How I Use Compression // Boss CS3
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- Опубліковано 8 вер 2024
- I was asked about how I implement compression in my signal chain, so I obliged. This is not a compression 101, just 3 thoughts I had that were different to the myriad of other videos out there and show how I use it, without painstakingly going through every dial.
Your style is SO additive. I’m in my mid-50s, went through the nothing but strats era too...finally in the past five years, migrated to a few PRS humbucker guitars. I’m in the buttery smooth zone too. Love you videos Ben.
Thanks man, I really appreciate that! PRS make some fantastic instruments, incredible finishes on them as well as a cool sound.
same here
Travelled a parallel route from Strat to Gibson ES355…
I've always been in the butter. Listening to others play Strats is always wonderful, but not a PLAYING experience I can get enveloped in.
Yes Ben your playing in this video is beautiful. I was looking for a compressor player/video that demonstrates ethereal beauty, not goofy Country licks, and I finally found you.
My god…this is the best explanation of compression I have ever listened to. I’ve had the CS-3 on my board for years and just shied away from it because i didn’t make sense to me regardless of how many hours I spent tweaking it. Other have tried to explain it but it was broadcasted in a way that made sense to them. I followed your explanation and this pedal has opened up a new genre of tones that I added to my repertoire
Thanks so much for the comment, I'm really pleased you found the video useful. I'm glad you're now enjoying your CS-3 too, it's a great pedal. Cheers, Ben.
This video deserves 8 million more views and likes.
Ha! Very kind, thank you! I was quite surprised this one went past 1k, I was chuffed with that.
Never thought about compressing the sh*t out of a cleanish slide tone but that is actually really cool. It Almost sounds like a synth, especially with the way you do vibrato.
Thanks man. It's got something about it, certainly not for everyone or every style but feels great for slide. Cheers, Ben.
Dude thx great vid i was mining for compressor info !!
Thanks, man! Glad you liked it. I've never heard the expression 'mining for information' but I like it, might start using that!
Thanks for your video. Today I realized that my guitar sounded very much clearer and better with my compression off when paired together with my BD-2W and DS-1. Your explanation really made sense to me why I had that experience. (y)
I was hoping for a description of the way you use the four knobs but still a pretty good "How You Use" video. I guess it comes down to the definition of USE. Thanks
Just found your channel.
You give the real pro knowledge.
Subscribed
Thanks !!
Thanks, man! I appreciate the compliment and the subscription. Cheers, Ben.
I love your slide technique
Thanks very much!
Thanks for the video. Very good tips
Thanks man, glad you found it useful in some way! Ben
Great discussion, thanks for your thoughts on this topic.
Very helpful. Thanks.
Thank you, glad it was useful. Ben
Great stuff. Thanks.
No worries, thanks very much!
Very usefull thanks
Thanks, man!
very informative
Thank you!
Very useful thankyou!
Glad it was helpful, thank you! In answer to your other comment, I usually have the sustain around 2.00, for some reason that's the sweet spot for me. The attack varies, but I generally like the compression kicking in early on, so down around 9.00. Very sorry I took so long to reply. I'm just going through messages I've missed now and there are loads of them! Cheers, Ben.
Such a sick video thank you !
Great explanation and demonstration, thank you
Thanks, Phil!
I came too see the compressor pedal and fell in love with your playing dude. really awesome
Thanks man, too kind!
Would also be interesting to hear how you set the attack and sustain :)
Yep
Would have been a nice thought!
Title is misleading whether intentional or not!
Kind of a miss here
@@richardchristensen1768 - not really. What is your definition of "use"? Playing or setting?
I misunderstood also but I'm happy to have heard this explanation. He did speak of output (level) and (sustain) he didn't relate "gain" to any specific knob. Sustain is the label for input gain, as I understand it, but since he didn't detail what knob he uses to control gain - that's a guess (or you can experiment and see for yourself). His explanation gave a sort of sign post to start from.
Great Man. Thanks
Cheers, mate!
Great video. Was wondering what you used for video editing software?
Thanks, man! For ease, Vegas. For anything to do with modifying a grade or making more complex adjustments, the free version of Davinci. I then export a LUT from Davinci and use that in Vegas. Cheers, Ben.
Great and instructive Vid Ben!! Great and Tasteful Performance as well!! ❤️🎶🎵👍🙏😎
Thanks Ben. ;)
No worries mate, good suggestion! Hope you're well.
Im only 1:00 into the video, but man thats a great tone!
Thanks, man!
This was important for me to hear:
"I don't stack compression with 2 other sources of drive"
That's definitely what seems to work for me. Glad you got something useful from my ramblings! Cheers, Ben.
Thanks mate....
So you,keep your guitar volume at 4 and use the comp as a solo boost then? My problem has been with noise with the comp on when used with distortion. I was looking for an always on comp that added a fair bit of sustain and some punch to clean tone but doesn’t mess up when the distortion kicks in. I use an od at low settings for just a tiny bit of break up, like a RATM kind of semi clean. And distortion at pretty high levels or a fuzz for that high-low dynamic. Found it hard to balance that kind of sound without doing the pedal board ballet
I leave the comp on the whole time when I use one. As long as the compression is 1st in line, it shouldn't add any noise. Obviously anything in line before it, it's just going to compress all that white noise. Sonny Landreth uses it at the end of his chain, which must sound like frying eggs at gig volume, not sure how he gets away with that! I don't like stepping on a bunch of pedals either, so I pretty much just leave everything on and control it with the guitar volume. I'm not sure if the Boss comp would suit you for an always on, as it does change your tone quite a bit. I kinda dig it, but maybe something with a blend knob could be cool. I think the Xotic is supposed to be pretty good and not stupid expensive. Ben
Ben Fletcher Thanks Ben. Yeah I like the way the Boss comp behaves. I never had a CS3 but a long while ago I had a ME30 multifx and I assume the comp in that is very similar. Maybe not. Anyway, I’ll have to try your setup where you control the volume with the guitar pot. I do like what I’ve seen and heard from the Xotic though. I had a Main Squeeze and even as first in the chain it added a lot of noise when the sustain was turned up. From what I’ve been reading that’s just the trade off. Ho hum. Cheers!!
I'm constantly thinking a LIMITER is an underrated thing. Most of the time I don't want to lose any dynamics from my quieter more gentle clean playing; I just want to stop any over the top clean transients from yelping through. Once overdrives or fuzzes are introduced they add a deal of compression anyway.
With limiters, no boosting of quieter signal is carried out and hence no boosting of hiss and noise - or added sustain - either. Just a hat on the amount of top level that can shout out.
The Boss CS-3 has never worked at that job for me, even after I modded it for less noise and better sweep, and it makes the tone sound plasticky to me. So I have eyed the old Boss LM-2 for a while before it was considered a bass only device and began to be developed more for that market. I worry though that it may be TOO tweaked now for basses so lets guitars down somewhat. So I was delighted to find the EHX Platform Pico. Seemingly a little expensive but not aimed specifically at bassists and with a CHOICE of compression OR limiting, with a soft or hard knee too. Having enjoyed the limiter that Quilter designed into their Superblocks I am really looking forward to getting my hands on an EHX Platform to see if it meets my needs.
#Squishyunderthefingers
Haha! Who doesn't love that?!
Tasty
Too kind.
Your Les paul sounds amazing. What year and model is it? Cheers
Thanks, man! 2007 standard, one of the fully chambered ones. The previous owner had the top refinished, so it's non-standard for the era and doesn't really match the back colour, but I like all these things about it. Cheers, Ben.
that tone is beck-esque.
Very kind indeed, I'm a fan!