Tell me about Compression / Limiting

[FebruaryStars]

What is compression... I know it's a popular bass effect... I've never used it or known anyone who has...

 

After reading the explination at HC I'm still confused but I'm thinking it's used to even out playing levels... like the diff between a slap and a pop or an initial attack and rhythmic fingering following???

 

Please exlain, the good and the bad, from the bass players point of view.

[Fran da Man]

Compression does level out any "spike" in your overall volume.

Too much compression tends to send out way too much hi-frequency. You'll hear it when you turn it up all the way, sounds like crap. Also using even a little too much will take away any dynamics that you normally use your fingers for (to make it louder/softer)...plus it will also make your mistakes just as loud as what your playing, so use it wisely and sparingley.

[i_wanna_les_paul]

If you want some audio soundclips, you can go here: http://www.digitech.com/xseriesflash/BassSqueeze.html

 

It let's you try out Digitech's bass compressor stompbox, and turn it on and off. It'll give you an idea of what sort of things a compressor can do to your sound.

 

It has the potential to fatten up your sound a touch, especially when recording, or as mentioned, squish the expression out of it.

 

Dustin

[jungleroom_x]

Unless I miss my guess, compressors are a sort of "soft-cutting", but limiters are hard-line no-way-past-this point devices?

 

I never got too much into them...