Set up your compressor pedal like a pro! Still curious about compressors? Let us know in the comments👇 Don't forget to hit that subscribe button🔔
@thejackalope26223 жыл бұрын
Nice video. Quick question. Where does compression work best in the signal chain.
@sweetwater3 жыл бұрын
@@thejackalope2622 Hi Kevin, thanks for your inquiry. Hope you're safe and well. There are multiple places to position a compressor pedal depending on your signal chain and what your intended use is for the effect. Do you want boost? Do you want sustain? Do you want to limit output? Could be first in line, could be after gain pedals, could be in your effects loop. Hard to be more specific without more details on your situation. Please contact us direct so we can figure out what is best for you. Robert Williams, Senior Sweetwater Sales Engineer, (800) 222-4700 ext. 2371, robert_williams@sweetwater.com
@thejackalope26223 жыл бұрын
Awesome. Thank you for responding. Maybe you guys could do a follow up video about how compression affects your signal in different spots in the chain. I suppose I'll just do my own experimenting in lieu of that until then. It really helps to have someone who knows what their talking about to kind of walk ya through it tho. Thanks again.
@nuthinbutlove4 ай бұрын
Hey, I was hearing a buzz in between your playing. Was that coming from the pedal itself? Thanks
@SpacePatrollerLaser4 жыл бұрын
The Electro Harmonix Mig Muff had so much compression that if you hit a note or a chord, you had time to go smoke a cigarette and come back and pick the guitar up before it died completely
@vincentmena992 жыл бұрын
This is totally, 100% accurate
@RByrne2 жыл бұрын
Yeah, I picked one up yesterday. It just doesn't end
@ivanrodriguez86442 жыл бұрын
You mean sustain
@Raz82000 Жыл бұрын
I had 2 cigarettes and a coca cola it's still there lmao. 😆
@andrasmusicofficial Жыл бұрын
That’s exactly what I’m looking for …
@poshinoposhi3 жыл бұрын
As someone who has been playing guitar and just throwing in whatever sounded nice without knowing what it actually did, this video was pretty helpful! Thanks a lot, Don!
@guitfiddleblue4 жыл бұрын
I love using a compressor just to even out my tone. It’s very subtle, and probably not noticeable by an audience, but as a player, I notice it (and it helps me to play better I hope). Keeley has been my “go to” for a long time now. I have the plus and it is so good. I have tried a lot of other compressors, but always seem to land back with Keeley. They sound great and have little, to no, noise - even paired with an OD pedal. It’s always on.
@nuthinbutlove4 ай бұрын
I was just getting ready to ask if anyone knew if the pedal usually buzzed like I'm hearing in this video. I was seriously getting ready to pull the plug and purchase one until I heard the noise coming from what I thought may have been the pedal since I doubt it's the PRS.
@nuthinbutlove4 ай бұрын
Also, what feature does the plus have that this one doesn't? Thanks
@real_pancho98522 жыл бұрын
That was a good lesson. Thanks. I have played electric guitar for a lot of years without a compressor but just ordered this exact one from Sweetwater last week. The tracking info says it should be here tomorrow. I can't wait to get my hands on it.
@Xxmeca421xX3 жыл бұрын
I'm going to build my first pedal and think a compressor would be a good start. Thanks for the information.
@macroftStudio3 жыл бұрын
I have a multieffects processor. I just bought my first pedal, and it is indeed a compressor.
@goldenultra3 жыл бұрын
@@macroftStudio that's a good start, most buy it last.
@uncaringzebra7sevensquad462 жыл бұрын
I've gone three years learning guitar, wondering how people can make their notes play out so noticeably. Now that I know why, I need to get a compressor!!!
@vixen878 Жыл бұрын
Also some people are just unbelievably good lol
@RideAcrossTheRiver Жыл бұрын
@@vixen878 Yeah, sort of wondering if this is an "autotune" for playing style
@qbertrtrtg Жыл бұрын
sometimes a cranked amp is usually what's missing for that awesome sustain. not something attainable at home
@lousekoya18033 жыл бұрын
Don Carr is the best ! Greetings from Quebec !
@stoneysdead689 Жыл бұрын
A big problem you hear ppl complain about with compressors is noise- and a lot of that has to do with where you put it in the signal chain. There's always going to be some noise, I'm not saying you can get rid of it- there's always some hiss in your signal and the compressor will always magnify it. But if you put it before your drives, at least it's not magnifying the hiss coming from them- which is the majority of what you hear. That said- the sustain works by adding gain as the note dies out so- you add gain, you add noise- period. If you need to play with the sustain all the way up, then get a volume pedal and between playing- kill the vol. You see lots of pros doing this, they're keeping the noise down. They do the same thing when they're playing a super-hot rig, any time they're not playing, they kill the volume. But I've seen country pickers use the same trick to control the compressor noise. Another issue is attack noise- you hear your fingers rubbing across the strings, you hear the pick picking the note really loud- turn the attack down so the compression doesn't kick in so quickly. If you don't have an "attack" knob, then you have a "blend" knob- either one will allow you to get rid of this unwanted noise. If you have neither knob, and you still hear this- get rid of the compressor- it's junk. Some compressors come with the attack/blend already set, you can't change it- so if it's not right for your rig- get rid of that pedal.
@mariosotaofficial5 ай бұрын
Best comment ever!
@victorymansions2 жыл бұрын
I play arpeggio a lot, and I've noticed that because I'm hitting prominent notes constantly (high end and low) there is a huge problem with notes being drowned out too quickly. A compressor seems like a no brainer for my next pedal purchase, just to even everything out so that there are notes not getting hidden by unwanted peaks and troughs.
@jimijackson10 ай бұрын
That was the reason I'd stopped playing the electric as much....I need a conpressor
@jimijackson10 ай бұрын
That was the reason I'd stopped playing the electric as much....I need a compressor
@budd_jacon93632 ай бұрын
im new to guitars and pedals (played bass) and just bought a vintage Boss CS-3 from japan, thanks to this video, I actually know how to utilized it in my playing and finding a distinct sound
@hansgettheflammenwerfer694202 жыл бұрын
I clicked on this video to find its the exact compressor pedal I just bought! Great tutorial, thank you!
@user-qh8zb7ve4b6 ай бұрын
OMG...that's a riot. ........me same.
@rickeguitar90864 жыл бұрын
Thanks so much for sharing this simple overview including settings for how to achieve the features for using the device. You have provided great insight that I really needed to see. Thanks!
@sweetwater4 жыл бұрын
Thanks for checking it out, Ricke! 👍
@user-jl9kw9gn3m7 ай бұрын
wow, great comprehensive video on the compressor pedal thanks Don dude
@samsanimationcorner38205 ай бұрын
Would you say he "compressed" it well into a short video? 😛
@yinka366 Жыл бұрын
This is by far the best explanation I've found. Thumbs up! 👍
@Espresso1014 жыл бұрын
As someone else pointed out. Since you didn't do an example of one of the essential things people use compressor pedals for (being used for feedback with distortion) and (even though he mentioned it, but only showed a clean lead guitar example) to also demonstrate using it for lead guitar distortion solos, the way a Hard Rock/Heavy Metal band would use it. So that being said, this is a great opportunity for you guys to show us the Cali76 😀
@TheFlutecart Жыл бұрын
Except I want to hear that Cali76 clean as well, , for sure. That thing "sounds" very nice from what I've heard so far. I need to try one to know for sure. $$$.
@samconomo37263 жыл бұрын
Great video, I understand what my ears Were hearing now, Now I can put it into words. So good,thanks. Sam.
@georgescannelli381411 ай бұрын
Wow this was a great demo! Thank you. I never owned one. You did a great job!
@TheEleventeen4 жыл бұрын
Thank you Mr. Don Carr for this wonderful video ! X🤘🏻X
@C_mao3 жыл бұрын
"In the eyes of the compressor, there's no place you can hide, you can't hide from the eyes of the compressor" ~Joe Walsh (probably)
@markolivares6943Ай бұрын
Man this video is awesome. I finally understand how a compression pedal works. I’m assuming this would also be great for metal ?
@BrandonSorianoMusic4 жыл бұрын
You can also get some pretty interesting sounds by using a compressor pedal with a blend knob similarly to a parallel drum bus. Crank the sustain and compress the heck out of the signal, but keep the blend knob super low. Not useful for EVERY occasion but a fun sound to mess around with.
@matthewmcnamara56504 жыл бұрын
Thanks so much for this video. I own that pedal, and have always played chickin pickin with too much blend (and sustain) thanks to the Keely “Nashville lead” suggested setting, and have been dialing it back but I really like your settings.
@hairnation684 жыл бұрын
Love my Keeley Aria. Compressor plus and tube screamer type pedal in one. Highly recommend it. Thank you Sweetwater.
@SlurpcoreProductions3 жыл бұрын
You made me buy one
@jayseb3 жыл бұрын
Couldn't be clearer! Great and relaxed, just how it should be. Cheers.
@shawnshipatsd89494 жыл бұрын
I just bought a compressor-Way Huge-makes all the difference in the world.
@profeseba_2 жыл бұрын
I was using a compressor at the beginning of my pedal chain, but I've started playing in a hard rock band, and I'm thinking of putting it at the end to even up the intensity between the rat and big muff. Any thoughts?
@bldlightpainting3 жыл бұрын
Very well explained. Thanks Don. God bless.
@solitudeparade4 жыл бұрын
My man with the Apple Loops Melodic Clean Electric Guitar Arpeggio 04 at 4:40
@solarplexus39493 жыл бұрын
Stone me into the Groove
@tonaye61354 жыл бұрын
Why not show examples of the compressor being used for feedback with distortion? It's an essential pedal for it.
@overtonesnteatime1984 жыл бұрын
You can always make your own videos??
@beepst2 жыл бұрын
Because it's a compressor video, not a distortion video.
@karimc44 жыл бұрын
Another great video, Don! I am concerned about the effect on playing dynamics as you turn Sustain up. How far can you generally turn this up before your dynamics disappear? Thanks.
@DanielERodriguezMusic4 жыл бұрын
Your explanation of the different aspects of compression helped clarify a couple things in regard to the envelope. Thank you! And I like the crazy lick 3/4 of the way through. 🔥🔥🔥
@Humblescape10 ай бұрын
This was very helpful thank you!
@fredanderson52784 ай бұрын
Very helpful. Thanks.
@brianl63410 ай бұрын
Excellent video.... Thank you!
@noodlemans3 жыл бұрын
I've seen some videos that show that compressors really have two functions depending on if you put it in front of your overdrive/distortion or after, with it acting as a boost after the overdrive/distortion. Can someone help me understand the pro's and con's of before/after?
@sweetwater3 жыл бұрын
Hi, noodlemans. There are several uses for a compressor, but in terms of the before or after question, there are a couple ways to look at it. Most people seem to use their compressor early in the chain to smooth out dynamics and add sustain before the signal reaches their other pedals. Others will run the compressor after their gain pedals to either use as a boost, or to simulate the sag/compression they get from an amp when driving the front end. This can be helpful if you're forced to play a tube amp at low volume, as it can simulate some of the feel you'd get from the amp being cranked. Thanks for your interest! Charlie Davis, Sweetwater Sales Engineer, (800) 222-4700 ext. 1320, charlie_davis@sweetwater.com
@artiefischel25792 жыл бұрын
Where does it go in the chain, and why?
@mattquinn80225 ай бұрын
Thanks for that mate!!
@x7stringinJSCx4 жыл бұрын
I just got this pedal for my Bday.. but the Exclusive Sweetwater version. Great color scheme on it.
@georgelukes74175 ай бұрын
great explanations!
@julianperry15533 жыл бұрын
An excellent demonstration
@crazygood42 жыл бұрын
This was very helpful, thx again man
@AimingWanderously4 жыл бұрын
I have the EHX Platform compressor pedal and it's too much for me! I bought it for my Tele and my 6L6 amp to do that country thang. Thanks for the refresher.
@ATothFTW182 жыл бұрын
Thank your for this! It is super helpful!
@BostonWhoFan515 Жыл бұрын
I heard Pinball Wizard in one of those licks you played.
@davidramos43172 жыл бұрын
I’ve legitimately never noticed a compressor ever so anything in the history of music
@sabinoramirez26002 жыл бұрын
like how blind people don’t notice color
@jyejye10772 жыл бұрын
U literally need to be using one to know if it’s being used. It’s to get a perfect sound
@guitartap2 жыл бұрын
Without it may be noticed as imbalance
@PageandPlant4Life Жыл бұрын
Same here... maybe there's one on the another brick in the wall solo?... for clean sustain.. but yeah my ears just never listen for the effect.. punk rock must not use a lot of compression
@TheFlutecart Жыл бұрын
Several ways to get it done. I prefer the optical circuits for whatever reason. I built a DOD 280 clone and added a blend circuit for the dry, it needed it bad. Used it for years. But recently built Cornish OC-1 clone PCB and it's now my favorite for guitar. I play flute as well and use an ART rack preamp that also uses optical compression. Maybe I'm just use to it. Though the JFET style compressors like the Orange Squeezer and Cali 76 sound great to my ears as well. Great video on how compression works.
@graxjpg4 жыл бұрын
I use the comp in the boss gt3 on the way in. The guy Ed Wynne from Ozric Tentacles uses a gt3 for all his guitar sounds since he got one.
@goldenultra3 жыл бұрын
Ozric Tentacles good for drug chain, alcohol, dope, ecstasy + lsd = hallucination, you don't need a compressor in this chain as long as you do not sniff anything.
@graxjpg3 жыл бұрын
@@goldenultra you sound ridiculous. Drugs and psychedelia have little to do with one another.
@paulreddy54523 жыл бұрын
Great information and presentation thanks
@hamstring6792 Жыл бұрын
I've owned a few compressors over the years, including this Keeley, but I always end up selling them. The extra sustain is nice, but they destroy the attack and the overall dynamics.
@Silas-lc9op8 ай бұрын
I agree. I just use mine for certain parts of my songs, or songs to get that certain attack I need. But it's only once in awhile
@joelgraham32 жыл бұрын
perfect explanation
@lordcajander2 жыл бұрын
Hey! I play with my fingers, in the style of Mark Knopfler, and when i play solo parts, like in Sultans of Swing or Tunnel of Love, for example, the sound that i get is low and soft. May I buy a compressor pedal, or instead buy another type? thx!!
@elliotmorley90752 жыл бұрын
Would you advise using the single coil setting through a set of humbuckers?
@sweetwater2 жыл бұрын
Hey, Elliot! Valid question. There are response and tonal curves associated with each setting. There’s no wrong or right way to set up the pedal, it’s really about what appeals most to you at any given time. Single coil setting with a humbucker will be thicker and more compressed, which could be the sound you’re going for. Please contact us direct with other questions as you have them! Robert Williams, Senior Sweetwater Sales Engineer, (800) 222-4700 ext. 2371, robert_williams@sweetwater.com
@jimtessin41302 жыл бұрын
Excellent!!! Thank you!!!!
@littleninpo3 жыл бұрын
Rolland thank you.
@danielcoleman48072 жыл бұрын
Thank you for the best video I have seen about Compression. I am specifically interested in the use on my Telecaster and will try your chicken picking settings. I will subscribe.
@axnax12 жыл бұрын
Having never played using compression i decided to try it out today. I'm told that it squashes down on higher sounds and pushes up lower sounds to leave you playing in a confined band. This is exactly how i found it. Having always played compression free i didn't like giving up some feel and volume/expression. I could probably get used to it. But i think i'll just use it for recording rythym. My solo work needs the full audio range. Sorry if this sounds pompous. I'm not really like that....lol.
@dextermorgan17572 жыл бұрын
I've always used compressor pedals for my guitar and Bass I've never liked overdrive
@oldtimer994 жыл бұрын
Thank you! Great teaching lesson. Can you show your take on how you do the Xotic SP Compressor?
@sweetwater4 жыл бұрын
kzbin.info/www/bejne/jnnTlKace9KMnas Thanks for watching!
@oldtimer994 жыл бұрын
@@sweetwater Thanks for the quick response.
@Estudio_Quesney4 жыл бұрын
Dan... The Man. #respect
@JJohnston4Life3 жыл бұрын
Turn the blend and sustain all the way up!
@nuthinbutlove4 ай бұрын
I was hearing a buzz. Was that coming from the pedal?
@BriansThing4 жыл бұрын
Great!!
@fabienlouvel55362 жыл бұрын
strangely enough, when the sustain is increased, i hear more attack as well as usstain
@spunnek757 ай бұрын
Can I use the pedal as a clean boost to go into a Wampler Plexidrive mini , to make it sound great ?
@hectorheath3 жыл бұрын
I must be tone deaf because I couldn't hear much difference no matter what you did......
@mrjonesmusic57703 жыл бұрын
I note your Keeley Compressor with interest. I have a four knob Keeley with the following controls. Sustain, Level, Attack and Clipping, where yours is Sustain Level, Blend and Tone. Can you explain why the new box has different controls to the C4 and it what ways they overlap functionally? Cheers
@Blaznguy36 Жыл бұрын
With the compression of the signal does it increase in speed or slows the signal, makes it long?
@davespin90343 ай бұрын
I also don’t notice much, rings a little but that’s it.
@braydenb67394 жыл бұрын
I have a Taylor 214ce Acoustic Electric. Would a compressor with a blend knob be good for it?
@sweetwater4 жыл бұрын
Hi, Brayden. Great question! A compressor with a blend knob allows for what is called parallel compression. The basic premise of parallel compression is that it will help preserve more of the dynamic range in your playing. They are a great choice for use with any sort of guitar (electric or acoustic-electric). If you would like to talk over some more specific recommendations on compressors, feel free to get in touch. Thanks! Jason Filloramo, Sweetwater Sales Engineer, (800) 222-4700 ext. 1281, Jason_Filloramo@sweetwater.com
@braydenb67394 жыл бұрын
Thanks, that really helped!
@DowneyOrrick Жыл бұрын
I have that same guitar and use this keeley compressor with it! Really helps keep everything I play nice and balanced, to the point where I can’t NOT use it live hehe
@rendermanpro4 жыл бұрын
Its kind of contrast or gamma in camera world, but for sound.
@feds273 жыл бұрын
Great explanation and demonstration. Thanks for the walk through.
@chriskowalski70382 жыл бұрын
where's the setup part of the pedel?
@Drefromthebay84 Жыл бұрын
I've got a boss syb-5 synth bass pedal,it burps and jumps notes all over the place but you know it would sound awesome if it worked correctly,I tried everything,did anyone run a compressor to fix this problem?
@gregholmberg24 жыл бұрын
Which model of PRS is that guitar?
@BrianVallotton4 жыл бұрын
I was wondering the same thing! I have a PRS Custom 24 but this setup I have not seen before.
@sweetwater4 жыл бұрын
The model is the 513. It’s a unique pickup system that was only made for that guitar. Thanks, DC
@therealkickers51663 жыл бұрын
I got mine a few days ago - can't use it with the slightest ammunt of distortion oder overdrive, because it is so extremely noisy at all four knobs set to 12 o' clock. Clean is fine, but I'm playing so much heavy stuff... this is sad.
@zrosario063 жыл бұрын
Here, watch JHS’s compression video, he talks about it and how to fix it: kzbin.info/www/bejne/goa7g2uLo76bsMU
@brunotardat42862 жыл бұрын
I don´t even use the tone knob on my guitar, i don´t hear the difference with this thing on or off, i live on the cheap just by nature 🙂
@mr.rudolph6304 жыл бұрын
Very good video. I think you've found your niche with this content. How about the next one on using a noise gate.
@TheBobClarke4 жыл бұрын
What settings would you use for a jangly Byrds sound?
@Bernard-Shakey4 жыл бұрын
The settings at 4:41 are similar to what I use (sustain 10 o'clock, blend round 12, tone on the treble side). The "Eight Miles High" sound is VERY compressed and I would increse the blend to about 3 o'clock
@roger6970 Жыл бұрын
Very good explanation
@gtsuiwu Жыл бұрын
Question from me as a noob, why do I need to use compression as a boost while I can just turn the volume up?
@sweetwater Жыл бұрын
Thanks for your question, hope all is well otherwise. While compression can be used as boost, it's most often used to regulate gain levels and maximize sustain. Making lower output sounds come up and minimizing (limiting) higher output is the basic explanation. This is beneficial to keep overall output consistent and also to maximize sustain. It can give the perception of being louder since at certain settings all the notes are at the same output level. You can set the output of a compressor higher and the actual compression effect lower which does act as a boost, however that’s not the intended design. Please contact us direct with other questions as you have them! Robert Williams, Senior Sweetwater Sales Engineer, (800) 222-4700 ext. 2371, robert_williams@sweetwater.com
@Tommy712rus5 ай бұрын
Компрессор на клин не ложи, руками надо играть!
@zakkcovers183 жыл бұрын
Cool 👍👌
@coryrandol51753 жыл бұрын
Can it still work with another pedal hooked up. Most likely distorted pedal
@sweetwater3 жыл бұрын
Hi, Cory! Thanks for your message, hope you're well and safe. A compression pedal absolutely works with distortion. It's a matter of taste as to how much and where you place the pedal in the signal chain. Before, distortion affects the attack more. After affects the sustain more. I generally use compression after distortion for leads to help shape the decay of the distortion. There's no wrong or right. Please contact us direct with other questions as you have them! Robert Williams, Senior Sweetwater Sales Engineer, (800) 222-4700 ext. 2371, robert_williams@sweetwater.com
@kixmet3 жыл бұрын
My compressor is always on with max sustain. I get my emergency volume boost by turning off the pedal.
@jimsinister132 жыл бұрын
I have a question, I'm just starting to build my first pedal board and I have a few pedals I either bought or traded with friends to get. the music I'm playing is hard rock/metal. so I have a big Muff deluxe, a delay, a reverb and a volume/expression pedal. my question is if I'm using the Muff as my main sound do I need a compressor pedal ? if so, should it go infront of the big Muff of after in my sound chain ? thanks .
@sweetwater2 жыл бұрын
Hey, Jim! Great question. Like most pedal related things there isn’t a right or wrong answer, and it just depends on the tone you want to get. Not all big muffs sound the same either, so that can make a difference. They tend to have a compressing effect on their own, so you likely wouldn’t need a compressor active along with it. But if you wanted to experiment with that setup I would start with it before the Big Muff in the signal path. I hope this helps! Reach out to me if you have any questions. Connor Smith, Sweetwater Sales Engineer, (800) 222-4700 ext. 1793, connor_smith@sweetwater.com
@scummydummy3 жыл бұрын
This might be the wrong lane but I've only played for a year or two...... by name, I thought a compression pedal would be what I needed. What kinda pedal tightens up (especially with fuzz or distortion) chords where you can hear them individually strummed cleaner? I'm looking for "duh-duh-duh" instead of more-so "duhduhduhduh". Just want it tightened up and im not sure of most pedals lol. Any help is appreciated!
@himanshuhimanshu23313 жыл бұрын
You might want to look into a BBE sonic stomp pedal, I use it at the end of my chain after my distortion box and it makes it sound like a blanket was lifted off the amp, so to speak, it really clears up the note definition
@tomcostello8523 күн бұрын
I don't hear any difference in any of the settings
@felixayala052 жыл бұрын
Take. My. Money.
@pimjag90182 жыл бұрын
You kinda sound like Tom hanks
@victorboucher6754 жыл бұрын
OK, thanks ... now explain gates and limiters please.
@AftershockPS33 жыл бұрын
It’s funny people love to use tube amp Bc they said it has a good dynamic But they use compressor ..........to kill they dynamic
@HarryTravolta3 жыл бұрын
Still clueless. Use a pedal to take out the dynamics of your playing ?
@sweetwater3 жыл бұрын
Hi Harry. Here's my way of looking at it: While compression does reduce the volume dynamics, the *tonal* dynamics of how you play are actually enhanced. This is because the kinds of tonality you can get with soft picking are now loud enough to be heard in a band, and the extreme tonality you can get with heavy picking is now not too loud for the band. So it allows you to use all of your different picking styles while renaming at a useful volume. -_Daniel_
@samuel.langhorne.clemens3 жыл бұрын
I never noticed this before, but listening to Don talk without watching the video, his voice and speaking cadence kind of sounds like Barack Obama!