Ok how do you use a compression/limiter pedal

big kurka

big kurka

Active member
Ok so I'm pretty new to using guitar effects and could figure out some of the basic effects I guess you could say, but I don't understand stand how compressors and limiters work let alone how to really use them. Could you guys please exlpain how to use each one and for what you would use them for and the benfits of them. Everytime I think I start to understand it I read something else or watch a video on youtube and become more confused than before. Thanks in advance
 
Re: Ok how do you use a compression/limiter pedal

A compressor compresses by a factor (dynamic, as in not all frequencies are compressed to the same level (dB))


A limiter cuts off frquencies at a set threshhold (static, all frequnecies above the threshhold are compressed to the same level (dB))

This is not the same effect as clipping b.t.w.

These are normally not considered an effect, but part of a recording/P.A. chain.

Compressor:
DSC00549.jpg


Limiter:
DSC00548.jpg
 
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Re: Ok how do you use a compression/limiter pedal

Typically a Compressor/Limiter like the Boss-type pedals is used to make quiet, clean parts louder but reduce high-end piercing spikes as usually comes with merely cranking the clean channel of your amp.

It can also be used to help balance a bass, where, depending on the bass, pickups, amp, and style of the player, the low strings might be louder than the higher strings, or vise-versa.

The pedal types are usually voiced for either guitar or bass freqs, or at least their optimum freq range, but might not work best for patching into the channel loops of a mixer for vocals or drums.
They can work in that application, but there are rack units that are more suited to that task (namely the Alesis 3630).
 
Re: Ok how do you use a compression/limiter pedal

I don't use a compressor that way. I mean, not to even out my playing. I like the dynamics. I use mine as an actual effect like Dave Gilmour. I set it to give a volume lift and so i can feel the compression when i pick hard on single note stuff. Listen to Coming Back To Life live to hear it in action.
 
Re: Ok how do you use a compression/limiter pedal

The easiest way to think of a compressor if you're new at it:

Picture you're listening to music in the car. Sometimes the music is too quiet, so you reach for the volume knob and turn it up. Sometimes the music is too loud, so you reach for the volume knob and turn it down. A compressor is basically a guy who sits at the volume knob of your amp turning it up and down depending on how loud your guitar playing is.

The speed at which the volume knob gets turned up and down is typically called the 'attack'. Set it high, and loud sounds will almost immediately be turned down, set it low and loud sounds will be slowly turned down over a couple seconds.
 
Re: Ok how do you use a compression/limiter pedal

Compression is a bit tricky. It's a powerful tool but it's not an obvious effect like delay or chorus.

There are several parameters to compression. But the basic deal is this. Compression limits the dynamic range of a signal making the quiet parts louder.



compress.jpg


Threshold=the point where compression starts. Set very high only the hardest picked notes will get compressed. Set very low just about everything get compressed.

Ratio=the severity of compression. A ratio of 2:1 means for every 2dB over the threshold only 1 dB gets through. A ratio of 4:1 means for every 4 dB over the threshold only 1 dB gets through. Those ratios are pretty gentle. Higher ratios produce some pretty good squish to the signal.

Attack=How quickly the compressor responds to the signal. The times range from 1 millisecond up to around 250 milliseconds possibly more.

Release= How long it takes for the compressor to stop. Usually between 50 milliseconds and 3 seconds.

(Attack and release are the two knobs that give most people fits and very often are not even an option. The designer just sets them internally and they don't change. Or you might get a fast/slow long/short option.)

Gain=adds volume to the signal after it is compressed. The very nature of compression makes a signal quieter. The gain knob gets things back to where they started or ever louder. The diagram above illustrates this.

Usually compression is used in the studio or live by the sound guy to help things sit better in the mix. A bass player pumping 1/8th notes might be a bit inconsistent in his picking with some notes picked a little too hard and some too soft. A bit of compression can reign in the loud notes and bring up the quiet ones. A drummer might have a similar issue with his snare. Compression to the rescue! In these cases the idea is to not notice the compression working. You just know it sounds better.

Some guitar players like to really squish the signal. Chicken picken' Tele guys spring to mind. At this point they're using compression as an effect that is quite noticeable.

Most guitar players don't like or particularly need a compressor in their rig. When you're playing distorted your signal is getting natural compression simply because you're overloading something. Plus tubes amps operated a high volumes are naturally distorting thus giving a natural compression.
 
Re: Ok how do you use a compression/limiter pedal

And limiting...it's just a severe form of compression. Like the Black night standing on the bridge. Thou shall not pass! Limiting is useful tool in a PA system as it can protect amps and speakers from those short nasty bursts of sound like a mic feeding back or being dropped. Or used in a recording chain so the level just can't get high enough to overload the recorder. It might not sound great but certainly sounds better than an overload. Quite useful especially in a live gig situation.
 
Re: Ok how do you use a compression/limiter pedal

wolf5150 said:
I don't use a compressor that way. I mean, not to even out my playing. I like the dynamics. I use mine as an actual effect like Dave Gilmour. I set it to give a volume lift and so i can feel the compression when i pick hard on single note stuff. Listen to Coming Back To Life live to hear it in action.
Click to expand...

Agreed, it can be used to do volume swells where you get that "pnnnnNNNGGGGOOOOOWWWWWWwwwww" effect.
Otherwise what I like to call "head cold tone" :lol:
 
Re: Ok how do you use a compression/limiter pedal

Ok so If I'm understanding this right the compression more or less even things out (pick to pick, string to string) and can really squash the signal so it doesn't ring out for the chicken picken type stuff and everything in between, right? A limiter is more a control to only let a set db level or lower to come through.

If I interpted that right it make more sense now.

Question - What about the sustain part. Actually makeing notes sustain for longer than normal? Is that a setting more for clean stuff or anything?

Also one other thing, I've read somewhere that people will use a compressor to help there over all sound. People said "It helps my sound just sound more alive" what do you think they are doing with the compressor?(I read that in a post somewhere dealing with a classic rock type tone not clean)

Thanks guys so far for the help
 
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Re: Ok how do you use a compression/limiter pedal

When you produce sound it travels as a wave. It starts at 0 travels up to it highest peak then down below 0 to its lowest trough then back to 0. The highest and lowest points are its volume. The space between the peaks is it's frequency.

Every sound wave has ATTACK, DECAY, SUSTAIN, and RELEASE.
tut_fig7.gif


When you Compress the peaks (attack) then you hear more of the sustain. The sustain is also where most of you harmonic content is located.

In a compressor you have Threshold, attack, release, and makeup gain (or output). The threshold sets the level at which the compressor will start working. The attach tells the compressor how fast to work while the release tells it how fast to let go of the signal. The make up gain allows you to bring the volume back up to the desired level after it has been compressed.

Remember it is easy to overcompress. You don't want to loose all of your attack or else it will just sound small.
 
Re: Ok how do you use a compression/limiter pedal

I use compression for cleans AND dirty sounds.

My lead style is legato and fluid. I like the sustain and the boost I can get from compressors.

I6 gave the short answer for me.
 
Re: Ok how do you use a compression/limiter pedal

I use mine by plugging a cable into the output and another cable into the input. I then run the output to my overdrive which goes to an amp and run my guitar into the input of the pedal.

I step on the switch when I want to turn it on or off.
 
Re: Ok how do you use a compression/limiter pedal

I try to set my level at or ever so slightly higher than when it's bypassed. The actual effect is set to where I start noticing/feeling it basically. Nothing is maxed out though.
 
Re: Ok how do you use a compression/limiter pedal

Ok so could someone give some examples of how to set a compressor pedal like the boss cs-3 and for what style of music you would use those settings for.
 
Re: Ok how do you use a compression/limiter pedal

Just get busy with the thing. Start off with the thing really squishing the sound. You probably won't like it but that's the point. Use less and less extreme settings until things sound more natural. Match the volume of compressor on with that of compressor off. Keep switching from on to off as you experiment. This will allow you hear the difference. If you've got a friend that plays have him play while you fiddle.
 
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