Compressor?

[OlRedNeckHippy]

Last Saturday night I was casually told by a very experienced player that I need a Compressor. Not wanting to look like the greenhorn that I am, I replied "Yup" and got back to playing.

What exactly does a Compressor do?
How is it used, like in what type of tune, on which guitar, at what spot in the tune, etc.?

What would be a good Entry Level compressor to get.

I'm playing an Guild Accoustic, a Heritage Paul, and a Rondo Tele, through a 67 PR.
I have a BD2, MXR D+, MXR 6 band EQ, & a Ibenez Chorus.

Thanks guys,
Jeff

[WireLine]

Compression reduces the overall dynamic range of a signal. It boosts the softer parts and reduces the louder parts, then allows you to control the overall output of that new range of highest to lowest. Do you NEED one? Only you can answer that - lots of players don't use em (Albert Lee, et al)

I like em, as they do impart a specific sonic to your sound...tip - you cannot go wrong with an MXR Dynacomp on electric.

[Stratburst]

No, you don't need a compressor, you need KOMPRESSOR!





All kidding aside, a compressor smooths out your tone and adds sustain. It's one of those effects that you don't miss until you turn it off.

It's heard a lot in country picking, the best known example I can think of is Mark Knopfler's tone on Dire Straits' 'Sultans of Swing.'



There are a ton of different compressors out there. The ones that get the most love, from what I've heard, are the Boss CS series, the MXR Dynacomp, Keeley compressor and I've also read some nice things about the Red Witch Grace. I have the Janglebox, which sounds great but is noisy especially with the treble boost.

[DoodlySquat]

This is how a guy explained it to my dumb brain:

It is like a net that doesn't allow your guitar to go louder than the place where you put that net.

Also many are equipped with sustaining abilities. I'd recommend the Dyna Comp by MXR.

[ChipOnly]

Having not heard you play - and I wouldn't make hard and fast judgments about what kind of gear other people need anyway - I would tell you no, you don't need a compressor.

But then I would say you do need to try things and decide for yourself.

A compressor compresses - makes smaller - the range of volume between quiet, soft playing, and aggressive loud playing. That is adjustable, so heavy compression will make the two almost equal in volume, whereas less compression will reduce that range but preserve some volume dynamics. And balancing that is pretty much the trick to using a comp (although some comps have lots of other parameters like attack and release that can complicate things for players just getting started with compression).

A compressor can be used as an effect to get a "squashed" sound, which you will learn to know when you hear it. Or it can be used to just help even out the peaks and valleys of volume when you play, and get a little extra sustain, which is how I use mine, and of course, they have off switches too! Some guys like 'em, some don't. They are not for everyone, and that's fine.

If you wanted to get one, I'd suggest that Biyang Baby Boom Compressor - it is reportedly a dyna-comp clone that is better and cheaper than the real thing. I'd start there and see how you like the sound (and feel!) of compression.

Oh and put it first in your chain, at least to start with. Reason being, since comps are trying to raise the level of quiet sounds, they'll also raise any noise coming from pedals before them. Some guys run them after dirt to even out levels but IMO that's what output level controls on the dirt pedals are for.

[OlRedNeckHippy]

So am I gettin this? I would the save volume with a single note lead as I would with a multi string bendy lead as I would have strumming a chord?

I'm kinda partial to the MXR products and there's only 5 or 10 bucks between it and the Baby Boom.

Guess I gotta try it, Knofler and all. I'll keep my mouse clickin for a used one.

[artdecade]

Originally Posted by OlRedNeckHippy

So am I gettin this? I would the save volume with a single note lead as I would with a multi string bendy lead as I would have strumming a chord?

In its roughest sense, a compressor tosses out (some/part/most/all of) your dynamics for the sake of even level. It can be set to be more subtle, but you have the gist of it.

[OlRedNeckHippy]

Sounds like I will use it. I've found "Less is More" with cords, and attack on leads is necessar. It's like a Diciplin, it's tough controlling my volume. I sing so I been strummin that accoustic all my life and now I have all this power. POWER! Really cool, but learning to control it is tough. Diciplin. I've always thought 'how do you play without a pick, like JB?'. Now I understand. Turn it up is how you do it.

I'm working on using the volume knob and that's helping. Never had one before. The Tele knob on the SX is easier to use than the LP style on the Heritage.

I'm using BD2 to do short leads between verses. Now I gotta remember the words, play the licks, and hit a foot switch at just the right moment 5 times in a 3 minute song. I'm pretty good but thats a lot, and I'm gettin old. I'll take any help I can get.

So yea, sounds like I need to try one.

[WireLine]

Originally Posted by artdecade

In its roughest sense, a compressor tosses out (some/part/most/all of) your dynamics for the sake of even level. It can be set to be more subtle, but you have the gist of it.

If set that way, yes. Creative use can offer a LOT of fun and very cool ways to get the sonic benefits without the obvious squashing, I think.

Parallel; in series with one set to gentle ratio the other set to hard ratio with gentle slope; for those with higher end units, gating the comp's attack from another instrument, etc...

A bit beyond your basic pedal board, but some higher end guitar rigs incorporated into a FOH can get REAL cool, all driven by the guitarman's compressor.. weird, I know

[Just Nick]

I made a demo about exactly this question. See what you think...