Compressor Talk

[amiller]

Basically, I know how to use a compressor when mixing tracks, however, I don't currently use one with my live guitar rig. I was watching an Andy Timmons demo video (yeah, I know I'm a fanboy) and he mentioned that he uses a Carl Martin compressor as part of his basic sound.

Do you guys use a compressor with you guitar rig? What does it do for your guitar sounds? Do you use it on your distorted sounds as well as cleans?

 

[Vrad]

I've only used it with clean tones. Don't like it very much with distorted tones. Distortion adds compression anyway. I know some guys use compressors as a clean boost. I can see that, but I tend to not like it very much.

 

[amiller]

Seems to me it would dull the attack a bit...I don't think I'd dig that very much.

 

[SFW]

I use a EH Soul Preacher compressor in on my pedal board for solos. It fattens up the tone as well as boosts the level. Sort of helps with the liquid lead concept. I also use the onboard compressor in my G-Major for my clean tones. That one is on all the time for my cleans. It just helps to even things out.

 

[Vrad]

Seems to me it would dull the attack a bit...I don't think I'd dig that very much.

That's exactly why I don't like it. It's nice on clean tones, but for high gain or even medium gain, it blurs the pick attack.

 

[sebby123]

Im pretty sure Andy only uses it on his cleans, i could be wrong though

 

[amiller]

Im pretty sure Andy only uses it on his cleans, i could be wrong though

In his vid he mentions that he uses it for his basic setup and then he starts playing clean tones. He never really says one way or the other if he uses it on the distorted tones. My guess is he doesn't.

I have a TC G-Force in the loop of my XTC and I have the loop set to serial. I just gave the compressor a try and indeed it does smear the attack of the distorted tones...ugh. However, it also seems to bring out the sweeter harmonics though. I might experiment with different ratios. Right now I have it set mild...2:1.

 

[Vrad]

Im pretty sure Andy only uses it on his cleans, i could be wrong though

In his vid he mentions that he uses it for his basic setup and then he starts playing clean tones. He never really says one way or the other if he uses it on the distorted tones. My guess is he doesn't.

I have a TC G-Force in the loop of my XTC and I have the loop set to serial. I just gave the compressor a try and indeed it does smear the attack of the distorted tones...ugh. However, it also seems to bring out the sweeter harmonics though. I might experiment with different ratios. Right now I have it set mild...2:1.

You don't find that the XTC has a good deal of compression on its own? I'm assuming you have the 101B right?

 

[amiller]

Im pretty sure Andy only uses it on his cleans, i could be wrong though

In his vid he mentions that he uses it for his basic setup and then he starts playing clean tones. He never really says one way or the other if he uses it on the distorted tones. My guess is he doesn't.

I have a TC G-Force in the loop of my XTC and I have the loop set to serial. I just gave the compressor a try and indeed it does smear the attack of the distorted tones...ugh. However, it also seems to bring out the sweeter harmonics though. I might experiment with different ratios. Right now I have it set mild...2:1.

You don't find that the XTC has a good deal of compression on its own? I'm assuming you have the 101B right?

Oh, for sure it has PLENTY of natural compression! I was just checking out the A T video and thought I'd mess around with an outboard compressor to see what it adds of subtracts from the tone. I also wanted to get some other points of view here.

'Just tone chasing.

 

[Vrad]

Im pretty sure Andy only uses it on his cleans, i could be wrong though

In his vid he mentions that he uses it for his basic setup and then he starts playing clean tones. He never really says one way or the other if he uses it on the distorted tones. My guess is he doesn't.

I have a TC G-Force in the loop of my XTC and I have the loop set to serial. I just gave the compressor a try and indeed it does smear the attack of the distorted tones...ugh. However, it also seems to bring out the sweeter harmonics though. I might experiment with different ratios. Right now I have it set mild...2:1.

You don't find that the XTC has a good deal of compression on its own? I'm assuming you have the 101B right?

Oh, for sure it has PLENTY of natural compression! I was just checking out the A T video and thought I'd mess around with an outboard compressor to see what it adds of subtracts from the tone. I also wanted to get some other points of view here.

'Just tone chasing.

Yeah... I hear ya...

 

[daveg62]

I just recently started using a Barber tone press. Works great on clean tones, has a blend knob that lets you blend wet and dry signal as much as you want. Sounds really nice. I haven't really had it long enough yet to find a setting that works well on the higher gain tones but this thing has lots of options.

 

[sebby123]

Barbers are known not to mushy up the attack though! which is why next paycheck i will be A/B ing my keeley 4 knob and the barber

 

[Rob Tahan]

i just tried that barber pedal and it does have a cool feature that blends in the pick attack that most compressors take out.
I PERSONALLY like the sound of a compressor in my distorted lead tone. I just use a boss and it suits me just fine. They DEFINITELY sound great with cleans though. The only amp i really dont need a compressor with is the Diezel herbert and jvm. I' can use a little with my einstein...but diezels have a great feel and compression amount.
From what i HEAR tonewise, it doesnt sound like andy timmons uses a compressor. He Really has amazing tone and you hear all the articulation and dynamics in his playing. One of my favorite things about him!

 

[eternal_idol]

ALOT of pros us the two channel rack mount DBX gate/comp

more controls, gives you the attack back...

if you looking for compressoin on heavy distortion look to pa compressors

Brae

 

[sebby123]

John pettrucci uses the dbx live doesnt he?

 

[amiller]

John pettrucci uses the dbx live doesnt he?

Hmmm...'don't know...I'll have to check that out.

 

[mentoneman]

It depends on the amp and what kind of compression you want

Pedals squish more up front and contributes to the feel and attack
they can really compliment other pedals and the amp's input, particularly clean and slightly gritty tones, but can get noisy with heavier gain settings.
I like dynacomp for vintage sounds and the tone press for more flexibility with less noise

Rack compressors are best transparent and help level the signal feeding other effects on a clean tone.
Carl martin comp is more transparent and rack like to me
Good for acoustic gtr pedalboard.

 

[FixXxer]

The only compressor I liked to have on all the time was the diamond optical compressor.

I don't use a compressor any more though.

 

[rsm]

I have a JangleBox that I use on cleans, especially early Vox cleans for extra jangle and chime control which is exactly what the JB is designed to do; I also use compression on some of my liquid lead tones and on bass for more melodic lines. I don't use it all the time, but I find compression valuable.

 

[sebby123]

BTW JP does have it on all the time