Author Topic: Compressing a Series I (Read 266 times)

briant · « **Reply #15 on:** August 22, 2009, 03:14:11 PM »

I very highly recommend the FMR Audio RNC 1773. I have a couple of them and they really do what they claim to do - sound absolutely amazing and for very very cheap. A friend of mine who has a very nice studio with lots of very expensive gear swears by them - he turned me onto them when I mentioned I was looking.

I don't use a compressor live.

terryc · « **Reply #16 on:** August 22, 2009, 04:45:50 PM »

For what it is worth I did use one before I got my Alembic MK over 10 years ago.
But after so many gigs using it I am in the same boat as everyone else..I don' use on live and prefer 'finger' dynamics instead.
I haven't done studio work for ages and I guess the sound engineer has he last word anyway

saviour · « **Reply #17 on:** October 17, 2009, 01:54:19 PM »

Don\t use a compressor with alembic series basses. I own a dbx 160A and an ashley. Bot are great but not with an alembic. Leave the alembic sound pure as much as posible. I only use compressors with passive high gain basses like my yamaha attitude or maybe my Ric 4001C64.

edwin · « **Reply #18 on:** October 17, 2009, 11:01:19 PM »

Ashley comps never sounded that great to me. More recently, I've been enjoying some of the software comps. The PSP Audioware Old Timer sounds great to me! So does the Massey comp for Pro Tools. If I were to compress a Series bass, whether live or in the studio, I would seriously try to do it in stereo. It would be interesting to compress the bridge pickup some, but to leave the dynamic range of the low end alone. Or vice versa.

Edwin

hifiguy · « **Reply #19 on:** October 19, 2009, 11:12:20 AM »

Never used one live, but in the studio, I really like the sound of the Manley Labs all-tube limiting amp. In my experience, Manley stuff cannot be beat in the studio.

pace · « **Reply #20 on:** October 19, 2009, 04:51:45 PM »

Greg,

Are you recording to tape, or disk? I'm trying to figure out exactly where your producer is coming from, and if he's acquainted with the inherent tone of your Series. Is he recording to disk, and compressing the drums and bass so they sound like they're hitting tape real hard? Is he used to recording sloppy bass players? Is he going to eq or crossover the compressor so that only a certain frequency range is squashed?

FWIW in any circumstance, I think you can do better than a Boss compressor.

oujeebass · « **Reply #21 on:** October 19, 2009, 06:02:55 PM »

Compressors can really help a pick played rocker ,and actually make it work better.

gregduboc · « **Reply #22 on:** October 19, 2009, 06:09:53 PM »

Mike, I convinced him not to use a compressor. I told him to record me a couple of times, and he realized that he was used to crappy basses/players (not that I'm the god of bass ) and that a compressor will only hide the awesome sound my bass makes.
I showed him what Mario said, and he agreed. Thanks for that Mario.
Thanks for the help, honestly.

Greg

mario_farufyno · « **Reply #23 on:** October 19, 2009, 07:34:15 PM »

Oh, glad to help...

I agree a Compressor can help us many ways, just think it can be used later at mixing without any compromise if you're not recording to tape.

worldfamousandy · « **Reply #24 on:** December 08, 2009, 01:01:59 PM »

I like to use a little squeeze live. It helps to keep that G string full. I use the EBS Multicomp, and it's the best stomp box I have heard. Recently, I have experimented with a TC Rebel rig, and I think I like the built-in comp a little better than the EBS, though.

sonicus · « **Reply #25 on:** December 08, 2009, 01:28:24 PM »

I like the MULTI-SPECTRAL Compression on the TC ELECTRONIC
FINALIZER.

dluxe · « **Reply #26 on:** December 08, 2009, 04:13:56 PM »

I've used both rack mount DBX 160x and 160XT units. Both are very good and simple to use.

jbybj · « **Reply #27 on:** December 09, 2009, 10:03:32 AM »

I use the EBS Multicomp, and it's the best stomp box I have heard.

I too use the EBS in jamming situations, and I love it. The way I use it, I still have lot's of dynamic range, just the loudest excursions get tamed, It makes all my basses sound just a little bit better, to my ear, in a group setting.....

u14steelgtr · « **Reply #28 on:** December 11, 2009, 03:35:22 PM »

In the studio if they insist that you use a compressor I suggest that you split the output and have them record your Bass as 2 tracks; 1 compressed channel and the other not-compressd. That way you will have both when you are ready to do the final mix.

I do not understand why someone in this day and age would insist that you use a compressor. I would considder that a red-flag with regard to the expertise or equipment that they are using. It really does not make sense to me.

-- Eugene

toddharris · « **Reply #29 on:** December 23, 2009, 07:31:19 AM »

I use a rack mounted Ashly that Billy Sheehan also uses - dependable - no pumping and very clean.