Compressor Pedals for Jazz Guitar?

[markf]

anybody got any tips on compressors, or limiters?

who what where when why?

[bluemood]

Barber Tonepress is a good one.

[Baltar Hornbeek]

I used one recently, during s9me recording on an 'all in one' micro br system. Set to internal mic, the effects department can deploy compression to the incoming vibrations. To my ear, judicious application will take a recording to a whole different sonic tier. Varried levels combine with pan accent effect can be quite disorientating.

[BigDaddyLoveHandles]

I associate liberal use of a compressor pedal with chickun pickun, but maybe that's just me.

[caravan]

These days I pretty much use an "all-in-one" effects processor. I've tried many different kinds and I don't care for the compressor effect on any of them. I guess it has something to do with the way the initial signal punch is suppressed. With all my options of chorus, reverb, EQ, etc. I seem to always turn off the compressor.

[mambosun]

anybody got any tips on compressors, or limiters?

who what where when why?

I've been using a Boss CS2 for years, for sustain purpose, sort of Gilmour type of sound (solo guitar on Shine on you crazy diamond for instance). A very good and cheap vintage Compression/ sustainer pedal.

I finally sold it to an happy new owner, since I'm not keen of this sort of sound anymore.

[markf]

is there any way to even out the volume of the notes being played?

so for instance, bass notes, higher notes have the same volume?

maybe a limiter?

[amusiathread]

I use the Fulltone Full-Drive 2, as I know several other members here use one. It's an amazing pedal for adding a real subtle touch, warming up a clean channel nicely. I bring it up because it has a mode with some very natural sounding compression, nothing obvious, just very light and tasteful.

[bluemood]

is there any way to even out the volume of the notes being played?

so for instance, bass notes, higher notes have the same volume?

maybe a limiter?

Can you give more info on what type of guitar ,pickups ,amp ,ECT.

[mr. beaumont]

Are you talking for recording or live?

I really dislike a noticably compressed tone for jazz.

[cosmic gumbo]

I've used an MXR dynacomp for over 30 years. I use it less than ever nowadays, but some of the things it can do are very handy. The biggest thing to deal with is, unless compressors are set to be very subtle, they'll produce an output volume that can't be controlled by how hard or soft you attack the strings. This can be exploited to great advantage for some purposes, or it can suck all the dynamics out of your picking. I love the things they can do, more versatile than a limiter, IMO.

[Flyin' Brian]

I like it in a very subtle way. I use a Barber Tone Press because you can dial out the "pop" that you get on attack.

[markf]

Are you talking for recording or live?

I really dislike a noticably compressed tone for jazz.

recording. uneven volume of notes.

using a prs standard, into computer, and a crafter thin body with a combined kent armstrong lipstick tube pickup/piezo. also using an alessis quad reverb.

not really any kind of problem with the prs.

thanks for the suggestions,help

[Tom Karol]

I have the same Crafter. It does seem to benefit from just a touch of compression, especially when you have some acoustic (piezo) blended into the lipstick sound. (I generally have the blend slider at 3/4 mag, 1/4 piezo.) I often set my VOX ToneLab ST on the very lowest possible compression setting.

[Dad3353]

anybody got any tips on compressors, or limiters?
who what where when why?

Good afternoon, mark...
I would assume that you already have some basic idea of what is involved; if not, try this...
Dynamic range compression - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
...For recording, compression is a very common element in the chain, but is not used as an 'effect'; rather to, as you imply, compensate for some unequal playing. Ideally, with 'perfect' technique one would not require this, but even virtuosos can benefit, usually.
There are many parameters involved, and for 'studio' type use, a dedicated 19" unit, such as a Drawmer, gives great results, but is expensive, and needs correct setting-up. For domestic use, or less critical purposes, a pedal type may add something (Boss CS3 etc...), but the controls are much more 'primitive', and so, despite being much easier to use, will not permit the 'finesse' of a rack unit.
In general, less is more; the effect should not be noticeable to any great degree (shouldn't 'suck' tone or reduce players desired dynamics...), but some experimenting is best to find the optimum compromise.
There are also VST plugins which are very effective. I use a whole rackfull when using Nuendo for multi-track, for all instruments (guitar, bass, drums, the lot...), but one needs to have the technique and experience of a sound engineer to benefit (good ears help, too...).
Hope this helps...

[kenbennett]

is there any way to even out the volume of the notes being played?

so for instance, bass notes, higher notes have the same volume?

maybe a limiter?

This sounds like an EQ problem.

[mr. beaumont]

Or pickup polepieces?

One thing I love about my Henriksen is the EQ section...you can practically use it to tune in different strings....

[kenbennett]

If the pickup doesn't have adjustable pole pieces, then maybe one side of the pickup could be raised or lowered to get the balance right.

[markf]

I think there is a way to raise/lower the kent armstrong pickup, but wouldn't they have it set for optimum at the factory?

[kenbennett]

I think there is a way to raise/lower the kent armstrong pickup, but wouldn't they have it set for optimum at the factory?

Ha! What factory? Not necessarily.

What is the problem? Bass strings too loud?

[markf]

Ha! What factory? Not necessarily.

What is the problem? Bass strings too loud?

too quiet

thanks for following this

[kenbennett]

too quiet

thanks for following this

How is the pickup mounted?

Does it have adjustable pole pieces?

[heavyblues]

ART channel strip, then replace the 3 12-ax7's. It's only $200 surprisingly. I love this compressor a lot.

[Tom Karol]

I think there is a way to raise/lower the kent armstrong pickup, but wouldn't they have it set for optimum at the factory?

The answer is Yes ... and No.

The KA lipstick pickup is easy to adjust for height. There are two screws on the back of the guitar. Tightening the screw under one end of the pickup lowers it; loosening the screw raises it. Simple! The factory setup, as is almost always the case, is just an approximation and doesn't take into account your preferred set of strings.

[markf]

The answer is Yes ... and No.

The KA lipstick pickup is easy to adjust for height. There are two screws on the back of the guitar. Tightening the screw under one end of the pickup lowers it; loosening the screw raises it. Simple! The factory setup, as is almost always the case, is just an approximation and doesn't take into account your preferred set of strings.

aha. better not try this at home. thanks for this info.