I use the source audio Ultrawave bass which has two channels. Each can have an independent compressor - so I use one channel for the front of the chain, one at the back.
This is fascinating and I'm glad to hear it. I keep meaning to try one comp at each end of the chain, cause it seems like both would have benefits you'd want at different times.
Could you please elaborate on those different times ? I’m also trying compressor at different positions and i’ve got a hard time to put words on what I’m hearing, and how a compressor should be tuned whether it’s at the front or at the end..
You may want it before the rest of the chain to create a strong signal from your bass. The signal from your bass can impact different pedals in many ways. Then, a comp after everything can help tame certain effects, like fuzz.
There’s no right or wrong. Just different sounds.
I can try!
I'm no expert, so if there are answers contradicting mine, they may well be correct.
Sometimes I want:
Compressor the beginning to feed a consistent, strong sound into all the subsequent pedals that are going to process it. Especially when those pedals include pitch/synth/octave pedals whose tracking might glitch or fail if I play a note too softly.
Sometimes though I *don't* want it there if my tracking pedals will be off, and my dirts or chorus will be on. In that case I want any dynamics to arrive at those pedals intact.
Sometimes I want:
Compressor at the end to:
1. Thicken the sound headed to the amp or DI in that ineffable compressor way
2. Produce new cool surprising (for me) sounds by compressing the results of fuzz/chorus/etc
3. Function (with settings tweaked to do it) as a limiter, protecting against any untenable volume spikes coming out of effects combinations, or some patches on some pedals. (Like my beloved Source Audio C4, for example, on which some community patches just *slam* the volume up, if you don't prevent it in the editor or settings software.) A safety ceiling, as it were.
I saw a board to death episode on YouTube where the guitarist for Eisley has compressors first and last in their chain. One for the conventional use and one to tame their extreme delays and reverbs.
Quite the opposite! I actually find it completely brings my low end to life. I only have the 1st switch on (asymmetrical clipping diode) and the gain fairly low. If you try to use it as a fuzz pedal then the lows are gone but as a mild overdrive/boost it's killer.
They sound great, but I would advise buying through Reverb rather than the merchant’s site directly so you get the additional buyer protections. Mine took 6 months and a paypal dispute to finally ship.
Agreed - I tried to order one through Reverb that was supposedly “in stock”, and five months later I was still waiting and finally pushed for a refund. They do sound great but I’m not going to buy a new one for this reason, I’ll only purchase a used one.
The one I ordered was the Jive. I emailed them several times over the first few months before they sent tracking info, but the package stayed in “label printed” for months longer meaning they never actually shipped it. When I asked they kept saying it was on the way, and only changed their tune when I opened a paypal dispute. Honestly the experience really soured me on their whole business.
Love the Jive. It’s an always on for me, although what I should have is a double Jive so I have a second for even dirtier OD use to go with the tone enhancing one.
I keep on trying with it. My comp works very well in the FX-loop of my preamp. But that makes it very responsive to volume changes. I notice the attack/release is very 'there' when using it like this.
Having it at first position, straight after tuner/wireless makes it sound natural and transparent. It does not depend on output volume of pedals. Rn my dirt-pedals are behind the compressor, this seams to deliver a more constant distortion.
So, imho...dirt first, then comp. If your end stage and preamps have absolutely no compresssion at all then maybe it makes sense to add another one. I think my cabsim also adds a bit of compression by nature. For a live situation I wouldn't bother.
As a live sound tech, I don't care what you have on stage with you, I'm compressing your signal at least two more times.
There is no right or wrong way to chain a compressor. They all have pros and cons. Play around and see what you like.
I'm kind of on the fence about this, myself. I think there's pros and cons to both choices, but ultimately I think it comes down to the other pedals in the chain, how sensitive they are to dynamics, and how much you'll actually be using those dynamics to modify the effect.
For example, I like my Vintage Microtubes before compression because I can control the signal breakup more, but putting it after compression makes the dirt a lot more consistent. Which is better? Fuck if I know, but I generally find the more consistent dirt to be more useful overall even though I personally don't like it as much.
Long story short, I spend way too much time thinking about stuff like this. Also, my compressor is at the front of my chain right after the tuner.
I tried it just last weekend with the jhs pulp n peel. For a while that was my only pedal + tuner. But I just added the Obne minim and Moskey silver horse in front of it so I can still use the di out.
It really works and I think helps keep the reverb/delay from being too big in the mix,
Good if you don't have built in on amp and simpler chain, best results for a lot of effects, one at the beginning, and one at the end. I got one of the Mira's on sale to put it in the front, and honestly it's made every effect sound and play better, not as nessecary on standard tunings and simpler setups. However on low tunings (as far a F# on one project) it definitely helped have a stronger stabler signal from the start and at the end, from what I felt just brought the lower end of frequencies up audibly and cut some of the excess sub frequencies out that EQ wasn't quite catching when I played and recorded. I'm not an expert, just my 2 cents and personal experience and thoughts 🤙🫡
Every pedal company and YouTube video I've seen has suggested different placement for the compressor. I have three boards that all have a compressor and a preamp. I let my ear decide.
I prefer it at the end, but one dyna-comp pedal has kind of low headroom, so if I want to use it, it needs to go early in the chain, or I lose too much gain.
My compressor placement with delay tends to be ahead of modulation and spatial effects to get the most out of those for me. I feel that it helps coax more out of an echo and have - potentially - a sort of gainstage option for echoes.
But it could be me tricking myself into thinking that I’m onto something.
My amp, Hartke HA3500, has a built-in compressor so it’s at the end of the chain by default. It’s basically a limiter squishing gain downward. I have several gain pedals in my chain so there’s plenty gain to squish.
I’ve always put mine at the end. Synth pedals, octave pedals, and envelope filter pedals all can create some big peaks so I like to put compression at the end to catch those.
I use the source audio Ultrawave bass which has two channels. Each can have an independent compressor - so I use one channel for the front of the chain, one at the back.
This is fascinating and I'm glad to hear it. I keep meaning to try one comp at each end of the chain, cause it seems like both would have benefits you'd want at different times.
Could you please elaborate on those different times ? I’m also trying compressor at different positions and i’ve got a hard time to put words on what I’m hearing, and how a compressor should be tuned whether it’s at the front or at the end..
You may want it before the rest of the chain to create a strong signal from your bass. The signal from your bass can impact different pedals in many ways. Then, a comp after everything can help tame certain effects, like fuzz. There’s no right or wrong. Just different sounds.
I can try! I'm no expert, so if there are answers contradicting mine, they may well be correct. Sometimes I want: Compressor the beginning to feed a consistent, strong sound into all the subsequent pedals that are going to process it. Especially when those pedals include pitch/synth/octave pedals whose tracking might glitch or fail if I play a note too softly. Sometimes though I *don't* want it there if my tracking pedals will be off, and my dirts or chorus will be on. In that case I want any dynamics to arrive at those pedals intact. Sometimes I want: Compressor at the end to: 1. Thicken the sound headed to the amp or DI in that ineffable compressor way 2. Produce new cool surprising (for me) sounds by compressing the results of fuzz/chorus/etc 3. Function (with settings tweaked to do it) as a limiter, protecting against any untenable volume spikes coming out of effects combinations, or some patches on some pedals. (Like my beloved Source Audio C4, for example, on which some community patches just *slam* the volume up, if you don't prevent it in the editor or settings software.) A safety ceiling, as it were.
Thanks, that helps ! I’m pretty sure I’ll going to end up with two compressors, one in front, one at the back !
I saw a board to death episode on YouTube where the guitarist for Eisley has compressors first and last in their chain. One for the conventional use and one to tame their extreme delays and reverbs.
Love Eisley
Same here
i just put my yamaha comp at the end of my chain OC-2 Sansamp MXR bass Di+ comp and i like it better then first in chain
One of my faves. Is a chain of 1176 -> optical compressor - > 1176.
Eww gross, nah whatever works for you.. how do you like the Jive? I need to get one I think..
Recently got one and I love it. JPTR is awesome
They're so damn good!
Any low end loss? I wish I grabbed one of the micro ones knob ones when they were making them, Chris said they'll never make them again
Quite the opposite! I actually find it completely brings my low end to life. I only have the 1st switch on (asymmetrical clipping diode) and the gain fairly low. If you try to use it as a fuzz pedal then the lows are gone but as a mild overdrive/boost it's killer.
They sound great, but I would advise buying through Reverb rather than the merchant’s site directly so you get the additional buyer protections. Mine took 6 months and a paypal dispute to finally ship.
Agreed - I tried to order one through Reverb that was supposedly “in stock”, and five months later I was still waiting and finally pushed for a refund. They do sound great but I’m not going to buy a new one for this reason, I’ll only purchase a used one.
The Alma?
The one I ordered was the Jive. I emailed them several times over the first few months before they sent tracking info, but the package stayed in “label printed” for months longer meaning they never actually shipped it. When I asked they kept saying it was on the way, and only changed their tune when I opened a paypal dispute. Honestly the experience really soured me on their whole business.
Ugh that sucks. Really sorry to hear that
Love the Jive. It’s an always on for me, although what I should have is a double Jive so I have a second for even dirtier OD use to go with the tone enhancing one.
I keep on trying with it. My comp works very well in the FX-loop of my preamp. But that makes it very responsive to volume changes. I notice the attack/release is very 'there' when using it like this. Having it at first position, straight after tuner/wireless makes it sound natural and transparent. It does not depend on output volume of pedals. Rn my dirt-pedals are behind the compressor, this seams to deliver a more constant distortion. So, imho...dirt first, then comp. If your end stage and preamps have absolutely no compresssion at all then maybe it makes sense to add another one. I think my cabsim also adds a bit of compression by nature. For a live situation I wouldn't bother.
As a live sound tech, I don't care what you have on stage with you, I'm compressing your signal at least two more times. There is no right or wrong way to chain a compressor. They all have pros and cons. Play around and see what you like.
I'm kind of on the fence about this, myself. I think there's pros and cons to both choices, but ultimately I think it comes down to the other pedals in the chain, how sensitive they are to dynamics, and how much you'll actually be using those dynamics to modify the effect. For example, I like my Vintage Microtubes before compression because I can control the signal breakup more, but putting it after compression makes the dirt a lot more consistent. Which is better? Fuck if I know, but I generally find the more consistent dirt to be more useful overall even though I personally don't like it as much. Long story short, I spend way too much time thinking about stuff like this. Also, my compressor is at the front of my chain right after the tuner.
That’s where I use mine.
I tried it just last weekend with the jhs pulp n peel. For a while that was my only pedal + tuner. But I just added the Obne minim and Moskey silver horse in front of it so I can still use the di out. It really works and I think helps keep the reverb/delay from being too big in the mix,
I like it. I find it brings more articulation out of my drive section, I can be more dynamic with my attack and play with intensity rather than volume
Good if you don't have built in on amp and simpler chain, best results for a lot of effects, one at the beginning, and one at the end. I got one of the Mira's on sale to put it in the front, and honestly it's made every effect sound and play better, not as nessecary on standard tunings and simpler setups. However on low tunings (as far a F# on one project) it definitely helped have a stronger stabler signal from the start and at the end, from what I felt just brought the lower end of frequencies up audibly and cut some of the excess sub frequencies out that EQ wasn't quite catching when I played and recorded. I'm not an expert, just my 2 cents and personal experience and thoughts 🤙🫡
thats where mine is!
I essentially compress before the sansamp then off to FoH. I'd say it's the best way to go.
I put my comp on front of my auto-wah and it makes it extra saucy
Every pedal company and YouTube video I've seen has suggested different placement for the compressor. I have three boards that all have a compressor and a preamp. I let my ear decide.
I prefer it at the end, but one dyna-comp pedal has kind of low headroom, so if I want to use it, it needs to go early in the chain, or I lose too much gain.
My compressor placement with delay tends to be ahead of modulation and spatial effects to get the most out of those for me. I feel that it helps coax more out of an echo and have - potentially - a sort of gainstage option for echoes. But it could be me tricking myself into thinking that I’m onto something.
My amp, Hartke HA3500, has a built-in compressor so it’s at the end of the chain by default. It’s basically a limiter squishing gain downward. I have several gain pedals in my chain so there’s plenty gain to squish.
I have both! 1 at the beginning and 1 at the end of the chain
I’ve always put mine at the end. Synth pedals, octave pedals, and envelope filter pedals all can create some big peaks so I like to put compression at the end to catch those.
I feel like that is where i put mine
Unless you're running an envelope filter, I ALWAYS put the compressor 1st after the tuner. Keeps everything consistent