Considering Bass Compressor

[Snake Aces]

Let us know how the OC-5 works out for you. There's a bit of a learning curve to them

Yeah, I will learn to use it better as time goes on.

 

[Sam SG]

On the subject of bass compression.
Ive been thinking our bands bassist may benifit from some compression.
I have 3 unused older Dbx blackface 166 2ch comps I took outta the PA rack.
Would these work as compression on a bass amp?
And best infront or in the FX loop?

 

[Snake Aces]

I don't know the answer to whether that will work for your bassist. But, I do know that bass compression is usually best direct to the bass. I run into my Cali76 before anything else in my bass effects chain.

 

[Snake Aces]

Wah is the only effect I would put in front of a compressor. I do not currently have a wah for bass, but I used to.

 

[Mincer]

For bass, put the compressor first. Also, as far as your DBXs working, check if they are line (most likely) or instrument level.

 

[uOpt]

On the subject of bass compression.
Ive been thinking our bands bassist may benifit from some compression.
I have 3 unused older Dbx blackface 166 2ch comps I took outta the PA rack.
Would these work as compression on a bass amp?
And best infront or in the FX loop?

I don't know what sounds better but keep in mind that you can only put it in front if it has a high impedance input, assuming a passive pickup bass.

 

[Sam SG]

Ah gotcha. Being as they are meant for mixer insert points. Yea prolly the loop. That may not tame transients big loud peaks as much as mush it up being as it would be compressing the whole preamp section of the amp.
But yea some notes just boom right out at ya and others are quiet.

 

[Zooberwerx]

The apple doesn't fall far from the tree. One of my favorites is the Seymour Duncan Double Back (discontinued) which shows-up occasionally on secondhand platforms. They're big with obnoxious graphics and sound really good. The successor, the Studio Bass, is also worthy of consideration. Both have blends which are mission-critical IME.


Riis

 

[jeremy]

i really liked my doubleback. i gave it to a buddy who needed it more than i did, i have a vise grip now and it great. i assume the studio bass is equally great

 

[Zooberwerx]

i really liked my doubleback. i gave it to a buddy who needed it more than i did, i have a vise grip now and it great. i assume the studio bass is equally great

Best part is the knobs stay put...they're stiff. If attacked in a venue, you can pull it off your board and seriously injure the assailant. All 3 are my first picks for low-dough compression.

Riis, aka Zooberwerx

 

[Mincer]

Yeah, I am a big fan of the Double Back and the Vise Grip. The VG gets a little more use because of the size.

 

[Solarflares]

+1 for the blend control. It’s the poor man’s way to do it, but can be effective enough for sure.
I use a Joe Meek VC1 rack for recording, and plug bass direct in the front high-impedance input.
The Joe Meek compresses the RMS component, and naturally allows transients to pass through, which is why it would be my first pick.
In the past, before the Joe Meek, I’d use a crossover after a pre-amp, and split to two rigs. Or a single 15”, and single 12”.
The bottom end had compression, but the upper frequencies didn’t.

It’s line-level only, but a DBX160 rack is definitely a good addition to a bass amp’s loop.

 

[Snake Aces]

When I record bass, I use the DI post-EQ output on my GK 1001RB. Best recorded bass tone I've ever achieved. Now I will use the same method using my bass-Cali76-GK1001RB-PostEQ DI output.

My rig shakes everything in-between walls, ceilings, rooms, and buildings. I only use a mic to record cabs for guitar, not bass.

 

[Mincer]

Being that the Studio Bass Compressor is back with retro graphics, your pedalboard can look as beautiful as your tone.

 

[Snake Aces]

Being that the Studio Bass Compressor is back with retro graphics, your pedalboard can look as beautiful as your tone.

I would consider checking it out when I get my second rig going. I love Duncan products. Obviously the Studio Bass Compressor would have been in the mix for my decision if it had been out already.

I'd be happy to check one out and compare it to the cali76. The Cali76 is going to be tough to beat, but Duncan has a shot.

 

[Solarflares]

I would consider checking it out when I get my second rig going. I love Duncan products. Obviously the Studio Bass Compressor would have been in the mix for my decision if it had been out already.

I'd be happy to check one out and compare it to the cali76. The Cali76 is going to be tough to beat, but Duncan has a shot.

Say Compressor and most guys will say Cali 76, so a decent choice.

 

[Snake Aces]

I dig the Cali76. A lot. I'll never play without it at this point. When I add the second rig, the voicing is going to be different.

One rig will be the GK1001RB-II through a ported 2x15 with casters and a ported 1x18 without casters. The other will be a GK Legacy RB through a 4x10 with horn on casters and a 1x12 with a horn on top of the 4x10. I am a bass tone chaser.

 

[Solarflares]

I dig the Cali76. A lot. I'll never play without it at this point. When I add the second rig, the voicing is going to be different.

One rig will be the GK1001RB-II through a ported 2x15 with casters and a ported 1x18 without casters. The other will be a GK Legacy RB through a 4x10 with horn on casters and a 1x12 with a horn on top of the 4x10. I am a bass tone chaser.

One thing’s for sure - you’ll never have to worry about constipation.
Or your audience for that matter!

 

[Snake Aces]

may the bones and nuts rattle with vibrational harmony. I like to drop the bass as loud as the band can stand.