juliant
C.O.G. 
Posts: 424
My main instrument is: Lowden L23
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Post by juliant on Aug 15, 2022 18:02:05 GMT
Rather than just playing into a mic, I've been getting my signal chain set up a bit better so I can plug in without embarassment.
So far I've got a Baggs Mixpro as a preamp for the K&K*, a Boss RV6 reverb and a Boss tuner pedal, powered by a T-Rex Fueltank. Several folks I know add a compressor into the mix as well, and I'm wondering whether that might be practically useful for acoustic or just another set of knobs to fiddle with, given that I'm primarily a fingerstyle player. (I can imagine that it might be good with the lap steel, but I couldn't justify getting one just for that)
* I'd like to get a 9v jack fitted to the Mixpro so I can do away with the last battery in the chain, but there doesn't seem to be room enough to fit one.
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Post by shufflebeat on Aug 25, 2022 7:57:01 GMT
A compressor tends to be employed for one of two tasks:
* Levelling out a spikey signal - the initial transients (think "banjo") are too apparent and need to be smoothed out for a fuller, more natural sound. The ideal compressor would be transparent with a high ratio and quick release time and threshold set to only catch the peaks.
* Obvious compressed effect - recorded acoustic strumming in particular (the Jam, "That's Entertainment") often has an "old" feeling to it which is achieved by emulating the response of recording to magnetic tape which has a pleasing natural compression due to saturation (the tape can't handle any more signal, but tries). This is usually done with a compressor set with slower release time and lower ratio but also lower threshold so it's an "always on" intrinsic part of the sound.
It should be noted that if you have a problem with feedback then using a compressor, particularly in the second way, might exacerbate the issue.
If you recognise either of these needs then a compressor can be a useful addition, otherwise it's an unnecessary expense with potential for messing up your sound.
For the record, I use compression on just about everything but hi-hat.
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Post by Gregg Hermetech on Jun 30, 2023 20:24:06 GMT
As long as your technique is good, I think compressors are only really useful on acoustic at the mixing stage after recording, for getting things to "sit" better, and even then more for strummed than for fingerstyle. For live I'd go with your "just more knobs to twiddle" assessment, not really worth it, IMHO!
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Post by Gregg Hermetech on Jun 30, 2023 20:24:25 GMT
Oops, double post...
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Post by grayn on Jul 1, 2023 5:04:05 GMT
Totally agree with what's been said.
Also, it might be easier to get one multi-effects unit.
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Post by Onechordtrick on Jul 1, 2023 5:26:44 GMT
Rather than just playing into a mic, I've been getting my signal chain set up a bit better so I can plug in without embarassment.
So far I've got a Baggs Mixpro as a preamp for the K&K*, a Boss RV6 reverb and a Boss tuner pedal, powered by a T-Rex Fueltank. Several folks I know add a compressor into the mix as well, and I'm wondering whether that might be practically useful for acoustic or just another set of knobs to fiddle with, given that I'm primarily a fingerstyle player. (I can imagine that it might be good with the lap steel, but I couldn't justify getting one just for that) * I'd like to get a 9v jack fitted to the Mixpro so I can do away with the last battery in the chain, but there doesn't seem to be room enough to fit one.
Does the Mixpro use a “rectangular” battery? If so would something like this work? www.gak.co.uk/en/visual-sound-1-spot-battery-clip-converter/31272?gclsrc=aw.ds&gclid=CjwKCAjw-vmkBhBMEiwAlrMeF1RWZFY6N9ZkMzhheUS6IsRAELEeAjhBUS9dzCYtN3gaEoVrckklARoCsVcQAvD_BwE |
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juliant
C.O.G.
Posts: 424
My main instrument is: Lowden L23
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Post by juliant on Jul 1, 2023 19:26:12 GMT
Rather than just playing into a mic, I've been getting my signal chain set up a bit better so I can plug in without embarassment.
So far I've got a Baggs Mixpro as a preamp for the K&K*, a Boss RV6 reverb and a Boss tuner pedal, powered by a T-Rex Fueltank. Several folks I know add a compressor into the mix as well, and I'm wondering whether that might be practically useful for acoustic or just another set of knobs to fiddle with, given that I'm primarily a fingerstyle player. (I can imagine that it might be good with the lap steel, but I couldn't justify getting one just for that) * I'd like to get a 9v jack fitted to the Mixpro so I can do away with the last battery in the chain, but there doesn't seem to be room enough to fit one.
Does the Mixpro use a “rectangular” battery? If so would something like this work? www.gak.co.uk/en/visual-sound-1-spot-battery-clip-converter/31272?gclsrc=aw.ds&gclid=CjwKCAjw-vmkBhBMEiwAlrMeF1RWZFY6N9ZkMzhheUS6IsRAELEeAjhBUS9dzCYtN3gaEoVrckklARoCsVcQAvD_BwEThat sort of thing could work, but the battery is completely internal, so I'd need to find a way to get the lead out.
I've also got a K&K preamp that has an internal battery, but I don't use it that much because it doesn't give as much control over the sound as the Baggs. However, there's a bit more space to fit a socket, so it might be worth experimenting with that.
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juliant
C.O.G.
Posts: 424
My main instrument is: Lowden L23
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Post by juliant on Jul 1, 2023 19:27:32 GMT
A compressor tends to be employed for one of two tasks: * Levelling out a spikey signal - the initial transients (think "banjo") are too apparent and need to be smoothed out for a fuller, more natural sound. The ideal compressor would be transparent with a high ratio and quick release time and threshold set to only catch the peaks. * Obvious compressed effect - recorded acoustic strumming in particular (the Jam, "That's Entertainment") often has an "old" feeling to it which is achieved by emulating the response of recording to magnetic tape which has a pleasing natural compression due to saturation (the tape can't handle any more signal, but tries). This is usually done with a compressor set with slower release time and lower ratio but also lower threshold so it's an "always on" intrinsic part of the sound. It should be noted that if you have a problem with feedback then using a compressor, particularly in the second way, might exacerbate the issue. If you recognise either of these needs then a compressor can be a useful addition, otherwise it's an unnecessary expense with potential for messing up your sound. For the record, I use compression on just about everything but hi-hat. "otherwise it's an unnecessary expense with potential for messing up your sound"
That pretty much sounds like my experience with effects ;-)
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Post by Onechordtrick on Jul 2, 2023 5:14:53 GMT
That sort of thing could work, but the battery is completely internal, so I'd need to find a way to get the lead out. I've also got a K&K preamp that has an internal battery, but I don't use it that much because it doesn't give as much control over the sound as the Baggs. However, there's a bit more space to fit a socket, so it might be worth experimenting with that.
When I’ve done something similar I’ve either cut a notch in the edge of the battery compartment cover, drilled a hole in it (but that would mean cutting and rejoining the wires in your case) or just not using the cover at all. |
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Jo whoever he is.
