does anyone else dislike compressors?
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crusty philtrum
Vintageologist
Re: does anyone else dislike compressors?
I remember back in the 70s when the first ones became available for guitar in a pedal format. From the advertising I couldn't fully understand what they were supposed to do. Then someone i respected explained their function to me, and I remember replying "What's the good of that ? Why would anybody want to do that ?"
Now I can hear their effect, and as much as they might suit some applications, I've never found a use for them. In fact I would consider them to be a hindrance for my purposes.
I remember back in the 70s when the first ones became available for guitar in a pedal format. From the advertising I couldn't fully understand what they were supposed to do. Then someone i respected explained their function to me, and I remember replying "What's the good of that ? Why would anybody want to do that ?"
Now I can hear their effect, and as much as they might suit some applications, I've never found a use for them. In fact I would consider them to be a hindrance for my purposes.
Gearjoneser
Gear Ho
Re: does anyone else dislike compressors?
I don't care for them. They level out the dynamic range that I love too much. I'm all about touch sensitivity, and they squash that while imparting their own sound.
I guess if I only played funk or reggae they would be more useful to me, but I want to hear the amp react to the strings normally.
I don't care for them. They level out the dynamic range that I love too much. I'm all about touch sensitivity, and they squash that while imparting their own sound.
I guess if I only played funk or reggae they would be more useful to me, but I want to hear the amp react to the strings normally.
Boogie Bill
New member
Re: does anyone else dislike compressors?
I use one, but unless I'm going for a special effect, I set it until I can hear it pump--and then I back it down until I can't hear it pump. It's not overtly audible, but it is there.
I think they work better for certain kinds of music; and they often seem to make rhythm guitar parts more "professional".
Bill
I use one, but unless I'm going for a special effect, I set it until I can hear it pump--and then I back it down until I can't hear it pump. It's not overtly audible, but it is there.
I think they work better for certain kinds of music; and they often seem to make rhythm guitar parts more "professional".
Bill
crguti
New member
Re: does anyone else dislike compressors?
I consider that compressors are a very useful tool. I have 2 compressors in my pedalboard (actually a rack drawer) with different settings each one. The Diamond Compressor CPR-1 is set for a soft compression and because of its low ratio is barely audible but it gives me a great sound kinda as an enhancer type of pedal. The T-Rex CompNova is set with more compression and fast attack, used mainly for my funky wah sounds.
I could live without compression but they make me sound better when I use them.
I consider that compressors are a very useful tool. I have 2 compressors in my pedalboard (actually a rack drawer) with different settings each one. The Diamond Compressor CPR-1 is set for a soft compression and because of its low ratio is barely audible but it gives me a great sound kinda as an enhancer type of pedal. The T-Rex CompNova is set with more compression and fast attack, used mainly for my funky wah sounds.
I could live without compression but they make me sound better when I use them.
Agileguy_101
Master of his Domain
Re: does anyone else dislike compressors?
I really like what it can do for your clean tones.
That said, use caution, as overuse of the compressor is never good.
I really like what it can do for your clean tones.
That said, use caution, as overuse of the compressor is never good.
the guy who invented fire
Fuzzy. Guitars
Re: does anyone else dislike compressors?
Compressors in general suck but when used as an effect they can make or break a sound...
They are for sure the effect I use the least and I think that's best...
Compressors in general suck but when used as an effect they can make or break a sound...
They are for sure the effect I use the least and I think that's best...
FuseG4
Our Neighbor Totoro
Re: does anyone else dislike compressors?
yup. Sometimes I like a somewhat country-ish clean or light dirt. I used to have a dynacomp and that did the trick. I like it with the middle position on a les paul or a tele.
I sold the dynacomp because that's all I ever used it for. Maybe someday I'll get another one for the heck of it.
yup. Sometimes I like a somewhat country-ish clean or light dirt. I used to have a dynacomp and that did the trick. I like it with the middle position on a les paul or a tele.
I sold the dynacomp because that's all I ever used it for. Maybe someday I'll get another one for the heck of it.
Inkstained
New member
Re: does anyone else dislike compressors?
Confession: I have never understood why anyone would want to quash or destroy dynamics. You want your music to be less dynamic? Really?
The lust for sustain, I get, however.
Confession: I have never understood why anyone would want to quash or destroy dynamics. You want your music to be less dynamic? Really?
The lust for sustain, I get, however.
Tor
Riffologist Extraordinaire
Re: does anyone else dislike compressors?
They work nicely for some genres. I have only been playing funky stuff, P&W and pop/rock music, and a comp is a pretty handy tool here. For someone who plays rock&roll, or blues music (especially that!), or jazz, or whatever, it might not be all that. Horses for courses.
I waited for too long before I got a comp.
They work nicely for some genres. I have only been playing funky stuff, P&W and pop/rock music, and a comp is a pretty handy tool here. For someone who plays rock&roll, or blues music (especially that!), or jazz, or whatever, it might not be all that. Horses for courses.
I waited for too long before I got a comp.
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Petrovsk Mizinski
New member
Re: does anyone else dislike compressors?
I have no idea how one comes to the conclusion that compressing the signal of an instrument inherently makes music less dynamic.
Heavy compression is something that's been used for decades in music, most likely on many records that people consider 'dynamic'
As for guitar suits some styles of playing, other types not so much.
That has no bearing on the overall dynamics of music
I have no idea how one comes to the conclusion that compressing the signal of an instrument inherently makes music less dynamic.
Heavy compression is something that's been used for decades in music, most likely on many records that people consider 'dynamic'
As for guitar suits some styles of playing, other types not so much.
That has no bearing on the overall dynamics of music
TheLivingDead
Dawn Of The Shred
Re: does anyone else dislike compressors?
I use em for some cleans and that's it.
I use em for some cleans and that's it.
Aceman
I am your doctor of love!
Re: does anyone else dislike compressors?
Christian in general sucks, but when asked for an opinion he can make or break a thread. :lmao:
If you have listened to music since the 70's - all of the greatest music you love has compression in it.
Like everything, there is a time and a place for it.
Some make it a part of their sound
Some use it for an effect
Some make it part of the overall music in a multi-track
A lot of people don't understand it, or know how/when to use it for anything. I dig it both as sound and an effect - but I certainly don't use it all the time everywhere. And Boogie Bill said it best....
Christian in general sucks, but when asked for an opinion he can make or break a thread. :lmao:
If you have listened to music since the 70's - all of the greatest music you love has compression in it.
Like everything, there is a time and a place for it.
Some make it a part of their sound
Some use it for an effect
Some make it part of the overall music in a multi-track
A lot of people don't understand it, or know how/when to use it for anything. I dig it both as sound and an effect - but I certainly don't use it all the time everywhere. And Boogie Bill said it best....
Aceman
I am your doctor of love!
Re: does anyone else dislike compressors?
dynamics is a bold and grand term that applies to any music at all levels - single note to orchestra.
There are times dynamics and lack of or lack of control can eff up a piece.
Perfect example: string to string balance on an acoustic. Can make an otherwise righteous toned guitar sound boomy or too shrill/brittle and all out of wack in ways that an eq can't fix without completely crapping up the sound.
(I'm currently using a compressor AND an exciter on my acoustic - and it sounds AWESOME)
dynamics is a bold and grand term that applies to any music at all levels - single note to orchestra.
There are times dynamics and lack of or lack of control can eff up a piece.
Perfect example: string to string balance on an acoustic. Can make an otherwise righteous toned guitar sound boomy or too shrill/brittle and all out of wack in ways that an eq can't fix without completely crapping up the sound.
(I'm currently using a compressor AND an exciter on my acoustic - and it sounds AWESOME)
bancika
New member
Re: does anyone else dislike compressors?
me too, probably because I usually play distorted so there's a ton of natural compression. I can imagine it being useful on cleanish sound to add sustain...but I sold mine
me too, probably because I usually play distorted so there's a ton of natural compression. I can imagine it being useful on cleanish sound to add sustain...but I sold mine
