MAKE FRIENDS WITH YOUR AMP - Gollihur Music

P age | 6
Compression, Limiter: An Upright Bass, when we pluck it enthusiastically, can put out a huge burst of sound.
Compressors and Limiters soften and minimize that peak so it doesn’t overload the amp and/or annoy your band
mates. A Compressor can usually do it more gracefully than a simple Limiter (depending on its design), but a
compressor’s primary role is to squeeze the dynamic range of the notes you play, so the quietest are a little louder,
and the loudest are a little quieter. You’ll notice compression being used when you watch a TV show — where if the
whispers were at their original, actual volume, they would be hard to hear, and an explosion in an action scene would
make you jump out of your chair. Amp makers may include simple single knob compressors, or less often, a more
comprehensive unit with up to four knobs for precise control. Compression is not something generally needed for
upright bass gigs, except in special situations, such as for taming the impact of rockabilly slap. Using compression well
would take up an entire article on its own — so Study user manuals, and experiment extensively before using.
Rule #1: If you can “hear” the compressor working (a “pumping” sound) it isn’t set right.
Subtle = good.
So check out these features (if available) on your amplifiers, perhaps it’s time to adjust these controls and carefully
listen to the results, so you are familiar with the tools at your disposal. All of these are potential ingredients in
creating your Reference Sound. It may be time to revisit the EQ section of this e-guide and go back to the drawing
board for some tweaks.
A final word on “Too Much Bass Disease”:
Yes, I know you are playing a bass, but don’t automatically turn up the bass or push
the deep switch! If you’ve read my other writings, you know this is a pet peeve of
mine. This is due to the many upright and electric bass players I’ve heard, or tried to
hear, only because they are so far down in the “bassment” that all of their cool
musical activities are obscured by the rumble. And dammit, so many can’t take the
constructive criticism or objective advice from their band members or another bass
player. “This is the way I play,” or some similar justification makes for the ugly status
quo. And yes, I am like one of those reformed smokers, because I remember my own
past self-defeating leanings towards the Deep Dark Side.
Make Friends With Your Amp – by Bob Gollihur
Courtesy of Gollihur Music • www.GollihurMusic.com • ALL MATERIAL ©COPYRIGHT 2012 BOB GOLLIHUR