marvelous, producing that chime so commonly found on Beatles, Byrds, REM, and Tom Petty records. They're used a lot in studios for recording vocals. There's no way that I would use a compressor extensively for surf, but they are a useful tool to have in your tone arsenal. Here's info on where to get info on the renouned Keeley compressor: Website: www.robertkeeley.com & www.rkfx.com email: fx@rkfx.com Bob S. — Bob Last edited: Oct 06, 2006 19:13:11 Top
moondevil Joined: Sep 10, 2006 Posts: 250 Lancaster, CA	Posted on Oct 06 2006 02:32 AM While playing clean, my higher (e's and b's mostly) don't seem to cut through as well as my lower strings, I can turn up, but everything still seems out of balance. I play a standard strat and I don't think my p'ups are out of balance, but I could be wrong. I thought a comp would tighten up the sound. — Dean(aka Moondevil) deanmatherly.com Top
WR Joined: Feb 27, 2006 Posts: 3832 netherlands	Posted on Oct 06 2006 03:37 AM you can use compressors to either trim the initial attack of a note (often used on snare and bass to get consistent volume) to lift the decay of the note (to get more sustain), or to do both at once. Ive never used a compressor -pedal for guitar (though Im fooling around with using it on a recorded track) but I have seen that some pedal compressors give you the option to set attack and some don't (fixed attack?) I'd advise to dig into what you want to do with it, and then decide whether you need an attack control and buy accordingly. WR — Rules to live by #314: "When in Italy, if the menu says something's grilled, don't assume it is." https://www.facebook.com/The-Malbehavers-286429584796173/ Top
Brian Joined: Feb 25, 2006 Posts: 19305 Des Moines, Iowa, USA	Posted on Oct 06 2006 07:56 AM moondevil While playing clean, my higher (e's and b's mostly) don't seem to cut through as well as my lower strings, I can turn up, but everything still seems out of balance. I play a standard strat and I don't think my p'ups are out of balance, but I could be wrong. I thought a comp would tighten up the sound. Might wanna try raising the high e and b side of your pickups closer to the strings, and maybe lowering the low e side a tad too. Compressors for surf is a pretty bad idea, imho. — Site dude - S3 Agent #202 Need help with the site? SG101 FAQ - Send me a private message - Email me "It starts... when it begins" -- Ralf Kilauea Top
neal Joined: Mar 19, 2006 Posts: 33 nyc	Posted on Oct 06 2006 10:35 AM i think your strat should play good without the help of compressors playing through an amp. i dont know how expereinced you are with guitars (im really not). but i think something maybe be out of whack with your set up. maybe the string is hitting the neck down the line obstructing the sound. maybe your guitar isnt intonnated, or something worng with the nut? i really dont know too much about it. i have my guitar set up by someone else. Top
bigtikidude Joined: Feb 27, 2006 Posts: 25600 Anaheim(So.Cal.)U.S.A.	Posted on Oct 07 2006 12:15 PM kinda off topic and I posted this in the recording area, but here is an article about too much compression on modern recordings. Jeff(bigtikidude) http://www.austin360.com/xl/content/music/stories/xl/2006/09/28cover.html — Jeff(bigtikidude) Top
Dane_Brammage Joined: Jun 14, 2006 Posts: 203	Posted on Oct 10 2006 12:18 PM A clean sound is a lot more sensitive to setup problems than a distorted sound. When you play with distortion, you basically get compression for free. That can easily hide a string balance problem, so definitely check your pickup adjustment. Not only between the high and low strings on one pickup, but check all the pickups against each other. Also check for buzzes on those weak strings. If the string is buzzing against a fret, it can suck the life out of it. Top

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COMPRESSORS