Hey OW! Compression!

[Charley Wild]

Well, I did as threatened and really gave the old DynaComp a workout this weekend. I tried it with my OD and my buzzbox. Right after the guitar ala' Gilmour, and before the amp. I used each effect separately, by the way. Conclusions:
I liked it okay both ways. I rolled Gilmour's full output (left knob) back to 12:00 and left it there throughout the "test". I like near max output from my pickups when I use any effect. At least "7". I adjust outputs and volumes elsewhere. I want the pickups working!
When it was before the amp I rolled the right knob up a bit to about 10:00 or so.
Again, it was okay. I'm glad I finally dug the thing out and really got to know it a bit. But I can get along without it. I think it's okay for recording or maybe gigging but I sure don't need it for jamming. I think in some cases people believe they just have to have one and too many people go way over board with them. Like more is better. So it's back to the box and into the closet. Anybody need a DynaComp? :)
Everybody feel free to jump right in here and give their thoughts on compression.

[buckkillr8]

script logo?

[SpeckledJim]

ive been lookin for a compression recently, i had my eye on the boss CS-2 but havent seen one lately. i dont think they make them anymore

[buckkillr8]

gotta get it from Ebay Jim

[WireNWood]

Compression is another effect that people often misuse because they think it can replace actually learning to play well. If you can't or won't practice until your pickstrokes are even, a compressor will help compensate by lopping off the places where you ham-fisted some note and played it louder than the rest of the passage/chord.

I did not say compression is useless, I simply said it is often used in a lazy way.

[jimihalen]

Anybody need a DynaComp? :)



Ooh! Ooh! Me!

[Jossy]

I like to use compression when im recording ceirtain parts. That helps during mixing and mastering. To be honest i don't quite use it when im jamming...except if i need an "even" sound for some track...or as WnW puts it, if im lazy to work ceirtain parts... :coffee:

Saludos.

[OLDWANNABEE]

Hey Jossy and WnW last weekend i used the Dynacomp on Fri night all night long-5 sets it gave the Squire Affinity a great tone with extra punch and sustain,Sat night same settings and i hated it, could not get it dialed in to make me happy and the clipped notes really bugged me. I seemed to get the opposite effect of you guys, i tended to pick more precise because of the clipped notes. I play pretty clean usually and i found when recording i can get away with sloppy and or lazy playing using more distortion and reverb and delay,all of which i rarely use during live playing. Bottom line is i can live without it and would not have bought one if it hadn't been given to me, but i'll probably keep it in effects chain for the time i think it might come in handy or until its time to replace the battery or if someone has a good phase shifter they want to trade for it. :beers:

[TexMexMike]

I have never had the privilage to use a compressor. My memory strikes me mostly hearing about the effect being used durring the recording/mixing stage. Cool to now have somewhat of a definition as to what the pedal does! :thumbsup:

[Justpickin]

I picked up a Boss compressor/sustainer a year or so ago, mainly out of curiosity...I don't know where it is right now.

[Jossy]

Hey Jossy and WnW last weekend i used the Dynacomp on Fri night all night long-5 sets it gave the Squire Affinity a great tone with extra punch and sustain,Sat night same settings and i hated it, could not get it dialed in to make me happy and the clipped notes really bugged me. I seemed to get the opposite effect of you guys, i tended to pick more precise because of the clipped notes. I play pretty clean usually and i found when recording i can get away with sloppy and or lazy playing using more distortion and reverb and delay,all of which i rarely use during live playing.

IMO compressor must not be used as an effect, but rather as a tool for the overall sound, since helps to have better definition when picking up lightly or when you hit the strings hard...

Bottom line is i can live without it and would not have bought one if it hadn't been given to me, but i'll probably keep it in effects chain for the time i think it might come in handy or until its time to replace the battery or if someone has a good phase shifter they want to trade for it. :beers:

As i mentioned, i don't use it when jamming because it confuses me sometimes, i like to hear the good, the bad and the ugly...and boy, ugly sounds pretty clear to me...LOL... :smoke:

Im sure WnW could share his views as he plays constantly...

Saludos.

[WireNWood]

I never got the hang of using compression live. I always felt like it robbed me of the dynamics I worked to include.

To be fair, I probably never spent enough time to learn how to use it. I hear it recommended by many good players.