How to Use a Compressor Pedal - Getting the Most out of Your Compressor Pedal

[@sweetwater]

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🔔

[@thejackalope2622]

Nice video. Quick question. Where does compression work best in the signal chain.

[@sweetwater]

@@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, [phone] ext. 2371, [e-mail]

[@thejackalope2622]

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.

[@nuthinbutlove]

Hey, I was hearing a buzz in between your playing. Was that coming from the pedal itself? Thanks

[@guitfiddleblue]

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.

[@nuthinbutlove]

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.

[@nuthinbutlove]

Also, what feature does the plus have that this one doesn't? Thanks

[@lousekoya1803]

Don Carr is the best ! Greetings from Quebec !

[@poshinoposhi]

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!

[@SpacePatrollerLaser]

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

[@vincentmena99]

This is totally, 100% accurate

[@RByrne]

Yeah, I picked one up yesterday. It just doesn't end

[@ivanrodriguez8644]

You mean sustain

[@Raz82000]

I had 2 cigarettes and a coca cola it's still there lmao. 😆

[@andrasmusicofficial]

That’s exactly what I’m looking for …

[@real_pancho9852]

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.

[@Xxmeca421xX]

I'm going to build my first pedal and think a compressor would be a good start. Thanks for the information.

[@macroftStudio]

I have a multieffects processor. I just bought my first pedal, and it is indeed a compressor.

[@goldenultra]

@@macroftStudio that's a good start, most buy it last.

[@stoneysdead689]

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.

[@mariosotaofficial]

Best comment ever!

[@rickeguitar9086]

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!

[@sweetwater]

Thanks for checking it out, Ricke! 👍

[@Phillip-y6d]

wow, great comprehensive video on the compressor pedal thanks Don dude

[@samsanimationcorner3820]

Would you say he "compressed" it well into a short video? 😛

[@uncaringzebra7sevensquad46]

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]

Also some people are just unbelievably good lol

[@RideAcrossTheRiver]

@@vixen878 Yeah, sort of wondering if this is an "autotune" for playing style

[@qbertrtrtg]

sometimes a cranked amp is usually what's missing for that awesome sustain. not something attainable at home

[@victorymansions]

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.

[@jimijackson]

That was the reason I'd stopped playing the electric as much....I need a conpressor

[@jimijackson]

That was the reason I'd stopped playing the electric as much....I need a compressor

[@budd_jacon9363]

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

[@yinka366]

This is by far the best explanation I've found. Thumbs up! 👍

[@hansgettheflammenwerfer69420]

I clicked on this video to find its the exact compressor pedal I just bought! Great tutorial, thank you!

[@JustMe-z8g]

OMG...that's a riot. ........me same.

[@Espresso101]

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]

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. $$$.

[@georgescannelli3814]

Wow this was a great demo! Thank you. I never owned one. You did a great job!

[@profeseba_]

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?

[@samconomo3726]

Great video, I understand what my ears Were hearing now, Now I can put it into words. So good,thanks. Sam.

[@hairnation68]

Love my Keeley Aria. Compressor plus and tube screamer type pedal in one. Highly recommend it. Thank you Sweetwater.

[@matthewmcnamara5650]

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.

[@TheEleventeen]

Thank you Mr. Don Carr for this wonderful video ! X🤘🏻X

[@BrandonSorianoMusic]

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.

[@bldlightpainting]

Very well explained. Thanks Don. God bless.

[@elliotmorley9075]

Would you advise using the single coil setting through a set of humbuckers?

[@sweetwater]

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, [phone] ext. 2371, [e-mail]

[@shawnshipatsd8949]

I just bought a compressor-Way Huge-makes all the difference in the world.

[@noodlemans]

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?

[@sweetwater]

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, [phone] ext. 1320, [e-mail]

[@lordcajander]

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!!

[@artiefischel2579]

Where does it go in the chain, and why?

[@Humblescape]

This was very helpful thank you!

[@spunnek75]

Can I use the pedal as a clean boost to go into a Wampler Plexidrive mini , to make it sound great ?

[@karimc4]

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.

[@x7stringinJSCx]

I just got this pedal for my Bday.. but the Exclusive Sweetwater version. Great color scheme on it.

[@oldtimer99]

Thank you! Great teaching lesson. Can you show your take on how you do the Xotic SP Compressor?

[@sweetwater]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/jnnTlKace9KMnas Thanks for watching!

[@oldtimer99]

@@sweetwater Thanks for the quick response.

[@jayseb]

Couldn't be clearer! Great and relaxed, just how it should be. Cheers.

[@Blaznguy36]

With the compression of the signal does it increase in speed or slows the signal, makes it long?

[@markolivares6943]

Man this video is awesome. I finally understand how a compression pedal works. I’m assuming this would also be great for metal ?

[@braydenb6739]

I have a Taylor 214ce Acoustic Electric. Would a compressor with a blend knob be good for it?

[@sweetwater]

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, [phone] ext. 1281, [e-mail]

[@braydenb6739]

Thanks, that really helped!

[@DowneyOrrick]

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

[@mrjonesmusic5770]

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

[@TheFlutecart]

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.

[@DanielERodriguezMusic]

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. 🔥🔥🔥

[@julianperry1553]

An excellent demonstration

[@FreddyFromage-lk4mp]

right, now I know why I'm getting it wrong, thanks Don

[@tonaye6135]

Why not show examples of the compressor being used for feedback with distortion? It's an essential pedal for it.

[@overtonesnteatime198]

You can always make your own videos??

[@beepst]

Because it's a compressor video, not a distortion video.

[@paulreddy5452]

Great information and presentation thanks

[@fredanderson5278]

Very helpful. Thanks.

[@C_mao]

"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)

[@crazygood4]

This was very helpful, thx again man

[@AimingWanderously]

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.

[@axnax1]

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.

[@graxjpg]

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.

[@goldenultra]

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.

[@graxjpg]

@@goldenultra you sound ridiculous. Drugs and psychedelia have little to do with one another.

[@georgelukes7417]

great explanations!

[@gregholmberg2]

Which model of PRS is that guitar?

[@BrianVallotton]

I was wondering the same thing! I have a PRS Custom 24 but this setup I have not seen before.

[@sweetwater]

The model is the 513. It’s a unique pickup system that was only made for that guitar. Thanks, DC

[@solitudeparade]

My man with the Apple Loops Melodic Clean Electric Guitar Arpeggio 04 at 4:40

[@solarplexus3949]

Stone me into the Groove

[@roger6970]

Very good explanation

[@mattquinn8022]

Thanks for that mate!!

[@ATothFTW18]

Thank your for this! It is super helpful!

[@hamstring6792]

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-lc9op]

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

[@TheBobClarke]

What settings would you use for a jangly Byrds sound?

[@Bernard-Shakey]

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

[@SlurpcoreProductions]

You made me buy one

[@feds27]

Great explanation and demonstration. Thanks for the walk through.

[@Drefromthebay84]

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?

[@dextermorgan1757]

I've always used compressor pedals for my guitar and Bass I've never liked overdrive

[@stephenlennartz3466]

Great info. Thank you.

[@sweetwater]

😉👍

[@joelgraham3]

perfect explanation

[@therealkickers5166]

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.

[@zrosario06]

Here, watch JHS’s compression video, he talks about it and how to fix it: kzbin.info/www/bejne/goa7g2uLo76bsMU

[@BriansThing]

Great!!

[@danielcoleman4807]

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.

[@davidramos4317]

I’ve legitimately never noticed a compressor ever so anything in the history of music

[@sabinoramirez2600]

like how blind people don’t notice color

[@jye_24]

U literally need to be using one to know if it’s being used. It’s to get a perfect sound

[@guitartap]

Without it may be noticed as imbalance

[@PageandPlant4Life]

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

[@littleninpo]

Rolland thank you.

[@gtsuiwu]

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]

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, [phone] ext. 2371, [e-mail]

[@coryrandol5175]

Can it still work with another pedal hooked up. Most likely distorted pedal

[@sweetwater]

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, [phone] ext. 2371, [e-mail]

[@nuthinbutlove]

I was hearing a buzz. Was that coming from the pedal?

[@wikidsledge]

Like he said, it takes the weaker sounds, raises them up, louder sounds & lowers them. So if there is any amount of amp or pick up noise, it will become more audible. Which leads to getting a noise gate pedal. Compression can lead a guitarist down a rabbit hole for tone.

[@nuthinbutlove]

@wikidsledge I have experienced compressors that weren't that noisy. That's why I was asking what was causing it .. amp, pickups, maybe the lights/electrical circuit...?

[@wikidsledge]

@nuthinbutlove Very well could be all that. Heck, if the building he's in isn't probably grounded, that can cause noise. I worked at a music store that shared the same building as a grocery store, and their coolers & freezers would create this horrible noise in all of our amps. It could also be the pedal itself. I know pedals of certain quality will have components soldered in that act as a buffer to help eliminate noise. Which is why I always put my tuner pedal first in the chain.

[@nuthinbutlove]

@wikidsledge yeh my tuner is always first

[@JJohnston4Life]

Turn the blend and sustain all the way up!

[@chriskowalski7038]

where's the setup part of the pedel?

[@jimtessin4130]

Excellent!!! Thank you!!!!

[@jimsinister13]

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 .

[@sweetwater]

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, [phone] ext. 1793, [e-mail]

[@fabienlouvel5536]

strangely enough, when the sustain is increased, i hear more attack as well as usstain

[@mr.rudolph630]

Very good video. I think you've found your niche with this content. How about the next one on using a noise gate.

[@Tommy712rus]

Компрессор на клин не ложи, руками надо играть!

[@Cosmos_Dancer]

Dan... The Man. #respect

[@rendermanpro]

Its kind of contrast or gamma in camera world, but for sound.

[@brunotardat4286]

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 🙂

[@hectorheath]

I must be tone deaf because I couldn't hear much difference no matter what you did......

[@BrandonMalone-x1b]

It's a compressor....it's something you gotta use to know what it does. It's technique in a pedal...it cleans your playing up. For instance I play bass, so it's great for slap...it keeps everything even..no huge volume jumps...makes everything tighter.

[@davespin9034]

I also don’t notice much, rings a little but that’s it.

[@tomcostello85]

I don't hear any difference in any of the settings

[@replicant790504]

I hate the hiss compressor adds, hate using compressors for that reason alone

[@kixmet]

My compressor is always on with max sustain. I get my emergency volume boost by turning off the pedal.

[@zakkcovers18]

Cool 👍👌

[@felixayala05]

Take. My. Money.

[@pimjag9018]

You kinda sound like Tom hanks

[@victorboucher675]

OK, thanks ... now explain gates and limiters please.

[@AftershockPS3]

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

[@HarryTravolta]

Still clueless. Use a pedal to take out the dynamics of your playing ?

[@sweetwater]

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.clemens]

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!

[@brianl634]

Excellent video.... Thank you!