How are you guys using your compressor?

[lex666]

Hey guys,

I've had a Boss CS3 compressor in my pedal chain for a while now and I don't think I'm getting the best usage out of it. Lately I've been leaving it off. Originally, I wanted to get fast and tite rythm chunk when playing heavy stuff, but I've noticed that my tone sounds more dynamic without the compressor. At first, I thought it was really helping my fast rythms to sound more focused, but now I like how I can control the dymanics with my picking...

So lately I've been using it with my clean channel to even out my guitar picking and noticed its been robbing me of some tone and there is a noticeable volume drop. I've been leaving the comp off on the clean channel too.

Any tips or suggestions on how to getthe best out of my CS3? Or should I remove it from my chain altogether?


Thanks,

 

[scottish]

Re: How are you guys using your compressor?

i actually use my compressor as the last pedal in my chain. it doubles as a volume ctrl that way but more importantly for me, it adds some super nice sustain and a touch of darkness that i like. It also helps the process of breaking into sweet 'trey' like feedback

ive never dug compressors at the start of my chain

 

[GoldenVulture]

Re: How are you guys using your compressor?

Second last on the chain,before the stereo delay[last].

 

[PFDarkside]

Re: How are you guys using your compressor?

but I've noticed that my tone sounds more dynamic without the compressor.

Well, that is the purpose of a compressor...

Does the CS-3 have an ouput volume? I like to use a compressor to smooth out rhythms, especially funky, choppy rhythms that need even dynamics. Once in a while I use it for lead, but mostly for clean and semi-clean rhythm. Of course you have to squash it every once in a while to play some country fried licks, but I find myself using a compressor pretty infrequently now.

 

[WhoFan]

Re: How are you guys using your compressor?

there is better comps out there then a CS3.... less squish of the low notes....

 

[stuey222]

Re: How are you guys using your compressor?

there is better comps out there then a CS3.... less squish of the low notes....

That's what I was thinking, look at the Retro-Sonic or Orange Squeezer, they're pretty nice.

 

[FAC]

Re: How are you guys using your compressor?

Well, that is the purpose of a compressor...

Yep. The purpose of a compressor is to reduce the dynamics (make loud things less loud--in the process, it appears as if the quieter things are louder, smoothing over the peaks and valleys in the signal).

If you like the dynamics, then perhaps the compressor is not what you want? For me, I find I like the dynamics, so I rarely use a compressor (that's just me...others swear by them).


edit: I use them in the studio, because recording media can't generally handle the full dynamic range and still retain a good mix, but it's usually at the board, not in line between my guitar and amp.

 

[SlowGroove]

Re: How are you guys using your compressor?

I do not have one - do i need one ?


James

 

[bungalowbill]

Re: How are you guys using your compressor?

As a paperweight, last time I checked.

 

[Vasshu the humanoid typhoon]

Re: How are you guys using your compressor?

Keep it on all the time!
Otherwise..I use it as a...erm compressor...lol

 

[SlowGroove]

Re: How are you guys using your compressor?

Keep it on all the time!
Otherwise..I use it as a...erm compressor...lol

An honest question :

What does a compressor do ?
Compress the signal ?
The same way a rectifier tube compress your signal ?
If so, does it add more gain if it compress ?

The only compressor i know, is used in spray painting cars in the work shop :drive:


James

 

[lex666]

Re: How are you guys using your compressor?

An honest question :

What does a compressor do ?
Compress the signal ?
The same way a rectifier tube compress your signal ?
If so, does it add more gain if it compress ?

The only compressor i know, is used in spray painting cars in the work shop :drive:


James

Yep. The purpose of a compressor is to reduce the dynamics (make loud things less loud--in the process, it appears as if the quieter things are louder, smoothing over the peaks and valleys in the signal).

Some metal bands use a heavily compressed sound to achieve a tight, chunky sound that sounds very focused. Think Metallica's AJFA... That's what I was going after, but compression can easily rob you of tone or dynamics as in my case.

 

[Mincer]

Re: How are you guys using your compressor?

I use mine first, a monte allums opto mod CS3. It sounds better than stock, but it does compress in a certain way that I wouldn't want it on all the time. I use it for overdriven solos an rockabilly-type clean fast runs, it keeps the volume of the notes consistant. I wouldn't use it all the time though.

 

[Tor]

Re: How are you guys using your compressor?

I use it for three things:

>when doing clean funky strumming, I'd want it to limit the extreme volume bumps that sometimes occur.
>to tame my envelope filter. It can jump out a bit with extreme harshness, but having a compressor after it tames it very well.
>it's neat when doing certain lead works.

 

[lex666]

Re: How are you guys using your compressor?

Any guys here using if for metal? I think thats where I'm finding it most disapointing...

 

[guitfiddle]

Re: How are you guys using your compressor?

I sometimes use one with the release set very low and fast so that the comp adds squish at the very top of a note, then lets the sound "bloom" back to the full dynamic. It gets some of the feel Duane Allman and Dicky Betts got out of their rigs. Really makes bends stand out.

 

[Vasshu the humanoid typhoon]

Re: How are you guys using your compressor?

What does a compressor do ?
Compress the signal ?
The same way a rectifier tube compress your signal ?
If so, does it add more gain if it compress ?

Normally a such device keeps the volume pretty even, narrow or a wide span is how you adjust your comp, and how good it is!
Some like them for the typical boing sound and feel, others wants them to be invisible soundwise, and just for keeping the signal even, then there are those who uses them as a cleanbooster for leadtones, others have theirs pretty hard setup for a snappy funky rhythm tone, and there is a huge difference in what chips that are used, or if they are optical, how they colour the sound, or how they do not colour the sound, and how the one thing is "bad" or the other thing is "bad"....in short most players do not know what to with a device like that, some thinks they rob you of dynamics, well if you set it hard...it will be a narrow thing to use!
Some makes the sound more round and fat, old MXR, Ross, Ibanez, Boss CS-1 and CS-2,
people have turned it into a bloody maze!
Look it up how they are used in studios and such, it is one of the most mistunderstood tools for guitar!!!
P'S they are also used in a slightly different way as compression and expander(read noisegate)

 

[NecroPolo]

Re: How are you guys using your compressor?

...0.5-1 bar pressure works, then I add my airspray gun...


For playing I don't use it because my playing and tone is pretty much about picking dynamics and the compressor starts "ironing" a littlebit.

I would use it in the first in the line, anyway. With a NS-2 after it. I have a little fellow who use this way:

FX loop out -> CS3 -> NS2 -> DD6

He has a pretty dense rhythm sound. Not my type, but it's good.


Even if I don't use in my guitar rig, I just can't be without one in the studio. I have two TLAudio FatMan compressors on the mics, one for each. They are vital for the sound I like to record. Without them (or above: AMEK, UA, TLA-C1 etc) I can't sound BIG enough.

 

[Vasshu the humanoid typhoon]

Re: How are you guys using your compressor?

Noisegates...the worst invention for guitars ever...that is something that will trash your sound for sure!!!!
That is what you silly brewtal types get from all that distortion!

 

[marvar]

Re: How are you guys using your compressor?

If you can hear the compressor working, you don't have it set right, use of compression should be subtle .
I only use a compressor when I use my Rick 360/12, the pups are so weak it needs help, plus it keeps the big strings from overpowering the little ones. A trick made famous by Roger McGuinn.
I wouldn't have one in my chain if it weren't for that, I don't like the loss of dynamics.
Compressors are great for vocals, bass, and drums, but I don't think they are necessarily needed in a guitar rig, especially if you use a tube amp, the tubes compress the signal in a more natural way.