Using 2 compressors?

Del Pickup · May 19th, 2008, 10:05 PM

I have a Barber Tone Press which I find to be the best compressor I've ever used. I still have an older Marshall 'Ed the Compressor' pedal which I bought a while ago as it was cheap.

I love the tones I get out of the Barber and last night one of the other guitarists in my band suggested that I leave it on all the time as he thought that it really enhanced the tone of my strat into my Bassman RI. There are various settings I could use on this pedal to do just that and then I could set the Marshall compressor to a point where it could give the 'traditional' comp tones.

I haven't tried this yet but I was wondering whether anyone else uses compressors in this way?

I'm not a huge fan of overdriven tones so if I could get a bit of grit out of these 2 pedals together then that might be a way to go.

Anyone got any comments on this?

MBradford6288 · May 19th, 2008, 11:16 PM

What's the worst that could happen? I say try it. Who cares if anybody else does it.

Ricko79 · May 19th, 2008, 11:18 PM

I only have one compressor and I leave it on all the time, its the boss cs3 with all knobs at 1 oclock and the sustain at 11 oclock. it really enhances the tone.

4mal · May 19th, 2008, 11:24 PM

I run 2 - but only 1 at a time. 1, a Rt 66 is set for a pretty big squash, the other, a Demeter Compulator is set for subtle smoothing.

Silverface · May 20th, 2008, 11:15 PM

The worst that could happen is you'll suck ALL the life and dynamics out of your tone.

The best that could happen is you'll suck MOST of the life and dynamics out of your tone.

Obviously, I'm not a huge fan of stompbox compression. Studio units, yes - but stompboxes, even the Tone Press, just kill a guitar's tone IMO. I think they're mandatory on electric 12 to avoid the sitar-crashing-down-stairs sound, but other than that they get used too often as a compensator for right hand control issues while sacrificing tone. If a compressor is being used for sustain, there's a better way - the right amp, turned up. If it's being used as a boost, there's a better way - a boost pedal. Or a volume control.

;-)

Wardpike · May 20th, 2008, 11:26 PM

Dunno, mate. I disagree with the "suck all life and dynamics'' out of your tone P.O.V.

My Keeley is the best tone tool I have outside my amps and guitars. And it cuedk out neither life nor tone. But I don't use it much for heavy compression.

Using a second unit for heavier squashing seems like a good idea if you really need it... but limited applications like solos and fills.

BUT, did you ever consider using your amp as your compressor? Having a good rectifier equipped amp on the point of break-up can yield beautiful tube compression where dynamics and harmonics shine through. An amp like a quality boutique or vox amp, using a Brake or an old ROCKTRON even.

Cheers,

I hope I've been helpful,

Ward

Wardpike · May 20th, 2008, 11:41 PM

I should have been more specific.
Brake = Dr. Z Powerbrake
Rocktron = Tom Sholtz R&D Rocktron Powersoak.

cantolina · May 20th, 2008, 11:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Silverface

The worst that could happen is you'll suck ALL the life and dynamics out of your tone.

The best that could happen is you'll suck MOST of the life and dynamics out of your tone.

Obviously, I'm not a huge fan of stompbox compression. Studio units, yes - but stompboxes, even the Tone Press, just kill a guitar's tone IMO. I think they're mandatory on electric 12 to avoid the sitar-crashing-down-stairs sound, but other than that they get used too often as a compensator for right hand control issues while sacrificing tone. If a compressor is being used for sustain, there's a better way - the right amp, turned up. If it's being used as a boost, there's a better way - a boost pedal. Or a volume control.

;-)

+1, especially the dynamics...stomp box compressors are generally not as adjustable as, say, a pro audio compressor...(although that may have changed of late, I'm not a stomp box kinda guy)

Quote:

Originally Posted by Wardpike

Dunno, mate. I disagree with the "suck all life and dynamics'' out of your tone P.O.V.

My Keeley is the best tone tool I have outside my amps and guitars. And it cuedk out neither life nor tone. But I don't use it much for heavy compression.

Using a second unit for heavier squashing seems like a good idea if you really need it... but limited applications like solos and fills.

BUT, did you ever consider using your amp as your compressor? Having a good rectifier equipped amp on the point of break-up can yield beautiful tube compression where dynamics and harmonics shine through. An amp like a quality boutique or vox amp, using a Brake or an old ROCKTRON even.

Cheers,

I hope I've been helpful,

Ward

They can be very useful as "tone modifiers", but if the level of attack isn't adjustable, or is adjusted wrong, it CAN rob you of dynamic range...especially when compressing a compressed signal...

All that being said...if you like it and it fits your playing style, no one can tell you its wrong!

MBradford6288 · May 21st, 2008, 05:09 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Silverface

The worst that could happen is you'll suck ALL the life and dynamics out of your tone.

The best that could happen is you'll suck MOST of the life and dynamics out of your tone.

;-)

On the plus side, nobody dies, your amp doesn't explode, and at the end of the night, you're still taking home a chick. To me, if you don't like compressors, and somebody else does, it might happen to be an opinion thing with no right or wrong. Luckily, you can test out what you want test with no permanent damage or missing limbs(Kinda redundant, but eh). Just more playing.

Matt

Warning: I cannot guarantee death or mutilation will not occur by using two compressors together.

neocaster · May 21st, 2008, 05:58 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MBradford6288

Warning: I cannot guarantee death or mutilation will not occur by using two compressors together.

Forget those... Can you guarantee the chick?

Silver could be right, but the end result and what you think of it are really all that matter. Have you tried it out yet?

Del Pickup · May 21st, 2008, 07:10 AM

Thanks for all the comments, guys.

I tried putting the 2 together tonight and came to the conclusion that it's not a good idea at all!!

The Marshall is just too noisy when set to heavier settings and using both pedals together is just not a good sound to my ears.

So, I think I'll just go back to using the Barber - which certainly doesn't suck tone and gives a nice subtle boost as well - and rely on an OD pedal if I need more grit.

It was an interesting exercise......

BTW, I do use my DRRI and Bassman - both with tube rectifiers - but seldom wind them up enough to get real tube compression - except for towards the end of a gig when levels tend to creep up....

Telegazer · May 21st, 2008, 10:07 AM

I think we're gotten more noise than could be accepted when running two comps of any type we're tried in sequence, although mild application seems to work...as dynamic-less as could be expected.

The Pedalworx McSqueeze is followed by the Janglebox in our rig, but never are the two engaged at the same time. McSqueeze set to about 9:00~10:00 proves to be a nice general boost/mild comp that drives the OC/DIST boxes a little harder and hardly ever gets turned off, unless that sparkley goodness that comes with the plinky nature of the Janglebox is needed for clean and slightly driven arrpegio lines (gain/attack both usually set to about 11:00). Two compressors very different in function, very different in tone...

woodman · May 21st, 2008, 10:42 AM

i use a Tone Press too, like it a lot. it's on all the time unless i stomp a distortion pedal (way too much gain there). set with low compression ratio and dialed up to far more unprocessed signal than compressed, it clears up the mud in my Fender amps and adds sparkle without sounding like an "effect" -- more like a line driver/subtle clean boost. i could see having another comp onboard to use as an effect when you want squashed sustain, but as many have commented, the noise level would be a factor.

Beatbx · May 21st, 2008, 02:23 PM

I've been using one at the end of my effects chain right before the amp. Set for mild compression, it provides a bit of sonic cushion before the preamp. A tube amp acts as a bit of a compressor itself, so for me adding a comp simply provides another gain stage in which to 'mix' the different tones I'm using (two stages overdrive, wah, delays,) helping keep them in the same ballpark level-wise.

golfnut · May 21st, 2008, 03:03 PM

I agree 2 compressors would be overkill. I like to have as few pedals between the guitar and amp as possible. I'm not a guitar straight in to amp guy and probably never will be but I like to work with what I feel is absolutely necessary. I have 4 pedals including a Keeley 2 knob. Sustain is almost off at under 9 oclock. As soon as my airbreak comes in and I can push my Stangray the compressor will probably go bye bye.

Texas Picker · May 23rd, 2008, 08:31 AM

I have an Analog BicompROSSor pedal that has two compressors in it - the Orange Squeezer and the Ross Compressor. You can run one or the other or both at the same time. Sometimes I'll run both and it sounds pretty good - but it is an Analogman pedal, which I tend to think of as one of the better compressors out there. I don't know if it would sound that great running two Dynacomps back to back.

hal · May 30th, 2008, 08:28 PM

I leave mine on all the time and I don't think it kills tone at all. I don't have any gigs(I play about 12-15 a month) that allows me to turn an amp up loud enough to go with "natural" compression. Nor do I want one. We try to control volume and save our hearing even at large club gigs.

garytelecastor · May 30th, 2008, 08:45 PM

I just added a tone press to my board. I use it as a boost for my leads. I have a Carl Martin that is on all the time.

mudbean · May 30th, 2008, 08:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Silverface

The worst that could happen is you'll suck ALL the life and dynamics out of your tone.

The best that could happen is you'll suck MOST of the life and dynamics out of your tone.

Obviously, I'm not a huge fan of stompbox compression. Studio units, yes - but stompboxes, even the Tone Press, just kill a guitar's tone IMO. I think they're mandatory on electric 12 to avoid the sitar-crashing-down-stairs sound, but other than that they get used too often as a compensator for right hand control issues while sacrificing tone. If a compressor is being used for sustain, there's a better way - the right amp, turned up. If it's being used as a boost, there's a better way - a boost pedal. Or a volume control.

;-)

Yikes! Mighty strong opinion there ... I'll stick with Brent Mason - his tone ain't so bad.

mud

Darrell · May 30th, 2008, 09:08 PM

I have done it, and liked it, until I turned one off, then I liked it better.

O- Fender · May 31st, 2008, 03:15 AM

I read somewhere that Roger McGuinn used to feed his 12string Ric through 2 compressors. Now he has his "RM" model that gets that sound from an onboard circuit. Just sayin' it has been done.

randysmojo · June 4th, 2008, 01:21 AM

Has anyone tried the electroharmonix soul preacher? I saw them on ebay, and wondered if it is another ross clone or if it goes a little more to the contemporary compressor side.

Del Pickup · June 16th, 2008, 05:47 AM

Well, yet again, I prove myself wrong!!

After doing some more experimenting with the 2 compressors I find that if I set my Tone Press for very moderate compression I can leave it on all the time and it just slightly enhances the original tone.

Then I can set the Marshall to a heavier comp setting andm if it's before the OD pedals in the chain, then I can get a Santana like rich tone out of my tele with the Hotcake into my Bassman. For this I turn off the Tone Press as it does make the overall tone a bit too noisy with 2 compressors and an OD pedal all going at the same time.

Every time I think I've found the best way to do something very soon I discover another way that disproves my original theory!

Tele-writer · June 16th, 2008, 06:14 AM

I've a Barber Tonepress, a CS-1, and a CS-3 in my chain because I've found ways to make their occasional combination give me what serves the song best. Oh, and occasionally a Distressor finds it's way on too. Ain't it fun to experiment?

May 19th, 2008, 10:05 PM	#1 (permalink)
Del Pickup Tele-Holic Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: New Zealand Posts: 612 5 Photos	Using 2 compressors? I have a Barber Tone Press which I find to be the best compressor I've ever used. I still have an older Marshall 'Ed the Compressor' pedal which I bought a while ago as it was cheap. I love the tones I get out of the Barber and last night one of the other guitarists in my band suggested that I leave it on all the time as he thought that it really enhanced the tone of my strat into my Bassman RI. There are various settings I could use on this pedal to do just that and then I could set the Marshall compressor to a point where it could give the 'traditional' comp tones. I haven't tried this yet but I was wondering whether anyone else uses compressors in this way? I'm not a huge fan of overdriven tones so if I could get a bit of grit out of these 2 pedals together then that might be a way to go. Anyone got any comments on this?

May 19th, 2008, 11:16 PM	#2 (permalink)
MBradford6288 Tele-Meister Join Date: Jun 2005 Posts: 141	What's the worst that could happen? I say try it. Who cares if anybody else does it. __________________ Classical music is the kind we keep thinking will turn into a tune. -Kin Hubbard (1868 - 1930) Music makes one feel so romantic - at least it always gets on one's nerves - which is the same thing nowadays. -Oscar Wilde (1854 - 1900)

May 19th, 2008, 11:18 PM	#3 (permalink)
Ricko79 TDPRI Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: New Zealand Posts: 47	I only have one compressor and I leave it on all the time, its the boss cs3 with all knobs at 1 oclock and the sustain at 11 oclock. it really enhances the tone. __________________ Ricko www.myspace.com/particularsnz

May 20th, 2008, 11:15 PM	#5 (permalink)
Silverface Tele-Afflicted Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Hermosa Beach CA Age: 56 Posts: 1,924	The worst that could happen is you'll suck ALL the life and dynamics out of your tone. The best that could happen is you'll suck MOST of the life and dynamics out of your tone. Obviously, I'm not a huge fan of stompbox compression. Studio units, yes - but stompboxes, even the Tone Press, just kill a guitar's tone IMO. I think they're mandatory on electric 12 to avoid the sitar-crashing-down-stairs sound, but other than that they get used too often as a compensator for right hand control issues while sacrificing tone. If a compressor is being used for sustain, there's a better way - the right amp, turned up. If it's being used as a boost, there's a better way - a boost pedal. Or a volume control. ;-) __________________ “No Chops – Great Tone” ©

May 21st, 2008, 10:42 AM	#13 (permalink)
woodman Poster Extraordinaire Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Mint Hill, NC Age: 62 Posts: 5,961	i use a Tone Press too, like it a lot. it's on all the time unless i stomp a distortion pedal (way too much gain there). set with low compression ratio and dialed up to far more unprocessed signal than compressed, it clears up the mud in my Fender amps and adds sparkle without sounding like an "effect" -- more like a line driver/subtle clean boost. i could see having another comp onboard to use as an effect when you want squashed sustain, but as many have commented, the noise level would be a factor. __________________ Truth is stranger than fact ... www.myspace.com/woodymitchellmusic BAND PAGES: www.myspace.com/stragglerswing (Stragglers - Western Swing) www.myspace.com/loafersgloryband (Loafers Glory - '70s country-rock)

May 19th, 2008, 11:24 PM	#4 (permalink)
4mal Friend of Leo's Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: The Gorge Posts: 2,151	I run 2 - but only 1 at a time. 1, a Rt 66 is set for a pretty big squash, the other, a Demeter Compulator is set for subtle smoothing.

May 20th, 2008, 11:26 PM	#6 (permalink)
Wardpike Tele-Holic Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: St. John's, Newfoundland Age: 43 Posts: 652	Dunno, mate. I disagree with the "suck all life and dynamics'' out of your tone P.O.V. My Keeley is the best tone tool I have outside my amps and guitars. And it cuedk out neither life nor tone. But I don't use it much for heavy compression. Using a second unit for heavier squashing seems like a good idea if you really need it... but limited applications like solos and fills. BUT, did you ever consider using your amp as your compressor? Having a good rectifier equipped amp on the point of break-up can yield beautiful tube compression where dynamics and harmonics shine through. An amp like a quality boutique or vox amp, using a Brake or an old ROCKTRON even. Cheers, I hope I've been helpful, Ward

May 20th, 2008, 11:41 PM	#7 (permalink)
Wardpike Tele-Holic Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: St. John's, Newfoundland Age: 43 Posts: 652	I should have been more specific. Brake = Dr. Z Powerbrake Rocktron = Tom Sholtz R&D Rocktron Powersoak.

May 21st, 2008, 07:10 AM	#11 (permalink)
Del Pickup Tele-Holic Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: New Zealand Posts: 612 5 Photos	Thanks for all the comments, guys. I tried putting the 2 together tonight and came to the conclusion that it's not a good idea at all!! The Marshall is just too noisy when set to heavier settings and using both pedals together is just not a good sound to my ears. So, I think I'll just go back to using the Barber - which certainly doesn't suck tone and gives a nice subtle boost as well - and rely on an OD pedal if I need more grit. It was an interesting exercise...... BTW, I do use my DRRI and Bassman - both with tube rectifiers - but seldom wind them up enough to get real tube compression - except for towards the end of a gig when levels tend to creep up....

May 21st, 2008, 10:07 AM	#12 (permalink)
Telegazer Tele-Meister Join Date: May 2008 Location: Republic of Korea Posts: 106 9 Photos	I think we're gotten more noise than could be accepted when running two comps of any type we're tried in sequence, although mild application seems to work...as dynamic-less as could be expected. The Pedalworx McSqueeze is followed by the Janglebox in our rig, but never are the two engaged at the same time. McSqueeze set to about 9:00~10:00 proves to be a nice general boost/mild comp that drives the OC/DIST boxes a little harder and hardly ever gets turned off, unless that sparkley goodness that comes with the plinky nature of the Janglebox is needed for clean and slightly driven arrpegio lines (gain/attack both usually set to about 11:00). Two compressors very different in function, very different in tone...

May 21st, 2008, 02:23 PM	#14 (permalink)
Beatbx Tele-Meister Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Jacksonville, FL Age: 37 Posts: 150	I've been using one at the end of my effects chain right before the amp. Set for mild compression, it provides a bit of sonic cushion before the preamp. A tube amp acts as a bit of a compressor itself, so for me adding a comp simply provides another gain stage in which to 'mix' the different tones I'm using (two stages overdrive, wah, delays,) helping keep them in the same ballpark level-wise. __________________ -Joe http://www.myspace.com/celestialsrock http://www.myspace.com/handofthehost

May 21st, 2008, 03:03 PM	#15 (permalink)
golfnut Tele-Meister Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Canada Age: 48 Posts: 416	I agree 2 compressors would be overkill. I like to have as few pedals between the guitar and amp as possible. I'm not a guitar straight in to amp guy and probably never will be but I like to work with what I feel is absolutely necessary. I have 4 pedals including a Keeley 2 knob. Sustain is almost off at under 9 oclock. As soon as my airbreak comes in and I can push my Stangray the compressor will probably go bye bye. __________________ AV52 RI Hotrod Telecaster 62 RI Hotrod Stratocaster Dr Z Stangray head - 2X12 Open back cab W/Celestion Blues Dr Z Maz 38 2X12 Combo

May 23rd, 2008, 08:31 AM	#16 (permalink)
Texas Picker TDPRI Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Nashville Posts: 29	I have an Analog BicompROSSor pedal that has two compressors in it - the Orange Squeezer and the Ross Compressor. You can run one or the other or both at the same time. Sometimes I'll run both and it sounds pretty good - but it is an Analogman pedal, which I tend to think of as one of the better compressors out there. I don't know if it would sound that great running two Dynacomps back to back. __________________ www.youtube.com/profile?user=ZamarGeetar www.myspace.com/ZamarGuitar

May 30th, 2008, 08:28 PM	#17 (permalink)
hal Tele-Holic Join Date: Apr 2006 Posts: 835	Compressor... I leave mine on all the time and I don't think it kills tone at all. I don't have any gigs(I play about 12-15 a month) that allows me to turn an amp up loud enough to go with "natural" compression. Nor do I want one. We try to control volume and save our hearing even at large club gigs. __________________ Wherever you go, there you are.

May 30th, 2008, 08:45 PM	#18 (permalink)
garytelecastor Friend of Leo's Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Minnesota Posts: 3,633 18 Photos	I just added a tone press to my board. I use it as a boost for my leads. I have a Carl Martin that is on all the time. __________________ éí 'aaníígÓÓ 'áhoot'é Would you mind holding this bag while we go through the custom shop????? Redd Volkaert is a Jedi Knight at one with the Force!!!

May 30th, 2008, 09:08 PM	#20 (permalink)
Darrell Friend of Leo's Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Houston, Texas Age: 48 Posts: 2,496	I have done it, and liked it, until I turned one off, then I liked it better. __________________ "Yeap, I like the American Standard Telecaster, I can even live with one a them PCB amps, and I even use one a them mul-tie-effects things too."

May 31st, 2008, 03:15 AM	#21 (permalink)
O- Fender Tele-Meister Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Canada Posts: 452	I read somewhere that Roger McGuinn used to feed his 12string Ric through 2 compressors. Now he has his "RM" model that gets that sound from an onboard circuit. Just sayin' it has been done. __________________ "Unless you are the lead dog, the scenery doesn't change much." - Kinky Friedman "Those who dance are considered insane by those who cannot hear the music" - Anon.

June 4th, 2008, 01:21 AM	#22 (permalink)
randysmojo Tele-Meister Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Boerne, TX Age: 33 Posts: 391	Has anyone tried the electroharmonix soul preacher? I saw them on ebay, and wondered if it is another ross clone or if it goes a little more to the contemporary compressor side.

June 16th, 2008, 05:47 AM	#23 (permalink)
Del Pickup Tele-Holic Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: New Zealand Posts: 612 5 Photos	Well, yet again, I prove myself wrong!! After doing some more experimenting with the 2 compressors I find that if I set my Tone Press for very moderate compression I can leave it on all the time and it just slightly enhances the original tone. Then I can set the Marshall to a heavier comp setting andm if it's before the OD pedals in the chain, then I can get a Santana like rich tone out of my tele with the Hotcake into my Bassman. For this I turn off the Tone Press as it does make the overall tone a bit too noisy with 2 compressors and an OD pedal all going at the same time. Every time I think I've found the best way to do something very soon I discover another way that disproves my original theory!

June 16th, 2008, 06:14 AM	#24 (permalink)
Tele-writer Tele-Meister Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: just below macongausaterra Posts: 129	I've a Barber Tonepress, a CS-1, and a CS-3 in my chain because I've found ways to make their occasional combination give me what serves the song best. Oh, and occasionally a Distressor finds it's way on too. Ain't it fun to experiment?