Compression pedal in front of an amp

[Lespaul1981]

If I were to run a compressor between my guitar and an amp thats got a good solid distortion tone, what would be the benefits?
From looking around I hear that the notes would be more even. I think that's what I want. I notice that when I play riffs that there is a slight drop off between notes or when I am doing extended runs in solos that some notes drop off in volume between being hit. Would a compressor do the trick?
When I run an OD in front of the amp its too screaming metal for a rock n roll tone and an EQ gets me close but again I don't want more gain I just want the notes to not fade in between being hit. Both of those pedals when run in front of the amp make the riffs and solos more fluid which I like but I dont like the over the top gain and headback.
Im using the gear you see below, and I want a subtle tweak not a dramatic night and day difference for the above issue.
brian

 

[STRATDELUXER97]

Re: Compression pedal in front of an amp

If I were to run a compressor between my guitar and an amp thats got a good solid distortion tone, what would be the benefits?
From looking around I hear that the notes would be more even. I think that's what I want. I notice that when I play riffs that there is a slight drop off between notes or when I am doing extended runs in solos that some notes drop off in volume between being hit. Would a compressor do the trick?
When I run an OD in front of the amp its too screaming metal for a rock n roll tone and an EQ gets me close but again I don't want more gain I just want the notes to not fade in between being hit. Both of those pedals when run in front of the amp make the riffs and solos more fluid which I like but I dont like the over the top gain and headback.
Im using the gear you see below, and I want a subtle tweak not a dramatic night and day difference for the above issue.
brian

All of your note attack would be even,you normally get more control over sustain also...If you compress your signal too much though,you get a very plucky kinda tone that I hate...It's one pedal I've never used actually.

 

[Gunny47]

Re: Compression pedal in front of an amp

In most cases with compression with distortion, you get a lot of extra noise. definitely more well.....compressed notes. Its mostly used in country and funk with clean.

 

[GuitarStv]

Re: Compression pedal in front of an amp

A compressor before an amp distortion tone will even out your notes somewhat. You will also get the same amount of gain on everything that you're playing.

If you put a compressor after a distortion pedal though (or in the amps effects loop), you can control the amount of gain with your pick attack, and just use the compressor to make the quiet parts louder. This is my preferred way of using a compressor.

 

[More-Gear-Than-Skill]

Re: Compression pedal in front of an amp

Yeah, when clean i see it as more utility, and in dirty tones, more of an effect. A good pedal to use subtle, and very effective.

 

[Lespaul1981]

Re: Compression pedal in front of an amp

anyone have any experience with the mxr dynacomp?

 

[Rich_S]

Re: Compression pedal in front of an amp

Yeah, I bought one on eBay three days ago, but it's not here yet.

When I think of compressors driving distorted amps, I think of Steely Dan solos, especially Jeff Baxter. I think his solo tone was largely an Orange Squeezer and a small cranked Fender.

 

[Lespaul1981]

Re: Compression pedal in front of an amp

yeah i think i am gonna pick up a dyna or super comp. It should tighten up those low end riffs without me having to use too much extra OD.

 

[B2D]

Re: Compression pedal in front of an amp

I like using compressors more for their actual effect than for evening out dynamics and such. I like trying to cop that Mark Knopfler sound or enhancing an Eric Johnson-type clean sound with some subtle compression.

I've been looking into getting a Barber Tone Press when my tax returns come in. You can actually dial in compression in parallel with the dry signal with that one!

 

[baritone]

Re: Compression pedal in front of an amp

I always advise people before purchasing a compressor to develop the ability to control dynamics with their fingers before ever connecting a compressor. When used on a subtle setting, especially with high-end gear, it adds a real professional touch to the sound. When the compression is noticeable, it sounds really bad. Sometimes it is fun to use a compressor as a clean boost. It lets you give a clean push to your tubes and add a little control over dynamics at the same time. When layering with other gain pedals, it is best used with light overdrives, where sustain may be lacking. When used with heavy distortion, the noise can become excessive. Sometimes, I run my compressor into a heavy distortion to intentionally cause each sustained note to fade into static, but this is more of a techno effect.

 

[Lespaul1981]

Re: Compression pedal in front of an amp

Im thinking about the supercomp now that I was reading about it vs the dynacomp. it's similar but with one more feature.