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Hi there,
Anybody use a compressor when playing live?
Can anybody recommend something quiet, transparent & durable?
I play a Jaguar into various Fender amps, and for the most part, I'd
say I'm doing fine without one, but I'm curious to see whether it
might help even out chords, parts of chords, and single notes.
Any comments or recommendations would be appreciated.
Rio
Hi Rio---I've been using a compressor for years, but probably not in
the manner in which you're thinking. I use mine mostly like a stomp
box. This is my favorite solution for the age-old problem of how to
get from a clean rhythm sound to a decent lead level without adding
unnatural distortion or turning the amp up. I like 'em because most of
the time I want a good clean boost that doesn't color the sound of my
guitar. I set the level on my old MIJ Boss CS-2 on max and the sustain
anywhere from 3-5. It doesn't act like a compressor, it just slams the
reverb and amp with a hotter signal when I want to solo. This set-up
also helps with some guitars' (particularly Jazzmasters and Gibsons)
annoying habit of losing highs when not on 10. I'll set my amp for the
rhythm sound and level I want with the guitar wide open, then hit the
compressor for solos. Works great for me. To answer your actual
question, I don't generally use the compressor when chording live,
because if the level is down and the sustain is up, the signal is too
squashed and removes any dynamics from your playing---everything is the
same volume no matter how hard or soft you play (good for studio, bad
for live, IMO). Although you can spend big $ on boutique compressors,
I say get a cheapo Dano Surf'n'Turf and experiment.
Have fun, Matt Q.
> Anybody use a compressor when playing live?
Rio
There is only one choice for a guitar compressor, in
my opinion. It's the "Keeley Compressor".
I have not tried it for live gigs yet, but for home
recording it's amazing. When I'm writing / recording
at home, and don't want to be heard, I go straight
into a Fender Reverb Unit, out of that into the Keeley
Compressor, and then into a Ampex MX-10 tube pre-amp,
then to the recorder. It sounds exactly like a good
Fender amp mic'd perfectly. No weird thuds, tones, or
strange dynamics, and no noise. Many guitar players
think compressors are lame, but this one is a gem!
Maybe I'll bring it today to the Huntington Beach Surf
Museum for the Surf Drums DVD release party, and see
what happens when I use it with a band.
- dave
--- rio452001 <> wrote:
> Hi there,
>
> Anybody use a compressor when playing live?
>
> Can anybody recommend something quiet, transparent &
> durable?
>
> I play a Jaguar into various Fender amps, and for
> the most part, I'd
> say I'm doing fine without one, but I'm curious to
> see whether it
> might help even out chords, parts of chords, and
> single notes.
>
> Any comments or recommendations would be
> appreciated.
>
> Rio
>
>
>
>
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