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if a question like this one has been posted, i am so sorry.

i had a small argument with my bassist regarding the placement of the compressor. my chain is this: mic > preamp> e.q. > compressor.
his was: mic, >preamp, >compressor, > e.q.
both into the daw.

which would be the correct way? even if it is neither i welcome any suggestion.

thanks all
r

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Link555 Tue, 12/02/2008 - 07:39

The answer is YES.

they are both correct.

When you eq before you compress, you will apply compression to the frequencies most apparent on the output of the eq .

For example if you boost 1k on the EQ , your compressor will likely respond more to the 1khz portion in the audio, as it has a greater amplitude.

Or if you cut away 100hz before you compress the compressor is less likely to respond to 100hz signals.

When you work this way you have to think a little bit more, if you want to hear more 1khz for example, boosting that on the EQ way actually squash it down harder

When you Eq after compression then you are tweaking the output of the compressor. This way is slightly simpler to think through.

But neither is wrong

If it sounds good, it is good.

RemyRAD Tue, 12/02/2008 - 21:34

We all do this. Especially & frequently to the bass. And getting a good sound on any DI bass isn't necessarily a cut and dry easy thing to accomplish. All lot has to do with the bass in the bass player's technique. Then you have those pickups that generally like to see a 1 to a 2 million ohm load. But I'm gotten some really fabulous bass sounds utilizing a UTC A-50 transformer with only a 50,000 ohm load, loading down the bass pickups. But I was still 100% happy especially with active pick up bases. If the pickups have a buffered output, all the better. They'll work better into lower loads. Conversely, there are some excellent bass stomp boxes that provide a stereo line level output. Those are pretty cool. All varieties should be investigated. Sometimes you need a limiter? Sometimes you down. Sometimes you want to overload the preamp? Sometimes you don't. Sometimes you need lots of headroom. Sometimes you don't. Sometimes you need a little pitch shifting chorusing? Sometimes you don't. Sometimes you want a Mike on the Cabinet and the DI. Sometimes you don't. Sometimes you want to see a really good expensive guitar like a Fender? Sometimes a cheap Ibanez is just the ticket and so, you don't.

Remember, we don't want to much bass since everybody is going to switch on their loudness button. So when it doesn't quite sound like enough? It's perfect. When it sounds just right? It's too much.

I like my bass guitars like I like my paychecks. Big & fat.
Ms. Remy Ann David