Empress Bass Compressor - the best compressor pedal for harp!
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- Опубліковано 22 січ 2022
- There are a TON of ways to use a compressor, and today we'll be looking at the Empress Effects Bass Compressor! The Empress bass compressor handles the low frequencies of the harp so well and adds so much clarity, and I love using it to side-chain instruments!
Thank you so much to Empress Effects for sending me this pedal!
Link to the Reddit thread:
⤑ bit.ly/3tRQJzM
Here's a great write-up on the differences between both Empress compressors!:
⤑ bit.ly/3KAE0al
Beats by the amazing @justjaredbeats:
⤑ / justjaredbeats
Support the channel by getting some MERCH or joining PATREON!
⤑ / emilyharpist
⤑ www.emilyharpist.com/shop
Download the audio from my pedal demos:
⤑ emilyharpist.bandcamp.com/
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#Empress #EmpressEffects #Compressor
It felt like a compressor made tapping on guitar a bit easier. All the sad, weak sounds are brought up more, making them sound less miserable.
I also recommend not buying the cheapest one you can find, it will sour the experience a little bit.
I totally agree!! I've had a handful of cheap compressors and they just didn't work as well with the harp - I can't speak to the experience on guitar, but since the harp is such a resonant and sonically complex instrument, a cheap compressor just isn't in the cards!
The only cheap compressor I've found to be useful is the mooer yellow comp
Always use a pressure regulator on any compressor rated for more than 50psi.
Safety first!
💨😨
Lowe's Knows
LMAOOO
An accessible way to think of compressors: They're like having someone that rides a volume slider for you to keep your level in one place. The attack determines how fast they turn down the volume in reaction to transients and release determines how fast they put the volume back up afterwards.
Ratio determines how much they turn the volume down during a transient, ie: 4:1, for every 4db going in, they'll turn the volume down momentarily by 3db.
Yes!!! Exactly! That’s such a great way of saying it :)
Yea, Em is right. You killed that. Screenshotting this and putting it in 'the vault' ;)
YepyepyepyepYEP
Probably the clearest explanation I’ve ever heard.
😊😊😊
You basically act as a human compressor when you grab the remote to turn down the volume on commercials that are too loud and back up when your now quiet show comes back on.
Not even joking, this is the best demonstration of a compressor pedal I’ve seen on here.
Thank you SO much Noah!!
Back in the day, I would use my compressor, in conjunction with a few other pedals, to simulate a "backwards tape" sound. This was several decades before digital delays came equipped with "reverse delay", or the brilliant EHX Attack Decay pedal, so we had to make do with what we had.
First, I'd compress the dickens out of my guitar, then feed it to my MXR Envelope Filter, and finally to my MXR 6-Band EQ. The Filter sweeps from low to high, then falls back down again. The MXR unit has variable Attack (Rise) time so I'd set it for longest/slowest attack. The EQ has way too much boost and cut for its design, so it can distort a little. I'd bring the 3 lowest sliders on the EQ to fully down, and the other 3 sliders to fully up. The compressor was there to simply assure the level remained strong enough for a while. When the Filter began its sweep, it was in a range where the volume was severely de-accentuated by the EQ. As it swept upwards, it would then enter the range where the EQ was boosting things. So the overall level seemed to go from very quiet to very loud, and a little distorted, automatically.
Keep in mind that guitars produce the most harmonic content when you pick the string, and the harmonic content quickly dies out. So emulating backwards-tape does not simply involve a volume swell. It also needs to have more harmonic content as you approach "the beginning" of the note. The MXR 6-Band fulfilled this function well.
Playing with reverse delay, and especially improvising melodically, is always awkward. Getting the tone you want, without having to plan out every single note in sequence, is nigh impossible for mere mortals. The approach I used let me get the tone I sought, but also played the notes in the order I intended them, which made improvising a whole lot easier. Four decades later, I got an EHX Attack Decay, which made the entire enterprise more reproducible, in a smaller and more controllable and reliable package.
OMG this is all so cool!!! I need to try this ASAP!! I really appreciate the insight 😊 Thanks so much for sharing this
I read and liked this just because you mentioned an envelope filter.
Truly an under-appreciated effect.
👍😎
@@eddierayvanlynch6133 I'd never have a pedalboard without, my friend.
as a bassist a compressor was one of the first pedals that I bought, but I did learn something new about how to use a compressor from this video!
I didn't use a compressor for the longest time, but I think it's cause I never found one that really resonated with me until now!!
@@emilyharpist I agree Compressor pedals are oddly hard to find one you like
@@emilyharpist hm maybe that's my problem. I have the EBS MultiComp Guitar Edition and I'm just not getting it.
man the amount of character pedals can add to a such a characterful instrument is so cool, especially the combo of reverb and distortion, the extra layer of emotion introduced is great
Right?! I always have so much fun with them haha thanks so much :)
Learning how to use compression changed everything for me, as a guitarist and as an audio engineer. I use some degree of compression on just about everything I do. But knowing HOW and WHEN and WHERE to use compression is like unlocking the "advanced" tab on musical life.
Same!!! It’s insane haha it unlocks so much!!!
I never would have thought one of my favorite 'pedal channels' (I know you're more than that but that's my fav part) would be created and maintained by a harpist! It's so cool that you do this and your personality is infectious. I hope you like this because you were made for this. Always entertaining, always interesting, and often funny. Thank you so much
Thank you SO much, Charles!!! This really made me smile 😊 I’m glad that even though I don’t play guitar or bass, people still find value in my channel!! I’ve been having SO much fun with the channel lately and I’m so glad you are too! Thanks so much for being here ❤️
I can't believe what I'm hearing and seeing. These additions are so cool to use with the harp. They make such a very big impact and I've learned a lot here with your explanations and demonstrations. You also make very cool music. I'm trying to learn as much about this instrument as I can before I make a big purchase eventually. Bristol Harpist told me about this channel and I'm really glad she did. I'm going to learn a lot here on this channel, not only about the harp, but about music effects and music in general with your demonstrations. I can't thank you enough! 👍👍🤝🤝
I've got an Origin Effects Cali76 Bass Compressor, and it sounds amazing. Always on. Also has an att/rel knob, a dry mix knob, and a high pass filter knob.
This was one of the best demos of ANY compression pedal I’ve watched. And I’m a bass player looking for a compression pedal!! Honestly ordering this based on the sounds you made with this pedal and your harp! 👍🏾👍🏾👍🏾
Wow I’m so happy to help!!! Thanks so much for being here!!! This one really is great!
Thanks for the great vid on this pedal, love your examples and playing!
That Empress Heavy Dual Channel is insane!
Back in the 90s, during some electronic projects I was a part of, we used to compress everything. Like everything. 😂 I’m sure it’s still done in the electronic world, but it’s definitely an effect/utility that lost out to more organic genres for a while.
I love the Empress Heavy!!! Haha I’m involved in a little bit of projects here and there outside of harp stuff and we compress everything as well!!! It probably depends on the production team! Those electronic projects in the 90’s sound really interesting, Tim!!
Thanks for explaining compressor pedals, Emily. Even though I don’t play an instrument, per se (I build and demo step sequencers on my channel), but I used to play guitar and never understood them. Now I do! 😊 I think you’re charming and adorable and I love watching you play. Harpists seem to be a special breed of musicians because of the care they seem to take while playing. It’s like a ballerina plucking strings!
Compressors are definitely one of those audio nerd pedals that, while I understand what they do in principle, I've never gotten the best out of them. They're definitely cool for finger picked instruments/playing as they can take off the peaks that can cause recording clips, but they can also kill dynamics and tone, so it's a fine line. Not my favourite pedal, but really interesting to see how you use them. Thanks 😊👍
I felt the same way as you about comp pedals. 40 years of dissing them, until last week, when I got the Wampler mini Ego...wow! Blend knob keeps your tone real and nothing gets in the way, like others I have tried. It is an always on pedal now.
@@undergroundjohnny i think im going to sell my EBS MultiComp Guitar Edition and get one of those based on your comment here.
thank you so much for this very informative video on Compressor pedals. I have been putting off getting one, and your wonderful explanation has helped me to explore practical uses. thanks again!
I didn't understand compression until I really started using it when I learned mixing with Ableton Live and Logic Pro. Then I went back and started applying compressors to my guitar rig; I wish I had explored them much earlier in my time playing the instrument. It's the secret sauce for clean guitars.
This is the search I'm on now. I've found the gnarliest heavy tones and that's great for when I want to sound like Neil Young and the Horse or Hawkwind but sometimes I want a really clean chorus tone or just a straight up clean tone and the results are very good but not great like the heavy tones I use.
This is a really excellent demonstration of compression and it’s usefulness. Kudos. It’s really not an easy demo to do and this is done so well.
That's a fascinating showcase. I didn't know about compressor pedals, and now I want one!
😊 thanks so much!!
Good. Empress deserves every bit of promotion and recognition, I lov them.
I love Empress so so much!!
SIDECHAINIAC! 6:46!!!!!! ❤ ..That recording should be on an album.
😂 😂
@@emilyharpist 🤣
Awesome video. I love compressor pedals. this one, is amazing . Great stuff. Thank you for sharing. Cheers
Thanks Tommy!!!
Loved the chain with compressor and the echo system
This was a solid demo I usually meme on the comments but I actually learned about compressors and sidechaining for once which sounds lit af keep up the horp work emi
Hahahah thank you so much!!! This made me laugh!
Compressors make loud sounds quieter and quiet sounds louder. They're a great way to even out a sound and to create sustain. My Wampler Ego never leaves my pedal board. I set the blend to 50/50, level higher than unity, compression really high, so its a half and half mix of a clean signal and a heavily compressed signal and overall louder (because louder is more good). You get some dynamics but also infinite sustain.
Brain Wampler seems like a kind and gentle man he is gentle
A compressor is a sonic hug, and everyone (by which I mean every pedal) could use a hug, right? Thank you for teaching everyone that compressors aren't just for country guitar or funk; my personal favorite is the compressor into distortion, because it's a sonic signature of Yvette Young's guitar sound (funnily enough, the guy from Sleep uses it for the same purpose but with very different music). The post-time effects compressor usage is so key for making an expansive sound sit with itself and the mix and a part of why Tame Impala mixes sound so full and clean at the same time. I also loved that you went for the cranked "effect" sound, as it's something I always love when it shows up on a mix. When I think of how far digital effects have come, the only effect I really would keep as analog outboard is a compressor (although digital compressors are really cool too!). I'm just so jazzed to see the Emily/Russ team dive into one of the most versatile and cool effects in the world.
I wonder what would happen if you split off a full wet delay signal and sent it to the sidechain of the compressor, and then only sent out the undelayed, compressed signal of the original instrument? It would be like a trem, but instead of volume, it would modulate compression rhythmically; with a multi- tap delay, you could maybe even get patterned compression... would it be useful? No clue.
Also, adulthood happens when you realize that Bon Iver is a genius with a compressor.
I'm one of those people that don't really know how to use a compressor pedal although I use one for bass. I didn't really know many of the things that were here in the video.
Thanks for making a video about compressors that's actually interesting! XD
I didn’t know a whole lot about compressors until fairly recently!! That Reddit thread actually helped me to discover some new techniques as well!! Thanks so much for being here Eduardo!
I haven't been interested in compressors before. I know they're great mixing tools, but I never got to see them make a dramatic difference in my sound. Good to see it being used in a way that isn't typically thought of, and now I can consider getting one.
Nice demo/shoutout for our good buddy Compressor! I know everyone's saying Linkin Park but that fuzzed out bit made me put on Lost Snow by Mono, it's been a while!
This bass compressor looks like a winner. Gonna have to look into this some more… Thanks for the video Emily! (Love that scarab necklace too 😊)
Thanks so much Mark!! 😊 ❤️
Great vid, nice approach to a very cool pedal.
Thanks so much Alan!!!
Love that smile!! You are my spirit animal!!!
Thank you so much ❤️ ❤️ that made me smile hahaha
When I remixed that piece of yours last year I really enjoyed the way the harp sounded when processing it with compression plugins.
Yes!!! That was so cool. I’m definitely going to do one of those remix videos again soon!!
The tones with the Empress EchoSystem are worth the price of admission alone 👍
Very interesting, nice vid.
You guys should pick up a Korg NTS-1, if you don’t already know about this little corker of a mini synth you should check it out!
You can use it for some really interesting post effects, but if you run the Harp into it as the MIDI controller I think you would love the results (pretty sure you can do this?). It has an Arpeggiator, and it would be really cool to see what you can do using the Harp to trigger it?
They are cheap as chips, I have two, sometimes I use them for a double delay which is pretty sweet. Also triggering them both, when they are set up respectively, you can have two voices which is also pretty nice!
Love your channel, your vids always cheer me up, keep up the good work!
Oh man that would be so cool!!! I need to sm check that out!!!
Generally, if I’m recording, I’ll compress after recording so I can have more control and adjustment without have to re-record. I’d use a compressor pedal in a live situation.
Good advice, especially for recording
👍😎
That’s a good strategy!! I like to compress a LITTLE bit while going in so it’s not so significant that I regret anything, then more significant compression later! Kind of like in stages but being really conservative on the way in!
I was wondering yesterday if you used a compressor. I don’t recall you reviewing any….so this was a nice surprise. Compressors are the most difficult ‘effect’ for musicians. Nice video..as always!
Thanks so much!! This compressor is ESSENTIAL!!!
I appreciate the tutorial. I've always been under the impression compression is used to mask the imperfections of the player, but now I know better. Thanks.
From an engineering point of view, it isn't necessarily about "masking imperfections" so much as just "evening out" minor (or not so minor) dynamic fluctuations which every human player puts into their expression of a piece. Not that such expression is bad but unless it's a recording of a soloist, a more dynamically even performance is likely to sit much better in a mix with other instruments/vocals (although this is of course dependant on the instrument, and the genre/style, and what the artist/band wants the record to sound like, and...).
If you've ever tried recording some music with a bunch of instruments, you'll have an idea of what makes compression important! Without it, everything tends to sound quiet and low energy, because there's too much dynamic range - the difference in volume between the loudest sound and the quietest. The only thing you can really do is make it louder, but that depends on the loudest sound - that can't exceed 0dB, or it clips and sounds terrible. You might not notice the quietness exactly, but you perceive it as being a bit lifeless, or something that just needs to be turned up to sound decent
Compression has a few uses, but the main one is to even out that dynamic range, squish it to where the quieter parts are still quieter, but not ~as much~. You can still get the feel without the actual volume dropping off, and everything just sounds more powerful, more lively. That's "transparent" compression, where you don't hear it necessarily, but the resulting sound is just better and more even. You can use it to shape sounds too, make them fit together better and even change the tonal characteristics of a thing.
There definitely is an argument that people lean on compression as a crutch - you hear that with bass especially ("I don't use a compressor, my compressor is my fingers") but that's more about how important the dynamics are, if being able to hear nuances is important, if a lot of dynamic range is desirable. It's good to have that level of control yourself, and it's a good idea to practice and improve on it. But a compressor is a tool to help create a sound, and give you control, and at the end of the day sounding good is the important thing!
Wow, they sent you one! Very nice. I tried all summer to get that very pedal and even reported to Empress some guy scalping them on reverb way over msrp All they told me was that I could still buy one from the scalper…
I use mine after a Plasma pedal hooked to my Tetra to pump unison bass lines side chaining from TR8S kicks.
I love how humorous people can be :D
Hahaha me too!!
i must say, putting all ego aside,(because i don't know everything) or maybe this algorithm is reading my mind because I been thinking of getting a compression pedal? But this is a really good video. I love everything about it. Good demonstration, good edits. And it seemed real. Like you guys really enjoy what you do. Im really considering getting this pedal based on your video!!!!
Whoa. 8:55 glitchy comp giving big Air Trash vibes… that’s wild!
Right?! Makes me wonder how similar the circuit would be to air trash!!!
thanks for this - im am going to revisit my compressor
Thanks for being here!! 😊
Add me to the list of guitar players who tried to make a compressor work on a board and failed. I am a big fan of subtle compression plug-ins on recording though. The clean/echo/compressor sounds you were getting were majestic and super full. The more "oddball" tones were cool too.
I honestly didn’t know much about compression for the longest time!! I’m so glad I found this one cause it really is perfect for my harps! Other ones didn’t quite cut it for me haha I think it’s mostly the range and resonance of the instrument!
NUX Masamune compressor/drive boost pedal user here as a stand alone drive pedal always on thing. Thanks for the video Emily!
Thanks Eric!!! I’ve never tried that one!!!
I definitely need more harp lo-fi in my life!
More coming very soon!! I have another clip like that coming 1/30 !!
Great vid, beautiful sounds, and I love that necklace you're wearing!
Thank you so much!! 🥰❤️ I got it from Chesca The Illustrator: www.etsy.com/shop/chescatheillustrator (the scarab beetle isnt in stock right now, but her other work is just as amazing!)
@@emilyharpist Oooh, Thank you, I'll check that out!
I know this is off topic, but I'm a big fan of that ... scarab (?) ... necklace!
Thank you so much!! 🥰❤️ I got it from Chesca The Illustrator: www.etsy.com/shop/chescatheillustrator (the scarab beetle isnt in stock right now, but her other work is just as amazing!)
Interesting and informative video/demo (as always).
I use compressors to even out the volume swells in the really low tones on my 5-string bass; if I'm playing against anything other than a heavily fuzzed/distorted/overdriven guitar, volume swells on certain low notes are all but impossible to balance evenly without compression.
That’s so smart!! I never considered volume swells with a compressor!!!
@@emilyharpist: On the contrary, you're the smart one; it would have never occurred to me that a compressor could be used to emphasize high to mid range dynamics.
-Balance the ledger at 50/50 and call it a day.
Thanx for reply.
I read "I asked Reddit about..." And my brain started throwing up alarms.
Lmaooo it’s actually a pretty amazing subreddit!!!
Distortion from a glitching compressor pairs really nicely with some bitcrushing / sample-rate reduction.
Really?! I totally need to try that!!
Before I got too deep into the video, this is where I found a compressor useful:
Bass Tapping, especially when I'm doing faster passages. - I use it to essentially bring up the volume of notes that I"m not hitting quite as hard because I'm using weaker fingers or I"m just higher up on the fretboard so you have less string to work with. In the same passage, while your bringing up the quieter stuff you can also reduced some of the spikes in volume on the louder notes and even it all out to sound smooth.
I also use the same pedal in front of several very variable loud effects to squish the volume spikes before it gets to my overdrive pedals. That way when I kick on several effects I don't get a huge, obnoxious spike in volume when I'm using bass synth+whammy+echo+etc....
That makes a ton of sense!!! I wish I could tap on harp 😞
@@emilyharpist Try it when you're doing harmonics on higher strings. Light compression with some small tweaking will bring out the harmonics in a really nice way :) Cheers.
I love your channel! Thank you for describing guitar pedals almost better than anyone else. Sure, others describe how it sounds, but YOU describe what it does, which is more important. Love the harp, because you play it very well, and the song and harp model/brand does not take away from the demo.
Good for you that companies recognize your value and send you free pedals. Any extra pedals can be forwarded to me at 123 main st...... :)
DUSTY CREW!!! The bass strings on the FH36S will sound great!
DUSTY CREW!!! Haha they definitely would!!!
That distortion bit was pure Sabbath
I’m not familiar haha!!! It was just a little improv! thank you!!!
Right now I'm using my Vise Grip compressor as one of my various pre-gain boosts. It's got a toggle switch that can let you use it as mid-boost or as treble-boost.
That’s so cool!! For me, the empress works best because the tone toggle gives me that high frequency boost when I need it!
Awesome video! I have to ask though, where do you guys buy your cables? The flat pancake looking tips with the flat cables look so cool, I'd love to know where to get them xD
That last example is an awesome blown out speaker emulation. Could be really cool with a random vibrato and some reverb.
Compressors are the MSG of guitar pedals. Nobody knows what it is, but it makes everything better.
I really like the Pigtronix Philosopher's Tone. And a 90's DOD Milkbox that I crank the knobs on and use like an OD.
Can't believe I missed that thread. I would have been right there with my unfounded claim that any compressor with more than three knobs is basically fancy-boy studio gear. Yes I only ever use my MXR compressor to make my pickups more microphonic. What of it?
That Empress bass comp seems so well suited to the harp's range!
Haha I was so surprised how much attention the thread got!! I think compression is definitely different for everyone’s situation!!
I currently have the Cali76 Compact Bass, and I've been interested in trying the Empress.
I have the same pedal, it's fantastic. Originally got it for bass, but it works great with guitar as well.
How lucky! You are not messing about with that unit!
I have an old DOD Compressor/ Sustainer from my early days on playing, and more recently picked up a Wampler Compressor.
Both are on the shelf, currently. Not that they're bad pedals, my chain is full and I may need another power supply 🤣🤣🤣
I hope Empress decide to make a specific Harp Compressor
omfg IMAGINE?!? I would die ❤️😭
Smoosh. Yep. I don't need to tell you anything. You got this.
The harp with distortion sounds like the lo-fi atmospheric blackmetal I never knew I wanted.
Hahaha yes!! Thank you :) I have plenty of other videos on my channel with harp and distortion!!
I typically use a compressor as part of my air conditioner.
LMAO
I also enjoy using a compressor to prevent delays from getting too loud when they oscillate
Omg such a good idea!!!
Every since y got my Dyna Comp, it has become an always on pedal. I'm sure there are far better compressor pedals, but since I use it just for a little bit of clarity and extra sustain. It's excelent. (post-gain tho)
The added sustain is so nice!!!
Idk if I’m alone on this, but I feel like your hair is at the perfect length ☺️
THANK YOU SO MUCH!!! I’ve been growing it from a shaved head hahaha so it’s finally nice to be at this length!! 😊
@@emilyharpist haha you’re welcome 😊
Seems to me the Reddit responses sound the same as you'd have gotten in Lowe's or Home Depot.
And side-chaining sounds very interesting
🤔🧐🙂
😂 pretty much!!! And I actually LOVE side-chaining with this pedal, I need to do it more!!!
The kick thing is very accurate on lofi music
Yes!! It’s so common in lofi music and I love it!
All you need is an MXR Dyna Comp Deluxe. It’s easy to use, is noticeable, and the CA3080 chip adds sparkle and jangle; even to the best Fender pickups.
That probably works for a lot of people!! I’ve tried it, and it doesn’t compare to the Empress Bass comp for harp!
The Empress is impressive, but I don't need that many options so I'm just using an Electro-Harmonix Tone Corset. I play jangly music on guitar (REM, Smiths, Beatles) and I can definitely tell when it's on.
I think one thing about the Empress is that for all its features, it's a lot easier to use than most. I have the Cali 76 Compact Bass, which does a lot of the same things as the Empress, but the Empress' much improved monitoring makes it much easier to tell what's going on. I can't imagine using a compressor without some kind of monitoring LED, but I think I've decided that the Cali's is just too basic for me to really get the most use out of.
@@jdjk7 I'm not recording or touring, and I'm not at the level of playing where I think about the "knee" or need to fine-tune attack and release times. I know I don't want Tone control on my compressor. I can affect tone in so many different places on the chain, I don't need another one. That said, when I get to a higher level as a musician, the Empress will be the first compressor I consider upgrading to.
I never really used compression much as a bassist, most of the options I ran into were already built into the amplifiers and gave you one knob to adjust... I can see much clearer here how it could be useful. I might like it on my bass at low levels. Looks like a very nice pedal. Well done demo as usual!
Thanks so much Mike!! Honestly I hear a lot of bassists get compressors as their first pedal!! I hear they help for tapping parts too - I don’t know much about tapping since I can’t do it on harp 😂
Emily, I hope 1 day soon one of the pedal makers asks you what your perfect pedal would be. How many and what control knobs, input jacks, the works. Then they make it.
Omg yes!!! I would be so indecisive though 😂 😂 I’ll have to start taking notes for the day that comes!!! Maybe I can build it myself 😊
That scarab pendant you have really stood out to me. Insect symbolism in jewelry is uncommon, is there a story to the symbolism for you?
I only use the compressor knob on my amp to make my bandmates believe i turned down my volume. I didnt :)
Lmaoooo that’s so funny!!
I'm sure it's good b/c it's Empress but my personal preference is to run everything in stereo. because of this, i've had my eye on the EHX Platform since it came out but have been satisfied with my old DBX 166XL...
That makes a lot of sense!! That sounds perfect for a stereo setup!
Off topic, but I just added a harp to the list of instruments I can sorta play. I mean, it’s a taishogoto… so it’s more like a typewriter crossed with a dulcimer… still counts though, right?
Emily, why did you choose pedalboard instead of multi fx processor?
I'm asking because I'm trying to understand what is best for me as a an upright bass player (which is near a harp in some ways)
Ime, it may be because multi's are usually built (and marketed) around the effect each builder is most famous for.
Therefore, a few stompboxes are more cost-effective and help make it easier to shape a personal sound that motivates you to make your best music.
Good Luck 👍😎
@@eddierayvanlynch6133 thanks a lot)
Pedals are usually built around doing something specific (like delay), and there are a lot of them so they tend to try and do things differently! Carve out their own niche. So really you need to try them to find what you like, or get advice from other people. They're also easier to adjust and play with, since the interface (the knobs n stuff) is designed around the pedal.
Multis are great for experimenting - you get a whole bunch of different effects you can use together, there are presets so you can hear different combos of effects and settings, and you can save your own too! This lets you switch between these different "patches" as you play, which is hard to do with pedals without a complicated (and potentially expensive) setup.
But you're stuck with the effects in the box, and they're not always the best (doesn't mean they're bad). And they're usually geared towards guitar, maybe bass (there's often a bass version) so they might not work as well for other instruments with a different tone and range. They also tend to be harder to work with, since you have this kind of generic interface that's meant to control different effects (and you probably have several effects to control). Although many multis connect to a computer and let you control it as a kind of virtual pedalboard, so there's that!
If you have no experience with effects, multis are great to check a bunch of stuff out, and being able to switch patches in the middle of a song is rad. But if you know what you want, or you know what you don't want (I'm guessing playing upright you ~probably, maybe~ don't want anything too wild? Synth sounds?) then you might just be better trying out specific pedals. Some music stores will let you borrow them, if you can't bring your upright to demo things!
@@cactustactics It's very useful. Thank you so much)
@@user-mn7gv6sn1x no worries! hope you find something you like
Me: Sees title
Also me: *oh god whyyyy*
Lmaooo I had to!!! It was actually a really good thread!
2:39 dayam thought you were going into a Linkin Park song there! 🤣
Lmaooo it was improv!!! But I can totally see that 😂
Please stop showing me things I cant live without... my wife is pissed. -PLOWHAUS
😂 😂 I’m sorry!!!!!
Compressor noob: "Wow louder" / Intermediate: "About 6db of gain reduction / Expert: "That's the tone I was looking for." lol.
it keeps the speakers on my cheap amp from blowing when I slap. If I'm playing funk or zydeco I'm squashing the heck out of that signal. When I get rocky I turn it off and let finger dynamics rule my life. I used to think of compression as "the other c word" and would slap you for mentioning it in my presennce, but I mellowed a lot a few years ago when I started sitting in with my friend's zydeco band. One of the first DIY pedal kits I made was a compressor and I did not like my results. JHS makes the one I will currently accept.
That makes so much sense for slap bass!!!
Great playing as usual and great explanation...although...I will never understand, what the compressor really does🤔😕🤣😜
I have determined that I love everything about your channel. Do you have a Tik Tok?
Thank you so much!!! YES I have a Tiktok!! It should be @emilyharpist !!!
So how close are you to catching them all on the Empress front?
I’m getting there 😂 now I have 5!!!
Hey Emily. The end of track 17 on your newer bandcamp has a snippit of talking at the end, cut off, don't think it was intentional. Just reporting a bug
Oh SHOOT THANK UOU SO MUCH I’m gonna fix that soon!
@@emilyharpist hehe. Btw it's a wonderful collection. I truly love your music, it's very original and magical!
@@ObsidianContraption Thank you so much!! And thank you for pointing this out to me!!! :)
One of the guitarist secret weapons, Compression, the other is EQ. OH NO! a Harpist of note is starting to use guitar secret weapons....... LOL!
😂 😂 just wait til you hear my EQ techniques!!!
Is it useful to have more than one compressor working on?
It can be!!! For example, when you’re mixing a song, one good technique is to “compress in stages” which is using a compressor on a tack, group, aux, etc - this can have some great results! On a pedalboard, I find it’s really helpful to have a higher-end compressor like the empress towards the start of the chain, then one later in the chain that is a little cheaper to help in various ways! There’s so many ways to go about it!!
@@emilyharpist So if you have enough Money hands and feet you can put a compressor on each effect pedal to have more control
Always thought a compressor would make something more consistent and less dynamic. Great for recording things you want super dialled in
Your necklace is rad.
Thank you so much!! 🥰❤️ I got it from Chesca The Illustrator: www.etsy.com/shop/chescatheillustrator (the scarab beetle isnt in stock right now, but her other work is just as amazing!)
🎶🔥🎶🔥🎶🔥🎶❤️
😊 ❤️
Compressor - pannini press of music making so you can smush more delicious sound in your earholes. It also reminds me of the evil oopa loompas from the movie Phantasm, who were compressed via a gravity portal created by a tuning fork. I guess that makes that portal a fear-hole! Scary little bast#ds....
Lmaooo I wish I used a real panini press in the video to demonstrate this 😂
Effects are like seasoning. Sure, potatoes can take some salt, but when you have salt with potatoes, you went wrong somewhere.
Haha good analogy! I think it definitely depends on the musician - some of my favorite passages I wrote were completely soaked in effects!
@@emilyharpist With some effects, you don't even need an instrument to feed them (one example: Jomox T-Resonator), they can make sounds all by themselves.
That said, harps and effects mix very well.
That sidechain tho
It’s SO GOOD!
I saw a Reddit man in a grocery store
He was just TERIBEL
Reddit man bad
My question is what's the best compressor pedal for grand piano?... 😶