Twin Compressor Experiment

[teb]

In response to the twin JangleBox thread, I decided to experiment a bit. I only have one JB, but I have a bunch of adjustable compressors that I can add on my Korg D1600 recorder. I adjusted one to sound fairly similar to the Jbox and played some chunks of twelve-string, first using no compression, then the Korg compression alone, followed by the Jangle Box alone and finally combining the Korg and JangleBox (crossing the streams, as it were). The results are fairly interesting. Naturally, you could tone down either or both compressors to get a more mellow blend, but I figured I'd just leave them both running as they were and see what I got. I can't say I'd want to listen to such a blend for an entire song, but if, for example, I was playing in a Byrds cover band, I certainly might play with one and then add the second one for lead guitar parts.

The guitar is my modified 370/12WB using just the middle pickup (toaster with no tone control, so its all-up all the time and it also has no cap). Strings are TI jazz flats. The guitar was run through the Jbox, into my Traynor YBA200 tube bass head (amp tone controls all on about 6 out of 10) and then run into the recorder. No EQ or effects were used on the recorder other than the second compressor. Anyway, this is what I got.

http://webpages.charter.net/tbradshaw/M ... essors.mp3

[tennis_nick]

Both together was actually quite hard on the ears... an odd pumping.

[teb]

Yep, there is also something about it that almost sounds like your mixing some backwards stuff in - some sort of strange attack to certain notes. I do think I'll try it on the next single-string lead part I play though. I kind of like how it expands those single notes.

[tennis_nick]

Yep, there is also something about it that almost sounds like your mixing some backwards stuff in - some sort of strange attack to certain notes. I do think I'll try it on the next single-string lead part I play though. I kind of like how it expands those single notes.

It reminded me of a single compressor running with a slow attack, kind of like what you'd use on a bass track. strong attack, but then it drops slightly after the initial attack.

[kiramdear]

Wow, very interesting psychedelic sound with the two and chording. Would be great for acid rock. Really puts the single note stuff in your face too. More rock than folk, for certain. Good work!

[jimk]

Thanks for posting that, Todd. Pumping is the word I'd also use to describe the sound of the two compressors together. I didn't much care for that myself. I found it a little hard on the ears. Still, it was a very interesting exercise.

JimK

[ram]

Todd, cool run thanks... reverse record/twisted harpsichord feel to it. Interesting – especially when I didn’t think it would do too much.

[Johnny_Voodoo]

Nice tutorial! Very informative and helpful.

BTW-Your voice sounds almost exactly like Jeff Bridges' Dude Lebowski character. Very cool!

[beatlefreak]

The pumping is typical of too much compression. If you have a compressor with an adjustable ratio control, it would need to be backed off some.

[walker]

Interesting comparison. Just my opinion - I liked the first uncompressed tone the best. The Korg compressor sounded awful. Completely unnatural attack & squelched the guitar line so it sounded jumpy & disjointed. Like Kris said, if there's a way to back off the threshold & ratio, and/or set a longer release time, maybe the Korg compressor could be of more practical use.

I liked how the Janglebox colored the treble & upper midrange, but it lacked lower-midrange & bottom end. I could see this being a great tone with some of the body EQ'd back in after tracking.

[ram]

The pumping is typical of too much compression. If you have a compressor with an adjustable ratio control, it would need to be backed off some.

I still wonder if a really good compressor would do as much or more than a the two in sequence...

[jamespaul71]

gives me a headache, I too would suggest backing waay off on both. Compression is about a velvety sound, not a brain melting sound. (btw, the tone on the uncompressed portion is lovely )