Members delayed delay Posted November 24, 2012 Members Share Posted November 24, 2012 ... Anyone here do it? Thinking of picking up another Diamond Comp or possibly one of the new Xotic SP Compressors to help even out the notes in my clean tone... But my clean tone isn't pristinely clean; always has a bit of an edge to it. However, I also love the way a good compressor can just act subtly to help even or balance out your tone... I think the biggest reason I ditched the Diamond before was because I ran my amp too dirty. Well, I've since backed that off a bit, and I run a little cleaner now but there's still some crunch to it. Anyone around here run their compressor into a dirty amp? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members delayed delay Posted November 24, 2012 Author Members Share Posted November 24, 2012 No one? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members echodeluxe Posted November 24, 2012 Members Share Posted November 24, 2012 I'm interested too. I'm thinking about picking up a cs-3. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members r0bo01 Posted November 24, 2012 Members Share Posted November 24, 2012 i run a compressor (module) with my dirt into a slightly dirty gain on my amps... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members goodhonk Posted November 24, 2012 Members Share Posted November 24, 2012 i do not Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members delayed delay Posted November 24, 2012 Author Members Share Posted November 24, 2012 Originally Posted by goodhonk i do not Cool beans. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Lanefair Posted November 25, 2012 Members Share Posted November 25, 2012 I run a byoc comp into my clean channel on my classic 30. Can get a little gritty on louder settings. Wouldn't play clean without it. I used a Dynacomp on OD channel years ago, I was ignorant of picking dynamics as a result. Do not recommend. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members GREC Posted November 25, 2012 Members Share Posted November 25, 2012 I like using an old MXR Dynacomp as a boost into a slight breakup gain on an amp. Gets lots of sustain without being too distorted. Similar to old 60's jangly overdriven guitars -You can play open chords that are defined but still dirty. It takes some tweeking to find the sweet spot. Too much compression sounds like crap. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members caeman Posted November 25, 2012 Members Share Posted November 25, 2012 I only run a clean amp. Any dirt I create comes from my fuzz pedal. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members El Gallo Negro Posted November 25, 2012 Members Share Posted November 25, 2012 It'll help keep your dirty amp dirty. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Computicus Posted November 25, 2012 Members Share Posted November 25, 2012 Sounds like a good recipe for lots of hiss? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members LSDis4me Posted November 25, 2012 Members Share Posted November 25, 2012 The Moen compressor is dirt cheap and is supposed to be a Diamond clone. I have one and love it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members hooya Posted November 25, 2012 Members Share Posted November 25, 2012 If you use compression as a real "effect" it's probably not a good idea. I like comp in front of amp drive in some circumstances, light to moderate overdriven sounds. But that's only for really subtle use of compression that's not really meant to stand out. When used right it won't add hiss at all, just provide a little bit of clarity to the sound going into your amp, probably will level out the amount of grit in the sound which may or may not be what you want to go for. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Elessar [Sly] Posted November 25, 2012 Members Share Posted November 25, 2012 I use a cs-2 with dirt. sounds cool. Get a compressor that lets more bass frequencies through. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members delayed delay Posted November 26, 2012 Author Members Share Posted November 26, 2012 Originally Posted by hooya If you use compression as a real "effect" it's probably not a good idea.I like comp in front of amp drive in some circumstances, light to moderate overdriven sounds. But that's only for really subtle use of compression that's not really meant to stand out. When used right it won't add hiss at all, just provide a little bit of clarity to the sound going into your amp, probably will level out the amount of grit in the sound which may or may not be what you want to go for. That's actually the exact reason I would want one. Clarity and evening things out. I definitely don't use compressors as an effect, just a little sweetening here and there. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members DylanWilde Posted November 26, 2012 Members Share Posted November 26, 2012 In my experience, a compressor into an overdriven amp will generally just make everything more fluid. However, it will cost you, to some extent, the whole "play light to get cleaner tones; play heavier to get some grit" touch sensitivity that many people thrive on. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Trick Fall Posted November 26, 2012 Members Share Posted November 26, 2012 Distortion/overdrive already compresses the sound so I don't generally use a compressor. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Elessar [Sly] Posted November 26, 2012 Members Share Posted November 26, 2012 Compressors work well in front of fuzz, they help tame the more wilder ones in a band situation. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members hooya Posted November 26, 2012 Members Share Posted November 26, 2012 Originally Posted by delayed delay That's actually the exact reason I would want one. Clarity and evening things out. I definitely don't use compressors as an effect, just a little sweetening here and there. Originally Posted by DylanWilde In my experience, a compressor into an overdriven amp will generally just make everything more fluid. However, it will cost you, to some extent, the whole "play light to get cleaner tones; play heavier to get some grit" touch sensitivity that many people thrive on. If you do just use it lightly you will still get plenty of good playing dynamics. If you can actually hear the compressor clamp down on the sound you have it set too much and you will lose the playing dynamics.I have little experience with them, but from what I understand it's very difficult to get the Boss compressors to NOT do that clamp down thing, they're really an "effect" and aren't well designed for the more subtle use. I have a Flatline Compressor that I built, which is an optical comp, two knobs, which does this very well, although if I turn up the Threshold knob too much it will definitely Pop and you can hear the clamp. Maybe try the BBE Opto Stomp? Seems to be similar. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members tronus Posted November 26, 2012 Members Share Posted November 26, 2012 OK, here is my recent experience with adding a compressor back into my dirty setup. I used to do the Trey Anastasio thing with a couple Tube Screamers before a Ross type compressor. Stopped that and got into other forms of dirt. Eventually, I settled on amp dirt. My new Mesa Mark V's 2nd channel is used for a slight dirty sound. I wanted to dial it in super thick for nice single note stuff but then rhythm work was too dark and murky. I found out where it sounded nice and warm/fat/grindy for rhythm and blues/funk/blah blah blah leads... I just sort of rocked it like this for a while and hit the front of the amp's 2nd channel when I wanted a bit "more" for leads. After a while I realized I didn't like the way my slightly dirty channel sounded/felt when hit harder. I remember how compressor AFTER dirt, with just a slight compression and a lot of attack (to counter the increased gain whacking the front of the compressor, causing it to squash unless you increase the attack speed). So I did what is the "wrong" thing to do and stuck my CMATMods Deluxe Compressor (ROSS type with a tone control and an attack knob) in my effects loop. Now when I'm on that second channel and I want to boost volume (if desired) as well as add a ton of fatness and sustain, I hit that compressor... Which is now after my dirt, just like I like it. No more fizzyness caused when I hit the amp too hard for it's current EQ settings. No more lack of clarity because I have to darken the {censored} out of the boost pedal that's hitting the front end. Give it a shot! I highly recommend a compressor with an attack knob for this type of situation for the previous mentioned problems. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members mmolteratx Posted November 26, 2012 Members Share Posted November 26, 2012 Needs to be a fairly subtle compressor, IMO. Ross and MXR types tend to squish too much, even at minimum sustain settings. I liked my Diamond, PGC, FGC and Empress in front of dirt. Can't set the sustain too high on the Diamond or Empress though if you want to keep the noise down and keep some dynamics. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members delayed delay Posted November 27, 2012 Author Members Share Posted November 27, 2012 Originally Posted by tronus OK, here is my recent experience with adding a compressor back into my dirty setup.I used to do the Trey Anastasio thing with a couple Tube Screamers before a Ross type compressor.Stopped that and got into other forms of dirt. Eventually, I settled on amp dirt.My new Mesa Mark V's 2nd channel is used for a slight dirty sound. I wanted to dial it in super thick for nice single note stuff but then rhythm work was too dark and murky. I found out where it sounded nice and warm/fat/grindy for rhythm and blues/funk/blah blah blah leads... I just sort of rocked it like this for a while and hit the front of the amp's 2nd channel when I wanted a bit "more" for leads.After a while I realized I didn't like the way my slightly dirty channel sounded/felt when hit harder. I remember how compressor AFTER dirt, with just a slight compression and a lot of attack (to counter the increased gain whacking the front of the compressor, causing it to squash unless you increase the attack speed).So I did what is the "wrong" thing to do and stuck my CMATMods Deluxe Compressor (ROSS type with a tone control and an attack knob) in my effects loop.Now when I'm on that second channel and I want to boost volume (if desired) as well as add a ton of fatness and sustain, I hit that compressor... Which is now after my dirt, just like I like it. No more fizzyness caused when I hit the amp too hard for it's current EQ settings. No more lack of clarity because I have to darken the shit out of the boost pedal that's hitting the front end.Give it a shot! I highly recommend a compressor with an attack knob for this type of situation for the previous mentioned problems. Hmmm... Very interesting... I will definitely give this a shot. Thanks for the tip and great job at explaining it clearly. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members delayed delay Posted November 27, 2012 Author Members Share Posted November 27, 2012 Originally Posted by mmolteratx Needs to be a fairly subtle compressor, IMO. Ross and MXR types tend to squish too much, even at minimum sustain settings. I liked my Diamond, PGC, FGC and Empress in front of dirt. Can't set the sustain too high on the Diamond or Empress though if you want to keep the noise down and keep some dynamics. As stated in the OP, it definitely would be a subtle compressor... But I'm probably leaning towards the Xotic SP Compressor. By most accounts so far, it can be dialed in quite subtly. If not that, I'll probably go back to the Diamond. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members caeman Posted November 27, 2012 Members Share Posted November 27, 2012 This compressor should be safe to clean off your dirty amp. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members delayed delay Posted November 27, 2012 Author Members Share Posted November 27, 2012 Originally Posted by caeman This compressor should be safe to clean off your dirty amp. Finally the answer to making a dirty amp cleaner!!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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