Compressors CAN work in effects loops!

[Axean naexA]

I know this goes against most common beliefs associated with how compressors work, but I found a great use for my super-hissy DOD FX-84 Milkbox compressor; I tried running through the effects loop in my 2010 Fender Blues Deluxe RI and not only did the hiss go away but it also sounds excellent!

I'm not saying that all compressors work as well as this one, but I really like how it works in my situation. Best of all you can get them for a relatively low price (around $60-$70 on eBay).

Okay, so here are some of my observations and speculations:

First of all, it's imperative that you keep the compression level fairly low. In fact it should be virtually transparent. My theory is that less is more in an effects loop, as the compression effect sort of gets exaggerated when used here.

I also did not run anything else ahead of it (just guitar) so I can't vouch for how it may work with other effects.

So, what I got was a subtle compression that sweetened and balanced the sound without coloring the tone in any apparent way. In other words, what I stumbled upon was a secret weapon that will literally blow people's minds away!

Alright, maybe I'm being a little dramatic, but I do recommend giving it a try if you have an old crappy compressor you're thinking about getting rid of.

It is surprising how quiet the DOD Milkbox is going through the effects loop, especially considering that isn't widely appreciated as a premium quality effect. In fact, due to all the hissing I got before, I seriously thought there was something wrong with it and was just about ready to get rid of it, which would have been a shame since I actually really liked how it sounded, but I couldn't put up with the noise.

But now it has found a new purpose and although I can't speak for other brands of compressors, I can say that the FX-84 does seem to like effects loops...

Good luck!




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[Axean naexA]

I just want to add that putting the compressor in the effects loop of a Fender Blues Deluxe (or Blues Deville or their Hot Rod equivalents) allows you to control the amps loudness without having to lower the gain, thus helping you keep the amp in its sweet spot.




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[codamedia]

As you have found out... there is no right or wrong way to do things. If it works well, then it's right!

 

[Jimmy Dean]

I use compression in my effects loop with my bass amp. I have an Eden WTX500. The amp is set up so gain pedals don't work as well in front of the amp. The input level is set using peak LED's that you don't overload the input. It also has a -15db input pad. Gain pedals just don't work that well in front of the input gain. Signal then goes thru a switchable limiter & a tone enhancement circuit. Next is the effects loop followed by the EQ section. Any added gain works better after the input gain & I switch the internal limiter off. I use compression, OD, flange & reverb in the loop. With my guitar setup I like everything in front of my amp & don't use compression.

 

[rokdog49]

Man you don't know how timely this is... I have the same comp and it really hisses when you use a lot of compression. Never tried it through he effects loop, but now I will.
I'm not one for a lot of compression either, but even at lower settings I still got too much hiss. Thanks! Love the TDPRI

 

[Axean naexA]

With my guitar setup I like everything in front of my amp & don't use compression.

For me a compressor is a tone "fine-tuning" device, which I use very sparingly.

It's not something I use a lot - unless it serves the very specific purpose of improving the tone. I like the "feel" of compression but I don't want it to wholly define my sound. In other words; like any effect, using it too much can make it less special.

I never use it to add sustain, that's something your amp should do. If your amp doesn't have that innate ability to sustain then you may need to look for something better imho. Of course, if any added sustain is beneficial, then that's an added bonus.

I can't say I never use it to control dynamics, since it does have certain advantages in this area, but I mostly like to use it to "sculp" my tone at times.

But, that said, these days I am mostly into the guitar + amp sound with the only exception being an Xotic EP Booster pedal (which I highly recommend - even if you don't need a booster).

BTW, the two main amps I use these days include my Mesa Boogie TA-15 TransAtlantic and Fender Blues Deluxe RI.

Other than the Xotic EP Booster and DOD FX-84 Milkbox I will occasionally add other effects as deemed necessary for a particular sound.

 

[Paul in Colorado]

I have a bass rig with a preamp that has a crossover with separate outputs. I've often toyed with the idea of using a stereo rack compressor after the preamp and before the power amp so I can control the amount of compression for each cabinet (2x 10" and 1 x 15").

I may have to plug a comp into my guitar amp loop now that you brought it up.

There's a lot of ways to skin the proverbial cat.

 

[Axean naexA]

Man you don't know how timely this is... I have the same comp and it really hisses when you use a lot of compression. Never tried it through he effects loop, but now I will.
I'm not one for a lot of compression either, but even at lower settings I still got too much hiss. Thanks! Love the TDPRI

Be sure to let us know how it works out for you...

 

[maxvintage]

?? "Sidechaining" compressors is completely and totally common in audio engineering. It's sometimes called "New York style" compression, but it's so common that most compressor plugins now include a "mix" knob so you don't even have to set up an Aux bus.

You basically set the comp to some extreme setting you would not use by itself, and then blend to taste.

Can't see why that wouldn't be just as useful in an effects loop

 

[Wrong-Note Rod]

I have used one for years and I didnt know they hissed all that much, until you turned the compression up really far.... and I've never done that.

I'm using one all the time on my country-rock board and I run it sometimes all-the-time-on and sometimes only as a boost...

Never heard ANY hiss unless the compression knob was at least up half way, and thats way too much for me.

 

[KCStratMan]

Sidechaining compressors is a technique by which an eq is placed in the "sidechain" or sensor circuit to control the activity of the compressor i.e: de-essing by setting an eq in the sidechain to the sibilance frequency range (approximately 8kHz - 12kHz) to dynamically limit just those frequecies (high frequency sidechaining example), or purposely "pumping" the compressed signal (sometimes the whole band mix) in rhythm with the bass guitar or kick drum by sidechaining their signal to the compressor's sensor circuit (low frequency sidechaining example.)

Blending "wet/dry" compressed / uncompressed audio is a different and also very useful technique. (Although I would not recommend setting the compressor to some extreme levels never used standing alone!)

Paul in CO's example is an excellent use of a stereo compressor on the hi / lo sections of a bass rig, allowing separate compression levels for dynamic control of the different frequency ranges.

Many rock guitarists use compressors as an effect to increase sustain, rather than as a subtle, transparent dynamics control processor. Bass players usually use compressors in more the original intended studio type purpose of limiting strong attack transients from clipping or overloading their preamp, amp, recording media, etc. and protecting speakers from over-excursion.
Either type of use can work in an effects loop depending upon the qualities of the instrument signal, amp , and compressor. Compressors are often misunderstood and misused/overused especially when considered as an effect and not as a dynamics processor.

 

[Axean naexA]

I have used one for years and I didnt know they hissed all that much... Never heard ANY hiss unless the compression knob was at least up half way, and thats way too much for me.

Mine hisses whether it's on or off, so it may be defective, but that apparently only happens when I place it before the amp. When put through the effects loop there's no hiss.

Perhaps someone can explain this phenomenon...