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Topic starter
21/07/2005 5:54 am
What do you guys think? I just bought a digitech main squeeze compressor off ebay (brand new) and when I fool around with it, it seems that I can't really get a sound difference when I'm playing with overdrive. I really only notice the sound difference when it's clean, also I can't figure out for the life of me what the attack knob is used for. Any input is appreciated. Oh and by the way there is an output/level knob, attack, equalizer, and sustain knobs too. If you guys have any suggestions about how to set this up so I can notice differences that would be great. I'm running it through a Peavy Backstage amp, which I know isn't that special but its supposed to have that "trans tube" technology so it sounds similar to a tube. Thanks
Thanks Dudes!
Keep on Rockin'
Pat
21/07/2005 8:59 am
I'm no sound engineer, but I think the point is, is that a compressor raises the volume of soft sounds and reduces the volume of loud ones ("compresses" the range of volume). Overdrive and distortion both achieve their effect by clipping the sound wave - effectively reducing the volume range of the signal - similar to what a compressor does.
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21/07/2005 9:19 am
You've more or less got.
You'll probably get closer to the results you're imagining if you're sound chain goes:
eq->compressor->eq->distortion
Than if it went
eq->distortion->eq->compression
"The music business is a cruel and shallow money trench, a long plastic hallway where thieves and pimps run free, and good men die like dogs. There's also a negative side." -- HST
21/07/2005 6:52 pm
Heh, I remember first using a compressor thinking it was going to change my sound drastically, imagine my annoyance when I couldn't really tell anything was happening!
It's a more subtle effect but it does make things generally sound a little nicer. I try not to practice with compression, as it has a way of allowing you to be less conscious of your dynamics, which isn't great for your technique.
As for your question, "Attack" affects the delay between when you play the note and when the compression kicks in. Leaving a long delay and turning the compression ratio up, you should be able to hear the effect: Play a note hard, it should come out really loud, and then suddenly back off.
Do something you love and you'll never work a day in your life...
21/07/2005 7:27 pm
What is this compression all about ? :shock:
21/07/2005 10:00 pm
john287in
Here is a pic that will explain compression to you.
Greybeard explained it well. Compression takes out the peaks and valleys in volume. This is especially useful for singers who tend to sing or whisper very softly and then scream loudly. This gives soundpeople a fit as it makes it difficult to set a volume level that works. They crank up volume when the singer is singing very softly. Then, if the singer suddenly screams loudly or very close to the mic it knocks everybody over :shock:
So a compressor levels everything out. It will increase the volume for quiet notes, and cut loud notes.
It has the same effect on guitar. This can be good or bad. It will give you a more balanced sound. It can increase sustain. This is good.
On the other hand, it can make your playing sound very sterile. Players who play with feel and dynamics would probably not like compression. So a great Blues player would probably not like too much compression, as they tend to play very emotionally with many ups and downs.
Too much compression will introduce feedback. This is bad.
Me, I use a little compression on clean presets just to sustain the notes a little. I don't like lots of compression. But it's an individual thing.
If you know something better than Rock and Roll, I'd like to hear it - Jerry Lee Lewis
Topic starter
22/07/2005 4:16 am
hey thanks guys.
Thanks Dudes!
Keep on Rockin'
Pat
22/07/2005 10:28 am
A compressor is used for dynamic processing. Compresssion helps reduce the variations produced by the differences between low and high notes, or between one string and another, or by irregularities in the way the right hand plays the strings. Compression can improve audibility and contribute to a tight punchy sound. Invaluable to bass and rhythm players. Lead players will find that it can increase sustain without increasing distortion.
Different compression ratios can be selected to make either subtle or dramatic changes to a signals dynamic range. Adjust the release time to set "openness" of the sound. The faster the release the more the signal is "crushed", The slower (longer) release time times give notes more sustain. Longer release times maintain the natural envelope of the input while the slower release brings up the gain to bring out the neuances at low levels. Use the attack to choose the pick attack you need. Short attacks tend to give a "tight", well controlled sound. Longer attacks add punch to the sound source.
Joe