Now an official compressor owner. (questions)

[astrozombie]

i finally got a compressor...im pretty happy. :fingersx:

but anyway, couple of questions...

the pedal has 3 knobs.

Level, Compression, and sustain.

i usually set them all on 10.

surprisingly, this doesnt sound bad.

i did notice a couple of things though, so here goes.
:reporter:
1-when i use it on a clean setting, the very moment when i strike a chord, the sound drops a little then goes back up. normal?

2- I noticed that the sustain knob adds a little drive... is this normal too?

3-this is a pedal i should use in front of my guitar right, not in the loop?

 

[marvar]

Re: Now an official compressor owner. (questions)

Yes to all-
compression is probably the most misunderstood effect out ther and is an effect best used in small quantities- if you hear the compressor working, you probably are using too much, unless you are going for that type of sound.
Personally, I don't like one on my guitar rig, except when playing acoustic guitar-however, I love to use them on the PA, mosty for vocals and kick drum.

 

[SlyFoxx]

Re: Now an official compressor owner. (questions)

-when i use it on a clean setting, the very moment when i strike a chord, the sound drops a little then goes back up. normal?

With extreem settings yes! But that's not what you want to happen 99% of the time.

Basic compression is comprised of three parameters.

Threashold = what point the compressor begins to effect the signal. Probably the knob labeld compression on your unit. If it's set to work all the time you'll get the pumping sound you describe. Back off on that knob a bit.

Ratio = The severity of the compression once it begins to do it's job. The tighter the clamp so to speak. Probably the sustain knob on your unit.

Level = Since compression lowers the overall volume of the signal you need to use this control to make up for the volume lost.

There are two other parameters to compression as well, attack and release. But in most stomp units their settings are out of your control and usually for good reason.

Search around for more info on compression and learn just exactly what it is. It's a poweful tool but very often misunderstood, which is a shame because it's really not that difficult to understand.

 

[astrozombie]

Re: Now an official compressor owner. (questions)

so i guess i should lower my settings?

lol

lower the compression setting...is the sustain exessive?

 

[SlyFoxx]

Re: Now an official compressor owner. (questions)

Just a quick and dirty visual.

 

[astrozombie]

Re: Now an official compressor owner. (questions)

ok, so basically, the sound shouldnt be too compressed, it should be more subtle?