Justin, I can never stop enjoying your tasteful style, which IMHO beats the pants off any shredder!!!!!!! Its all about the feel and being in the pocket which you perform exquisitely. . BTW I love the sound of the Tele funk riffs and chords through the comp and the BLOOM.. Nothing short of heaven on Earth. LOL
Feels more even. More consistent. Sometimes I prefer the difference when playing live. But when recording, I prefer to be consistent. Great video Justin. 🙏
Dude....I really appreciate your videos. While I'm not really a country music fan I have learned more from your videos than those 'geared ' toward rock/blues enthusiasts. Keep them coming! (Still waiting for the 'I've got a song here...' t-shirts..😊.)
Justin, I also have never been a fan of compressors. I’ve never had one on my pedalboard. This video intrigues me. It seems like the Jackson Audio compressor is pretty decent.
I haven't used a compressor in my effects chain for decades.... However, I recently tried one with a dry blend and have to admit that it is useful in the right situation(s). But it absolutely must have a dry blend! You're getting some sweet tones from that Jackson Audio compressor. "Nuff said!
Beginning at 13:50 onward in that section, I can totally hear how that fits into Atlantic City by The Band! Great stuff my friend..thanks for all you do 👍
Interesting, even as a beginner I quickly fell in love with compression, I found it made my other pedals sound better, especially fuzz and distortion, since I could lock it into the sweet spot of volume control it adds more punch to my sound, but also made recording easier since it would knock down the loud parts, this one sounds really nice too
I love my valve optical compressors. It polishes & smoothes beautifully. They also squash too. I’m convinced most guitarists don’t use a compressor because a compressor doesn’t ‘do anything’; but it’s all qualitative, not shouty ‘look at me’ obvious delay or fuzz. If you ever get into a studio, the engineer will use a compressor on you anyway!
When I can feel a compressor working, and I’m not looking for that effect, I want it off. The engineers I work with, when and if they use them, it’s very subtle.
@@JustinOstrander Best rule of thumb I’ve found for Compressors is to bring them in right up to the moment I hear them working…then bump it back a bit. You can’t really “feel” it much at all, but it still smooths the sound out just a hair. I love compression but it has to be very subtle or I absolutely hate it 🤷🏼♂️
First time visiting your channel. Great video on the compressor, Justin....but I wish it was a lesson on some of those riffs, licks, fills you were playing instead. They were amazingly tasty. A perfect balance of playing in the pocket and using your arsenal without going overboard or showing off. I'll have to scan through tour channel to see if there's any videos that cover those licks. I realize you're not a guitar teacher per se, but your style is terrific. GREAT tele tones too by the way, with and without the compressor. I'm a compressor guy to the point it's almost always on. It's a habit that's hard to break... All the Best...
Great video. I think if your compressor doesn't have a blend knob you can maintain the attack of your note by increasing the "attack" control (delaying the compression until the attack comes through).
Definitely…but attack knobs work in different directions, depending on the pedal. Some increase the attack when there knob turns clockwise and others do the opposite, so worth noting for anyone new to comp pedals.I use an old Exotic SP comp and I love it. All I do is bring the Blend knob up until I BARELY hear it compressing the sound, and that’s as far as I go. Lots of folks don’t like them because they use too much compression, but correctly dialed in you can have plenty of dynamics AND the smoothness of a great comp.
I usually avoid compressors for the same reasons you mentioned. They also seem to remove some of the "noise envelope" I specifically create to give Blues, and other sound components that I want to preserve. That said, the Jac!son Audio Compressor sounds good in your demo. The place I would be most inclined to use a Compressor is on my Bass, which can be uncontrollably dynamic.
Thanks for this offering. Compression has always been a mystery for me so I just set up the "recommended" settings and screw around from there hoping to understand what I did. BTW - I appreciate your clean playing (even when you are just noodling). It was impressive. I just came from listening to an interview with a great guitar player (won't mention any names) and it was pretty disappointing that he didn't put any effort into playing, he just kind slopped his way around - basically mailed it in. Seemed kind of disrespectful to not make a better effort than that. Thanks again, I actually kinda understood what you were getting at with that compressor. I should have sub'd after your HX stuff - duh. I'll be trying your ideas out on a parallel path.
I like compression - I just think it sounds better coming from an amp than from a pedal. This pedal sounds really good though, as it doesn't seem to be killing your transients.
Loved that chicken picking sound when you were on the tele. I learned to love that from the 90s country, the Brent Mason stuff on the Alan Jackson records, recorded straight to desk. But I can't play it myself for the life of it, got no idea where to break the ice on it. Got some session hacks, when you'd just want a lil' flavour of it?
Find a good 90s country station and play along. There’s so much great playing in that style, and much of it is less complicated than Brent. He was just on fire. It’s hard to get into it if you’re trying to sound like him right off the bat. He has some cool instructional stuff out though from back then
Sounds great, I’m typically not a fan of compressors but might have to look into this one. Btw have you had a chance to try the Keeley noble screamer? Hearing great things about it.
The difference is subtle but the compressor removes some of your signature sound/tone. I can hear it in the first play through with the song and the JM - it's flatter in a sense whereas with a JO sound, each note is expressive. It's not a bad sound! Sounds great! But it's like it's a different person which can work great for certain parts. A good tool for the tool box.
I admit to not really "getting" what a compressor does . . . despite understanding the words used to describe the leveling effect on different parts of a signal (??). And I don't know what the various compressor controls are accomplishing. All I really know is that I hear a *punch* in the sound when the compressor is turned on, and I like what I'm hearing . . . sometimes. Sometimes I don't want to hear it. I'll happily leave it to the professionals to use or not use when they see fit. I'll use it or not use it when my ear tells me! Cheers to the JO Gang.
I've intensely disliked compressors for decades but having recently cleaned up my tone a lot I felt I needed someting to add a bit of squish without clipping - got a Koji and it takes some getitng used to having it on, but when I switch it off it's just tragic.
It's not a dichotomy of full dynamic range or no dynamic range. People who feel this way maybe don't understand or haven't spent enough time with the attack control. With very slow attack, transients are unaffected allowing for the same expressiveness and dynamic control as without compression, but it lifts the tails of notes allowing tails to linger in your playing a touch longer. It's kinda like reverb without reverb. Compression can also be the overdrive of your clean tone, allowing you to step forward in the mix with a similar energy and the feel of something to lean on as a boost/drive but without the added gain. Then there's what compression can do for you before your drive pedal. It can add sustain, cohesion, and fullness, again without any additional gain. I've been a compressor nut since 2005 and don't see myself ever going without. Our ears LOVE compression and our favorite records are steeped in compression. It can be a subtle yet powerful expressive tool that is yet another little piece in the sonic puzzle that elevates your sound.
I don't think anyone is saying it's either full dynamic range or not. And I agree with you regarding records...they are steeped in extremely expensive outboard rack gear that is often used in post production or on a master bus. That stuff is great. A few things can be true at the same time: I dig compression on records a lot. I like this pedal a lot and will be using it at work. I also will not keep it on all the time. To be honest with you, I can't think of a single session player I work with who leaves a compressor pedal on all the time. I also can't think of a single session player who keeps an overdrive pedal on all the time or a reverb pedal or whatever. They're effects. I'll use this one for jangle, squished pop guitar, funk, chickn pickin, etc. It really does sound fantastic. Jackson Audio does good work. Really love my Golden Boy, too.
Agreed, and to be clear, I don't run compression as an always-on either, I just don't see it losing its place on my board anytime ever. It's a handy tool with a variety of applications as mentioned.
I use the Origin Effects Cali76 stacked and I usually leave in a healthy amount of dry signal. I get that nice super responsive feeling under the fingers from the compression along with the nice chimey sustain, but there's still good dynamics because of the dry signal. If I wan't a really squished sound I go for the MXR Dynacomp or the JangleBox. But the Cali76 is on 99% of the time these days. I turn it off for higher gain and fuzz sounds
@@JustinOstrander Whatever you're doing sounds great! I remember being very surprised a while ago when you mentioned that you didn't use compression! A Nashville session guitarist that doesn't use compression seemed wild to me, but not because I thought you needed it. Your touch and dynamics are great. (Although that part you did here with that compressor sounds great!) We'll pull you over to the dark side yet! lol
Thanks for the compressor run through! Cool pedal. I often feel like as I'm playing, compression sounds worse. However, when listening back to what I played and throwing compression on that in the DAW can really make it sit in the track better. I have a totally unrelated beginner question: For setting up your Strat tremolo bridge for just doing those full chord vibrato type wiggles, do you have your bridge setup as floating or down only?
I simply mute when I’m not playing. That’s really it. I don’t use any noiseless pickups or anything like that. Worst case scenario, I point the headstock in the least offending direction. Search GK Music Ultraphones. There is a link the description.
Justin, first thanks for giving us the fly on the wall look at your process. I track guitars often and find myself nodding my head in total agreement with your musical choices and instruction. But... I feel a bit stuck in my playing and looking to jump another level up. How do you learn/keep it fresh and challenge yourself to get better? I'm finding myself asking the question "did I already play this riff on someone else's track"?
I don’t know man. Maybe it’s a ‘feel thing’. When I hear people like you using a compressor I really love the sound and I totally get it. But when I play them myself it just feels weird. It’s like I want to run, but someone’s holding me back. Or like I’m walking in thick clay and mud. Even with subtle settings. I do like the sound. I just hate to play them. 🤔
I have a few different compressors but they just turn in to boost pedals for me. I think that is what John Mayer uses them for too. When I watch people like Cory Wong though, it just amazes me how effective they can be for his style. Speaking of JM, the song you you testing this on sounds a lot like Waiting on the world to change.
“We heard you like compressors so we compressed your compressor and got you another compressor to compress your compressed compressor.” -someone to Lowell George, probably
You hate it don't you? LOL!
Justin, I can never stop enjoying your tasteful style, which IMHO beats the pants off any shredder!!!!!!! Its all about the feel and being in the pocket which you perform exquisitely. . BTW I love the sound of the Tele funk riffs and chords through the comp and the BLOOM.. Nothing short of heaven on Earth. LOL
That is a well-thought-out unit. I may finally take the plunge. My last compressor was a DBX Rack. Seems like a great pedal.
It really is.
Way cool Justin! Thanks for the post! Real world answers!
Feels more even. More consistent. Sometimes I prefer the difference when playing live. But when recording, I prefer to be consistent. Great video Justin. 🙏
Dude....I really appreciate your videos. While I'm not really a country music fan I have learned more from your videos than those 'geared ' toward rock/blues enthusiasts. Keep them coming! (Still waiting for the 'I've got a song here...' t-shirts..😊.)
I use a Origin Cali 76, and the blend knob is REAL helpful!
Totally agree, the blend knob is EVERYTHING on the Cali. An ‘always on’ pedal, if ever there was one.
Love it with that tele. That's the sound.
The slide tone is really nice.
This channel makes me smile...thanks for doing these videos Justin.
Justin, I also have never been a fan of compressors. I’ve never had one on my pedalboard. This video intrigues me. It seems like the Jackson Audio compressor is pretty decent.
I haven't used a compressor in my effects chain for decades.... However, I recently tried one with a dry blend and have to admit that it is useful in the right situation(s). But it absolutely must have a dry blend! You're getting some sweet tones from that Jackson Audio compressor. "Nuff said!
Like you I’m not a compressor fan and prefer the freedom of dynamics but i have to agree the Jackson’s is sounding really good.
That sounds good. It has a sound and it’s good.
Beginning at 13:50 onward in that section, I can totally hear how that fits into Atlantic City by The Band! Great stuff my friend..thanks for all you do 👍
Interesting, even as a beginner I quickly fell in love with compression, I found it made my other pedals sound better, especially fuzz and distortion, since I could lock it into the sweet spot of volume control it adds more punch to my sound, but also made recording easier since it would knock down the loud parts, this one sounds really nice too
I love my valve optical compressors. It polishes & smoothes beautifully. They also squash too. I’m convinced most guitarists don’t use a compressor because a compressor doesn’t ‘do anything’; but it’s all qualitative, not shouty ‘look at me’ obvious delay or fuzz. If you ever get into a studio, the engineer will use a compressor on you anyway!
When I can feel a compressor working, and I’m not looking for that effect, I want it off. The engineers I work with, when and if they use them, it’s very subtle.
@@JustinOstrander Best rule of thumb I’ve found for Compressors is to bring them in right up to the moment I hear them working…then bump it back a bit. You can’t really “feel” it much at all, but it still smooths the sound out just a hair. I love compression but it has to be very subtle or I absolutely hate it 🤷🏼♂️
First time visiting your channel. Great video on the compressor, Justin....but I wish it was a lesson on some of those riffs, licks, fills you were playing instead. They were amazingly tasty. A perfect balance of playing in the pocket and using your arsenal without going overboard or showing off. I'll have to scan through tour channel to see if there's any videos that cover those licks. I realize you're not a guitar teacher per se, but your style is terrific. GREAT tele tones too by the way, with and without the compressor. I'm a compressor guy to the point it's almost always on. It's a habit that's hard to break...
All the Best...
Pretty unrelated, but putting the pedal in a phone mount for the tripod is absolutely genius hahaha
We’re a low tech channel for sure. Hahaha
Great video. I think if your compressor doesn't have a blend knob you can maintain the attack of your note by increasing the "attack" control (delaying the compression until the attack comes through).
Definitely…but attack knobs work in different directions, depending on the pedal. Some increase the attack when there knob turns clockwise and others do the opposite, so worth noting for anyone new to comp pedals.I use an old Exotic SP comp and I love it. All I do is bring the Blend knob up until I BARELY hear it compressing the sound, and that’s as far as I go. Lots of folks don’t like them because they use too much compression, but correctly dialed in you can have plenty of dynamics AND the smoothness of a great comp.
I usually avoid compressors for the same reasons you mentioned. They also seem to remove some of the "noise envelope" I specifically create to give Blues, and other sound components that I want to preserve.
That said, the Jac!son Audio Compressor sounds good in your demo. The place I would be most inclined to use a Compressor is on my Bass, which can be uncontrollably dynamic.
Thanks for this offering. Compression has always been a mystery for me so I just set up the "recommended" settings and screw around from there hoping to understand what I did.
BTW - I appreciate your clean playing (even when you are just noodling). It was impressive. I just came from listening to an interview with a great guitar player (won't mention any names) and it was pretty disappointing that he didn't put any effort into playing, he just kind slopped his way around - basically mailed it in. Seemed kind of disrespectful to not make a better effort than that.
Thanks again, I actually kinda understood what you were getting at with that compressor. I should have sub'd after your HX stuff - duh. I'll be trying your ideas out on a parallel path.
Really great stuff, enjoyed watching and listening to this many thanks.
I like compression for funk, chickin' pickin' and funky chickin' pickin'! Cheers Justin!!
Dangit now I have to buy one
Breakfast soon.
But did you Tyler 😂
I like compression - I just think it sounds better coming from an amp than from a pedal. This pedal sounds really good though, as it doesn't seem to be killing your transients.
I’ve got a Cali76 that’s always on. Love it!
Keeper.
Loved that chicken picking sound when you were on the tele. I learned to love that from the 90s country, the Brent Mason stuff on the Alan Jackson records, recorded straight to desk. But I can't play it myself for the life of it, got no idea where to break the ice on it. Got some session hacks, when you'd just want a lil' flavour of it?
Find a good 90s country station and play along. There’s so much great playing in that style, and much of it is less complicated than Brent. He was just on fire. It’s hard to get into it if you’re trying to sound like him right off the bat. He has some cool instructional stuff out though from back then
What a fantastic video have a wonderful day justin also Monday is Thanksgiving in Canada 😊
Thanks man! Happy thanksgiving!
Purely as a listener, the heavy compression sounds cool but for me it takes the excitement out. Especially in the telecaster
The Jazzmaster sounded really, really good, but the Tele! Killer!
very juicy, love it!
Sounds great, I’m typically not a fan of compressors but might have to look into this one. Btw have you had a chance to try the Keeley noble screamer? Hearing great things about it.
Yep. I have one. It’s awesome.
The difference is subtle but the compressor removes some of your signature sound/tone. I can hear it in the first play through with the song and the JM - it's flatter in a sense whereas with a JO sound, each note is expressive. It's not a bad sound! Sounds great! But it's like it's a different person which can work great for certain parts. A good tool for the tool box.
Yep. I’m keeping this one. It does cool things. I guess I’m a compressor guy now. But definitely not an “always on” compressor guy.
@@JustinOstrander the blend knob makes it real useful. Thanks for the vid and comments!
I admit to not really "getting" what a compressor does . . . despite understanding the words used to describe the leveling effect on different parts of a signal (??). And I don't know what the various compressor controls are accomplishing. All I really know is that I hear a *punch* in the sound when the compressor is turned on, and I like what I'm hearing . . . sometimes. Sometimes I don't want to hear it. I'll happily leave it to the professionals to use or not use when they see fit. I'll use it or not use it when my ear tells me! Cheers to the JO Gang.
That's the best way to approach it regardless of whether or not you know what each knob does. Nice work!
I've intensely disliked compressors for decades but having recently cleaned up my tone a lot I felt I needed someting to add a bit of squish without clipping - got a Koji and it takes some getitng used to having it on, but when I switch it off it's just tragic.
I use an OKKO coca Comp studio grade optical compressor on every note. its a simple two knob pedal and it just makes my guitar perform a LOT better
It's not a dichotomy of full dynamic range or no dynamic range. People who feel this way maybe don't understand or haven't spent enough time with the attack control. With very slow attack, transients are unaffected allowing for the same expressiveness and dynamic control as without compression, but it lifts the tails of notes allowing tails to linger in your playing a touch longer. It's kinda like reverb without reverb.
Compression can also be the overdrive of your clean tone, allowing you to step forward in the mix with a similar energy and the feel of something to lean on as a boost/drive but without the added gain.
Then there's what compression can do for you before your drive pedal. It can add sustain, cohesion, and fullness, again without any additional gain.
I've been a compressor nut since 2005 and don't see myself ever going without. Our ears LOVE compression and our favorite records are steeped in compression. It can be a subtle yet powerful expressive tool that is yet another little piece in the sonic puzzle that elevates your sound.
I don't think anyone is saying it's either full dynamic range or not. And I agree with you regarding records...they are steeped in extremely expensive outboard rack gear that is often used in post production or on a master bus. That stuff is great. A few things can be true at the same time: I dig compression on records a lot. I like this pedal a lot and will be using it at work. I also will not keep it on all the time.
To be honest with you, I can't think of a single session player I work with who leaves a compressor pedal on all the time. I also can't think of a single session player who keeps an overdrive pedal on all the time or a reverb pedal or whatever. They're effects. I'll use this one for jangle, squished pop guitar, funk, chickn pickin, etc. It really does sound fantastic. Jackson Audio does good work. Really love my Golden Boy, too.
Agreed, and to be clear, I don't run compression as an always-on either, I just don't see it losing its place on my board anytime ever. It's a handy tool with a variety of applications as mentioned.
I use the Origin Effects Cali76 stacked and I usually leave in a healthy amount of dry signal. I get that nice super responsive feeling under the fingers from the compression along with the nice chimey sustain, but there's still good dynamics because of the dry signal. If I wan't a really squished sound I go for the MXR Dynacomp or the JangleBox. But the Cali76 is on 99% of the time these days. I turn it off for higher gain and fuzz sounds
I never did bond with the Cali.
@@JustinOstrander Whatever you're doing sounds great! I remember being very surprised a while ago when you mentioned that you didn't use compression! A Nashville session guitarist that doesn't use compression seemed wild to me, but not because I thought you needed it. Your touch and dynamics are great. (Although that part you did here with that compressor sounds great!) We'll pull you over to the dark side yet! lol
Thanks for the compressor run through! Cool pedal. I often feel like as I'm playing, compression sounds worse. However, when listening back to what I played and throwing compression on that in the DAW can really make it sit in the track better. I have a totally unrelated beginner question: For setting up your Strat tremolo bridge for just doing those full chord vibrato type wiggles, do you have your bridge setup as floating or down only?
It floats. And that’s a great point about compression!
Some great tones! How do you deal with single coil pickup noise? Also can you post a link to those headphones?
I simply mute when I’m not playing. That’s really it. I don’t use any noiseless pickups or anything like that. Worst case scenario, I point the headstock in the least offending direction. Search GK Music Ultraphones. There is a link the description.
Justin, first thanks for giving us the fly on the wall look at your process. I track guitars often and find myself nodding my head in total agreement with your musical choices and instruction. But... I feel a bit stuck in my playing and looking to jump another level up. How do you learn/keep it fresh and challenge yourself to get better? I'm finding myself asking the question "did I already play this riff on someone else's track"?
I usually choose a record and learn the entire thing
I use a compressor alot.
😀….👍🏽👍🏽
Where do you like your strat and tele pickup heights? Low medium or high?
Tele bridge is high-ish. Rest of em are medium-low. I generally prefer on the low side.
I don’t know man. Maybe it’s a ‘feel thing’. When I hear people like you using a compressor I really love the sound and I totally get it. But when I play them myself it just feels weird. It’s like I want to run, but someone’s holding me back. Or like I’m walking in thick clay and mud. Even with subtle settings.
I do like the sound. I just hate to play them. 🤔
I have a few different compressors but they just turn in to boost pedals for me. I think that is what John Mayer uses them for too. When I watch people like Cory Wong though, it just amazes me how effective they can be for his style. Speaking of JM, the song you you testing this on sounds a lot like Waiting on the world to change.
I think it made your Jazzmaster sound like a Ric....
Might make ya lazy...but it does sound good
Just saw the title and had to click and comment. Do not turn into a compressor guy. Please.
“We heard you like compressors so we compressed your compressor and got you another compressor to compress your compressed compressor.”
-someone to Lowell George, probably
Keeley Compressor Plus Compressor Pedal - You don't konw what you're missing.