Compression

**STC5150** · 12.22.06, 01:50 PM

Anyone here use a compression pedal in their effects chain ? WHich one do you use, and do you like it ? I am thinking of getting the Boss Comp. sustainer, and I was wondering if it's a good pedal ? Thanks !

**homeunit** · 12.22.06, 01:55 PM

The best pedal comp ever. http://www.robertkeeley.com/product.php?id=8

**Trennasol** · 12.22.06, 03:20 PM

The Keeley is good but the BJF Pale Green Compressor noses it out IMHO. Hard to find in stock and a little expensive though.

AT · 12.22.06, 04:51 PM

I've never used a compressor except for some clean stuff and with the wah. I owned the Boss for a while, but it tended to lack transparency. Someone I know who is a wizard about pedals--old and new alike--recently gave me a recommendation, though I don't remember what he suggested. I'll ask him about it again and post the info here.

**STC5150** · 12.22.06, 08:18 PM

Thanks for all of the info, I appreciate it.

**Kevy5150** · 12.22.06, 09:18 PM

Exactly what does the compressor do? I haven't actually used them before...

**Mikey Metalhead** · 12.23.06, 08:50 AM

Originally Posted by Kevy5150

Exactly what does the compressor do? I haven't actually used them before...

does pretty much what it says... it "compresses" a signal. It takes anything over a pre-set volume and lowers it without clipping it. settings allow control over have fast it reacts and how fast it tapers off.

for guitar, the main effect achieved is added sustain. Since I love sustain, I compress the crap out of my signal, which for me is buit into my pre-amp (2112)

in a studio, it helps a producer keep control of roaming volumes, like a singer who gets to excited.

**Rick S** · 12.23.06, 05:51 PM

how well does a compressor work with distortion?

i tried a compressor/sustainer pedal with my 5150 , but it just seemed to cause more hiss.

**Majestic** · 12.23.06, 09:02 PM

The Lead channel on the 5150 is already the most naturally compressed tone known to man. Period.

It makes no sense to squeeze that signal any more, especially if you're using high-output (ie. "low bandwidth") pickups like the Wolfgang/EBMM on top of it.

You don't want to pipe narrow-into-narrow and then "squeeze" it again to make it even narrower. Yikes!!!

**Rick S** · 12.23.06, 09:24 PM

hence why i didnt keep the pedal very long.

that was 4 years ago.

AT · 12.23.06, 11:12 PM

Yes, in general compression with heavy distortion is completely unnecessary and will probably suck some life out of the tone itself. For cleaner tones or filtered tones (like wah or an envelope filter) where the frequencies are venturing all over the place, a compressor can be a good thing.

Addressing those who asked about the actual function of compression, most of what you hear come out of a recording studio is compressed. Different engineeres take different approaches, but I like to compress every track during recording, to the point that it sounds good to me without being too over-done, so it is basically ready for the mix. Sometimes it needs to be compressed again during the mixing process simply because the attack and release functions need to be readjusted. Different instruments/tracks get different levels of compression. Vocals, bass, percussion, acoustic guitars, some drums (room mics, kick and snare) will often favor heavier compression; electric guitars, keyboards, and incidental stuff often require just a touch in case of a level freak-out.