Help - need a Bass compressor

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ido1957

ido1957

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I'm looking for some advice for a bass guitar compressor for my friend. He plays a Rickenbacher Stereo Bass (in mono) into a Fender Bass Head/15" Speaker. The bass head is top of the line from 10 years ago with eq/crossover etc. but no compressor.

He gets various levels out of his bass depending on the note he plays. For example a low E is louder than a fretted D and so on.

This is more for recording - we're trying to get a good solid even level on the bass.

I have seen only a couple of pedals and no rack mount specifically for a bass guitar.

Should we get one that we plug the bass into first then into the amp or get one for the inserts on the mixer?

Looking at a modest price range - around $250.00
Thanks
 
Hello...
I have been using the safesound p1's compressor on bass recordings and have been pleased with the results. However, we recently tried the demeter compulator and were happy with the recording as well. We actually ran a p-bass through a sadowsky outboard preamp to the demeter compulator then into the safesound (but shut the compressor on the safesound off).
http://www.demeteramps.com/
Very cool pedal and in your price range.
evt
 
No tip on a compressor, but just a thought: to me, a bass with (highly) uneven levels at different notes is not a very good bass. As good as the tone may be, uneven levels are either something you learn to live with (and adjust your playing to) or don't (and get a new bass). I myself have always hated instruments with uneven levels at different notes. The color of the notes seems to vary more on these instruments aswell, which means less control to the player.

Ofcourse, sertain instruments simply have this characterisic because it is part of their sound (like the uneven pole pieces of a Strat), but it still comes down to either learning to life with it or getting rid of it. I never concidered a compressor an answer.
 
bobar19 said:
****rnc****
Click to expand...

The RNC can be pretty weak on bass and cause distortion, we've had problems trying to use one on bass and there is even a section on their site dedicated to explaining why the RNC can have problems with bass.

Not saying it's a bad comp, just it's not ideal for bass.

War
 
Symetrix 501

Used. Look for the ones with the toggle power switch.


dbx 160X isn't too bad, either.
 
Ditto Chessrock.

I have a 501 (w/ toggle) and it seems to works good on bass.

The RNC deffinitely does not work so good on bass.

-mike
 
Rnc... No

I have found in general Opto type compressors work best for me on bass. The Joe Meek single channel pre/ comp / eqs are nice. The ART Pro VLA is also a good Bass comp as well as the afore mentioned Symmetrix 501 (although it is not an opto based comp).

Tom
 
I found a Symetrix 501 on eBay - but the switches all looks like pushbuttons.
(But the picture's kinda tiny). Here's the eBay item number 7332287574.
What's the difference between the pushbutton model and the toggle power switch model? Also the unit in the picture differs from the User Guide pictures that the seller gave a link to. Maybe it's an older model.....
 
Toggle Switch models use the Valley People VCA, so people tend to like the sound a little better.

The push-button ones are still pretty decent. Nothing wrong with them at all.
 
they changed some of the components (including the VCA) between the toggle switch and the push-button models of the 501. this essentially makes them different compressors.

i've heard lots good about the 501--i need to pick one up. i've got a symetrix 425 that i like on bass. i also like the symetrix cl150 on bass (love it on guitar).

i HATE the rnc on bass. it just "craps out" for lack of a better term. "farty-sounding" might be apt here. love it on lots of things.....bass is just not one of them.

you also might want to get the bass professionally "setup". a lot of those "uneven note" issues can be cured with a good setup.....and i'd rather have a well-setup bass than one that has to depend on compression to play evenly.


cheers,
wade
 
The compressor should help even out the peaks and valleys but maybe I need more help setting up the bass for recording.

It's a Richenbacher plugged into a Fender BXR400 amp. The signal comes out of the effects send into an Alesis Studio 32 board then to an ADAT. The effects send seems to have the best signal compared to the line out.

One other thing I would like to change - when the bass is loud enough it's too bassy or boomy and muddy. I've heard lots of recordings whee the bass is right on the money - lots of bottom but clear as a bell and turning up the loudness just enhances a good thing. Almost like it's been specially EQ'd somehow.

So can anyone suggest how this is done - what eq's, preamps, compressor, effects - the chain if you will - that gives that great bass sound.

The kind that even sounds great on a boom box...... :-)
 
Try recording with a mic on the speaker (unless you can't). The speaker's natural compression might even things out for you. Maybe try rolling off some of the low frequencies. On a lot of records that have bass I reall enjoy, the bass notes are low, of course, but the low frequencies aren't boosted or exaggerated. Then again, I like a crunchy overdriven bass sound, which may differ from you.
 
First, adjust the pickups please. Many times this will even out the sound of a bass or guitar.

The DBX 160x is a good recommendation or rent an 1176.

For recording I would get a solid DI box and go direct into your mixer/DAW. This will get you the clarity you need. Then push the 100-150 range slightly with EQ.

Finally, you can mix in some of the live amp feed (mic source not line) to fill out the sound if its needed.

Just re-read your last comments. The boominess at high levels is because the Alesis preamps have uneven frequency response which is centered in the low to mid range. It becomes apparent at high volumes.

All DI signals are inherently weak unless they are driven correctly. The Amp signal feed may also be the problem. Try going back to the line out and see if you have the same problem when cranked up.

A good DI should be your focus or the compressor, maybe both.
 
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I've been using the M-Audio Tampa for bass lately with some good results
 
my choices would be. 1176, then a 160x then a symetrix for bass. i rarely have a 1176 so i usually use the 160 with good results. ill use a symetrix if i really wanna slam a bass.
 
yes, adjust the pickups. if the bridge on the bass is adjustable, you also want to get the strings at good heights.

as for a compressor, i can't believe nobody mentioned a dbx.
 
mr.rich said:
my choices would be. 1176, then a 160x then a symetrix for bass. i rarely have a 1176 so i usually use the 160 with good results. ill use a symetrix if i really wanna slam a bass.
Click to expand...

Thinking of a four channel DBX - the 1046 - would one channel have as much quality as a 160X? Four channels would take care of a few mics, bass and drums. But we're talking a lot more dollars too which means having to wait a while before buying it - other priorities right now....

Also saw a Digitech X-Series Bass Squeeze pedal for < $100. It has DBX technology in it. Has anyone ever tried one - any comments?
 
I'll second the 163. I've got a 164, which I think is the stereo version of the 163. Awesome, colored, somewhat noisy compressor for cheap.
 
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