Compressor Vs Overdrive For High Gain METAL Tones? What Is The Difference? Which Do YOU Need?

[@tobins6800]

Especially for fast single note, compression and a OD. One other trick to maintain dynamics, put it in the effects loop. I got the Keeley compressor plus, has a tone knob and is easier for me to dial in.

[@DareBear2099]

Was going to mention that. Putting a compressor in the loop let’s you increase power amp sag. Sounds awesome for high gain

[@berkyberry]

I will try it in the loop with high gain

[@dpark551]

I use a compressor on my high gain channel with an overdrive already engaged. It just makes it sound better to me, more tight.

[@micheledoddi2572]

Which one please?

[@MFKitten]

I use more compression and less gain for leads. I love the smoothness of lower gain leads, but I love the hard hitting long sustain feel of higher gain.

[@MFKitten]

I should add that a compressor and an overdrive both cause "compression", in that the difference between high and low signal levels gets "compressed". However, the METHOD is very different. Overdrives will cut the higher signal levels off, converting the excess into harmonics. Compressors will lower the volume of the high levels without causing the harmonics. You also get to choose how quickly it reacts to high levels, so you can allow pick attacks to come through, and only let the actual sustain get flattened out.

[@MFKitten]

@Mark Seymour faster attack = less pick attack gets to come through before it clamps down. Turn down attack.

[@MFKitten]

@Mark Seymour exact results will likely vary a lot from pedal to pedal. This isn't an analog specific trick though, you can use a digital compressor to do the same thing. So if you're doing it in a modeler then that's the same trick. You need to set the decay fairly low to let it "open" back up in time for the next note, too.

[@xsonicassassinx]

i always go overdrive into a compressor set to destroy with the mix pulled way back. huge sustain. hits the amp like a train.

[@ManuSDP]

The other guitarrist in the band I’m in uses both! It’s super brutal death metal tuned to G# standard so it works for him.

[@KidNato]

maybe a shoot a graphic EQ out against an OD, being that an EQ can mimic the effect?

[@belligerentamateur]

Absolutely, going to do a whole video on shaping the tone going into the amp

[@machine-madedog5059]

I used to use a compressor in front of my amps back in the day, I have such a nastily aggressive picking hand it was a big help. I've tamed it since then, but I'll still use one occasionally. It was quite commonplace thing to do in '70s and '80s, maybe part of the '90s.. the Furman PQ3 was popular for a reason! Since then everyone has slammed with overdrives, which is cool and useful, but for me dirties up the tone a bit much unless that's what I'm going for.

[@mikedenkinger9570]

Compression was definitely all over pop and country music in the 80's and 90's. Chicken pickers swear by compression.

[@jayking3484]

Kyle, you knocked it out of the park with this video. Keep up the great work!

[@ScienceofLogicTV]

Well, I'm a heavy rhythm player and I use a compressor only. I crank the volume (boost), increase the tone (compensate high frequency loss) and enlengthen the sustain. It adds another stage of gain and tightness to my sound...with a Tele. I've honestly never used a real overdrive pedal but since my method works I think a compressor is more versatile than an overdrive, because clean tones also benefit from compression.

[@andrewhouse3246]

Well played Sir- thanx for just being real. Ya know- it is truly appreciated. Congratulations and good luck.

[@belligerentamateur]

Thanks man!

[@scottpeters4401]

Back in the 80’s,the Tom Scholtz Rockman Sustainor Modules has a circuit called,Lead Leveler…it was just a compression circuit,and we all loved our compression in the 80’s…

[@craigharrison5406]

I always have both on my board. I use OD for rhythm and kick on the compressor for leads.

[@AllMetalReview]

Love your channel man. Seems like every question I have had you've done a video on it. Keep rockin

[@resington]

Very well explained man! I could hear some frequency resonating from that cab though. My mixer ears ruining my fun again😅

[@metalgear74]

Another boost that would be good to hear a thrash demo of would be the Buxom Boost. Also the Haunting Mids.

[@DemonKingOFFICIAL]

Sick! A friend of mine like to use a compressor and an OD on the 6505 crunch channel. He gets a really nice high gain tone from that approach.

[@AcceleratingUniverse]

the compressed thrash riff sounded very late 80s/early 90s. always wondered why albums from that era sounded like that, I guess they or were using a lot of compression. Paradox - Heresy is a good example

[@codysroom6303]

I paused the video at the very beginning and am making this comment before even watching past two seconds. My answer is both for high-gain tight metal tone a compressor plus a good boost or overdrive or Distortion will give you an insane metal tone

[@BeefSupreme8]

Or just an active high gain pickup and OD

[@belligerentamateur]

In my opinion, Compressors are truly not needed for high gain rythm tones on most modern amps. They do help with leads, though

[@derekdamager7928]

Hey dude, great video! Non related video request… can you please do a fully comprehensive video on the classic mic set up of SM57 & MD421. The only KZbin videos on it for high gain are quite dated, and few in number

[@belligerentamateur]

Thanks my friend. Yes, I own an MD421 so I can definitely tackle that one!

[@smeemusic]

I almost got a slamurai a few weeks ago but I ended up getting a coppersound gravity bomb prototype called smoke monster. I just liked it because its sorta rare and its hand painted and numbered but I definitely want to get that slamurai on my board! I love how flexible it is but how simple it is at the same time. And It does look cool af.

[@belligerentamateur]

I'd advise grabbing one at some point! They're a nice addition to the overdrive world where most are just modded tub screamer/sd1/Klon variants

[@ryanrossell8479]

That kill em all sound!!hell yeah KB

[@BradRocker]

You satisfied my curiosity for sure.

[@belligerentamateur]

Happy to help!

[@kenny6920]

Personally I think compressors in the effects loop sound better. If you don't have a loop on your amp, use an overdrive or boost instead.

[@joshuajefferson3889]

You sir are what I strive to be on rhythm guitar

[@castleanthrax1833]

I remember my first experience with compressors years ago (pre internet) and didn't like it. Mine sat in a cnr doing nothing because I didn't like how it "deadened" by picking. Little did I know that it was just doing its job. I now know how to use one and find it quite useful at times. It's most effective when playing clean to eliminate irregular picking. Overdrive had natural compression so it's less effective (but still useful).

[@distortionclubla]

KZbins algorithms have started to read minds :)) was just thinking about this issue today. I saw Mark from Lamb of God push a Badlander on full gain solely with a compressor.

[@JNCGaming]

Great video! That badlander got some very old school metal lead tones I wasn’t expecting! Sounded very vintage for a modern amp! Very versatile amp.

[@Stretchwreckedem469]

I remember messing around with compressors when i got my first multi effects unit, it made my guitar tone sound active, but with other qualities that I really enjoyed. I'll often pair a compressor with a Graphic EQ in order to shape the tone further, which is something that i've done with the crunch channel on a Bugera 6262 Infinium.

[@SrPepe1977]

Hey, mate, how is that Bugera working for you? A lot of people say they break easily blablabla.

[@Stretchwreckedem469]

@@SrPepe1977 the Infinium models are the ones to look for if you’re wanting a high gain tube amp head without having to pay an arm and a leg. Granted, I only really play solid state amps nowadays for reliability and consistency, but you can get some really good tones out of the Bugera. If you’re just looking for an amp to play at home I’d say the Bugera head would be a perfect choice for casual jamming, but if you’re looking to play gigs with it I definitely recommend something like an Orange Crush Pro 120 or an Orange Super Crush 100 and boosting it with a Boss SD-1. If you do decide to go with the Bugera 6262 Infinium definitely try out the crunch channel (which is basically Bugera’s take on the green channel.) It sounds a lot less compressed than the lead channel, and your notes come out sounding a lot clearer, especially with some kind of boost up front. For the crunch channel a tube screamer with the gain on the amp at around 6 or 7 sounds really tight but I definitely recommend checking out the Boss SD-1 for boosting into high gain as you get a lot more tonal versatility, as well as being able to use the Boss SD-1 to capture any kind of boosted amp tones from a tube screamer all the way down to a Fortin Grind of a 33 just by playing with the knobs on the pedal itself.

[@TannerVW]

Interesting! You should do a video using an EQ pedal as a boost. I did this for years with my 6505. At gig volumes an overdrive just added too much noise, but an EQ pedal let me tighten things up without getting too out of control.

[@roosternm6830]

I use a Boss 7 band EQ in the FX loop of my Orange Super Crush and crank the gain on my dirt channel and I get a badass Thrash sound. I eliminated my distortion boxes.

[@fish86stang]

I would love to see what a good compressor would do for a really fizzy amp like a blue voodoo

[@cajun3197]

I’m currently looking for an overdrive that doesn’t make my 5150iii as bridle on the red channel when I dial the gain back. I thought about a compressor but I doubt it’s what I’m looking for

[@belligerentamateur]

Something like the Slamurai shown in this video would be a good start. It has a treble control and really lets you fine tune the EQ of the guitar going into an amp!

[@cajun3197]

@@belligerentamateur thank you for the reply! Love your channel!

[@susancorgi]

I know understand by just hear you talking about it for llike 3 minutes wow. Thank you. Now i know why i need or don't need a compression.

[@DerpRulesAll]

Which works better on a Solid State amplifier, a Compressor, or an Overdrive?

[@ianbraswell]

Compressor, usually. Some overdrives can be used more standalone, but often, an overdrive is used to push tubes (TS9, for example, usually doesn't have much on the gain knob but the volume is all the way up). Solid state doesn't quite respond that same way, but there are ODs that can definitely be helpful. A Compressor is just a good idea no matter what you're using. Something I only really learned after getting my audio engineering degree is just how amazingly useful compression is.

[@francismcfadden3305]

It's weird to me that you don't see many multiband compressors in pedal form on the market considering how useful they are when mixing them in a full mix. If I could find one with midi presets I'd actually put it in the fx loop rather than before the pre.

[@RoyAttorney]

What equipment would produce an extremely high gain without fizz or mud and chain saw sound. I'm looking for a Marilyn Manson "Beautiful People" smooth distortion like a vooooom vooom sound versus the super crunch chain saw grind/clipping. So what gets lush, warm, saturated vooming booming glassy distortion vs the compressed chain saw clipping.

[@Dogmatikos]

What about the compressor in the effects loop vs in frond of the amp?

[@belligerentamateur]

There are a lot of videos out there showcasing that, I'd check those out!

[@lewisstorer89]

Best analog metal tone I ever got was with Peripherys old pedal chain where you use a compressor AND an OD on at the same time. It was: Keeley Compressor > ISP decimator > overdrive > Boss Ns2 > Amp

[@Hillbilly_Papist]

I got into compressors in my rig as a bassist. Great for live use to remain a bit more consistent in my tone while moving around or just getting tired at the end of a set.

[@shatiquego9876]

Couldn't have agreed more. The Boss CS-3 has really helped make my tone more 'consistent' due to me hitting the strings with a lot of attack and rounding out my tone over all.

[@belligerentamateur]

Yep, compressors for bass are awesome.

[@davidbigler6109]

Is that Peavey behind you an XXL? There is a store 2 blocks away from where my band practices that has a new XXL head and 4x12 cab that has been sitting there for over 12 years and are asking only $550 for the head with cab

[@Wh33lsofFortune]

No that's the "tripleXXX" he has, but the XXL is a fairly decent solid state amp. So I've heard from others around the interwebz

[@belligerentamateur]

I do have a video on the XXL, but that price sounds high to me

[@biggun1450]

it is a shame! now i have to buy another damn pedal! great vid!

[@rayfoster4339]

two knob compressors with volume maxed and effect intensity (compression) all the way down, is the way you run for metal rythm

[@bkennedy114]

Very Helpful !Thanks

[@belligerentamateur]

you bet! Glad I could help!

[@bengirard1984]

Awesome video! Super useful!

[@jettsom]

I always tought that compressors makes the low notes sounding more flubby with high gain rythm? Is that the opposite we're trying to achieve?

[@danthegreaser71]

That Badlander is a badass!

[@DeadShred9]

I teach and have been a player for 40 + yrs & I think you are 3 to 4 hundred hours of practice from being able to lay down some Shred !!

[@zAvAvAz]

i like to use a drive sustainer, or a compressor that is more dry sounding or raw, that basically compresses without adding the compressed sound. LoL :oP

[@JoshGardiner]

That intro tone is tasty dude… I couldn’t NOT comment on it. Amp settings ??

[@belligerentamateur]

No idea. Lol Sorry

[@SrPepe1977]

I've always thought a terrific rhythm player would naturally be great at lead. I can see lead is really not your focus, as you've said yourself. I'm really surprised by this, because your rhythm chops are EXCELLENT!!!! I promise you I mean this is as a compliment. Plus, you have awesome gear.

[@troygriffen9200]

I don't get it. Anytime I've used a compressor on a gain channel, I only got noise.

[@AORCHINAMAN]

How to use your code to achieve discounts when buying things on this website? Are all the things on this website free of national shipping and tax?

[@monstruonegro05]

Usefull video!!! I prefere an OD👍🏼

[@belligerentamateur]

Same!

[@Hellhammer1980]

Another perfect revieuw 💪💪💪

[@charlesb7831]

I've always been more of a drive pedal guy, I don't like the fact of losing dynamics with compressors. I have 5 different drive pedals on my board to vary different drive styles. Just never cared for compressors.

[@poopoo-qz7sw]

Thank you 👍

[@huskybrutor9287]

I love this channel- we rhythm players get left out

[@mrnohax5436]

So slayer uses compressors???

[@paulstewart808]

Your lead is better than mine.

[@savoirfaire8979]

*A lot of issues can be solved with an EQ pedal in front of the amp.*

[@ryanrossell8479]

Heard!!!FR

[@Renato_Cara]

I don't think the compressor makes "easier" to makes lead, it just makes easier to make the legato and some tapping but every miss pick and mistake or ghost notes will be more apparent and in the end it makes *Harder* to make leads Compressor as boost works best in my opinion with low gain and fusion type of solos.

[@mikedenkinger9570]

I bought the Slammurai last summer and love it through my Rectoverb 25. Highly recommend All-Pedal products. If I didn't already have a Wampler Ego Compressor (fantastic), I'd go for the Galactivse. Keep up the good work, Kyle.

[@belligerentamateur]

You're welcome! Glad to hear the Slamurai is working for you man!

[@paulstewart808]

So much better when they explain it. Because when you're listening to KZbin streaming they're not the best I don't care what kind of equipment they got thousands and thousands of dollars whatever KZbin is streaming to your ears is not the best. So I really depend upon the guys explanation and what's he sees. Because if they say well there you heard it you didn't hear it not really.

[@chrischristopher59]

Kyle, been watching your channel and it's awesome. My question is I see videos of distortion or overdrive pedals, and I buy one and hate it. In your honest opinion what is the best pedal out there for metal. Overdrive or distortion.

[@Beatypatrockks]

people hate active pickups (which is essentially a compressor circuit inside your guitar) and then go buy compressor pedals to "give them that fuller sound". go figure... all people are idiots.

[@GallowayJesse]

The compressor can be turned off 💡

[@DoomKid]

Is there a button on your active guitar that puts it in passive mode or somethin'

[@paulkielt9301]

Even if I'm more a lead player, I never liked any compressor I've tried.

[@caseyfontenot179]

What's the difference between a compressor and a Boss NS-2?

[@rayfoster4339]

i use a certain vintage compressor that acts as boost better than Maxon or a Fortin ...not bs ...gotta find the right one ...aint saying, because it drives price up and it is rare

[@tatteredhope911]

Badass Toxic Holocaust shirt!

[@belligerentamateur]

Thank you, my friend

[@rik-keymusic160]

Listening to this massive big sound on my highly expensive bad quality apple iphone…