compressing bass . need help

[ace516]

i'm looking into buying a compressor specifically for recording bass. i plan to use both or either direct input or miking a bass amplifier. i've recently been looking at these:

PreSonus Blue Max Compressor
Alesis 3630 Dual-Channel Compressor/Limiter with Gate
Behringer T1952 Tube Composer
DBX 266XL Compressor/Gate
Behringer MDX1600 Autocom Pro-XL Compressor

could someone help me pick out one and give me details on what i really need? also what other tracks can i use the compressor for. (snare?)

 

[Farview]

Try the ART pro vla. I have no experience with the presonus, but hte rest of your list is in the 'sucks' catagory

 

[HangDawg]

I just did a bass track for another member here and used a dbx163 (look on Ebay). I went directly into the Hi Z input and squished the crap out of it. I think it came out REALLY well.

 

[cavedog101]

You do realise that compression can actually make things smaller dont you? especially in tracking.If you want a HUGE bass sound..save your cash and get an AVALON U5 DI...never look back.

 

[rhythm ranch]

I just did a bass track for another member here and used a dbx163 (look on Ebay). I went directly into the Hi Z input and squished the crap out of it. I think it came out REALLY well.

Just to clarify, that's the 163X. The 163 didn't have the HiZ input.

And I agree, the 163X is a great little compressor for bass.

 

[FALKEN]

ive gotten good results with the presonus preset.

the 266XL also includes a limiter, though, which is great for bass as well.

 

[Reggie]

You do realise that compression can actually make things smaller dont you? especially in tracking.If you want a HUGE bass sound..save your cash and get an AVALON U5 DI...never look back.

That's kind of the whole point in mixing isn't it? I mean, make the individual parts smaller, so they fit together to make the whole bigger. Without compressing the bass (unless you know of an awesomely even bassplayer), homeboy will get his car woofers blown on certain stray notes. Of course there is such thing as overdoing compression; don't get me wrong.

 

[tmix]

i'm looking into buying a compressor specifically for recording bass. i plan to use both or either direct input or miking a bass amplifier. i've recently been looking at these:

PreSonus Blue Max Compressor
Alesis 3630 Dual-Channel Compressor/Limiter with Gate
Behringer T1952 Tube Composer
DBX 266XL Compressor/Gate
Behringer MDX1600 Autocom Pro-XL Compressor

could someone help me pick out one and give me details on what i really need? also what other tracks can i use the compressor for. (snare?)

I have owned the DBX and the Alesis, neither are any good for bass.
You would do better to buy a Symmetrix 501 or something with an opto compressor like the ART Pro VLA mentioned allready. On the cheap you could pick up a ART levelar (small unit like the ART MP) But really even a Stomp box or Bass pedal such as the SansAmp would beat the pants off the ones you mentioned above, for strictly a Bass compressor.

The problem arises (for most generic compressors) when the circuitry that is doing the volume sensing (and therefore the volume riding) sees the bass signals, the waveforms of the sinewaves are so big (Low frequencies) that the circuitry tries to follow the pulsations in the waveform causing a clicky distortion that really sucks. Opto compressors and tube compressors dont have the same shortcomings and I personally think they are the way to go for a better Bass guitar comp.

My opinion obviously.

Tom

 

[MISTERQCUE]

Being a long-time bassist and learning over the past few years the basics of proper tracking of the bass be it direct or mic'd, the utmost important aspect is to the provide a quality perf'mnc of the instrument being tracked and paying heed to the overall dynamics of same.
I've read numerous threads here and there with questions ranging from "best comp for bass" to "what settings/levels should I use" by folks who believe that dynamic processors (comps,para-eq's) are more of "enhancing effect".
Dyn'mc processors are tools designed for capping and controlling peaks and overall levels of a signal. A good processor should provide clean and transparent performance w/o the added audio artifacts (such as found in the 3630, Zoom's digitechs etc) accompaning signal. Since the bass is a hi-energy source via it's low-end freq'ys, my .0000000000000002 worth opinion
recommend the RNC as a durable, efficient unit capable of controlling most dynamic problems.

 

[acorec]

i'm looking into buying a compressor specifically for recording bass. i plan to use both or either direct input or miking a bass amplifier. i've recently been looking at these:

PreSonus Blue Max Compressor
Alesis 3630 Dual-Channel Compressor/Limiter with Gate
Behringer T1952 Tube Composer
DBX 266XL Compressor/Gate
Behringer MDX1600 Autocom Pro-XL Compressor

could someone help me pick out one and give me details on what i really need? also what other tracks can i use the compressor for. (snare?)

This is a rare occasion that I have a solution that is NOT in a rack. I have had the best success with the BOSS LMB-1 Bass Limiter/Enhancer pedel. This is simply the best compressor for bass I have ever found. If you have a chance to try one, try one. I love it and use it all the time.

 

[MISTERQCUE]

This is a rare occasion that I have a solution that is NOT in a rack. I have had the best success with the BOSS LMB-1 Bass Limiter/Enhancer pedel. This is simply the best compressor for bass I have ever found. If you have a chance to try one, try one. I love it and use it all the time.

Yo' acorec, you have piqued my curiosity regarding your choice of the LMB-Uno as 2 aquaintances of mine heavily involved in the music scene also gave hi-props to this unit. Each mentioned the LMB's ability to control audio peaks & dynamic control when used in "live" formats.
My question to you is how does the LMB perf'm in DI'd format & basically what is it about the unit that has you singin' it's praises?
How well does the LMB's attack/release function handle percussive, thumb-slap bass techniques, which requires a somewhat similar settings/processing (quick approach) as a kick/snare and are there any audible artifacts accompanying signal during proc'ing?
You and I have had several disagreements in the past on gear (BEHRINGER....YECHHHHH!! ... ), but I would really appreciate hearing your reasons why you luv the LMB.
Peace
Q.rM

 

[t_chance]

I've found my Symetrix 525 does a quite nice job on my mixdowns. This was on an accoustic though. I saw one for sale in the $75 range just last week.