Compressor on bass

[Ulli]

Hi there, had a gig some days ago and on some tracks I could hear pops from my bass. I'm not sure about that, but maybe I haven't adjusted my compressor (Behringer Composer) good enough. Beside that I'm interested what settings other bass players use (for live performance and recording)....

Anyone?

- Ulli -

 

[BBB]

Depending on smoothness or punch.

If I want smoothness, I'll set a fast attack and slow release.

For punch, I'll drop the attack more towards medium.

For slapping, I'll set a high compression ratio.


Matt

 

[Ulli]

Well, currently I have Attack of 10ms and Release of 80ms at Ratio 5:1. That worked always good for me. I like the sound, if only there wouldn't be those pops or clicks on stage....

 

[dabluesman]

I've got a J-Station coming in that I plan on using pretty much just for my Fender P-bass. It has a compressor with Threshold (-50dB to 0dB), Ratio (1.1:1, 1.2:1, 1.5:1, and 2:1 to 10:1 and an inifity:1), Gain (0dB to 30dB), and Frequency (50Hz to 800Hz then 1kHz to 3.15kHz to "full range") settings. Now, I know that with a bass usualy you would want to compress the lower frequencies. But I'm new to this and I'm wondering if someone could explain to me what the frequencies and ratio's are and the best way to have them configured. Thanks guys!

 

[BBB]

da:

Higher ratios will squash your signal more. Infinity:1 is a limiter.

Thus, lower ratos will allow more dynamics through. High ratos are often used for slapping/popping.

Therefore, if you want your bass heaviliy compressed, use a high ratio.

Not to sure about the frequencies on the J-Station. Either they are just EQ settings or they allow the compressor to act in a type of multiband compression.


Matt

 

[GONZO-X]

ULLI-
i had some similar problems in the past, for live performances i went to a boss bass limiter, and that worked really well.....

for recording, though, you should be able to dial in that behringer unit to give a good smooth compression, the other guys gave some good parameters.......

you may want to try rolling some of your volume off the bass itself, and compensate with gain at the amp/preamp...

that will reduce the overall impact from the output of your pickups, which just may be too hot.........

 

[Ulli]

Well, I'll try to use it as limiter next time. Meanwhile I use another compressor for recordings so the Behringer is only used in the live rack. Yep, you're right, both basses I play have an active electronic and therefore a high output, but the compressor was in the line before the amp (and the DI box)so it should have worked.... I used a fast attack of 10ms and release of 80ms at 5:1 ratio.... But I'll try it as limiter, hope this will kill pop

Cheers
- Ulli -