Compressors can be confusing. We discuss what a Compressor does, where it is most useful, and some of the drawbacks with using compression to try and conclude if it is an effect you need to have. Buy Hypergravity Compressor: US - imp.i114863.net/rMjYv EU - www.thomann.de/intl/tc_electr... #compressor #hypergravity #doineedone Gain access to exclusive content at: www.patreon.com/csguitars Buy CSGuitars Merchandise - www.csguitars.co.uk/store Website - www.csguitars.co.uk Contact - colin@csguitars.co.uk Affiliate Links: Thomann - www.thomann.de/gb/index.html?... Sweetwater - imp.i114863.net/2mGGg CSGuitars uses: LEWITT Microphones - www.lewitt-audio.com/ Hoffnine Cabinets - www.hoffnine.co.uk/ Hosa Cables - hosatech.com/ Dragon's Heart Guitar Picks - www.dragonsheartguitarpicks.com/ Title graphics and logo by: www.studiosmithdesign.co.uk/ Join the discussion at: Facebook - facebook.com/csguitars Instagram - instagram.com/csguitars/ Twitter -twitter.com/CSG_Scotland
I use a compressor for extra sustain only for Doom metal. I shut off the compression and turn up the sustain for really slow parts that I just can't have the guitar die out befor the next note.
Wow, this is the first video about compressors that explained all the important questions I had in my mind, in well under 10 minutes, and without confusing me or boring me at all. You're a great teacher , keep making these videos. Thanks for the lesson!
if you've got the time, could you do more videos like this explaining the details of other pedal types like phaser, reverbs and the like. this was really cool and i learn a great deal. thanks
I just gotta say, you're videos, while funny and well made, have definitely helped with my understanding of guitar gear. As a still developing beginner/intermediate, I have learned more from your channel in a few weeks than everything else I've learned over the 4-5 years I've been playing. Thank you for these awesome informational videos, and Rock on, Dude!
I enjoy your videos. Been playing 25 years. You know what you're talking about. Refreshing. Too few youtube guitar channels cut through gear hype. Keep it up.
Compressor is a MUST HAVE pedal! First time I tried one it was ON for ever.. Every so ng, every solo, every gig! As a beginner guitarist you may not hear a big difference when using it or not using it. But once you get to know what its for and how much it cant do your will also be on for EVER! You can use it to boost the sound, to limit it, or to compress it.. The sustain will give you the sound of your strings for twice as long as without. Saying you dont need one is a mistake.. Thisis one of your most importand pedals if not the most importand. The distortion after the compressor sounds just so good.
I already knew all of this. But your are absolutely brilliant at explaining it all concisely and in detail with no waffling. Same goes for all of your videos. You'd be a great teacher.
I was never able to be told the actual uses of a compressor before, I only understood what it did, this video is by far the best explanation on RUclips
This video was super helpful, thank you! I almost went ahead and bought a compressor but after he said active humbucker pickups being played with lots of gain, distortion, etc. I'm glad that I did not go through with the purchase without fully knowing what I was getting into. Thanks!
Having an active noise gate in a signal chain BEFORE the compressor will remove the low floor before evening out the dynamic range with a compressor, effectively removing the signal noise and allowing cleaner compression...
Could you explain your point? This is currently what I am doing, and I find it works, but could be better. Why is it better to place your noise gate afterwards?
Once you play a note, the noise gate will open, letting the note through along with any noise. Gates rely on the noise being much lower than the notes and their job is to keep the signal silent when you are NOT playing notes (that being when the noise is most noticeable, with nothing over it to cover it up). Once the note opens the gate, the compressor will then lift the noise that comes through the gate and make it more audible under the note. So basically, while you are playing, the gate is not removing anything, and it doesn't matter if it is before or after the compressor. While you are NOT playing, then yes, the gate before the compressor is going to work better.
@@KimonFrousios Pretty sure thats not how compression works, while playing the compressor would be turning the volume of the guitar down (compressing it) and in turn also turning the noise down. Compression doesn't bring up the low volume stuff, it just brings higher volume stuff down so the quieter sounds are even with the loud sounds. I haven't tried it but in theory a gate before a compressor would work although youd get a nast tail from the release of the gate
@@WADstephen The least you could do is look up the definition of compression, instead of talking garbage out your backside, so let me do that for you: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dynamic_range_compression You didn't even need to own or have ever actually used a compressor for this (clearly you never have, the effect is not that subtle)... Compressing to zero amplitude: "volume control". Compressing to middle amplitude: "compression". Completely different things.
Kimon Froussios I know exactly what compression does. Seems you are the one misunderstanding it - your link only supports my point. Compression doesn’t magically bring quiet things up, it recudes the volume of the louder things and brings the volume of everything up hence making noise louder when not playing, however, when the guitar is being played the compressor brings the volume of the signal coming in down, and in turn the volume of the noise comes down with it. Therefore, in theory, if you cut the noise out in between playing (with a noise gate) then the only noise you’d hear is the time between you playing and the release time of the gate. I have a number of compressors and use an mxr dynacomp regularly on my guitar board. Check yourself before you wreck yourself
Really helpful video. Been debating getting a compressor for ages now and couldn't find a straight answer as to whether I needed it or not. This video definitely made things much clearer and easier to understand than a forum with two dozen guitarists all bickering with each other.
Hi Collin, Brilliant video, thanks for clearing up the Compressor debate, you explained it perfectly, just subscribed looking forward to more of your videos. Cheers from Melbourne, Australia.
As a blues player, I use a compressor all the time. It is especially useful for playing slide, boosting low to medium gain overdrives, leveling out lead runs, and as a tone coloring tool. Gotta love that dynacomp sound.
Also, they absolutely do NOT "render a noise gate useless", mate. Yeah, if you put it AFTER the compressor in the chain they'll *absolutely* make the noise gate useless. But if the noise gate is BEFORE the compressor it's completely different: in that case, the noise gate is receiving an uncompressed signal and thus can work perfectly - then it's cutting all the noise before it goes into the compressor, which compresses what remains.
Nope the compressor does not compress "what remains" because nothing is removed. Gates simply cut the signal when it drops below a certain level, ie when you stop playing. When the threshold is exceeded (ie you start playing notes again), the gate opens and lets everything though, both notes and noise. It does not remove the noise from under the notes it just hopes your notes are much louder than the noise to cover it up. So the compressor will still receive the noise while you are playing and make it more noticeable under the notes, regardless of where the gate is. The rest of your statement is correct though, the gate will work as normal if it is before the compressor.
@@KimonFrousios Yeah, so the noise gate would function fine and do it's job because, as you said, it only works when the signal drops below threshold level... You're thinking too hard.
CSGuitars You do some really fine instructional vids. I tried a compressor. Tossed it. Really does interfere with dynamics. My Strat has all the natural sustain I need
Recently started using a compressor for my lead channel (metal). Lowering the gain and using a Sustainiac in conjunction with the compressor did WONDERS for my solo work. I can’t wait to try this live 😊🤘🤘🤘🤘🤘
dude ive watched a couple of your videos. you are super knowledgable. I've been playing guitar for 10 year and have never really bothered to learn much about any of this stuff, but now im finding myself having to confront my lack of knowledge. i really appreciate it, keep it up!
I play a low tuned 7-string and only thing I have hooked up is a compressor pedal xD It honestly gives my tone more bite and sounds great with it and keeps its clarity.
Not saying that what you're doing isn't working and is wrong, but I'm wondering what would happen if you used a boost pedal/overdrive pedal instead. It sounds like you're just hitting your preamp harder. Not trying to cause a fight, but more curious if you'd get the same result with a boost/OD
Cool vid Colin. That Pedal Show did a vid about the order of pedals and one thing they said about compression (and you also mentioned it), it can be used as an effective boost if placed after od/distortion in the signal chain. Something I never thought of, but have since tried.....and liked
Excellent video! Very enlightening. Although I would say a bit of compression might not be all that bad in blues because while dynamics in volume is certainly cool, a big part of the appeal to playing "softly" (for me) is the actual tone of the soft picking, not necessarily the volume.
I play a '78 Telecaster bass and an Epiphone EB3 both of which play nicely with the Orange Kongpressor pedal and the setting on the compressor actually works well with both basses i.e. I found a setting that I didn't have to "settle on". This video definitely sheds new light and knowledge on the compressor for me. Thanks dude.
Amazing. Simply amazing. You make some of the most clear and concise informative videos on RUclips in my opinion. Pleasant demenor and a killer accent to boot! Lol Thank you for all that you do
Fantastic explanation. Just wanted to add that compressors do wonders if you're using low tuned or extended range guitars. Once you hit drop B and lower, chords and string skipping riffs that include the low string can get really muddy and the low note can drown out the higher ones. I've found boosting the mids to be very helpful, but if thats not enough, or if you dont like that sound, dialing back the gain and putting a compressor in your signal chain (preferably as early on as possible) does wonders. Couple that with some well set up noise gates and you can get a tone that stops on a dime or can sustain big chords with ease.
Great video Colin! Something else you can use them for, especially if you have an older compressor that doesn't track too well, is enhancing your attack transients. I had a cheapish bass amp about ten years ago with an on-board compressor, and when turned all the way up (down?) the initial picking or slapping would sound before the compressor kicked in, about 20 ms or so later. Sounds a bit like having a kick follow you when you play staccato. There are probably better ways to do the same thing now (mixing a compressor and notch filter?) but it was a really cool sound from a cheap effect. I'm also neither here nor there on gating based on your clean signal; it works but you lose that extra sustain you get from the compressor.
hmmm, you said adding a noisegate to a setup that's distorted with a compressor in the front of the chain, would only worsen the problem? i ask because i kind of have problem with low noise coming from my setup, and more directly from my compressor. first i should probably explain my setup, since its a bit untraditional . I have been working on it for awhile, i wanted a muddy fuzzy still distorted sound that would do well for our heavily down tuned doomish kind of sound. but i also wanted to be able to get some chunky palm mutes going at the same time. so i hooked a simple boss overdrive, with the drive at 0, but with 3/4 tone into my way huge swollen pickle. this created a perfect mix of that fuzzy yet still more distorted sound i was looking for, i where however still missing some "omph" in my palm muted sounds. So i added a compressor before the overdrive, and it did just that, how it does it, i am not sure,. but after tweaking it i got the sound i set out for. now as you said, adding a compressor before distortion also adds a shhhh sound when i am not playing, it is not something i (or others i play with) can hear when i am playing, it is mainly between notes or when not playing. and I honestly thought a noisegate would solve my problem, which i why i recently have been researching which one to get. But now you say that it will make it worse. or at least wont help. which kind of freaks me out a bit, because then i would most likely need to figure out another setup that i would like just as much.
Telling you what, m8. I really enjoy your videos. You really know what you are talking about. Have you ever considered having some music in the background while you talk?
Yep, bought a comp, thinking it'd be a good idea with my active 'buckers, high gain and yes, a gate...pretty much everything you said would sound awful. It sounded like a bird was stuck in my cab, flipping around and eating the wiring. Lol...eh...live and learn...
Clear and accurate explanation of the most misunderstood pedal on the pedalboard. In future when my customers ask me about whether they need a compressor or how they should use one, I'm not even going to try to explain, I'm just going to point them at this vid. Subscribed.
I have to say; your videos are among the most informative and educational I've watched in a long time. after watching this video I'm glad I wasn't stupid enough to go and actually buy a compressor, I use a Zoom G3X (primarily for the tuner and expression pedal) and I've recently been experimenting with compression in my signal chain to see if it aides in gives a more aggressive "modern metal" attack and because of the way I've set my different amp channels all I've found it does is slightly raise the level of my rhythm and lead driven tones and almost completely flattens my clean sound... after watching a video with John Petrucci explaining how he achieves his crystal cleans I've started sacrificing clean gain for volume and headroom so the compressor obviously views this as a much louder natural sound and thinks "Hmm, better drop that slightly"now I understand perfectly and feel like a major moron... Thanks, Colin!
I would also add, that a compressor can sort of be an effect in itself. I bought one to immitate the sound of Blood Sugar Sex Magik. Listen to the intro of Under the Bridge for example. However I think generally a compressor is not high priority in a signal chain. Before I was using an Overdrive pedal with little to no gain, that is boosting the signal into the amp and compresses the input a little and in a very natural way. Works great to make clean sounds a bit nicer
Very helpful! I had compression on my first bass amp but never payed it much attention because I didn't really know what it did. Now I know how and when to use it. Thanks :)
Really interesting and informative vid. Thanks Colin. This has pretty much shown me that I don't need a compressor at the moment. I'm already running a decent amount of gain through my signal that provides me with all the compression I need. I look forward to the compressor comparison though.
Excellent information here, I tried a top end Cali76 (because of all the hype on this Comp) through my Marshall JVM410h JS with my Gibson Les Paul Custom and no matter how I played with the settings My Tone on crunch, overdrive, etc sounded better without it imo, I play classic Rock Music, however on the clean channel the Cali76 was awesome, stunning really, but alas I sent it back. Compressor,s are chicken pickin/country funky single coil fantastic though ,
Hey Collin, your really experienced with the electronics of pedals amps and guitars. So I was wondering is it safe for me to play my valve amp even though I blew 1 of the 4 preamp tubes? Or will it mess with my amp? It sounds the same, just the one out of 4 tubes are not lighting up. ~Jared
I’ve used a compressor in front of my boost paired with a guitar equipped with PAF style pickups, and it really helps those PAF style pickups get into high gain territory. I get just a bit more gain and low end, and every note is more up front and present while I play.
Oh man, this video is a gospel I could've used 20 years ago. Thank you so much for making it! I'm going to force several of my friends to watch it. What about Limiters? I've played bass for a long time, and the past decade I've always had a limiter in my line; my jazz bass has thunderous lows, but the mids and highs seem to be about equal. The limiter has worked the best for me so far, but I have no idea if it's because I have no gd idea what I'm doing and have it all wrong.
I totally got your point... but what about using Noise Gate in the preamp and the compressor in the send/Return of the amp ( even if it is valve or transistor)?? I think it should work...rsrs
That was awesome to say the least....answered all my questions, and helped me to understand Compressor Pedals and decide if I need one on my Pedal Board. Will be hitting the Subscribe Button asap! Thanks
I was looking at how David Gilmour set up his gear and he used a compressor and he always had awesome tone and sustain. It seems to me that it's good to have it in your effects toolkit even if you only use it at a low level to increase sustain. I bought a cheap student guitar that I intend to customize and improve by working on the basics of the build to increase the quality of the instrument over time. Parts I have in mind to install: Locking tuners (first), bone nut (possibly tusq), brass block, steel saddles (possibly tusq), flush the trem position for dive only (classic trem), better springs, and refretting. With shielding (copper), wax potting, and even replacing the single coil pickups with hot rails there shouldn't be a need for a noise gate or a compressor. I'll know more once I'm done with all of these mods. There's a lot you can do with the natural build of your guitar to solve many of the problems without having to spend a fortune on effects to solve them. Use effects for what they're meant for, creating your tone.
i compress all trax. i spent years playin bass to control volume between heavy n soft parts b4 i learned a compressor makes its so much easier. same with drum. great video n info.
They sound great on a clean sound with chorus or flanger for that 80’s clean tone! Also a great clean boost in the loop of your amp over a dirty tone not adding anymore gain just volume with the attack/sensitivity all the way off!
Man, I've learned more on your videos than IRL. That's a nice accent ! (me no english native speaker). Cheers. I gotta go try all the stuff you've been talking about .
If you're new to squelies or pinch harmonics compressors are really useful. It won't change your sound too much and it can help you hear the harmonics. And then when you've become better with them you can try without the compressor. It helped me learn how. I remember when it would make my day when I play one right.
Compressors can be confusing.
We discuss what a Compressor does, where it is most useful, and some of the drawbacks with using compression to try and conclude if it is an effect you need to have.
Buy Hypergravity Compressor:
US - imp.i114863.net/rMjYv
EU - www.thomann.de/intl/tc_electr...
#compressor #hypergravity #doineedone
Gain access to exclusive content at: www.patreon.com/csguitars
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Website - www.csguitars.co.uk
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I use a compressor for extra sustain only for Doom metal. I shut off the compression and turn up the sustain for really slow parts that I just can't have the guitar die out befor the next note.
Checken peckin'
LOL :D
Gotta love Scottish accent 🤣🤣
You beat me to it... by 4 years.
Dang what a killer video!!
Thanks dude
What a killer accent!!
I thought I had a hair on my screen but it was your profile picture. lol
Jang Sudong same
imagine if this conundrum explained by Professor Govan, where would we be lol
Wow, this is the first video about compressors that explained all the important questions I had in my mind, in well under 10 minutes, and without confusing me or boring me at all. You're a great teacher , keep making these videos. Thanks for the lesson!
if you've got the time, could you do more videos like this explaining the details of other pedal types like phaser, reverbs and the like. this was really cool and i learn a great deal. thanks
I seriously needed this, thanks Scottish guy
I just gotta say, you're videos, while funny and well made, have definitely helped with my understanding of guitar gear. As a still developing beginner/intermediate, I have learned more from your channel in a few weeks than everything else I've learned over the 4-5 years I've been playing.
Thank you for these awesome informational videos, and Rock on, Dude!
I enjoy your videos. Been playing 25 years. You know what you're talking about. Refreshing. Too few youtube guitar channels cut through gear hype.
Keep it up.
Damn, i'm always impressed by how you convey so much information in a short time, while also being very understanding.
True masters know how to speak a complicated subject into simplicity - I LOVED this talk on compression.
Compressor is a MUST HAVE pedal! First time I tried one it was ON for ever.. Every so ng, every solo, every gig! As a beginner guitarist you may not hear a big difference when using it or not using it. But once you get to know what its for and how much it cant do your will also be on for EVER! You can use it to boost the sound, to limit it, or to compress it.. The sustain will give you the sound of your strings for twice as long as without. Saying you dont need one is a mistake.. Thisis one of your most importand pedals if not the most importand. The distortion after the compressor sounds just so good.
Finally. A coherent explanation of compressors. Thank u for making me understand.
I love being haired.
TheSodaLake in the mex?
Mey tooh
Clear. Concise. To the point. Bravo.
I already knew all of this. But your are absolutely brilliant at explaining it all concisely and in detail with no waffling. Same goes for all of your videos. You'd be a great teacher.
Somehow stumbled across this channel and have now watched about 10 of your videos. Really informative and interesting. Good stuff.
I normally phase out when it comes to long talky videos but your accent just makes it worth listening to. It's like a song.
Hey man, this is the best video about this topic without playing a note. Everything clear and you helped me taking a decision.
I appreciate that this video is not longer than it needs to be.
This is the best video on compression pedals and their use, I've seen. Simple, but covered all the bases. Bloody good job!
Short intro and got right to the point. I wish all channels were like this.
I was never able to be told the actual uses of a compressor before, I only understood what it did, this video is by far the best explanation on RUclips
Compressors can be very useful for getting a guitar to sit better in the mix.
This video was super helpful, thank you! I almost went ahead and bought a compressor but after he said active humbucker pickups being played with lots of gain, distortion, etc. I'm glad that I did not go through with the purchase without fully knowing what I was getting into. Thanks!
Probably the best explanation I've heard for compressor pedals. Henning does an alright one but yours is a lot easier to understand for the lay man
Having an active noise gate in a signal chain BEFORE the compressor will remove the low floor before evening out the dynamic range with a compressor, effectively removing the signal noise and allowing cleaner compression...
Could you explain your point? This is currently what I am doing, and I find it works, but could be better. Why is it better to place your noise gate afterwards?
Once you play a note, the noise gate will open, letting the note through along with any noise. Gates rely on the noise being much lower than the notes and their job is to keep the signal silent when you are NOT playing notes (that being when the noise is most noticeable, with nothing over it to cover it up). Once the note opens the gate, the compressor will then lift the noise that comes through the gate and make it more audible under the note. So basically, while you are playing, the gate is not removing anything, and it doesn't matter if it is before or after the compressor. While you are NOT playing, then yes, the gate before the compressor is going to work better.
@@KimonFrousios Pretty sure thats not how compression works, while playing the compressor would be turning the volume of the guitar down (compressing it) and in turn also turning the noise down. Compression doesn't bring up the low volume stuff, it just brings higher volume stuff down so the quieter sounds are even with the loud sounds. I haven't tried it but in theory a gate before a compressor would work although youd get a nast tail from the release of the gate
@@WADstephen The least you could do is look up the definition of compression, instead of talking garbage out your backside, so let me do that for you: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dynamic_range_compression You didn't even need to own or have ever actually used a compressor for this (clearly you never have, the effect is not that subtle)...
Compressing to zero amplitude: "volume control". Compressing to middle amplitude: "compression". Completely different things.
Kimon Froussios I know exactly what compression does. Seems you are the one misunderstanding it - your link only supports my point. Compression doesn’t magically bring quiet things up, it recudes the volume of the louder things and brings the volume of everything up hence making noise louder when not playing, however, when the guitar is being played the compressor brings the volume of the signal coming in down, and in turn the volume of the noise comes down with it. Therefore, in theory, if you cut the noise out in between playing (with a noise gate) then the only noise you’d hear is the time between you playing and the release time of the gate. I have a number of compressors and use an mxr dynacomp regularly on my guitar board.
Check yourself before you wreck yourself
Really helpful video. Been debating getting a compressor for ages now and couldn't find a straight answer as to whether I needed it or not. This video definitely made things much clearer and easier to understand than a forum with two dozen guitarists all bickering with each other.
The best presentation of what a compressor is best used for. Thank you.
Hi Collin, Brilliant video, thanks for clearing up the Compressor debate, you explained it perfectly, just subscribed looking forward to more of your videos.
Cheers from Melbourne, Australia.
Gotta say, your videos are getting better and better! I'm enjoying them now more than ever, keep up the good work!
As a blues player, I use a compressor all the time. It is especially useful for playing slide, boosting low to medium gain overdrives, leveling out lead runs, and as a tone coloring tool. Gotta love that dynacomp sound.
Lol I was gonna say about the same thing, especially about playing slide. I have a 1977 Dyna Comp that never gets turned off in my signal.
Also, they absolutely do NOT "render a noise gate useless", mate. Yeah, if you put it AFTER the compressor in the chain they'll *absolutely* make the noise gate useless. But if the noise gate is BEFORE the compressor it's completely different: in that case, the noise gate is receiving an uncompressed signal and thus can work perfectly - then it's cutting all the noise before it goes into the compressor, which compresses what remains.
Nope the compressor does not compress "what remains" because nothing is removed. Gates simply cut the signal when it drops below a certain level, ie when you stop playing. When the threshold is exceeded (ie you start playing notes again), the gate opens and lets everything though, both notes and noise. It does not remove the noise from under the notes it just hopes your notes are much louder than the noise to cover it up. So the compressor will still receive the noise while you are playing and make it more noticeable under the notes, regardless of where the gate is. The rest of your statement is correct though, the gate will work as normal if it is before the compressor.
@@KimonFrousios Yeah, so the noise gate would function fine and do it's job because, as you said, it only works when the signal drops below threshold level... You're thinking too hard.
So good my man. You’re one of the most well spoken on the interwebs.
CSGuitars You do some really fine instructional vids.
I tried a compressor. Tossed it. Really does interfere with dynamics.
My Strat has all the natural sustain I need
Seriously. That was THE best explanation of compression I've ever heard.
Recently started using a compressor for my lead channel (metal). Lowering the gain and using a Sustainiac in conjunction with the compressor did WONDERS for my solo work. I can’t wait to try this live 😊🤘🤘🤘🤘🤘
I think this might be the best introduction-to-compressors video I've ever seen. Great job!
Nice video man. First video in 3-4 I watched which explained what I wanted to know!
This was the best explanation of compressors I've ever heard. I'm subscribing, this is a great channel.
Your videos have answered all the questions I have thought about for years! Thanks for the content!
dude ive watched a couple of your videos. you are super knowledgable. I've been playing guitar for 10 year and have never really bothered to learn much about any of this stuff, but now im finding myself having to confront my lack of knowledge. i really appreciate it, keep it up!
this was the most useful compressor explanation video I've ever seen yet. great job man
Well put. Compressors are generally misunderstood, and this was a great explanation of how they work, and in what situations they're most useful.
This is probably the most well done and informative video you've made yet. I love it, thanks, and keep it up!
I play a low tuned 7-string and only thing I have hooked up is a compressor pedal xD
It honestly gives my tone more bite and sounds great with it and keeps its clarity.
Not saying that what you're doing isn't working and is wrong, but I'm wondering what would happen if you used a boost pedal/overdrive pedal instead. It sounds like you're just hitting your preamp harder. Not trying to cause a fight, but more curious if you'd get the same result with a boost/OD
Get a second hand OD pedal, your riffs will be much tighter.
Cool vid Colin. That Pedal Show did a vid about the order of pedals and one thing they said about compression (and you also mentioned it), it can be used as an effective boost if placed after od/distortion in the signal chain. Something I never thought of, but have since tried.....and liked
ALL THE GAIN!!!
SLAYERRRR
NO MIDS!!!!!!!!
AALLLLTTHHEEGGAAIINNNNNNNNNNNNNNNN!!!
NNOOOOOOOOMMMMMMMMMMIIIIIIIIIIIIIIDDDDDDDDDDDDSSSSSSSSSSS!!!!!
Mids are for pussies
*DYNAMICS ARE FOR PUSSIES*
Excellent video! Very enlightening. Although I would say a bit of compression might not be all that bad in blues because while dynamics in volume is certainly cool, a big part of the appeal to playing "softly" (for me) is the actual tone of the soft picking, not necessarily the volume.
Found this video late, but fantastically made. Great information, production and all around awesome. Cheers!
I play a '78 Telecaster bass and an Epiphone EB3 both of which play nicely with the Orange Kongpressor pedal and the setting on the compressor actually works well with both basses i.e. I found a setting that I didn't have to "settle on". This video definitely sheds new light and knowledge on the compressor for me. Thanks dude.
Bro you have by far some of the most informative videos I have ever seen....
EVER.
Possibly one of your best yet. To the point facts. Nice one.
Amazing. Simply amazing. You make some of the most clear and concise informative videos on RUclips in my opinion. Pleasant demenor and a killer accent to boot! Lol Thank you for all that you do
This honestly answered every question I had on compression, subbed that button so hard it was almost scary
Man, great, thorough explanations are why I really dig your channel. Keep it up bro.
Thank you SOOOO much. You made it so clear what this is about. Always wondered how, why, and when you would use one.
good description of compressors and their uses. if you havent done one, a vid on bbe type products would be good for alot of aspiring musicians.
Fantastic explanation. Just wanted to add that compressors do wonders if you're using low tuned or extended range guitars. Once you hit drop B and lower, chords and string skipping riffs that include the low string can get really muddy and the low note can drown out the higher ones. I've found boosting the mids to be very helpful, but if thats not enough, or if you dont like that sound, dialing back the gain and putting a compressor in your signal chain (preferably as early on as possible) does wonders. Couple that with some well set up noise gates and you can get a tone that stops on a dime or can sustain big chords with ease.
The best thing about not understanding half of what you say is that I keep replaying and replaying and laughing more and more. Keep going mate!
Another very well put together and informative video, thank you!
Great video Colin!
Something else you can use them for, especially if you have an older compressor that doesn't track too well, is enhancing your attack transients. I had a cheapish bass amp about ten years ago with an on-board compressor, and when turned all the way up (down?) the initial picking or slapping would sound before the compressor kicked in, about 20 ms or so later. Sounds a bit like having a kick follow you when you play staccato. There are probably better ways to do the same thing now (mixing a compressor and notch filter?) but it was a really cool sound from a cheap effect.
I'm also neither here nor there on gating based on your clean signal; it works but you lose that extra sustain you get from the compressor.
Compressor Pedal + Active Pick Ups + High Gain + Valve Amp Running Hot + Loud Volume + Large Hadron Collider = Opening Door to the Underworld
Underrated comment.
What a great video. So much information, so clearly and efficiently presented. Thanks very much
Thanks. I got a much better understanding of proper compression use after watching this.
This video kicks ass. You answered absolutely everything I could ever want to know guitar wise
Probably the best, lay mans explanation of compression. Really nice job.
hmmm, you said adding a noisegate to a setup that's distorted with a compressor in the front of the chain, would only worsen the problem? i ask because i kind of have problem with low noise coming from my setup, and more directly from my compressor. first i should probably explain my setup, since its a bit untraditional . I have been working on it for awhile, i wanted a muddy fuzzy still distorted sound that would do well for our heavily down tuned doomish kind of sound. but i also wanted to be able to get some chunky palm mutes going at the same time. so i hooked a simple boss overdrive, with the drive at 0, but with 3/4 tone into my way huge swollen pickle. this created a perfect mix of that fuzzy yet still more distorted sound i was looking for, i where however still missing some "omph" in my palm muted sounds. So i added a compressor before the overdrive, and it did just that, how it does it, i am not sure,. but after tweaking it i got the sound i set out for. now as you said, adding a compressor before distortion also adds a shhhh sound when i am not playing, it is not something i (or others i play with) can hear when i am playing, it is mainly between notes or when not playing. and I honestly thought a noisegate would solve my problem, which i why i recently have been researching which one to get. But now you say that it will make it worse. or at least wont help. which kind of freaks me out a bit, because then i would most likely need to figure out another setup that i would like just as much.
Telling you what, m8. I really enjoy your videos. You really know what you are talking about. Have you ever considered having some music in the background while you talk?
By the way, you've convinced me about the compressor.
Such a good video! I'm trying to figure out which compressor pedal to buy right now and this was very helpful. Thank you.
Best layman’s explanation out there. If after this you still don’t understand most likely you never will.
Yep, bought a comp, thinking it'd be a good idea with my active 'buckers, high gain and yes, a gate...pretty much everything you said would sound awful. It sounded like a bird was stuck in my cab, flipping around and eating the wiring.
Lol...eh...live and learn...
Clear and accurate explanation of the most misunderstood pedal on the pedalboard. In future when my customers ask me about whether they need a compressor or how they should use one, I'm not even going to try to explain, I'm just going to point them at this vid. Subscribed.
I have to say; your videos are among the most informative and educational I've watched in a long time. after watching this video I'm glad I wasn't stupid enough to go and actually buy a compressor, I use a Zoom G3X (primarily for the tuner and expression pedal) and I've recently been experimenting with compression in my signal chain to see if it aides in gives a more aggressive "modern metal" attack and because of the way I've set my different amp channels all I've found it does is slightly raise the level of my rhythm and lead driven tones and almost completely flattens my clean sound... after watching a video with John Petrucci explaining how he achieves his crystal cleans I've started sacrificing clean gain for volume and headroom so the compressor obviously views this as a much louder natural sound and thinks "Hmm, better drop that slightly"now I understand perfectly and feel like a major moron... Thanks, Colin!
I would also add, that a compressor can sort of be an effect in itself. I bought one to immitate the sound of Blood Sugar Sex Magik. Listen to the intro of Under the Bridge for example. However I think generally a compressor is not high priority in a signal chain. Before I was using an Overdrive pedal with little to no gain, that is boosting the signal into the amp and compresses the input a little and in a very natural way. Works great to make clean sounds a bit nicer
I play mostly blues and metal. Colin, you've answered this for me. Thanks!
All your videos are great. Unbiased and accurate information, thank you!
What a great, succinct and informative review of compression. Great video
Best explanation I've found about compressor uses.
Very helpful! I had compression on my first bass amp but never payed it much attention because I didn't really know what it did. Now I know how and when to use it. Thanks :)
Really interesting and informative vid. Thanks Colin. This has pretty much shown me that I don't need a compressor at the moment. I'm already running a decent amount of gain through my signal that provides me with all the compression I need. I look forward to the compressor comparison though.
Excellent information here, I tried a top end Cali76 (because of all the hype on this Comp) through my Marshall JVM410h JS with my Gibson Les Paul Custom and no matter how I played with the settings My Tone on crunch, overdrive, etc sounded better without it imo, I play classic Rock Music, however on the clean channel the Cali76 was awesome, stunning really, but alas I sent it back. Compressor,s are chicken pickin/country funky single coil fantastic though ,
The best part of this is the American accent for the questions. Sounds like the narrator from 50s educational videos
American?? 🤔
Finally! Excellent explanation. Thanks. Now which one do I pick for a Strat? Any recommendations for narrowing it down?
I now know that I don't need a compressor to rectify the issue I'm dealing with. So.. thank you for saving me time, cash, and headaches!!
as always great info, perfectly explained in a clear, concise manner. thank you
Hey Collin, your really experienced with the electronics of pedals amps and guitars. So I was wondering is it safe for me to play my valve amp even though I blew 1 of the 4 preamp tubes? Or will it mess with my amp? It sounds the same, just the one out of 4 tubes are not lighting up.
~Jared
I’ve used a compressor in front of my boost paired with a guitar equipped with PAF style pickups, and it really helps those PAF style pickups get into high gain territory. I get just a bit more gain and low end, and every note is more up front and present while I play.
Oh man, this video is a gospel I could've used 20 years ago. Thank you so much for making it! I'm going to force several of my friends to watch it.
What about Limiters? I've played bass for a long time, and the past decade I've always had a limiter in my line; my jazz bass has thunderous lows, but the mids and highs seem to be about equal. The limiter has worked the best for me so far, but I have no idea if it's because I have no gd idea what I'm doing and have it all wrong.
I totally got your point... but what about using Noise Gate in the preamp and the compressor in the send/Return of the amp ( even if it is valve or transistor)??
I think it should work...rsrs
That was awesome to say the least....answered all my questions, and helped me to understand Compressor Pedals and decide if I need one on my Pedal Board. Will be hitting the Subscribe Button asap! Thanks
This video is kickass. Thanks for all of the great info, even after playing a while I've never really understood compressors!
I was looking at how David Gilmour set up his gear and he used a compressor and he always had awesome tone and sustain. It seems to me that it's good to have it in your effects toolkit even if you only use it at a low level to increase sustain. I bought a cheap student guitar that I intend to customize and improve by working on the basics of the build to increase the quality of the instrument over time. Parts I have in mind to install: Locking tuners (first), bone nut (possibly tusq), brass block, steel saddles (possibly tusq), flush the trem position for dive only (classic trem), better springs, and refretting. With shielding (copper), wax potting, and even replacing the single coil pickups with hot rails there shouldn't be a need for a noise gate or a compressor. I'll know more once I'm done with all of these mods.
There's a lot you can do with the natural build of your guitar to solve many of the problems without having to spend a fortune on effects to solve them. Use effects for what they're meant for, creating your tone.
You should make another "Do I need one?" video! I already watch the Comp and Phaser. I love your explanation. Great works!
i compress all trax. i spent years playin bass to control volume between heavy n soft parts b4 i learned a compressor makes its so much easier. same with drum. great video n info.
Finally a clear explanation on Compressor-pedals!! THX!
They sound great on a clean sound with chorus or flanger for that 80’s clean tone! Also a great clean boost in the loop of your amp over a dirty tone not adding anymore gain just volume with the attack/sensitivity all the way off!
Peter Cross Loving this comment! Can't do 80's without compression that's for true
Excellent video! Loads of great information delivered really well. Thanks!
I'm a 1:15 in and this is the best video on this subject by far.
Man, I've learned more on your videos than IRL. That's a nice accent ! (me no english native speaker). Cheers. I gotta go try all the stuff you've been talking about .
If you're new to squelies or pinch harmonics compressors are really useful. It won't change your sound too much and it can help you hear the harmonics. And then when you've become better with them you can try without the compressor. It helped me learn how. I remember when it would make my day when I play one right.