What's a compressor gonna do for me?

[stringered]

Early in my playing career (not that it could be called a career!) I had and used an MXR Dyna-Comp. I seem to remember it boosted the signal and or increased sustain. Is my failing memory correct? It seems to have "bought the farm". What exactly does your compressor do for you?

I don't seem to have mastered the search function. Sorry for asking.

[waparker4]

I find it also alters the attack in its own dyna comp way, good for funky rhythms. But for the most part, yes. You can set the level to unity, or slightly above to either ... provide a cleanish slightly compressed lead boost, drive your other pedals harder, or just plain boost the signal. I still get considerable squishiness out of it without setting the sustain knob above 11 o-clock.

[SilentCityRob]

Depends what settings are on the compressor. Guitar compressors are usually a bit limiting - no pun intended - in what you can control. The Empress compressor "looks" like it can do what most studio compressors do, but I've not heard it.

You can use a compressor to control dynamics, or you can use them for creative effects, such as:

- increasing the length of notes/sustain
- reducing/increasing pick attack, therefore making it less/more punchy
- put them after certain time based effects to create different sounds, e.g. after a reverb/delay to bring up the volume of the reverb/delay tail in a busy mix (or live situation).

Rob

[filmix2]

MXR Bass Compressor
Don't let the name fool you.
It's a studio compressor in a pedal.

[Rockdog]

Take up space on your pedalboard!

[OlRedNeckHippy]

I got my first compressor 4 weeks ago and I'll never be without one again!
Biggest thing it does for me is keeps my volume the same, weather playing single note leads or full open string chords.
Adjusted properly, along with my OD, I can switch from strumming chords to playing leads without having to stomp a box, which is wonderful being that I'm the guitar player - singer in a country power trio. I know, that sounds really wierd.....

[stringered]

Now I have been stepping on a cheap plastic Ibanez Tubescreamer - TS5- to boost the signal for a lead. (When I remember to!) Yes- sounds weird. You're saying that wouldn't be needed with a compressor? Thanks again.

[Cooper Black]

Some things you can do with a compressor:

a) Mild boost with sustain for more even playing dynamics, makes you sound smooth.
b) Heavy squash for funk-style rhythm, or Chili Peppers-type tones.
c) Use before OD/Dist. to add boost and long sustain with smooth distortion.
d) Use after OD/Dist. to maintain consistent volume between clean vs. dirty volume when rolling back your guitar's volume knob.
e) Use at very end of signal chain to increase noise floor and generally wreck your tone ... wait ... don't do that.

[Cooper Black]

Originally Posted by stringered

Now I have been stepping on a cheap plastic Ibanez Tubescreamer - TS5- to boost the signal for a lead. ... You're saying that wouldn't be needed with a compressor?

Maybe you just need a boost pedal for your leads? Simple solution.

[OlRedNeckHippy]

Originally Posted by stringered

Now I have been stepping on a cheap plastic Ibanez Tubescreamer - TS5- to boost the signal for a lead. (When I remember to!) Yes- sounds weird. You're saying that wouldn't be needed with a compressor? Thanks again.

Well, maybe.
It's working for me, so far. Remember, 3 piece group.
I'm singin and strummin, then rip off some leads, then back to singin and strummin.
Previously, I'd have a dirt pedal on for strumming, I'd add the OD for the lead.
Now with the compressor, I only have the OD on through the whole song. I can adjust volume enough just by the attack of the pick.
But - I'm just learning. Been playin for 40 years, but only in the last 9 months have I been playin electrified.

I know this is a really crappy video, but you'll get the idea of what I mean:
http://www.tdpri.com/forum/twanger-c...t-her-get.html

[rokdog49]

Smooth out your tone, fatten it a little, boost volume, give sustain and a whole lot of other stuff. I have mine dialed into a sweet spot and don't touch it. I like what it does.
It does even out string response to changes in pick attack.
Not for everyone, you'll probably get as many nays as yays.

[andyjingram]

Even if you're not looking for a compressor 'effect' as part of your sound, used subtly it can also just ensure you sit in mix a bit better.

It doesn't have to be 'audible' at all to still be useful.

[stringered]

I see. I'm getting the picture. For the last 20 (at least) of my 40ish years of playing, I've taken a little false pride in being nearly effect-less. Now I'm gonna start up with a fairly successful local band that plays alot wider range of stuff than I'm used to playing. Heck - I may even have to use a wah once or twice in a night! I think I'll go buy a compressor while my wife is out of town.

[andyjingram]

I think I'll go buy a compressor while my wife is out of town

The reason I have more pedals than guitars?




They don't look so obvious when they arrive on the doorstep!