i bought some new d activator xs from dimarzio as my pickups for my mockingbird, i like the thick sound but am a tad worried about it being a little too muddy as i am tuned to drop b, i wondering whether a compressor like the boss cs3 will tighten the sound up abit incase it gets muddy, but would a eq pedal work better? if you guys could recommend me any good eq pedals that would be nice too, im interested in the boss one cuz its not too big, i really dont have space on my pedalboard for any large pedals.
eq pedal vs compressor?
- Thread starter Chazzy
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Falloffthebonetone
New member
Re: eq pedal vs compressor?
I know this isn't too helpful, but if you want, you can conserve pedalboard space by getting your guitar set up with tighter strings so the strings flop around less when tuned that low.
I'm not a big fan of compressors because they can bring out a lot of noise that would be subtle without them, meaning I usually use them with a noise gate when I use them and that's more pedalboard real-estate if you don't already use one.
So my vote is for the eq pedal, though I have never used one in the way you're thinking of using it. Usually I see people using it to tweak their mids around. Mxr has a nice 6 band you can check out and try before you buy to see if it works for you, pretty small too.
http://www.jimdunlop.com/product/m109-6-band-graphic-eq
I know this isn't too helpful, but if you want, you can conserve pedalboard space by getting your guitar set up with tighter strings so the strings flop around less when tuned that low.
I'm not a big fan of compressors because they can bring out a lot of noise that would be subtle without them, meaning I usually use them with a noise gate when I use them and that's more pedalboard real-estate if you don't already use one.
So my vote is for the eq pedal, though I have never used one in the way you're thinking of using it. Usually I see people using it to tweak their mids around. Mxr has a nice 6 band you can check out and try before you buy to see if it works for you, pretty small too.
http://www.jimdunlop.com/product/m109-6-band-graphic-eq
Last edited:
jimijames
New member
Re: eq pedal vs compressor?
Yah eq pedal will "tighten" your sound by reshaping the eq (which affects how our ears perceive said sound) vs a compressor which will just boost and limit your sound to keep the level consistent.
But I would follow FOtBT's advice
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Yah eq pedal will "tighten" your sound by reshaping the eq (which affects how our ears perceive said sound) vs a compressor which will just boost and limit your sound to keep the level consistent.
But I would follow FOtBT's advice
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Falloffthebonetone
New member
Re: eq pedal vs compressor?
With that kind of set up, I don't see you having much trouble without either pedal.
Have you played your whole rig together with the D-actx's in your guitar yet?
With that kind of set up, I don't see you having much trouble without either pedal.
Have you played your whole rig together with the D-actx's in your guitar yet?
zenmindbeginner
New member
Re: eq pedal vs compressor?
The CS-3 with it's attack dimed and the tone control at or near maximum can tighten up a flubby signal to a certain degree.
I use both personally... not because I have a flubby signal but because I really like it tight. I use a parametric EQ after the compressor/overdrive/distortion section of my board to cut any offending frequencies.
But since you are tuned down... you might not want to cut any bass frequencies because it will impact your power... the CS-3 can tighten up the tone without removing too much bass. With the tone control at or near maximum, the CS-3 will suck a little bass frequencies but it will be an ever so slight cut. You have to put the sustain on zero and then it's not limiting or compressing any more... it's an "attack booster" which is basically using the CS-3 as it wasn't intended, but harnessing it's unique circuit to your advantage in an unorthodox manner.
The CS-3 with it's attack dimed and the tone control at or near maximum can tighten up a flubby signal to a certain degree.
I use both personally... not because I have a flubby signal but because I really like it tight. I use a parametric EQ after the compressor/overdrive/distortion section of my board to cut any offending frequencies.
But since you are tuned down... you might not want to cut any bass frequencies because it will impact your power... the CS-3 can tighten up the tone without removing too much bass. With the tone control at or near maximum, the CS-3 will suck a little bass frequencies but it will be an ever so slight cut. You have to put the sustain on zero and then it's not limiting or compressing any more... it's an "attack booster" which is basically using the CS-3 as it wasn't intended, but harnessing it's unique circuit to your advantage in an unorthodox manner.
Aceman
I am your doctor of love!
Re: eq pedal vs compressor?
I think the real issues here are…
#1 Wrong pickup. They are a fairly even voiced pup from what I understand. They are NOT called "D" for Dropped D tuning. MAybe a Distortion or Full Shred, or Black Winter.
#2 Guitar player trying to play Bass; B is for Baritone. Scale is too short, strings not big enough, and everything else.
I am just not feeling you will be getting the sound you want/need period.
I think the real issues here are…
#1 Wrong pickup. They are a fairly even voiced pup from what I understand. They are NOT called "D" for Dropped D tuning. MAybe a Distortion or Full Shred, or Black Winter.
#2 Guitar player trying to play Bass; B is for Baritone. Scale is too short, strings not big enough, and everything else.
I am just not feeling you will be getting the sound you want/need period.
Securb
One of Jerry's Kids
Re: eq pedal vs compressor?
The Black Winter sounds super tight in dropped tunings. Very articulate.
The Black Winter sounds super tight in dropped tunings. Very articulate.
El Supremo
New member
Re: eq pedal vs compressor?
Standard B tuning on Gibson scale length guitars works fine. I played a Flying V with EMGs (Dimarzio Super Distortion later on) and sounded as tight as I played. Just get some 13-56 strings (or higher even) and maybe a Tubesceamer to tighten things up even more.
Compressors actually work counterproductive when it comes to achieving a tight metal rhythm sound. The less compression, the tighter it will sound (depending on your playing ofcourse).
Standard B tuning on Gibson scale length guitars works fine. I played a Flying V with EMGs (Dimarzio Super Distortion later on) and sounded as tight as I played. Just get some 13-56 strings (or higher even) and maybe a Tubesceamer to tighten things up even more.
Compressors actually work counterproductive when it comes to achieving a tight metal rhythm sound. The less compression, the tighter it will sound (depending on your playing ofcourse).
Re: eq pedal vs compressor?
the short scale is not a big deal tbh... i got some decently thick strings... set up by a tech properly... the pegasus i have in it sounds good and i am capable of pulling great leads... it just simply doesnt have the aggression i want period. Also short scale length shouldnt effect to much from what i understand... i just get extra buzz which sucks but its something that doesnt bother me as much as other players... plus my fretwrap seems to eliminate some of that
the short scale is not a big deal tbh... i got some decently thick strings... set up by a tech properly... the pegasus i have in it sounds good and i am capable of pulling great leads... it just simply doesnt have the aggression i want period. Also short scale length shouldnt effect to much from what i understand... i just get extra buzz which sucks but its something that doesnt bother me as much as other players... plus my fretwrap seems to eliminate some of that
