For me, a compressor takes the place of being able to get an amp to the volume level where it is actually working, absorbing some of the transient spikes of overdrive pedals, and delivering some of that sweet sustain that a moderate volume amp-in-a-room provides. It sort of glues everything together better like natural amp compression does. It's not a perfect solution, but it's closer to what I like to hear and feel.
i like that i use the kingsley page for cleans i got around the mental block buy using a valve think of compression as a valve going optimum to overflowing gota get a cali 76 c if your mate likes that
That’s what Dan from That Pedal Show says about them; “An overdrive for your clean tone.” When used a certain way it’s as much about feel as it is sound.
You know, man... One of the things that your content has over thousands of the other guitar channels, here on UA-cam, is your songwriting is exTREMELY inspiring. That, and the look of your videos are just beyond fantastic. Please, don’t ever doubt that your subscribers would be perfectly happy just enjoying videos of your tasteful musicianship.
I agree. My regular sound(LP no pedal through a 6g6- b bassman) was naturally highly compressed. Later on I had a very different rig and needed to play clean and dirty sounds. I found a simple compressor-TS9-chorus and clean stereo tube amp was more easy for me to use live mostly because I could use my standard picking techniques that I had been using for 30 years. It was easier than relearning how to play.
10:36 Picking dynamics still change the timbre, so that's where a compressor can be useful - playing as quiet as you're able, and still being audible (or a bit broken up, or whatever else).
theystoleitfromus that tone when he tried to play softly to show that the tone doesn’t change, is my favorite tone in the video 😆 but he did make his point
Played for 18 years without touching a compressor. Got one in a trade 4 months ago and I love it. Helps get the same feel of a almost cranked tube amp at low volume at home.
WOW that track is inspiring I was working on a tune with a busy flatpicking thing happening on the chords but my tone was taking over and I needed that tone for a dirt part coming up after it.But when I heard your tune allowing yor chords to have a big bold tone i was knocked out how well it works. Thanx
I think it goes to show that you'll never know if you never try it, Compression can just be amazing as long as you know what you're doing and you tune them to your liking. Awesome!
My philosophy on tone is this: your tone is what you get from your guitar and your amp. Anything you add in between is like adding spice to a food dish. It can enhance the flavor but it will never change what the dish actually is. So an always on compressor is like adding the same amount of salt to every dish. It won't ruin any one dish but you're really short changing yourself in terms of utilizing the options available for seasonings. Same with writing off compressors and never using them. That would be like never using salt in any dish. You gotta season every dish (or song) differently
I used to be the always on compression guy until I saw one of your videos a while back about how you lose some of the amp dynamics. So I now only use it when it is needed. Thank you very much for that tip, it really opened up my playing!
I've never bought a compressor because dynamics is an integral element of my sound. That being said, if it will give me Robert Fripp sustain, I might buy one.
Hey Rhett, I love your channel. I picked up the Strymon Compadre pedal recently. It's great. I needed something to help tame an acoustic guitar for a live gig. geez, I was totally impressed. It also works well for my electric guitar sound. I think the best thing about this pedal is that it's super quiet and you don't know it's on until you turn it off. That's a big plus for me. It's super simple and delivers exactly what I need. Thank you for the review. rock on. -Jake in Detroit.
I have the Cali76, and the blend knob makes the difference. I keep it at about 12:00 to 2:00 o'clock so I can keep the dynamics, but also have that bump in sustain. But I have found that my more distorted "metal" tones aren't quite as tight with the compressor, which makes sense.
I use a Pigtronics Philosophers Tone. I almost never use it clean. I mainly use it for my overdrive. I dial in my Marshall to a crunch that is slightly not enough. I use the compressor to goose it without really fundamentally changing my sound. I like the sustain, without too much gain. It's subtle, but I can get a lead tone that is similar to my crunch tone. If I use an overdrive the I either get too much or the tone changes. The strymon looks like it's even more up my alley. Thanks for sharing it.
I used to be an always on player when it comes to compressor pedals. I do not do that any longer. It depends on what tone is needed at the time , for example , 80's Country I use a pretty heavy amount of compression in order to get that twangy pop out of notes . I turn it off when using any overdrive or distortion . In my experience running compression in front of OD or DIST muddies the tone and it prevents it cutting through a band mix in my experience. I have heard of putting them last in the signal chain but never tried that on before .. Great video Rhett .
In tracking, mixing and mastering EVERYTHING is always compressed. I agree, as a pedal or tool for tone, it feels good or doesn’t. I keep my compressor dead last in the chain making me use it or turn it off. Strymon is always a great purchase. Thank you Rhett.
I’ve started running a compressor with the compression almost all the way down and the level dimed. It gives a great clean boost while just adding a little bit of compression that’s great for cleaner lead parts
Hi Rett. Lots of people say they don't like Compression until they try it/use it properly. Compression is a tool, and not a monolitic thing that you can only use in one way. There are so much uses for it. + Mostly anything we hear today (tv,radio) has some kind of Compression (like you said for your track). The other thing is that, used in the right context you'll probably never know it was there in the first place. And for certain styles of music, it's part of the vocabulary. ps I posted this comment before the end of the video, so you covered most of my points at the end of it. Also, there are different types of compressors out there that don't sound and feel the same. I'm a hunter for Compressors and own a bunch of them. I use them according to my needs and taste. In Music, and creativity in general, there are no hard rules, it's what suits you the most. And I don't think compression kills expression, it's a myth, spreaded by people who had a bad experience with them. Thank you for efforts, keep playing and having fun.
Great video! I think the reason Rhett doesn't like compressor pedals is actually why I like them. When I can use a comp to get more of a uniform tone whether I pick louder or softer, it means I have even more control over the tone with my volume knob. I guess it's just a personal preference thing.
When my boss compressor craped out, ( bass ) I realised that this pedal was my 'crutch' . For the next 6 years without one , my playing velocity improved . I finally got a Mark bass compressor set to limit low end volume , (you have to be hitting it hard for the limit light to come on) still leaves me my dynamics and it's not on during low dynamic songs, It is now my tool, not a crutch.
10:45 this is using a compressor as a limiter - good for bass as it keeps you from having the sound guy mix you out but also useful for funk guitar to keep your stabs consistent. I'd guess that wet/dry knob would be useful there for keeping the dynamic element (that's how I use it in Ableton with an effect rack).
I'm a Tele guy and an Always on comp user. Since the Bridge pickup (in my honest opinion) is slanted in the wrong direction making the little strings thin, I trick my comp with an EQ in front of it so it wont squash my high notes and thickens them up by dropping the highs and recovering them Post comp. It gives me an IN Your Face Tone from Hell, Pronounced but in total control and without being muddy because I also drop my extended lows which creates a ringing low string eliminating the bottom being squashed. An EQ in front lets you find a sweet spot, eliminating problems. Yet you hit it on the head with your Dynamics demonstration which is why I also use very delicate compression with a fast attack mostly for thickness and sustain. I have to have a certain amount of dynamics and the way I set my comp, I could basically go straight into a console without an amp with just my pedal board. I love your 'Tones'. They are Organic and Rich! Keep on trucking.
When you come to hear about compression and you catch yourself hitting hands and legs like a drummer/guitarist forgeting everything about compressiona and just enjoying this music.. GOD DAMN MAN this was a SUPERB MELODY 12.40 - 14.20
I use a Cali76 compressor, fairly low ratio with the wet/dry mix around 50% and always on. Because of the mix control I don't feel that I lose any dynamics but boy does it enhance my clean tone.
I have been loving my new Keeley compressor because of the blend feature - essentially you can adjust what percentage of the signal is getting any compression effect. Keep it low enough and it's essentially just a boost pedal, but you can roll it up to hit that sweet spot where your dynamics aren't too affected.
Lucas Kelly for real. Since the very second this thing released I said “I hope Rhett does a review” few hours later he posted on Instagram that he’d be doing one. Was instantly pumped
You’re playing is fantastic, the thing I’ve come to appreciate about it is that every note/phrase adds something. You don’t fill the track with notes, but it’s also never too simple. You manage to keep things interesting while also leaving space for a vocalist or other lead instrument. Very inspiring man!
The last compressor to occupy a slot on my board was a Pigtronix Philosopher's Tone. I removed it for the same reason that you did. In in the end it seemed that it wasn't adding substantially to the tone that I wanted and was just occupying that slot and using an 18v supply line.
OK,....so I try only to post when I feel compelled to no matter who or what vid I may have been watching and this is perfect timing Rhett! I will NEVER forget something I accidentally did a long time ago and still haven't really tried to duplicate since. I literall have 2 rack compressors one being the "ever popular" sonic maximizer and the other a quite nice ART tube leveling amp. I am not kidding you when I say that I actually "stacked" if you will by simply running them in series somehow (pre or post I cannot remember)and the tone I happened upon was so epic.......I know that YOU know what I mean! It was that bounce you get when just the right gain seems to be noticed especially in your picking hand. The sustain was at will, the clarity, all the definition when doing the big chords....just the best I can describe. If you ever feel like(and probably already have since it is you LOL!) experimenting......well.......it could be fun! Thx dude....always.
I've been a fan of compressor pedals for years. I used a Line 6 constrictor pedal on my Marshall TSL's crunch channel in place of a boost/overdrive and also for lovely lead sustain. It made it easy to grab some feedback too just by leaning into the amp a little. I loved the compressor/delay setting on my old Line 6 POD and the Constrictor was, I believe the pedal version of that compressor.
Blend knob is a must for me to not sound overtly squeezed (glad Strymon added that). I play plenty without a comp, but when I used my Wampler Ego (quiet enough to put in front of gain), I use the blend/level knobs so that strumming sounds the same on or off, but single notes/double stops fill out a little bit. (Blend and Sustain are usually 9:00-10:00. Subtle, but it works.)
I play an optical compressor as an always-on because I play electric fingerstyle and like to add some of the percussiveness of pick attack back into my sound. It gives me better definition and clarity through tone shaping effects and modulation. To me, losing a little dynamic response from my amp is an okay price to pay for the extra clean headroom and articulation it gives me to work with. There's just something about the sweetness a compressor with a low ratio, medium makeup gain, and a medium amount of sustain adds to a track. I wouldn't argue that my use is a "crutch" (although my playing could sure use a few!) as much as a deliberate choice about how my amp takes and responds to gain. I was a compressor skeptic for a really long time, only using a comp pedal for bass applications. Obviously, I've had a Damascene conversion!
A good point Rhett and why I rarely use a compressor, only as a thickening or sustaining tool occasionally as I’m a very dynamic player, quiet & soft then harder and louder has always worked for me for 30yrs of playing, I’ll never be an always ONer!! Cos I don’t play Shredd guitar!!
A few years ago I had 0 pedals save for a channel switcher for my orange amp. I decided one day on a whim that I wanted a stomp-box. My choice was an MXR dyna-comp. Over the years I’ve accumulated a few dozen pedals and the dyna comp just kinda sat on the shelf most of the time, and it wasn’t until recently after I got a new orange amp, the rocker 15 terror , that I started leaving the dyna comp on all the time. I leave the compression knob way down around 9 o’clock and turn the gain up u til I get the signal to a slightly boosted level. It allows me to cut a little more and have a slight bit more sustain and compression, nothing overtly audible but you can feel it there at all times. There’s no extra noise and it just stays on all the time now. When I turn it off I realize how great it is to have it subtly on all the time. I love what it does for the feel of my playing, it’s especially great for clean playing. It’s funny how I didn’t see a use for it for a few years and I finally figured out it’s true potential. Love compression now, wouldn’t do without it.
I use an Xotic SP comp for “always on” compression. I only recently got it after having played without one for my entire 10 year career as a guitar player and I loved what I did for my rig’s playability and tone. Like you talked about, I love the smoothening of playing dynamics, added sustain for better hammer on/pull of maneuvering, more “in your face” tight sounding tone, and many other benefits. In the studio, I set it to low for subtle comp, but live the mid setting gives me a nice solid base on which to use the rest of my pedalboard to get fat tone. I also put it before my volume pedal to allow me to still back off for a cleaner sound. Rhett’s tone chasing is always super educational! Huge fan 🙌🏻
Hi Rhett. Really enjoyed that track you recorded. Like you used to do, I use a Boss CS-2 compressor as an “always on” effect to smooth out my dynamics. The only difference is that I don’t feel bad about it 😀
this whole video aside.... what I really got from this is that you REALLY need to put out some original stuff. That "idea" you used is really, really good. Turn it into a song. Seriously.
Not to knock anybody, there is a reason why so few UA-cam personalities do not have popular music. It's very difficult to do, and runs the risk of running off fans if they don't like it. That affects their channel numbers. You show me one UA-cam personality with a popular song that is any good. There is literally zero reason for UA-cam personalities to release their own music, and in fact have something to lose if they try.
@@philfrank5601 Such a great insight: I saw an idea being developed in his living room by a new UA-camr called Brian May, it will all come to nothing.....
The tone was great, but the idea was dated. I'm sure Rhett knows that. It's just a stock idea, a progression, a means to an end. If he has a unique idea, he is gonna pitch to Noah.
@@philfrank5601 In case you hadn't noticed, he's already a professional musician... in fact that's kind of the point of the channel! I'd really hope Rhett would put out his own stuff if he felt he had something to say, and not be too calculating about its potential effect on his channel stats.
I’ve always been one to just keep my comp pedal on all the time just because that’s what i’ve heard your supposed to do to “get more tone”. Watching this video has made me rethink that... I think i’ll start playing without it and see what happens! Thanks for always making me push my boundaries, Rhett! Great video as always.
Devin Gerlach There are no rules with music mate, because you hear you should have something set a particular way is not true, it’s personal preference and if sounds good to your ears that’s all that matters, I’ve been playing for 30yrs and never used a compressor and my live setup sounds great, I am about to buy a compressor pedal but only for certain parts to thicken them up, I won’t be an always ONer!! Cos I know I’m a dynamic player who plays quieter and louder. Just do what you like and sounds nice to you and don’t follow rules in music
It's not that you were "wrong"... more like you had to take a step back from compression and came back to it with a different perspective. I love your channel man... I am working on building my mine and you are definitely an inspiration! :)
I have always only used compression when I kick into a big lead because I don't like mega distortion to achieve sustain. I will use compression if I am playing some sort of funk for that squashed sound. I do however plan on getting the Strymon Compadre. The midi implementation with the boost is the selling point for me since I run a Boss ES-8. I dislike compression for the same reasons you stated. I feel like I'm not in control anymore. I told my worship pastor to find the compression on my channel, buy 3 more just like it, find the highest cliff with the most jagged rocks ever at the base, and throw them over the edge while videoing their destruction so I could smile. Have a nice day :)
I use a Keeley Compressor Plus for a good bit of my tone, but not for all of it. I use it predominately for my Marshall's built in gain and with my Friedman Buxom Boost pedal. However when I dial in for the "brown sound" that I use on VH songs, I turn it off and use my TC Electronics Dark Matter Pedal. I also turn it off for most of my clean tone. On a side note: It is possible to use the Friedman pedal for the brown sound as well but it doesn't mix with the Phase 90 as well as the Dark Matter pedal does.
I play mostly jazz, and I've started using a JHS Whitey Tighty, which I got primarily because it's small, inexpensive and most importantly, has a 'blend' knob, so that I can dial in some uncompressed sound. I really like it as it doesn't mess with my dynamics too much. As Rhett says, it's more a 'feel' thing, quite subtle. I could definitely play without it, but I'm appreciating it more and more.
12:37 is where the mojo begins. I broke out my guitar just to play along! ..This pedal is similar to Route66 by Truetone. Compressor is subtle and I have 50% of my clean mixed in. Usually always on but it's fun to experiment. Thanks Rhett! Great material!
It’s a perfect time to check out new gear while at home. Nice job in rethinking compressors. I was in the same place you were and am now going to try again. Strymon demo of this pedal is very good
Always on but a Dynacomp script reissue with the compression turned almost all the way down, it is a trick I learned from a local gear guru. essentially it triggers compression only when you really dig in and feed it signal like when you are playing a more aggressive part that could use some compression to keep everything kosher but if you feed it less signal like playing softer the compression backs way off. I also like the script reissue because of its very low noise floor as almost everything I use has single coils.
Bought Fender Compressor and Boost pedals three days ago, and tried them out. Nothing wrong with them. However, this video made me rethink my choice, so I returned them and got the Compadre. NIGHT AND DAY difference. I don't even bother using the overdrive an my tube amp anymore, the booster is that good. The signal is also much cleaner that the Fender. The extra $$$$$$$ was totally worth and it never hurts from a vanity perspective to see the name "Strymon" on the pedal board.
I always have my compressor on --- once I figured out how to use this pedal, which was probably 24-25 years ago now, I never went back. It suits my playing style and is a part of my sound. My suggestion to everyone would be to try one and see if it’s for you. As some people have pointed out here, it’s essentially a volume boost for your guitar signal or, at least, this is what I use it for. It also evens out your sound to where every note is at the same volume. It just makes my playing smoother. I use an older compressor, they don’t make them any longer, but I don’t really have any interest in parting ways with it even though there are probably much better ones out there nowadays.
I have to have a compressor. I used a Dynacomp for 15 years and recently switched to a Boss. I really really like the Boss. Great compression without too much squish.
Actually this loop you made is brilliant. This is how I've taught myself. I've only really 2 years into playing guitar as a main instrument. Coming from decades of drumming and keys etc, I finally bought as strat and since the first bend of a note I felt a release unlike no other I've been hooked. A few ok songs I've uploaded on my budget little channel but the looper function has taught me so much....Peace Rhett!
This felt like you were talking to me Rhett... always on - check, crutch - check. I’m turning it off tomorrow for practice, we’ll see where this goes. Thank you for the prompting.
I have a TC hypergravity and its amazing. A little intimidating because of all the parameters that are tweakable in the toneprints, but the results are amazing. Some people like using their compressor as a boost, generally for saturated tones (hard rock, metal). I personally don't like that because I find a good OD does a better job for boosting and doesn't come with all the noise when you mute. Djent guys use compressors to open up their noise gates, its a complicated setup, but I suppose its a good use for them. For crystal cleans I find it almost essential, properly dialed in of course. It makes everything from finger picking, to tapping to hard picking and strumming all the same volume and I do like the chime like sound I dial into mine. I would warn about cheaper compressors. In my experience cheap compressors aren't terrible if you're running a trebly signal into them (like a tele), but if you put a darker sounding guitar into them they get quite boomy and there's no real way to dial it out unless you pre with an EQ. Pretty much the reason I upgraded to the hypergravity.
People will eschew from stuff like the Hypergravity because it’s a $70 mass-market pedal, not a $375 boutique offering. But it’s loaded with features & control, and it sounds good, maybe not a Cali76 but still squish & sparkle for days. I have a variety of different comps, and I love most of them. The Strymon OB.1 is a Turkey.
This video definitely has some good input! I love my compressor but I’ve never been an always on kind of guy. I do have an always on overdrive pedal, but I have it set where I get that touch sensitive edge of breakup level of gain. I actually use my compressor as my “stage 2 overdrive”. I have it set in front of that always on overdrive and I have the volume set above unity to so it hits the always on overdrive harder. The pedals I use are the bearfoot fx uber bee as the always on overdrive and the compressor is the diamond comp jr. If anyone is interested. Good content though Rhett and there are a lot of good points here!
I like the jam track. The lead lines were killer man. I agree compressors can be a crutch, but it’s a little insincere when you get a free pedal and suddenly are ok with it again. A lot of players have always on because they are going direct in or have little control of the volume on their amps. It’s easier to rely on a clean amp setup and use a comp pedal than go for edge of breakup and loud if FOH doesn’t let you turn up.
If you like this compressor, you'd LOVE the Origin Effects Cali76 stacked edition. More control, yet it's still so simple. I love Strymon pedals, but I haven't heard anything interesting from the Compadre yet. But, it's brand new, so maybe the best demo is yet to come.
I’ve recently come to the same conclusion about compression. It’s awesome to have!… just not all the time. I played through our bass players dyna-comp in the studio and *loved* what I heard… only to be disappointed with the lack of touch response and volume push live against drums, etc. The solution is obvious enough…. Set the thing to unity gain and just use it sometimes. Then it’s a godsend! I click it on to tame the wah and fuzz before it (again only when wanted) to smooth out hard-strummed chords… or to add clean sustain. Basically think of it as a “smoothener” and just use it when wanted.
I like to have it on. But I use it certain way. I play live at church. I use my amp clean and stack different overdrive pedals to get the amount of of overdrive and tone I want for any song and my compressor is set with light compression and after the overdrives. That way it does the job I need without loosing the dynamics that occurs between the guitar and overdrive pedals.
Mooer Yellow is a pretty mellow, low noise comp. It is a new thing for me. I always thought it was just something for "heavier" music, and the comp itself would introduce extra noise. I do use it sparingly, but is always on, also with acoustic but dialled right down.
Great video, Rhett! When I started as a bass player in a band I played with my fingers but the guitarist complained that I didn't play consistently. To even up my playing I actually turned to a pick because I didn't really know what a compressor was for. Never, ever used one live! Since I turned to Chapman Stick I mostly only use a compressor when I record and I've gone back to fingers when I play Bass and no compressor because I think you can get more "feel".
Had a Dyna Comp for many years because I was told I needed it. I realized that I had stopped using it for a few years 'cause I couldn't predict what would happen when I turned it on. I was mostly playing humbuckers through a crackling Marshall, a rig that was naturally compressed. Gave the dyna comp to a friend who was playing single-coil through a Mesa -- he says he can't live without it. YMMV. I endorse Rhett's message on compressors but I would say about any pedal: you need to use it in the right context.
I am a dual channel amp guy. I like an amp that can get pristine fendery clean no breakup at all, and at the click of a button, go into dirty modded marshally crunch territory. Compressor is an absolute must for my clean sounds exclusively. Never on a dirty sound so I have it on a loop on my switching system to bring it in and out. It’s a Carl Martin so it is great, subtle, doesn’t kill the transient as the keeley as I used to have before this one did, and blends so sweetly that just brings out that extra character without being too overpowering. So indeed behaves like a studio compressor but before the amp. Here’s my personal secret weapon trick to get more from it. I run the volume on the clean channel of my amp considerably lower than the dirty channel, and since my switching system brings in the compressor and changes channels on my amp instsntaneously and at the same time, I can afford running the gain stage of the compressor a bit hotter to bring it to unity in relation to the dirty channel volume. Adding more of that gain on the compressor, still keeps everything clean, it’s not pushing anything, but brings out that character and warmth of the compressor’s analog circuit into the overall tone and becomes somethimg reallt sweet. Add a delay, reverb and some chorus if you are into modulations and you have a rich and full sound that is spectacular. BTW, I would buy an album of your demo tracks alone. They are all fsntastic songs in their own right and sooo well produced they deserve to be listened to on demand, and on the go. This demo song reminded me a bit of Tear you up by The Pineapple Thief, that is also in B standard and shares some of the notes here and there.
As someone who plays mostly funk, soul and not-very-heavy rock, I like using a compressor - I'd say it's on about 80% of the time, unless I really have to hit it hard. I seldom disagree with ya, Rhett, but on this one we part ways. I use a parallel compressor, and I mix the signals enough so that my full dynamic range is always available to me. Maybe it's a crutch, but I love my Barber Tone Press. Hey - this is why restaurants offer menus. We all like something different! Cheers! 😀
Dynamic control is why I use compressors after the overdrive/distortion. Still get the tonal benefits, longer sustain, etc, without killing much of the dirt character.
That is one of the best riffs I’ve heard in a while Rhett! Very memorable. I actually came back to rewatch the video just to hear it. This did help open me up to new ways of using a compressor. I also love the use of the Deco, what a creative way to use it!
Compressors are awesome! They even out your playing, making it a bit more consistent (which also can make them a crutch!). But they also enhance percussive playing styles (like funk) and give you more sustain. A good compressor is essential for my playing style - which uses a lot of palm muting and percussive rhythms in between fully voiced notes. What's not to like?
Tech 21 made a pedal 20 years ago that was 2n1 with compression and overdrive. I played it a few years due to its tone and ability to inspire those nice legato lines. The Comptortion I believe is what the name of it is.
I’m surprised you dont like compression I feel naked when I’m not playing with one live. I have only ever used 1 though the diamond compressor, I just stack my overdrive for dynamics so if I want a light one or a heavier one . But I know what your saying about dynamics but I think it comes down to what kind of a guitar player you are. If you play the blues you prob don’t want compression but if you like country you want whole lot.
I am an always on compressor type, but I have found that if I blend in the dry tone on my Cali76 stacked edition, I still have both good pick dynamics AND a fuller tone
I use a compressor in the fx loop. First in the loop so it doesn't mess with my delays and reverbs. Allows me to control my picking dynamics, like you said for amp break up, and adjust my volume knob to get a cleaner sound but not have too drastic of a dB/volume difference.
I use a Walrus Audio Deep Six V3 for always on, but what I found is that it changes the dynamics with my EQD Plumes. Lately I’m trying to not use it at all times, especially for finger picking dynamics. I probably still don’t know the pedal 100% yet and need to spend more time with it, but overall I like the pedal and I’m trying not to use it as much as a crutch anymore.
My compressor is always on, and I use the JHS Whitey Tighty (used the sp comp for years). When I started playing in a band they pushed me to using a compressor because when I laid into the dynamics my overall volume would go up and made it hard for them to dial in my guitar consistently into foh and in ears. As mentioned in this video, I hate it when people suck the life out of picking dynamics. I love the edge of breakup tone in amps, so I make sure my compressor tames the volume spike when I really dig in, but lets my soft playing breathe and have its space and clean tone. In the church environment, I use the compressor to serve other players and the sound guy so they don’t have to ride the fader on me or continually ask for me to be turned up or down in their mixes all the time. I also like settings that increase sustain :)
As an intermediate type guitarist, I definitely found myself "addicted" to compression as a crutch. This became very evident to me when I would play with someone else's rig. So I have been taking a break :)
I've never really gotten into using compressors, even though I have one, since I like different attack and decay dynamics, and compression takes that away, for me.
I get your points with picking dynamics and what not but I feel like the dry blend pretty much eliminates that problem. all the dynamics with added sustain and cleanness. Personally I have a cocaine compressor/preamp By okko and it’s always on. Whenever I turn it off it just doesn’t sound or feel right.
I found a very niche use case for a compressor in a guitar effect chain that fuzz addicts should enjoy: place it after a gating Fuzz and set attack and release times to let the transients pass through. You're emphasising the "velcro" sound! Set the makeup gain to unity and you'll have the reduction meters telling you how much you're boosting your attacks. (I'm using the Compressor MkII by Empress Effects, it has all the parameters you can expect from a compressor appart from "Knee", but to achieve the effect I've just described "attack" and "makeup" are the only ones really necessary.) I felt like it was on topic, sorry if I was wrong!
The topic is "Compression" so it's great to hear every point of view and experience so we can keep our minds "open" to get a better idea of what all these boxez do. Thankyou.
Every plugged-in musician should have a healthy Love/Hate relationship with Compression.... That's how you learn how and when to use it logically and tastefully. Yes! Don't be afraid to use that bypass switch! Great video! Thanks!
Great video. I have to admit I love compressors and I've been told that I have great dynamics so a properly used compressor shouldn't kill your dynamics. Here's my trick. Use it subtilely. I use a studio compressor with the mix almost 70% dry and not loosing pick attack or highs. I don't like squashy compressors like red MXR but I can see why a country player might like them for chicking picking runs. All in all compressors are the most misunderstood of pedals. At 70% dry you your original tone plus a noticeable (not a ton) of sustain. Great if a player is looking for that Dumble tone which is basically a balanced clean tone with an edge and good sustain and dynamics. I already pre-order the Compadre!
One way to use a compressor no one ever does is to put it AFTER all gain pedals, that way you can have really good cleans with your volume rolled back. It stays clean but also stays loud due to the compressor grabbing the low volume clean tones (rolled back vol knob) and bringing them up. Then you can just roll the knob UP and get lots of gain without extreme volume.
I never really got compressors as part of a pedalboard setup until very recently. I've always used it when mixing drums and bass, but never as part of a guitar signal chain. It wasn't until I realized why my clean leads sounded really tinny and lacking sustain that I realized the necessity for a compressor. I was reading up on the guitar tone for the solo for "Another Brick in the Wall, Pt. 2" and it turned out that Dave Gilmour got that clean sustain by plugging DI into a Urei 1176 FET Limiter. Now, I finally have a use for one and am considering getting a Dyna comp (because I like the slight coloration is has on the guitar tone and it's easy to use).
I use light compression with the Xotic SP Compressor as an always on. Although I don’t see it as a crutch right now. I’m a single coil player, and love the way it gives my signal a little more beef and sustain, especially as I get into the higher frets.
I use compression when I run my humbuckers as single coils. It is also very useful for funk and arpegiated lines. I use the Wampler Ego compressor (the regular size, not the mini size), it is a killer pedal.
Been playing for almost forty years, degreed in Jazz Ped. The only reason I didn’t have a compressor early on was because of priorities! Big Muff was first, Poly-Chorus, flanger (why? I don’t really know, might have had something to do with Elliot Easton. 😀 ) and finally a compressor when I actually had cash flow. Would never look back on the investment. Great stuff, thanks!👍🏻
If you really want a compressor but want to retain some of those picking dynamics try placing your compressor after your dirt... or possibly in the loop if your amp is dirty. You keep your dynamics moreso that way, but the volume is evened out a bit.
For me, a compressor takes the place of being able to get an amp to the volume level where it is actually working, absorbing some of the transient spikes of overdrive pedals, and delivering some of that sweet sustain that a moderate volume amp-in-a-room provides. It sort of glues everything together better like natural amp compression does. It's not a perfect solution, but it's closer to what I like to hear and feel.
"A compressor is a crutch and disguises bad playing."...... I NEED A COMPRESSOR!
The guitar player in my band described compression for clean like what an overdrive is for dirty.
i like that i use the kingsley page for cleans i got around the mental block buy using a valve think of compression as a valve going optimum to overflowing gota get a cali 76 c if your mate likes that
pretty simple way of describing it.
Man, that makes a lot of sense!
Which means?
That’s what Dan from That Pedal Show says about them; “An overdrive for your clean tone.” When used a certain way it’s as much about feel as it is sound.
You know, man... One of the things that your content has over thousands of the other guitar channels, here on UA-cam, is your songwriting is exTREMELY inspiring. That, and the look of your videos are just beyond fantastic. Please, don’t ever doubt that your subscribers would be perfectly happy just enjoying videos of your tasteful musicianship.
"Compressor is overdrive for your clean sound" - TPS Dan.
I agree. My regular sound(LP no pedal through a 6g6- b bassman) was naturally highly compressed. Later on I had a very different rig and needed to play clean and dirty sounds. I found a simple compressor-TS9-chorus and clean stereo tube amp was more easy for me to use live mostly because I could use my standard picking techniques that I had been using for 30 years. It was easier than relearning how to play.
This one just has overdrive AND clean sounds.
I disagree but i guess you can use it like that by cranking up the output knob
10:36 Picking dynamics still change the timbre, so that's where a compressor can be useful - playing as quiet as you're able, and still being audible (or a bit broken up, or whatever else).
theystoleitfromus that tone when he tried to play softly to show that the tone doesn’t change, is my favorite tone in the video 😆 but he did make his point
Played for 18 years without touching a compressor. Got one in a trade 4 months ago and I love it. Helps get the same feel of a almost cranked tube amp at low volume at home.
Great track Rhett. Add a bridge w Noah and put it on the set list brother!
WOW that track is inspiring I was working on a tune with a busy flatpicking thing happening on the chords but my tone was taking over and I needed that tone for a dirt part coming up after it.But when I heard your tune allowing yor chords to have a big bold tone i was knocked out how well it works. Thanx
I think it goes to show that you'll never know if you never try it, Compression can just be amazing as long as you know what you're doing and you tune them to your liking. Awesome!
Dude, you write some of the best modern rock riffs of our time. Every time I hear you play I am inspired to keep writing. love your style man.
That was really insightful, the effects on an amp set just at the right "breaking point", changing the dynamics just kills all that magic.
My philosophy on tone is this: your tone is what you get from your guitar and your amp. Anything you add in between is like adding spice to a food dish. It can enhance the flavor but it will never change what the dish actually is. So an always on compressor is like adding the same amount of salt to every dish. It won't ruin any one dish but you're really short changing yourself in terms of utilizing the options available for seasonings. Same with writing off compressors and never using them. That would be like never using salt in any dish. You gotta season every dish (or song) differently
I used to be the always on compression guy until I saw one of your videos a while back about how you lose some of the amp dynamics. So I now only use it when it is needed. Thank you very much for that tip, it really opened up my playing!
I've never bought a compressor because dynamics is an integral element of my sound. That being said, if it will give me Robert Fripp sustain, I might buy one.
Hey Rhett, I love your channel. I picked up the Strymon Compadre pedal recently. It's great. I needed something to help tame an acoustic guitar for a live gig. geez, I was totally impressed. It also works well for my electric guitar sound. I think the best thing about this pedal is that it's super quiet and you don't know it's on until you turn it off. That's a big plus for me. It's super simple and delivers exactly what I need. Thank you for the review. rock on. -Jake in Detroit.
Hello Rhett, I watched this vid to learn about compressor pedals, I have never used a compressor pedal, thanks for info Boss , great video dude
I have the Cali76, and the blend knob makes the difference. I keep it at about 12:00 to 2:00 o'clock so I can keep the dynamics, but also have that bump in sustain. But I have found that my more distorted "metal" tones aren't quite as tight with the compressor, which makes sense.
Thank you for sharing your experiences! I will be trying a compressor on my rig for the first time this month!
I took the Keeley compressor plus home after a quick demo through a Fender Twin reverb and Telecaster. Try one if you have'nt got one yet?
I use a Pigtronics Philosophers Tone. I almost never use it clean. I mainly use it for my overdrive. I dial in my Marshall to a crunch that is slightly not enough. I use the compressor to goose it without really fundamentally changing my sound. I like the sustain, without too much gain. It's subtle, but I can get a lead tone that is similar to my crunch tone. If I use an overdrive the I either get too much or the tone changes. The strymon looks like it's even more up my alley. Thanks for sharing it.
Whoa, that Rivolta sounds phenomenal!
Caio!!!
I used to be an always on player when it comes to compressor pedals. I do not do that any longer. It depends on what tone is needed at the time , for example , 80's Country I use a pretty heavy amount of compression in order to get that twangy pop out of notes . I turn it off when using any overdrive or distortion . In my experience running compression in front of OD or DIST muddies the tone and it prevents it cutting through a band mix in my experience. I have heard of putting them last in the signal chain but never tried that on before .. Great video Rhett .
In tracking, mixing and mastering EVERYTHING is always compressed. I agree, as a pedal or tool for tone, it feels good or doesn’t. I keep my compressor dead last in the chain making me use it or turn it off. Strymon is always a great purchase. Thank you Rhett.
I’ve started running a compressor with the compression almost all the way down and the level dimed. It gives a great clean boost while just adding a little bit of compression that’s great for cleaner lead parts
Hi Rett. Lots of people say they don't like Compression until they try it/use it properly. Compression is a tool, and not a monolitic thing that you can only use in one way. There are so much uses for it. + Mostly anything we hear today (tv,radio) has some kind of Compression (like you said for your track). The other thing is that, used in the right context you'll probably never know it was there in the first place. And for certain styles of music, it's part of the vocabulary.
ps I posted this comment before the end of the video, so you covered most of my points at the end of it. Also, there are different types of compressors out there that don't sound and feel the same. I'm a hunter for Compressors and own a bunch of them. I use them according to my needs and taste. In Music, and creativity in general, there are no hard rules, it's what suits you the most. And I don't think compression kills expression, it's a myth, spreaded by people who had a bad experience with them. Thank you for efforts, keep playing and having fun.
I've been playing thirty five years and just got a compressor, it does seem to cover my timing slips so is quite handy!
Great video! I think the reason Rhett doesn't like compressor pedals is actually why I like them. When I can use a comp to get more of a uniform tone whether I pick louder or softer, it means I have even more control over the tone with my volume knob. I guess it's just a personal preference thing.
When my boss compressor craped out, ( bass ) I realised that this pedal was my 'crutch' . For the next 6 years without one , my playing velocity improved . I finally got a Mark bass compressor set to limit low end volume , (you have to be hitting it hard for the limit light to come on) still leaves me my dynamics and it's not on during low dynamic songs, It is now my tool, not a crutch.
10:45 this is using a compressor as a limiter - good for bass as it keeps you from having the sound guy mix you out but also useful for funk guitar to keep your stabs consistent. I'd guess that wet/dry knob would be useful there for keeping the dynamic element (that's how I use it in Ableton with an effect rack).
I'm a Tele guy and an Always on comp user. Since the Bridge pickup (in my honest opinion) is slanted in the wrong direction making the little strings thin, I trick my comp with an EQ in front of it so it wont squash my high notes and thickens them up by dropping the highs and recovering them Post comp. It gives me an IN Your Face Tone from Hell, Pronounced but in total control and without being muddy because I also drop my extended lows which creates a ringing low string eliminating the bottom being squashed. An EQ in front lets you find a sweet spot, eliminating problems. Yet you hit it on the head with your Dynamics demonstration which is why I also use very delicate compression with a fast attack mostly for thickness and sustain. I have to have a certain amount of dynamics and the way I set my comp, I could basically go straight into a console without an amp with just my pedal board. I love your 'Tones'. They are Organic and Rich! Keep on trucking.
When you come to hear about compression and you catch yourself hitting hands and legs like a drummer/guitarist forgeting everything about compressiona and just enjoying this music.. GOD DAMN MAN this was a SUPERB MELODY 12.40 - 14.20
I use a Cali76 compressor, fairly low ratio with the wet/dry mix around 50% and always on. Because of the mix control I don't feel that I lose any dynamics but boy does it enhance my clean tone.
PRS8124 yeah same here ... phenomenal pedal .
I have been loving my new Keeley compressor because of the blend feature - essentially you can adjust what percentage of the signal is getting any compression effect. Keep it low enough and it's essentially just a boost pedal, but you can roll it up to hit that sweet spot where your dynamics aren't too affected.
Ebradley2351
My Wampler Ego compressor also has a blend knob.
Thanks Rhett for giving great content during these tough times
Lucas Kelly for real. Since the very second this thing released I said “I hope Rhett does a review” few hours later he posted on Instagram that he’d be doing one. Was instantly pumped
You’re playing is fantastic, the thing I’ve come to appreciate about it is that every note/phrase adds something. You don’t fill the track with notes, but it’s also never too simple. You manage to keep things interesting while also leaving space for a vocalist or other lead instrument. Very inspiring man!
Well said
The last compressor to occupy a slot on my board was a Pigtronix Philosopher's Tone. I removed it for the same reason that you did. In in the end it seemed that it wasn't adding substantially to the tone that I wanted and was just occupying that slot and using an 18v supply line.
OK,....so I try only to post when I feel compelled to no matter who or what vid I may have been watching and this is perfect timing Rhett! I will NEVER forget something I accidentally did a long time ago and still haven't really tried to duplicate since. I literall have 2 rack compressors one being the "ever popular" sonic maximizer and the other a quite nice ART tube leveling amp. I am not kidding you when I say that I actually "stacked" if you will by simply running them in series somehow (pre or post I cannot remember)and the tone I happened upon was so epic.......I know that YOU know what I mean! It was that bounce you get when just the right gain seems to be noticed especially in your picking hand. The sustain was at will, the clarity, all the definition when doing the big chords....just the best I can describe. If you ever feel like(and probably already have since it is you LOL!) experimenting......well.......it could be fun! Thx dude....always.
I've been a fan of compressor pedals for years. I used a Line 6 constrictor pedal on my Marshall TSL's crunch channel in place of a boost/overdrive and also for lovely lead sustain. It made it easy to grab some feedback too just by leaning into the amp a little. I loved the compressor/delay setting on my old Line 6 POD and the Constrictor was, I believe the pedal version of that compressor.
Blend knob is a must for me to not sound overtly squeezed (glad Strymon added that). I play plenty without a comp, but when I used my Wampler Ego (quiet enough to put in front of gain), I use the blend/level knobs so that strumming sounds the same on or off, but single notes/double stops fill out a little bit. (Blend and Sustain are usually 9:00-10:00. Subtle, but it works.)
I play an optical compressor as an always-on because I play electric fingerstyle and like to add some of the percussiveness of pick attack back into my sound. It gives me better definition and clarity through tone shaping effects and modulation. To me, losing a little dynamic response from my amp is an okay price to pay for the extra clean headroom and articulation it gives me to work with. There's just something about the sweetness a compressor with a low ratio, medium makeup gain, and a medium amount of sustain adds to a track. I wouldn't argue that my use is a "crutch" (although my playing could sure use a few!) as much as a deliberate choice about how my amp takes and responds to gain. I was a compressor skeptic for a really long time, only using a comp pedal for bass applications. Obviously, I've had a Damascene conversion!
I haven't watched one of your videos in a while, but now I'm reminded of why I'm subscribed. Beautiful playing, writing, and tones all around.
A good point Rhett and why I rarely use a compressor, only as a thickening or sustaining tool occasionally as I’m a very dynamic player, quiet & soft then harder and louder has always worked for me for 30yrs of playing, I’ll never be an always ONer!! Cos I don’t play Shredd guitar!!
A few years ago I had 0 pedals save for a channel switcher for my orange amp. I decided one day on a whim that I wanted a stomp-box. My choice was an MXR dyna-comp. Over the years I’ve accumulated a few dozen pedals and the dyna comp just kinda sat on the shelf most of the time, and it wasn’t until recently after I got a new orange amp, the rocker 15 terror , that I started leaving the dyna comp on all the time. I leave the compression knob way down around 9 o’clock and turn the gain up u til I get the signal to a slightly boosted level. It allows me to cut a little more and have a slight bit more sustain and compression, nothing overtly audible but you can feel it there at all times. There’s no extra noise and it just stays on all the time now. When I turn it off I realize how great it is to have it subtly on all the time. I love what it does for the feel of my playing, it’s especially great for clean playing. It’s funny how I didn’t see a use for it for a few years and I finally figured out it’s true potential. Love compression now, wouldn’t do without it.
I use an Xotic SP comp for “always on” compression. I only recently got it after having played without one for my entire 10 year career as a guitar player and I loved what I did for my rig’s playability and tone. Like you talked about, I love the smoothening of playing dynamics, added sustain for better hammer on/pull of maneuvering, more “in your face” tight sounding tone, and many other benefits. In the studio, I set it to low for subtle comp, but live the mid setting gives me a nice solid base on which to use the rest of my pedalboard to get fat tone. I also put it before my volume pedal to allow me to still back off for a cleaner sound. Rhett’s tone chasing is always super educational! Huge fan 🙌🏻
Hi Rhett. Really enjoyed that track you recorded. Like you used to do, I use a Boss CS-2 compressor as an “always on” effect to smooth out my dynamics. The only difference is that I don’t feel bad about it 😀
Yeah, that's right. I like a box that adds something subtle and smoothe for pickin and spanking the plank.
My latest go at my comp is having it after dirt... So crazy it might actually work. I don't like it early in the chain, killing dynamics.
Interesting idea. Some overdrive/dirt pedals include some compression so you might already have a bit of compression happening.
Thats where I keep it. After the drives and before everything else. Gives me that Trey tone.
this whole video aside.... what I really got from this is that you REALLY need to put out some original stuff. That "idea" you used is really, really good. Turn it into a song. Seriously.
Not to knock anybody, there is a reason why so few UA-cam personalities do not have popular music. It's very difficult to do, and runs the risk of running off fans if they don't like it. That affects their channel numbers. You show me one UA-cam personality with a popular song that is any good. There is literally zero reason for UA-cam personalities to release their own music, and in fact have something to lose if they try.
@@philfrank5601 Such a great insight: I saw an idea being developed in his living room by a new UA-camr called Brian May, it will all come to nothing.....
The tone was great, but the idea was dated. I'm sure Rhett knows that. It's just a stock idea, a progression, a means to an end. If he has a unique idea, he is gonna pitch to Noah.
@@philfrank5601 In case you hadn't noticed, he's already a professional musician... in fact that's kind of the point of the channel! I'd really hope Rhett would put out his own stuff if he felt he had something to say, and not be too calculating about its potential effect on his channel stats.
I’ve always been one to just keep my comp pedal on all the time just because that’s what i’ve heard your supposed to do to “get more tone”. Watching this video has made me rethink that... I think i’ll start playing without it and see what happens! Thanks for always making me push my boundaries, Rhett! Great video as always.
Devin Gerlach There are no rules with music mate, because you hear you should have something set a particular way is not true, it’s personal preference and if sounds good to your ears that’s all that matters, I’ve been playing for 30yrs and never used a compressor and my live setup sounds great, I am about to buy a compressor pedal but only for certain parts to thicken them up, I won’t be an always ONer!! Cos I know I’m a dynamic player who plays quieter and louder.
Just do what you like and sounds nice to you and don’t follow rules in music
It's not that you were "wrong"... more like you had to take a step back from compression and came back to it with a different perspective. I love your channel man... I am working on building my mine and you are definitely an inspiration! :)
I have always only used compression when I kick into a big lead because I don't like mega distortion to achieve sustain. I will use compression if I am playing some sort of funk for that squashed sound. I do however plan on getting the Strymon Compadre. The midi implementation with the boost is the selling point for me since I run a Boss ES-8. I dislike compression for the same reasons you stated. I feel like I'm not in control anymore. I told my worship pastor to find the compression on my channel, buy 3 more just like it, find the highest cliff with the most jagged rocks ever at the base, and throw them over the edge while videoing their destruction so I could smile. Have a nice day :)
Ha dude that song was amazing. Love how he made it seem so effortless.
It's pretty good. It reminds me of "Captivate you" by Marmozets.
Song available to buy?
I use a Keeley Compressor Plus for a good bit of my tone, but not for all of it.
I use it predominately for my Marshall's built in gain and with my Friedman Buxom Boost pedal.
However when I dial in for the "brown sound" that I use on VH songs, I turn it off and use my TC Electronics Dark Matter Pedal.
I also turn it off for most of my clean tone.
On a side note:
It is possible to use the Friedman pedal for the brown sound as well but it doesn't mix with the Phase 90 as well as the Dark Matter pedal does.
I play mostly jazz, and I've started using a JHS Whitey Tighty, which I got primarily because it's small, inexpensive and most importantly, has a 'blend' knob, so that I can dial in some uncompressed sound. I really like it as it doesn't mess with my dynamics too much. As Rhett says, it's more a 'feel' thing, quite subtle. I could definitely play without it, but I'm appreciating it more and more.
12:37 is where the mojo begins. I broke out my guitar just to play along! ..This pedal is similar to Route66 by Truetone. Compressor is subtle and I have 50% of my clean mixed in. Usually always on but it's fun to experiment. Thanks Rhett! Great material!
Exactly how I'm running my 66. Great pedal!
It’s a perfect time to check out new gear while at home. Nice job in rethinking compressors. I was in the same place you were and am now going to try again. Strymon demo of this pedal is very good
Always on but a Dynacomp script reissue with the compression turned almost all the way down, it is a trick I learned from a local gear guru. essentially it triggers compression only when you really dig in and feed it signal like when you are playing a more aggressive part that could use some compression to keep everything kosher but if you feed it less signal like playing softer the compression backs way off. I also like the script reissue because of its very low noise floor as almost everything I use has single coils.
Bought Fender Compressor and Boost pedals three days ago, and tried them out. Nothing wrong with them. However, this video made me rethink my choice, so I returned them and got the Compadre. NIGHT AND DAY difference. I don't even bother using the overdrive an my tube amp anymore, the booster is that good. The signal is also much cleaner that the Fender. The extra $$$$$$$ was totally worth and it never hurts from a vanity perspective to see the name "Strymon" on the pedal board.
I always have my compressor on --- once I figured out how to use this pedal, which was probably 24-25 years ago now, I never went back. It suits my playing style and is a part of my sound. My suggestion to everyone would be to try one and see if it’s for you. As some people have pointed out here, it’s essentially a volume boost for your guitar signal or, at least, this is what I use it for. It also evens out your sound to where every note is at the same volume. It just makes my playing smoother. I use an older compressor, they don’t make them any longer, but I don’t really have any interest in parting ways with it even though there are probably much better ones out there nowadays.
I have to have a compressor. I used a Dynacomp for 15 years and recently switched to a Boss. I really really like the Boss. Great compression without too much squish.
Actually this loop you made is brilliant. This is how I've taught myself. I've only really 2 years into playing guitar as a main instrument. Coming from decades of drumming and keys etc, I finally bought as strat and since the first bend of a note I felt a release unlike no other I've been hooked. A few ok songs I've uploaded on my budget little channel but the looper function has taught me so much....Peace Rhett!
This felt like you were talking to me Rhett... always on - check, crutch - check. I’m turning it off tomorrow for practice, we’ll see where this goes. Thank you for the prompting.
I have a TC hypergravity and its amazing. A little intimidating because of all the parameters that are tweakable in the toneprints, but the results are amazing.
Some people like using their compressor as a boost, generally for saturated tones (hard rock, metal). I personally don't like that because I find a good OD does a better job for boosting and doesn't come with all the noise when you mute. Djent guys use compressors to open up their noise gates, its a complicated setup, but I suppose its a good use for them.
For crystal cleans I find it almost essential, properly dialed in of course. It makes everything from finger picking, to tapping to hard picking and strumming all the same volume and I do like the chime like sound I dial into mine.
I would warn about cheaper compressors. In my experience cheap compressors aren't terrible if you're running a trebly signal into them (like a tele), but if you put a darker sounding guitar into them they get quite boomy and there's no real way to dial it out unless you pre with an EQ. Pretty much the reason I upgraded to the hypergravity.
People will eschew from stuff like the Hypergravity because it’s a $70 mass-market pedal, not a $375 boutique offering.
But it’s loaded with features & control, and it sounds good, maybe not a Cali76 but still squish & sparkle for days.
I have a variety of different comps, and I love most of them. The Strymon OB.1 is a Turkey.
Your editing is better and better each video. Thanks, useful knowledge!
This video definitely has some good input! I love my compressor but I’ve never been an always on kind of guy. I do have an always on overdrive pedal, but I have it set where I get that touch sensitive edge of breakup level of gain. I actually use my compressor as my “stage 2 overdrive”. I have it set in front of that always on overdrive and I have the volume set above unity to so it hits the always on overdrive harder. The pedals I use are the bearfoot fx uber bee as the always on overdrive and the compressor is the diamond comp jr. If anyone is interested. Good content though Rhett and there are a lot of good points here!
I like the jam track. The lead lines were killer man.
I agree compressors can be a crutch, but it’s a little insincere when you get a free pedal and suddenly are ok with it again. A lot of players have always on because they are going direct in or have little control of the volume on their amps. It’s easier to rely on a clean amp setup and use a comp pedal than go for edge of breakup and loud if FOH doesn’t let you turn up.
If you like this compressor, you'd LOVE the Origin Effects Cali76 stacked edition. More control, yet it's still so simple. I love Strymon pedals, but I haven't heard anything interesting from the Compadre yet. But, it's brand new, so maybe the best demo is yet to come.
Larry Lachmann - I love my Cali76 stacked.
Larry Lachmann the strymon is like an Apple product- less controls for ease of use.
I’ve recently come to the same conclusion about compression. It’s awesome to have!… just not all the time.
I played through our bass players dyna-comp in the studio and *loved* what I heard… only to be disappointed with the lack of touch response and volume push live against drums, etc.
The solution is obvious enough…. Set the thing to unity gain and just use it sometimes. Then it’s a godsend! I click it on to tame the wah and fuzz before it (again only when wanted) to smooth out hard-strummed chords… or to add clean sustain. Basically think of it as a “smoothener” and just use it when wanted.
That Rivolta sounds AMAZING. I am not a big UA-cam commenter, but had to say something. I loved that lick at 12:14...
I like to have it on. But I use it certain way. I play live at church. I use my amp clean and stack different overdrive pedals to get the amount of of overdrive and tone I want for any song and my compressor is set with light compression and after the overdrives. That way it does the job I need without loosing the dynamics that occurs between the guitar and overdrive pedals.
Mooer Yellow is a pretty mellow, low noise comp. It is a new thing for me. I always thought it was just something for "heavier" music, and the comp itself would introduce extra noise. I do use it sparingly, but is always on, also with acoustic but dialled right down.
Great video, Rhett!
When I started as a bass player in a band I played with my fingers but the guitarist complained that I didn't play consistently. To even up my playing I actually turned to a pick because I didn't really know what a compressor was for.
Never, ever used one live!
Since I turned to Chapman Stick I mostly only use a compressor when I record and I've gone back to fingers when I play Bass and no compressor because I think you can get more "feel".
Had a Dyna Comp for many years because I was told I needed it. I realized that I had stopped using it for a few years 'cause I couldn't predict what would happen when I turned it on. I was mostly playing humbuckers through a crackling Marshall, a rig that was naturally compressed. Gave the dyna comp to a friend who was playing single-coil through a Mesa -- he says he can't live without it. YMMV. I endorse Rhett's message on compressors but I would say about any pedal: you need to use it in the right context.
I am a dual channel amp guy. I like an amp that can get pristine fendery clean no breakup at all, and at the click of a button, go into dirty modded marshally crunch territory. Compressor is an absolute must for my clean sounds exclusively. Never on a dirty sound so I have it on a loop on my switching system to bring it in and out. It’s a Carl Martin so it is great, subtle, doesn’t kill the transient as the keeley as I used to have before this one did, and blends so sweetly that just brings out that extra character without being too overpowering. So indeed behaves like a studio compressor but before the amp.
Here’s my personal secret weapon trick to get more from it. I run the volume on the clean channel of my amp considerably lower than the dirty channel, and since my switching system brings in the compressor and changes channels on my amp instsntaneously and at the same time, I can afford running the gain stage of the compressor a bit hotter to bring it to unity in relation to the dirty channel volume. Adding more of that gain on the compressor, still keeps everything clean, it’s not pushing anything, but brings out that character and warmth of the compressor’s analog circuit into the overall tone and becomes somethimg reallt sweet.
Add a delay, reverb and some chorus if you are into modulations and you have a rich and full sound that is spectacular.
BTW, I would buy an album of your demo tracks alone. They are all fsntastic songs in their own right and sooo well produced they deserve to be listened to on demand, and on the go. This demo song reminded me a bit of Tear you up by The Pineapple Thief, that is also in B standard and shares some of the notes here and there.
Great stuff Rhett... your track has definite hints of the British band Ride.... who are magnificent btw! love your channel, pls don't stop!
As someone who plays mostly funk, soul and not-very-heavy rock, I like using a compressor - I'd say it's on about 80% of the time, unless I really have to hit it hard. I seldom disagree with ya, Rhett, but on this one we part ways. I use a parallel compressor, and I mix the signals enough so that my full dynamic range is always available to me. Maybe it's a crutch, but I love my Barber Tone Press. Hey - this is why restaurants offer menus. We all like something different! Cheers! 😀
Must… have… compressor…Not only is my Keeley 4 knob always on but it’s placed after my overdrives and wah.. I’m crazy like that!! Great track!
Dynamic control is why I use compressors after the overdrive/distortion. Still get the tonal benefits, longer sustain, etc, without killing much of the dirt character.
yep, in the fx loop it can do very useful things!
That is one of the best riffs I’ve heard in a while Rhett! Very memorable. I actually came back to rewatch the video just to hear it. This did help open me up to new ways of using a compressor. I also love the use of the Deco, what a creative way to use it!
Whoa Rhett. That song is total build-up bliss, thanks for another awesome video!
Compressors are awesome!
They even out your playing, making it a bit more consistent (which also can make them a crutch!).
But they also enhance percussive playing styles (like funk) and give you more sustain. A good compressor is essential for my playing style - which uses a lot of palm muting and percussive rhythms in between fully voiced notes.
What's not to like?
Tech 21 made a pedal 20 years ago that was 2n1 with compression and overdrive. I played it a few years due to its tone and ability to inspire those nice legato lines. The Comptortion I believe is what the name of it is.
I’m surprised you dont like compression I feel naked when I’m not playing with one live. I have only ever used 1 though the diamond compressor, I just stack my overdrive for dynamics so if I want a light one or a heavier one . But I know what your saying about dynamics but I think it comes down to what kind of a guitar player you are. If you play the blues you prob don’t want compression but if you like country you want whole lot.
Nick Wilson I use a compressor when playing blues. Trick is - less is more
I am an always on compressor type, but I have found that if I blend in the dry tone on my Cali76 stacked edition, I still have both good pick dynamics AND a fuller tone
I use a compressor in the fx loop. First in the loop so it doesn't mess with my delays and reverbs. Allows me to control my picking dynamics, like you said for amp break up, and adjust my volume knob to get a cleaner sound but not have too drastic of a dB/volume difference.
I use a Walrus Audio Deep Six V3 for always on, but what I found is that it changes the dynamics with my EQD Plumes. Lately I’m trying to not use it at all times, especially for finger picking dynamics. I probably still don’t know the pedal 100% yet and need to spend more time with it, but overall I like the pedal and I’m trying not to use it as much as a crutch anymore.
My compressor is always on, and I use the JHS Whitey Tighty (used the sp comp for years). When I started playing in a band they pushed me to using a compressor because when I laid into the dynamics my overall volume would go up and made it hard for them to dial in my guitar consistently into foh and in ears. As mentioned in this video, I hate it when people suck the life out of picking dynamics. I love the edge of breakup tone in amps, so I make sure my compressor tames the volume spike when I really dig in, but lets my soft playing breathe and have its space and clean tone. In the church environment, I use the compressor to serve other players and the sound guy so they don’t have to ride the fader on me or continually ask for me to be turned up or down in their mixes all the time. I also like settings that increase sustain :)
As an intermediate type guitarist, I definitely found myself "addicted" to compression as a crutch. This became very evident to me when I would play with someone else's rig. So I have been taking a break :)
I've never really gotten into using compressors, even though I have one, since I like different attack and decay dynamics, and compression takes that away, for me.
I get your points with picking dynamics and what not but I feel like the dry blend pretty much eliminates that problem. all the dynamics with added sustain and cleanness. Personally I have a cocaine compressor/preamp By okko and it’s always on. Whenever I turn it off it just doesn’t sound or feel right.
I found a very niche use case for a compressor in a guitar effect chain that fuzz addicts should enjoy: place it after a gating Fuzz and set attack and release times to let the transients pass through.
You're emphasising the "velcro" sound!
Set the makeup gain to unity and you'll have the reduction meters telling you how much you're boosting your attacks.
(I'm using the Compressor MkII by Empress Effects, it has all the parameters you can expect from a compressor appart from "Knee", but to achieve the effect I've just described "attack" and "makeup" are the only ones really necessary.)
I felt like it was on topic, sorry if I was wrong!
The topic is "Compression" so it's great to hear every point of view and experience so we can keep our minds "open" to get a better idea of what all these boxez do. Thankyou.
Really cool take on compressors...and I'm liking the new editing style with the overlap of video and audio.
Every plugged-in musician should have a healthy Love/Hate relationship with Compression.... That's how you learn how and when to use it logically and tastefully. Yes! Don't be afraid to use that bypass switch! Great video! Thanks!
Great video Rhett, always pitched at exactly the right level with a balanced explanation for use. Best wishes from the UK.
Great video. I have to admit I love compressors and I've been told that I have great dynamics so a properly used compressor shouldn't kill your dynamics. Here's my trick. Use it subtilely. I use a studio compressor with the mix almost 70% dry and not loosing pick attack or highs. I don't like squashy compressors like red MXR but I can see why a country player might like them for chicking picking runs. All in all compressors are the most misunderstood of pedals. At 70% dry you your original tone plus a noticeable (not a ton) of sustain. Great if a player is looking for that Dumble tone which is basically a balanced clean tone with an edge and good sustain and dynamics. I already pre-order the Compadre!
One way to use a compressor no one ever does is to put it AFTER all gain pedals, that way you can have really good cleans with your volume rolled back. It stays clean but also stays loud due to the compressor grabbing the low volume clean tones (rolled back vol knob) and bringing them up. Then you can just roll the knob UP and get lots of gain without extreme volume.
I never really got compressors as part of a pedalboard setup until very recently. I've always used it when mixing drums and bass, but never as part of a guitar signal chain. It wasn't until I realized why my clean leads sounded really tinny and lacking sustain that I realized the necessity for a compressor. I was reading up on the guitar tone for the solo for "Another Brick in the Wall, Pt. 2" and it turned out that Dave Gilmour got that clean sustain by plugging DI into a Urei 1176 FET Limiter. Now, I finally have a use for one and am considering getting a Dyna comp (because I like the slight coloration is has on the guitar tone and it's easy to use).
I use light compression with the Xotic SP Compressor as an always on. Although I don’t see it as a crutch right now. I’m a single coil player, and love the way it gives my signal a little more beef and sustain, especially as I get into the higher frets.
I use compression when I run my humbuckers as single coils. It is also very useful for funk and arpegiated lines. I use the Wampler Ego compressor (the regular size, not the mini size), it is a killer pedal.
Been playing for almost forty years, degreed in Jazz Ped. The only reason I didn’t have a compressor early on was because of priorities! Big Muff was first, Poly-Chorus, flanger (why? I don’t really know, might have had something to do with Elliot Easton. 😀 ) and finally a compressor when I actually had cash flow. Would never look back on the investment. Great stuff, thanks!👍🏻
If you really want a compressor but want to retain some of those picking dynamics try placing your compressor after your dirt... or possibly in the loop if your amp is dirty. You keep your dynamics moreso that way, but the volume is evened out a bit.