In todays episode of guitar WTF,\u00a0 we will discuss the guitar compressor pedal.\u00a0 Its often blue, it does something. People talk about it on reddit.\u00a0 So here’s what you’ll find out:<\/p>\n
What is a compressor pedal ? Are there different types? What the hell is the attack knob and other twisty delights? Do I really need one?\u00a0 How am I going to explain to my wife that I really needed it?<\/p>\n
In short, a compressor pedal<\/a> is a stompbox that sits in your signal chain and levels the dynamics of your guitar performance. It reduces the gap between the softest note and the loudest note, making your sound more even and consistent.<\/p>\n Essentially, it compresses the dynamic range of your guitar signal. If you actually look at the sound waves in a DAW and apply a compressor effect, you will see the waves compress.\u00a0 Lower peaks, higher valleys.<\/p>\n Compressor pedals are useful for a variety of reasons. Here are a few:<\/p>\n Overall, compressor pedals are a valuable tool for guitarists looking to improve their sound. By evening out the dynamics of your guitar signal, they can provide more sustain, volume, and tonal shaping options.<\/p>\n As a guitarist, I often use a compressor pedal to even out the dynamics of my playing and achieve a more consistent sound. But how does a compressor pedal actually work?<\/p>\n The threshold control of a compressor pedal determines the level at which the compressor kicks in. When the signal level exceeds the threshold, the compressor reduces the gain of the signal by a certain ratio. The threshold control allows you to set the point at which the compressor begins to work.<\/p>\n Tips for Setting the Threshold:<\/strong> If you set it too low, the compressor will be constantly engaged, which can make your sound too squashed. If you set it too high, the compressor won’t do much at all.<\/p>\n The ratio control determines how much the gain of the signal is reduced when it exceeds the threshold. For example, if the ratio is set to 2:1, for every 2 dB that the signal exceeds the threshold, the output level will only increase by 1 dB. The higher the ratio, the more the signal is compressed.<\/p>\n Tips for Setting the Ratio:\u00a0 <\/strong>A ratio of 4:1\u00a0 is often a sweet spot for electrical guitar but this certainly depends on sound, gain, music and the compressor.<\/p>\n The attack control determines how quickly the compressor responds to the signal exceeding the threshold. A fast attack time will quickly reduce the gain of the signal, while a slower attack time will allow the initial transient of the signal to pass through before compressing the rest of the signal.<\/p>\n Tips for Setting the Attack:<\/strong> A lot of heavy distortion can get loud and drown out in a mix, so listen to the song in the mix.\u00a0 Often palm muting can be so loud that you can’t hear the lead that well. When that happens and I record, my first instinct is to add a compressor and adjust the attack.<\/p>\n The release control determines how quickly the compressor stops compressing the signal once it falls below the threshold. A fast release time will quickly return the gain of the signal to its original level, while a slower release time will allow the gain to gradually return to its original level.<\/p>\n Tips for Setting the Release:\u00a0 <\/strong>This is the big control for sustain.\u00a0 So always good for lead.\u00a0 Example: David Gilmour’s solo in Comfortably Numb uses a high release that really sustains.\u00a0 \u00a0(David used an MXR Dyna Comp, a simple compressor with Output knob set at 7 which controlled gain and release).<\/p>\n The makeup gain control allows you to compensate for the gain reduction caused by the compressor. It increases the overall volume of the compressed signal to match the level of the original signal.<\/p>\n Tips for Setting the Gain:\u00a0<\/strong> Turn it up to 11!! Lets n chug! (Seriously though, play disengaged, listen to the tone, then engage and bump it so the gain is the same)<\/p>\n Here are some tips and tricks I’ve learned for using a compressor pedal<\/a> effectively.<\/p>\n Here are some tips and tricks for using a compressor pedal effectively:<\/p>\nWhy Use a Compressor Pedal?<\/h2>\n
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WTF are these Compressor Pedal Knonbs?<\/h2>\n
Threshold<\/h3>\n
Ratio<\/h3>\n
Attack<\/h3>\n
Release<\/h3>\n
Makeup Gain<\/h3>\n
Using a Compressor Pedal<\/h2>\n
Tips and Tricks<\/h3>\n
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