Hi Stickies.

I am considering the use of a compressor for my Stickrad Trio gigs as the volume level of this gig can be more like a loud trio.

For my ears I don't like compression on Stick as a solo instrument as the sound of the instrument is enough for me.

Has anyone had similar issues. The mixer guy at my gig last night said that sometimes the Stick was over the drums, almost too loud, then when I was dynamically down the drums were louder.
He suggested I use, for example, a basic Boss compressor all knobs set to 12 o'clock (flat).

What say you?

I remember reading an interview with Tony Levin years before I ever owned a Stick about the Analog Man Comprosser. Does Justin still have his? I have a Keely four button compressor that works nicer than others I've tried, seems more subtle and less noisy than most. For what it's worth, I don't remember any sound issues when you played with David Jones.

I don't use the Keely much anymore, Robstafarian gave me an idea that I use with my Zoom pedal. If those interest you, you're welcome to try mine. They are mighty expensive, I don't know if those are available over the counter in Oz or not. They also do not run on batteries, so the appropriate conversion for power is necessary.

Get a limiter instead! That will not mess with your playing dynamics but keep the Stick sitting well in the mix.

Hmm..

I kinda like this. They all talk about the Ross ...

Any advantages?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?t=37&v=FfHba9p9Zrk

Stickrad,
I agree with Per- maybe a limiter is all you need that won't change your dynamics but keep the transients under control.

One of my best friends and bass players was worried about my transients with the Stick ( this was a lot of years ago and control in playing goes a long way towards dynamic control) but thrashing it out live against a full kit is a different story than playing solo, so he gave me a studio stompbox made by Digitech that has soft knee compression already built in plus two EQ (sidechains? maybe). This unit was on my pedal board for a long time with its companion X-Series for the melody side. Price is right, but you do need a special wall wort which I highly recommend because with all the processing it eats batteries.

http://www.musiciansfriend.com/amplifiers-effects/digitech-xbs-bass-squeeze-compressor-pedal#productDetail

Otherwise I think Boss makes a straight Limiter - set your brick wall and when the soundman is actually paying attention to the band, he'll be happy!
hope this helps,
Dave B

Beware the live sound guys; even experienced ones. Most of them have no idea how a Stick works, particularly the bass range. They expect the bass side to be "all bass notes". They see your fingers moving on the higher pitched bass strings and think that something is wrong because they're not hearing bass notes. I've had guys stop me mid-show to replace cables that weren't broken, only to have audience members confirm that everything sounded great before the sound guy decided something was wrong. Try to control as much of your listening experience and sound as you can, and just tell them to set everything flat. They probably won't listen. All that aside, compression can add a bit of punch to your sound in a band setting, for sure.

Cheers,
Andy

I have the analogman comprossor and the boss cs-1 optical comp, and frankly I could not get any good sound with neither of them on the bass side. The stick has very distinctive attack on the bass side (the melody is less 'special' and can win a bit from moderate compression), and the compressor pedals ruin it (for me).
I second the limiter suggestion.

Thanks for your considered responses so far gents.

I have to say I am not a fan of compression in the way that it messes with the sound, unless you wanna go the Tone Eleven route, which I do not.

The soundy was pretty spot on last Sunday, I can vouch for this cause I know his dad very well, and I could hear the sounds coming off stage. These are the benefits of living in a small, but big music town.

Any suggestion then for a good Limiter apart form the Boss. I don't really want anything that pedestrian in my pedal chain, as much as I know they are still good pedals.

The Zoom MS-60B has a limiter in it, though the MS-50G does not.

Hi Rob.

The Zoom looks good though I don't really need a multi pedal of that kind.. Thanks anyhoo.