Compressors can be confusing. We discuss what a Compressor does, where it is most useful, and some of the drawbacks with using compression to try and conclude if it is an effect you need to have. Buy Hypergravity Compressor: US - imp.i114863.net/rMjYv EU - www.thomann.de/intl/tc_electr... #compressor #hypergravity #doineedone Gain access to exclusive content at: www.patreon.com/csguitars Buy CSGuitars Merchandise - www.csguitars.co.uk/store Website - www.csguitars.co.uk Contact - colin@csguitars.co.uk Affiliate Links: Thomann - www.thomann.de/gb/index.html?... Sweetwater - imp.i114863.net/2mGGg CSGuitars uses: LEWITT Microphones - www.lewitt-audio.com/ Hoffnine Cabinets - www.hoffnine.co.uk/ Hosa Cables - hosatech.com/ Dragon's Heart Guitar Picks - www.dragonsheartguitarpicks.com/ Title graphics and logo by: www.studiosmithdesign.co.uk/ Join the discussion at: Facebook - facebook.com/csguitars Instagram - instagram.com/csguitars/ Twitter -twitter.com/CSG_Scotland
I use a compressor for extra sustain only for Doom metal. I shut off the compression and turn up the sustain for really slow parts that I just can't have the guitar die out befor the next note.
Wow, this is the first video about compressors that explained all the important questions I had in my mind, in well under 10 minutes, and without confusing me or boring me at all. You're a great teacher , keep making these videos. Thanks for the lesson!
if you've got the time, could you do more videos like this explaining the details of other pedal types like phaser, reverbs and the like. this was really cool and i learn a great deal. thanks
Compressor is a MUST HAVE pedal! First time I tried one it was ON for ever.. Every so ng, every solo, every gig! As a beginner guitarist you may not hear a big difference when using it or not using it. But once you get to know what its for and how much it cant do your will also be on for EVER! You can use it to boost the sound, to limit it, or to compress it.. The sustain will give you the sound of your strings for twice as long as without. Saying you dont need one is a mistake.. Thisis one of your most importand pedals if not the most importand. The distortion after the compressor sounds just so good.
I just gotta say, you're videos, while funny and well made, have definitely helped with my understanding of guitar gear. As a still developing beginner/intermediate, I have learned more from your channel in a few weeks than everything else I've learned over the 4-5 years I've been playing. Thank you for these awesome informational videos, and Rock on, Dude!
I enjoy your videos. Been playing 25 years. You know what you're talking about. Refreshing. Too few youtube guitar channels cut through gear hype. Keep it up.
As a blues player, I use a compressor all the time. It is especially useful for playing slide, boosting low to medium gain overdrives, leveling out lead runs, and as a tone coloring tool. Gotta love that dynacomp sound.
Having an active noise gate in a signal chain BEFORE the compressor will remove the low floor before evening out the dynamic range with a compressor, effectively removing the signal noise and allowing cleaner compression...
Could you explain your point? This is currently what I am doing, and I find it works, but could be better. Why is it better to place your noise gate afterwards?
Once you play a note, the noise gate will open, letting the note through along with any noise. Gates rely on the noise being much lower than the notes and their job is to keep the signal silent when you are NOT playing notes (that being when the noise is most noticeable, with nothing over it to cover it up). Once the note opens the gate, the compressor will then lift the noise that comes through the gate and make it more audible under the note. So basically, while you are playing, the gate is not removing anything, and it doesn't matter if it is before or after the compressor. While you are NOT playing, then yes, the gate before the compressor is going to work better.
@@KimonFrousios Pretty sure thats not how compression works, while playing the compressor would be turning the volume of the guitar down (compressing it) and in turn also turning the noise down. Compression doesn't bring up the low volume stuff, it just brings higher volume stuff down so the quieter sounds are even with the loud sounds. I haven't tried it but in theory a gate before a compressor would work although youd get a nast tail from the release of the gate
@@WADstephen The least you could do is look up the definition of compression, instead of talking garbage out your backside, so let me do that for you: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dynamic_range_compression You didn't even need to own or have ever actually used a compressor for this (clearly you never have, the effect is not that subtle)... Compressing to zero amplitude: "volume control". Compressing to middle amplitude: "compression". Completely different things.
Kimon Froussios I know exactly what compression does. Seems you are the one misunderstanding it - your link only supports my point. Compression doesn’t magically bring quiet things up, it recudes the volume of the louder things and brings the volume of everything up hence making noise louder when not playing, however, when the guitar is being played the compressor brings the volume of the signal coming in down, and in turn the volume of the noise comes down with it. Therefore, in theory, if you cut the noise out in between playing (with a noise gate) then the only noise you’d hear is the time between you playing and the release time of the gate. I have a number of compressors and use an mxr dynacomp regularly on my guitar board. Check yourself before you wreck yourself
Really helpful video. Been debating getting a compressor for ages now and couldn't find a straight answer as to whether I needed it or not. This video definitely made things much clearer and easier to understand than a forum with two dozen guitarists all bickering with each other.
I already knew all of this. But your are absolutely brilliant at explaining it all concisely and in detail with no waffling. Same goes for all of your videos. You'd be a great teacher.
Amazing. Simply amazing. You make some of the most clear and concise informative videos on TH-cam in my opinion. Pleasant demenor and a killer accent to boot! Lol Thank you for all that you do
This video was super helpful, thank you! I almost went ahead and bought a compressor but after he said active humbucker pickups being played with lots of gain, distortion, etc. I'm glad that I did not go through with the purchase without fully knowing what I was getting into. Thanks!
dude ive watched a couple of your videos. you are super knowledgable. I've been playing guitar for 10 year and have never really bothered to learn much about any of this stuff, but now im finding myself having to confront my lack of knowledge. i really appreciate it, keep it up!
I have to say; your videos are among the most informative and educational I've watched in a long time. after watching this video I'm glad I wasn't stupid enough to go and actually buy a compressor, I use a Zoom G3X (primarily for the tuner and expression pedal) and I've recently been experimenting with compression in my signal chain to see if it aides in gives a more aggressive "modern metal" attack and because of the way I've set my different amp channels all I've found it does is slightly raise the level of my rhythm and lead driven tones and almost completely flattens my clean sound... after watching a video with John Petrucci explaining how he achieves his crystal cleans I've started sacrificing clean gain for volume and headroom so the compressor obviously views this as a much louder natural sound and thinks "Hmm, better drop that slightly"now I understand perfectly and feel like a major moron... Thanks, Colin!
Fantastic explanation. Just wanted to add that compressors do wonders if you're using low tuned or extended range guitars. Once you hit drop B and lower, chords and string skipping riffs that include the low string can get really muddy and the low note can drown out the higher ones. I've found boosting the mids to be very helpful, but if thats not enough, or if you dont like that sound, dialing back the gain and putting a compressor in your signal chain (preferably as early on as possible) does wonders. Couple that with some well set up noise gates and you can get a tone that stops on a dime or can sustain big chords with ease.
I play a low tuned 7-string and only thing I have hooked up is a compressor pedal xD It honestly gives my tone more bite and sounds great with it and keeps its clarity.
Not saying that what you're doing isn't working and is wrong, but I'm wondering what would happen if you used a boost pedal/overdrive pedal instead. It sounds like you're just hitting your preamp harder. Not trying to cause a fight, but more curious if you'd get the same result with a boost/OD
Collin, you just made me rearange me board man, thank you for the advice (back in time), speaking to you in a clip approx 5years ago is like playing a reverb and delay ;) Greets from Belgium So logicaly and chronologicaly it looks like this: Compressor and Noise Suppressor which will be used in alternated ways, because I play Metal (noise suppr.) as Ambient sounds (compr.). Send Noise Suppressor to amp Laney IRT clean and sometimes high gain for Swedisch chainsaw Death Metal. (Whah+exp+vol), Metal Zone, Chorus to Digital Delay and Reverb RV-6; from there to the Return of the Noise Suppressor, Output (noise suppr.) to (Loop Station from time to time) and finaly Cab. Than the piggy squeels 'That's all Folks!'
I was looking at how David Gilmour set up his gear and he used a compressor and he always had awesome tone and sustain. It seems to me that it's good to have it in your effects toolkit even if you only use it at a low level to increase sustain. I bought a cheap student guitar that I intend to customize and improve by working on the basics of the build to increase the quality of the instrument over time. Parts I have in mind to install: Locking tuners (first), bone nut (possibly tusq), brass block, steel saddles (possibly tusq), flush the trem position for dive only (classic trem), better springs, and refretting. With shielding (copper), wax potting, and even replacing the single coil pickups with hot rails there shouldn't be a need for a noise gate or a compressor. I'll know more once I'm done with all of these mods. There's a lot you can do with the natural build of your guitar to solve many of the problems without having to spend a fortune on effects to solve them. Use effects for what they're meant for, creating your tone.
Really great explanation .. Speaking for the bass player side of compression I've found it to be a pretty essential tool .. There are a lot of bass amps (Carvin is what I use) that have it built in.. It evens out those moments where I'm laying down a groove and then when my attack is super heavy like a slap bass part.. Helps greatly in a full band setting, for guitar I can see it's time and place .. But defiantly not a must (Me Wise Magic by Van Halen intro is a good example of compression on a clean signal)
CSGuitars You do some really fine instructional vids. I tried a compressor. Tossed it. Really does interfere with dynamics. My Strat has all the natural sustain I need
If you look at Misha Mansoor's old rig, he ran a Keeley Compressor, along with a tubescreamer between two noise gates. The ISP Decimator G String is an amazing noise gate, it monitors your direct guitar signal through one input/out, and then has a secondary of input/output for your signal chain to apply the clamping.
Important note for FUNK placing a compressor before an autowah (that is dynamically responsive) will make all your notes have a similar q shift whilst placing it afterwards makes the notes equally loud but leaves the q shift to how hard you hit the strings. Both of these uses can be great depending on what you are doing.
I play a '78 Telecaster bass and an Epiphone EB3 both of which play nicely with the Orange Kongpressor pedal and the setting on the compressor actually works well with both basses i.e. I found a setting that I didn't have to "settle on". This video definitely sheds new light and knowledge on the compressor for me. Thanks dude.
I find one of the biggest advantages of using a compressor is the additional sustain I get from them without having to increase gain.This works great if you use a cleaner classic rock overdrive as opposed to a metal one. I also find I don't get the volume drop when going into solo parts because I hate pedal dancing. I play blues with it too, but I would say these my playing is that adapted to using a compressor I've learned to compensate for any lack of expression you may get. When it comes to metal I find that the Malmsteen style arpeggio stuff works better for me when compressed too (although I only play that style for exercises)
Hi Collin, Brilliant video, thanks for clearing up the Compressor debate, you explained it perfectly, just subscribed looking forward to more of your videos. Cheers from Melbourne, Australia.
I’ve used a compressor in front of my boost paired with a guitar equipped with PAF style pickups, and it really helps those PAF style pickups get into high gain territory. I get just a bit more gain and low end, and every note is more up front and present while I play.
They sound great on a clean sound with chorus or flanger for that 80’s clean tone! Also a great clean boost in the loop of your amp over a dirty tone not adding anymore gain just volume with the attack/sensitivity all the way off!
Also, they absolutely do NOT "render a noise gate useless", mate. Yeah, if you put it AFTER the compressor in the chain they'll *absolutely* make the noise gate useless. But if the noise gate is BEFORE the compressor it's completely different: in that case, the noise gate is receiving an uncompressed signal and thus can work perfectly - then it's cutting all the noise before it goes into the compressor, which compresses what remains.
Nope the compressor does not compress "what remains" because nothing is removed. Gates simply cut the signal when it drops below a certain level, ie when you stop playing. When the threshold is exceeded (ie you start playing notes again), the gate opens and lets everything though, both notes and noise. It does not remove the noise from under the notes it just hopes your notes are much louder than the noise to cover it up. So the compressor will still receive the noise while you are playing and make it more noticeable under the notes, regardless of where the gate is. The rest of your statement is correct though, the gate will work as normal if it is before the compressor.
@@KimonFrousios Yeah, so the noise gate would function fine and do it's job because, as you said, it only works when the signal drops below threshold level... You're thinking too hard.
About the noise gate compressor thing, I get that if you go guitar into compressor into noise gate into amp (ignoring other effects for now) that's a bad idea since the compressor will lift all sounds (including unwanted noise) lower than the compressing range to the minimum of the compressing range, therefore the noise gate would have to work against a lifted unwanted noise which is harder than working against the original unwanted noise but if I do not understand this wrong if you go guitar noise gate compressor amp (again ignoring other effects for now) it should work pretty well. The noise gate will first eliminate the unwanted noise (which is still unmodified) and then pass on the "cleaned up" signal to the compressor, now the signal that reaches the compressor should be only real guitar sound, meaning the sound you want to hear, the compressor then can go on and lift the lower volume parts of that signal and lower the higher volume parts of the signal without any problems. So my take on this is that you can use a compressor and a noise gate together effectively, can"t you ?
Compressor for blues are great if you play that with a high wattage amp that can’t always be cranked! It helps to find that sweet spot on the amp at lower volumes! Guitar->Comp-->over drive->mid boost->clean amp help you to find that rock tone of a cranked plexy/tweed without your neighbour calling the police
Excellent video! Very enlightening. Although I would say a bit of compression might not be all that bad in blues because while dynamics in volume is certainly cool, a big part of the appeal to playing "softly" (for me) is the actual tone of the soft picking, not necessarily the volume.
I would also add, that a compressor can sort of be an effect in itself. I bought one to immitate the sound of Blood Sugar Sex Magik. Listen to the intro of Under the Bridge for example. However I think generally a compressor is not high priority in a signal chain. Before I was using an Overdrive pedal with little to no gain, that is boosting the signal into the amp and compresses the input a little and in a very natural way. Works great to make clean sounds a bit nicer
If you're new to squelies or pinch harmonics compressors are really useful. It won't change your sound too much and it can help you hear the harmonics. And then when you've become better with them you can try without the compressor. It helped me learn how. I remember when it would make my day when I play one right.
Cool vid Colin. That Pedal Show did a vid about the order of pedals and one thing they said about compression (and you also mentioned it), it can be used as an effective boost if placed after od/distortion in the signal chain. Something I never thought of, but have since tried.....and liked
Recently started using a compressor for my lead channel (metal). Lowering the gain and using a Sustainiac in conjunction with the compressor did WONDERS for my solo work. I can’t wait to try this live 😊🤘🤘🤘🤘🤘
Great video Colin! Something else you can use them for, especially if you have an older compressor that doesn't track too well, is enhancing your attack transients. I had a cheapish bass amp about ten years ago with an on-board compressor, and when turned all the way up (down?) the initial picking or slapping would sound before the compressor kicked in, about 20 ms or so later. Sounds a bit like having a kick follow you when you play staccato. There are probably better ways to do the same thing now (mixing a compressor and notch filter?) but it was a really cool sound from a cheap effect. I'm also neither here nor there on gating based on your clean signal; it works but you lose that extra sustain you get from the compressor.
Yep, bought a comp, thinking it'd be a good idea with my active 'buckers, high gain and yes, a gate...pretty much everything you said would sound awful. It sounded like a bird was stuck in my cab, flipping around and eating the wiring. Lol...eh...live and learn...
Finally, someone who tells us what it's good for based on pickups and genre! Thanks for for outshining these other youtube clowns who don't seem to realize that other people might actually have different gear than they do and might have different needs.
I like using the Cliff Burton compression method for bass. By setting the sustain on a boss cs3 high to boost and to add more compression, with the level control set very low, then saturating it with a big muff and fuzz wah, turning the compressor on takes the bass tone from a loud lead tone to a compressed muffled rhythm tone without turning the fuzz wah and big muff on at the same time and without squashing the tone. It's a ton of fun to play around with and sounds great if you set the amp for boosted mids and highs.
Compressors are also really useful in getting djent tones. They help combat the noise gates, give clarity in chords, and even out the volume across the fretboard.
+Spoder Man When you have to "combat the noise gate", why use one in the first place? (This is not ironic or something, i really wanna know). Doesn't it completely mess up your tone/signal when you need to "push even harder" through your noisegate? Haven't had much experience with noisegates, so.. feel free to enlighten me :D
The late, great, Lowell George of Little Feat used a compressor along with a tube amp for his classic slide tones. In my opinion, it is a matter of taste.
If you're after any sort of 80's tone, you'll very likely need one. Anything that's being projected by a piezo pickup benefits a lot from compression. My influences include Alex Lifeson (tones on Hold Your Fire and Power Windows), Steve Stevens (Flesh for Fantasy), and Juan Valdivia of the Spanish band Héroes del Silencio. Those crystalline sounds that were often drenched in chorus just don't sparkle the right way without compression! It's less of an effect and more of a utility, I personally love them and spent the better part of last year obsessing and learning about compressors and the way they affect dynamics. I'm also big on drum machines and they also come through better and more forcefully with a decent touch of compression
I totally got your point... but what about using Noise Gate in the preamp and the compressor in the send/Return of the amp ( even if it is valve or transistor)?? I think it should work...rsrs
Very helpful! I had compression on my first bass amp but never payed it much attention because I didn't really know what it did. Now I know how and when to use it. Thanks :)
Damned good explanation. I came here to make a few of the points you made, assuming that you would miss them. Nope... you got it all! :) Regarding pedal based compressors, I've had experience with two. The first was a DOD compressor. That one was dark, and it was prone to picking up random radio frequencies. (Yes, it was the pedal, and not the rest of the system.) I recently went to the Keeley Compressor Pro. OMG, what a pedal. Super transparent, extremely effective, no additional noise, and having an LED display to give you feedback, on what otherwise is sometimes challenging to hear by ear, is quite helpful. I highly recommend it. To answer your question, yes, you NEED a compressor. The question is, do you need two? :)
Clear and accurate explanation of the most misunderstood pedal on the pedalboard. In future when my customers ask me about whether they need a compressor or how they should use one, I'm not even going to try to explain, I'm just going to point them at this vid. Subscribed.
Compressors can be confusing.
We discuss what a Compressor does, where it is most useful, and some of the drawbacks with using compression to try and conclude if it is an effect you need to have.
Buy Hypergravity Compressor:
US - imp.i114863.net/rMjYv
EU - www.thomann.de/intl/tc_electr...
#compressor #hypergravity #doineedone
Gain access to exclusive content at: www.patreon.com/csguitars
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Website - www.csguitars.co.uk
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I use a compressor for extra sustain only for Doom metal. I shut off the compression and turn up the sustain for really slow parts that I just can't have the guitar die out befor the next note.
Checken peckin'
LOL :D
Gotta love Scottish accent 🤣🤣
You beat me to it... by 4 years.
Dang what a killer video!!
Thanks dude
What a killer accent!!
I thought I had a hair on my screen but it was your profile picture. lol
Jang Sudong same
imagine if this conundrum explained by Professor Govan, where would we be lol
Wow, this is the first video about compressors that explained all the important questions I had in my mind, in well under 10 minutes, and without confusing me or boring me at all. You're a great teacher , keep making these videos. Thanks for the lesson!
I seriously needed this, thanks Scottish guy
if you've got the time, could you do more videos like this explaining the details of other pedal types like phaser, reverbs and the like. this was really cool and i learn a great deal. thanks
Compressor is a MUST HAVE pedal! First time I tried one it was ON for ever.. Every so ng, every solo, every gig! As a beginner guitarist you may not hear a big difference when using it or not using it. But once you get to know what its for and how much it cant do your will also be on for EVER! You can use it to boost the sound, to limit it, or to compress it.. The sustain will give you the sound of your strings for twice as long as without. Saying you dont need one is a mistake.. Thisis one of your most importand pedals if not the most importand. The distortion after the compressor sounds just so good.
I normally phase out when it comes to long talky videos but your accent just makes it worth listening to. It's like a song.
I just gotta say, you're videos, while funny and well made, have definitely helped with my understanding of guitar gear. As a still developing beginner/intermediate, I have learned more from your channel in a few weeks than everything else I've learned over the 4-5 years I've been playing.
Thank you for these awesome informational videos, and Rock on, Dude!
True masters know how to speak a complicated subject into simplicity - I LOVED this talk on compression.
Finally. A coherent explanation of compressors. Thank u for making me understand.
I enjoy your videos. Been playing 25 years. You know what you're talking about. Refreshing. Too few youtube guitar channels cut through gear hype.
Keep it up.
I appreciate that this video is not longer than it needs to be.
As a blues player, I use a compressor all the time. It is especially useful for playing slide, boosting low to medium gain overdrives, leveling out lead runs, and as a tone coloring tool. Gotta love that dynacomp sound.
Lol I was gonna say about the same thing, especially about playing slide. I have a 1977 Dyna Comp that never gets turned off in my signal.
Having an active noise gate in a signal chain BEFORE the compressor will remove the low floor before evening out the dynamic range with a compressor, effectively removing the signal noise and allowing cleaner compression...
Could you explain your point? This is currently what I am doing, and I find it works, but could be better. Why is it better to place your noise gate afterwards?
Once you play a note, the noise gate will open, letting the note through along with any noise. Gates rely on the noise being much lower than the notes and their job is to keep the signal silent when you are NOT playing notes (that being when the noise is most noticeable, with nothing over it to cover it up). Once the note opens the gate, the compressor will then lift the noise that comes through the gate and make it more audible under the note. So basically, while you are playing, the gate is not removing anything, and it doesn't matter if it is before or after the compressor. While you are NOT playing, then yes, the gate before the compressor is going to work better.
@@KimonFrousios Pretty sure thats not how compression works, while playing the compressor would be turning the volume of the guitar down (compressing it) and in turn also turning the noise down. Compression doesn't bring up the low volume stuff, it just brings higher volume stuff down so the quieter sounds are even with the loud sounds. I haven't tried it but in theory a gate before a compressor would work although youd get a nast tail from the release of the gate
@@WADstephen The least you could do is look up the definition of compression, instead of talking garbage out your backside, so let me do that for you: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dynamic_range_compression You didn't even need to own or have ever actually used a compressor for this (clearly you never have, the effect is not that subtle)...
Compressing to zero amplitude: "volume control". Compressing to middle amplitude: "compression". Completely different things.
Kimon Froussios I know exactly what compression does. Seems you are the one misunderstanding it - your link only supports my point. Compression doesn’t magically bring quiet things up, it recudes the volume of the louder things and brings the volume of everything up hence making noise louder when not playing, however, when the guitar is being played the compressor brings the volume of the signal coming in down, and in turn the volume of the noise comes down with it. Therefore, in theory, if you cut the noise out in between playing (with a noise gate) then the only noise you’d hear is the time between you playing and the release time of the gate. I have a number of compressors and use an mxr dynacomp regularly on my guitar board.
Check yourself before you wreck yourself
Damn, i'm always impressed by how you convey so much information in a short time, while also being very understanding.
I was never able to be told the actual uses of a compressor before, I only understood what it did, this video is by far the best explanation on TH-cam
Short intro and got right to the point. I wish all channels were like this.
The best thing about not understanding half of what you say is that I keep replaying and replaying and laughing more and more. Keep going mate!
Hey man, this is the best video about this topic without playing a note. Everything clear and you helped me taking a decision.
Clear. Concise. To the point. Bravo.
Really helpful video. Been debating getting a compressor for ages now and couldn't find a straight answer as to whether I needed it or not. This video definitely made things much clearer and easier to understand than a forum with two dozen guitarists all bickering with each other.
I already knew all of this. But your are absolutely brilliant at explaining it all concisely and in detail with no waffling. Same goes for all of your videos. You'd be a great teacher.
Gotta say, your videos are getting better and better! I'm enjoying them now more than ever, keep up the good work!
Amazing. Simply amazing. You make some of the most clear and concise informative videos on TH-cam in my opinion. Pleasant demenor and a killer accent to boot! Lol Thank you for all that you do
This is the best video on compression pedals and their use, I've seen. Simple, but covered all the bases. Bloody good job!
This video was super helpful, thank you! I almost went ahead and bought a compressor but after he said active humbucker pickups being played with lots of gain, distortion, etc. I'm glad that I did not go through with the purchase without fully knowing what I was getting into. Thanks!
Probably the best explanation I've heard for compressor pedals. Henning does an alright one but yours is a lot easier to understand for the lay man
dude ive watched a couple of your videos. you are super knowledgable. I've been playing guitar for 10 year and have never really bothered to learn much about any of this stuff, but now im finding myself having to confront my lack of knowledge. i really appreciate it, keep it up!
Seriously. That was THE best explanation of compression I've ever heard.
So good my man. You’re one of the most well spoken on the interwebs.
Compressors can be very useful for getting a guitar to sit better in the mix.
I'm a 1:15 in and this is the best video on this subject by far.
I have to say; your videos are among the most informative and educational I've watched in a long time. after watching this video I'm glad I wasn't stupid enough to go and actually buy a compressor, I use a Zoom G3X (primarily for the tuner and expression pedal) and I've recently been experimenting with compression in my signal chain to see if it aides in gives a more aggressive "modern metal" attack and because of the way I've set my different amp channels all I've found it does is slightly raise the level of my rhythm and lead driven tones and almost completely flattens my clean sound... after watching a video with John Petrucci explaining how he achieves his crystal cleans I've started sacrificing clean gain for volume and headroom so the compressor obviously views this as a much louder natural sound and thinks "Hmm, better drop that slightly"now I understand perfectly and feel like a major moron... Thanks, Colin!
Fantastic explanation. Just wanted to add that compressors do wonders if you're using low tuned or extended range guitars. Once you hit drop B and lower, chords and string skipping riffs that include the low string can get really muddy and the low note can drown out the higher ones. I've found boosting the mids to be very helpful, but if thats not enough, or if you dont like that sound, dialing back the gain and putting a compressor in your signal chain (preferably as early on as possible) does wonders. Couple that with some well set up noise gates and you can get a tone that stops on a dime or can sustain big chords with ease.
I love being haired.
TheSodaLake in the mex?
Mey tooh
I play a low tuned 7-string and only thing I have hooked up is a compressor pedal xD
It honestly gives my tone more bite and sounds great with it and keeps its clarity.
Not saying that what you're doing isn't working and is wrong, but I'm wondering what would happen if you used a boost pedal/overdrive pedal instead. It sounds like you're just hitting your preamp harder. Not trying to cause a fight, but more curious if you'd get the same result with a boost/OD
Get a second hand OD pedal, your riffs will be much tighter.
I think this might be the best introduction-to-compressors video I've ever seen. Great job!
Collin, you just made me rearange me board man, thank you for the advice (back in time), speaking to you in a clip approx 5years ago is like playing a reverb and delay ;) Greets from Belgium
So logicaly and chronologicaly it looks like this: Compressor and Noise Suppressor which will be used in alternated ways, because I play Metal (noise suppr.) as Ambient sounds (compr.). Send Noise Suppressor to amp Laney IRT clean and sometimes high gain for Swedisch chainsaw Death Metal. (Whah+exp+vol), Metal Zone, Chorus to Digital Delay and Reverb RV-6; from there to the Return of the Noise Suppressor, Output (noise suppr.) to (Loop Station from time to time) and finaly Cab. Than the piggy squeels 'That's all Folks!'
I was looking at how David Gilmour set up his gear and he used a compressor and he always had awesome tone and sustain. It seems to me that it's good to have it in your effects toolkit even if you only use it at a low level to increase sustain. I bought a cheap student guitar that I intend to customize and improve by working on the basics of the build to increase the quality of the instrument over time. Parts I have in mind to install: Locking tuners (first), bone nut (possibly tusq), brass block, steel saddles (possibly tusq), flush the trem position for dive only (classic trem), better springs, and refretting. With shielding (copper), wax potting, and even replacing the single coil pickups with hot rails there shouldn't be a need for a noise gate or a compressor. I'll know more once I'm done with all of these mods.
There's a lot you can do with the natural build of your guitar to solve many of the problems without having to spend a fortune on effects to solve them. Use effects for what they're meant for, creating your tone.
Best layman’s explanation out there. If after this you still don’t understand most likely you never will.
Somehow stumbled across this channel and have now watched about 10 of your videos. Really informative and interesting. Good stuff.
Bro you have by far some of the most informative videos I have ever seen....
EVER.
Well put. Compressors are generally misunderstood, and this was a great explanation of how they work, and in what situations they're most useful.
Really great explanation .. Speaking for the bass player side of compression I've found it to be a pretty essential tool .. There are a lot of bass amps (Carvin is what I use) that have it built in.. It evens out those moments where I'm laying down a groove and then when my attack is super heavy like a slap bass part.. Helps greatly in a full band setting, for guitar I can see it's time and place .. But defiantly not a must (Me Wise Magic by Van Halen intro is a good example of compression on a clean signal)
The best presentation of what a compressor is best used for. Thank you.
this was the most useful compressor explanation video I've ever seen yet. great job man
This was the best explanation of compressors I've ever heard. I'm subscribing, this is a great channel.
CSGuitars You do some really fine instructional vids.
I tried a compressor. Tossed it. Really does interfere with dynamics.
My Strat has all the natural sustain I need
ALL THE GAIN!!!
SLAYERRRR
NO MIDS!!!!!!!!
AALLLLTTHHEEGGAAIINNNNNNNNNNNNNNNN!!!
NNOOOOOOOOMMMMMMMMMMIIIIIIIIIIIIIIDDDDDDDDDDDDSSSSSSSSSSS!!!!!
Mids are for pussies
*DYNAMICS ARE FOR PUSSIES*
If you look at Misha Mansoor's old rig, he ran a Keeley Compressor, along with a tubescreamer between two noise gates. The ISP Decimator G String is an amazing noise gate, it monitors your direct guitar signal through one input/out, and then has a secondary of input/output for your signal chain to apply the clamping.
+AlasPoorJordan If there is anyone who could figure out a way to make that work, it's Misha.
Thanks for the info.
This honestly answered every question I had on compression, subbed that button so hard it was almost scary
Important note for FUNK placing a compressor before an autowah (that is dynamically responsive) will make all your notes have a similar q shift whilst placing it afterwards makes the notes equally loud but leaves the q shift to how hard you hit the strings. Both of these uses can be great depending on what you are doing.
The official definition of a compressor, well done.
I play a '78 Telecaster bass and an Epiphone EB3 both of which play nicely with the Orange Kongpressor pedal and the setting on the compressor actually works well with both basses i.e. I found a setting that I didn't have to "settle on". This video definitely sheds new light and knowledge on the compressor for me. Thanks dude.
I find one of the biggest advantages of using a compressor is the additional sustain I get from them without having to increase gain.This works great if you use a cleaner classic rock overdrive as opposed to a metal one. I also find I don't get the volume drop when going into solo parts because I hate pedal dancing. I play blues with it too, but I would say these my playing is that adapted to using a compressor I've learned to compensate for any lack of expression you may get. When it comes to metal I find that the Malmsteen style arpeggio stuff works better for me when compressed too (although I only play that style for exercises)
The best part of this is the American accent for the questions. Sounds like the narrator from 50s educational videos
American?? 🤔
Possibly one of your best yet. To the point facts. Nice one.
Your videos have answered all the questions I have thought about for years! Thanks for the content!
Hi Collin, Brilliant video, thanks for clearing up the Compressor debate, you explained it perfectly, just subscribed looking forward to more of your videos.
Cheers from Melbourne, Australia.
Probably the best, lay mans explanation of compression. Really nice job.
I’ve used a compressor in front of my boost paired with a guitar equipped with PAF style pickups, and it really helps those PAF style pickups get into high gain territory. I get just a bit more gain and low end, and every note is more up front and present while I play.
They sound great on a clean sound with chorus or flanger for that 80’s clean tone! Also a great clean boost in the loop of your amp over a dirty tone not adding anymore gain just volume with the attack/sensitivity all the way off!
Peter Cross Loving this comment! Can't do 80's without compression that's for true
Nice video man. First video in 3-4 I watched which explained what I wanted to know!
I now know that I don't need a compressor to rectify the issue I'm dealing with. So.. thank you for saving me time, cash, and headaches!!
I find compressors to be very useful for tapping on a clean channel. Love your videos man
Compressars can be impartant for recarding!
I read it in a beewk in doon-toon scotland!
This is probably the most well done and informative video you've made yet. I love it, thanks, and keep it up!
Also, they absolutely do NOT "render a noise gate useless", mate. Yeah, if you put it AFTER the compressor in the chain they'll *absolutely* make the noise gate useless. But if the noise gate is BEFORE the compressor it's completely different: in that case, the noise gate is receiving an uncompressed signal and thus can work perfectly - then it's cutting all the noise before it goes into the compressor, which compresses what remains.
Nope the compressor does not compress "what remains" because nothing is removed. Gates simply cut the signal when it drops below a certain level, ie when you stop playing. When the threshold is exceeded (ie you start playing notes again), the gate opens and lets everything though, both notes and noise. It does not remove the noise from under the notes it just hopes your notes are much louder than the noise to cover it up. So the compressor will still receive the noise while you are playing and make it more noticeable under the notes, regardless of where the gate is. The rest of your statement is correct though, the gate will work as normal if it is before the compressor.
@@KimonFrousios Yeah, so the noise gate would function fine and do it's job because, as you said, it only works when the signal drops below threshold level... You're thinking too hard.
About the noise gate compressor thing, I get that if you go guitar into compressor into noise gate into amp (ignoring other effects for now) that's a bad idea since the compressor will lift all sounds (including unwanted noise) lower than the compressing range to the minimum of the compressing range, therefore the noise gate would have to work against a lifted unwanted noise which is harder than working against the original unwanted noise but if I do not understand this wrong if you go guitar noise gate compressor amp (again ignoring other effects for now) it should work pretty well. The noise gate will first eliminate the unwanted noise (which is still unmodified) and then pass on the "cleaned up" signal to the compressor, now the signal that reaches the compressor should be only real guitar sound, meaning the sound you want to hear, the compressor then can go on and lift the lower volume parts of that signal and lower the higher volume parts of the signal without any problems. So my take on this is that you can use a compressor and a noise gate together effectively, can"t you ?
Compressor for blues are great if you play that with a high wattage amp that can’t always be cranked! It helps to find that sweet spot on the amp at lower volumes!
Guitar->Comp-->over drive->mid boost->clean amp help you to find that rock tone of a cranked plexy/tweed without your neighbour calling the police
Excellent video! Very enlightening. Although I would say a bit of compression might not be all that bad in blues because while dynamics in volume is certainly cool, a big part of the appeal to playing "softly" (for me) is the actual tone of the soft picking, not necessarily the volume.
I would also add, that a compressor can sort of be an effect in itself. I bought one to immitate the sound of Blood Sugar Sex Magik. Listen to the intro of Under the Bridge for example. However I think generally a compressor is not high priority in a signal chain. Before I was using an Overdrive pedal with little to no gain, that is boosting the signal into the amp and compresses the input a little and in a very natural way. Works great to make clean sounds a bit nicer
If you're new to squelies or pinch harmonics compressors are really useful. It won't change your sound too much and it can help you hear the harmonics. And then when you've become better with them you can try without the compressor. It helped me learn how. I remember when it would make my day when I play one right.
Cool vid Colin. That Pedal Show did a vid about the order of pedals and one thing they said about compression (and you also mentioned it), it can be used as an effective boost if placed after od/distortion in the signal chain. Something I never thought of, but have since tried.....and liked
Finally a clear explanation on Compressor-pedals!! THX!
Recently started using a compressor for my lead channel (metal). Lowering the gain and using a Sustainiac in conjunction with the compressor did WONDERS for my solo work. I can’t wait to try this live 😊🤘🤘🤘🤘🤘
This video kicks ass. You answered absolutely everything I could ever want to know guitar wise
Great video Colin!
Something else you can use them for, especially if you have an older compressor that doesn't track too well, is enhancing your attack transients. I had a cheapish bass amp about ten years ago with an on-board compressor, and when turned all the way up (down?) the initial picking or slapping would sound before the compressor kicked in, about 20 ms or so later. Sounds a bit like having a kick follow you when you play staccato. There are probably better ways to do the same thing now (mixing a compressor and notch filter?) but it was a really cool sound from a cheap effect.
I'm also neither here nor there on gating based on your clean signal; it works but you lose that extra sustain you get from the compressor.
Ive got one, you say not to use it for the blues but I like the sustain. Im keeping the blend down a bit to keep the dynamics.
Yep, bought a comp, thinking it'd be a good idea with my active 'buckers, high gain and yes, a gate...pretty much everything you said would sound awful. It sounded like a bird was stuck in my cab, flipping around and eating the wiring.
Lol...eh...live and learn...
Despite the heavy accent, he makes a lot of sense!!! Thanks for the explanation.
Finally, someone who tells us what it's good for based on pickups and genre! Thanks for for outshining these other youtube clowns who don't seem to realize that other people might actually have different gear than they do and might have different needs.
I like using the Cliff Burton compression method for bass. By setting the sustain on a boss cs3 high to boost and to add more compression, with the level control set very low, then saturating it with a big muff and fuzz wah, turning the compressor on takes the bass tone from a loud lead tone to a compressed muffled rhythm tone without turning the fuzz wah and big muff on at the same time and without squashing the tone. It's a ton of fun to play around with and sounds great if you set the amp for boosted mids and highs.
Compressors are also really useful in getting djent tones. They help combat the noise gates, give clarity in chords, and even out the volume across the fretboard.
+Spoder Man When you have to "combat the noise gate", why use one in the first place? (This is not ironic or something, i really wanna know). Doesn't it completely mess up your tone/signal when you need to "push even harder" through your noisegate?
Haven't had much experience with noisegates, so.. feel free to enlighten me :D
I play mostly blues and metal. Colin, you've answered this for me. Thanks!
The late, great, Lowell George of Little Feat used a compressor along with a tube amp for his classic slide tones. In my opinion, it is a matter of taste.
What a great, succinct and informative review of compression. Great video
Best explanation I've found about compressor uses.
Man, great, thorough explanations are why I really dig your channel. Keep it up bro.
If you're after any sort of 80's tone, you'll very likely need one. Anything that's being projected by a piezo pickup benefits a lot from compression. My influences include Alex Lifeson (tones on Hold Your Fire and Power Windows), Steve Stevens (Flesh for Fantasy), and Juan Valdivia of the Spanish band Héroes del Silencio. Those crystalline sounds that were often drenched in chorus just don't sparkle the right way without compression! It's less of an effect and more of a utility, I personally love them and spent the better part of last year obsessing and learning about compressors and the way they affect dynamics. I'm also big on drum machines and they also come through better and more forcefully with a decent touch of compression
good description of compressors and their uses. if you havent done one, a vid on bbe type products would be good for alot of aspiring musicians.
This is by far the best explanation about "do I need a compressor" I've seen. If you were a mathematics professor kids would have better math grades;)
You should make another "Do I need one?" video! I already watch the Comp and Phaser. I love your explanation. Great works!
I totally got your point... but what about using Noise Gate in the preamp and the compressor in the send/Return of the amp ( even if it is valve or transistor)??
I think it should work...rsrs
you can get some pretty good sound in regards to volume when you use a compressor in coordination with an eq as an effect on a single track.
Very helpful! I had compression on my first bass amp but never payed it much attention because I didn't really know what it did. Now I know how and when to use it. Thanks :)
Damned good explanation. I came here to make a few of the points you made, assuming that you would miss them. Nope... you got it all! :)
Regarding pedal based compressors, I've had experience with two. The first was a DOD compressor. That one was dark, and it was prone to picking up random radio frequencies. (Yes, it was the pedal, and not the rest of the system.) I recently went to the Keeley Compressor Pro. OMG, what a pedal. Super transparent, extremely effective, no additional noise, and having an LED display to give you feedback, on what otherwise is sometimes challenging to hear by ear, is quite helpful. I highly recommend it.
To answer your question, yes, you NEED a compressor. The question is, do you need two? :)
Best Explaned video/class on compressors!!
Clear and accurate explanation of the most misunderstood pedal on the pedalboard. In future when my customers ask me about whether they need a compressor or how they should use one, I'm not even going to try to explain, I'm just going to point them at this vid. Subscribed.