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Does anyone use a Compressor/Limiter in live performance?   You are logged in as Guest
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Chiste de Gales

Posts: 298
Joined: Jan. 13 2009
 

Does anyone use a Compressor/Limiter... 
I only play live as a dance accompanist. We dont have a "sound man" at our shows. Its just me and my amplifier.

Ive been thinking of getting one of these, mainly to insure that my falsetas are loud enough. I use a microphone, not a built-in pickup. Im a strong, experienced player with a lot of volume control, but Im worried about getting tendonitis (a second time) if I really try to play falsetas extra loud.

Has anyone had experience with one of these?
  REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE |  Date Jun. 23 2010 13:52:21
 
HemeolaMan

Posts: 1514
Joined: Jul. 13 2007
From: Chicago

RE: Does anyone use a Compressor/Lim... (in reply to Chiste de Gales) 
yes.

most major sound systems in most venues have a limiter set to protect the speakers and electronics from transients.

This is part of the reason why kick drums at concerts sound so enormous, because they are usually pushed into the compression range. that and they also have compressors on them occasionally.


for flamenco, i think it would be interesting and certainly not uncommon in a large venue, but for small stuff i dont think its necessary really

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  REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE |  Date Jun. 24 2010 3:36:09
 
Chiste de Gales

Posts: 298
Joined: Jan. 13 2009
 

RE: Does anyone use a Compressor/Lim... (in reply to HemeolaMan) 
As stated already, its the quiet playing Im trying to boost without causing constant strain to produce higher volumes.
  REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE |  Date Jun. 24 2010 12:23:22
Guest

RE: Does anyone use a Compressor/Lim... (in reply to Chiste de Gales) 
many variables here..
type of microphone, room, amp etc...
a compressor/limiter will squash the dynamics of the guitar to an even level
so if you play soft or hard the dynamic's will remain much the same...
also with this the natural tones of the instrument [ie treble and bass ] will be flattened to the midrange...ie less defined natural/acoustic frequencies
may need a good eq to achieve a desirable tone....
not sure it is really needed unless playing large venues with larger ensembles ie percussion, bass etc....
worth trying but will produce a more 'electric' tone...
as said by HemeolaMan all larger systems do have compression/limiters etc but for smaller systems like an amp [ ie Aer, AcousticImage ] seems a bit unnecessary...maybe put the money towards a small diaphram condensor., high gain mic...or/with a tube pre-amp [ which should have limiting/compression options.....what is your sound rig? think a good pre-amp will work better...more multifunctional....

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  REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE |  Date Jun. 24 2010 13:14:00
 
Ricardo

Posts: 14822
Joined: Dec. 14 2004
From: Washington DC

RE: Does anyone use a Compressor/Lim... (in reply to Chiste de Gales) 
I used to use one religiously on my guitar when playing gigs with dancers in restaurants, for the same reasons you are looking for. Well, over time I kept lightening up on the settings because when you have the falsetas where you want, the compas strumming gets squashed so bad you can't get the feeling of intensity out you want and need. So I was using very small amout of compression, thinking I still needed to route through it to have a "pro" sound.

Well one day, I did not understand but my guitar sounded amazing and respoonsive and loud and clear and awesome and I was in full control. I figured I must have changed the settings of the compressor by accident. I checked it after the gig and realized the thing was not even plugged in! My signal routed through but it was not even on. So NO COMPRESSION= more flamenco!

I have been in venues where the sound engineer insists to use it and it kills the dynamics in the important spots, and affects the overall performance very negative. For percussion palmas even vocals or bass guitar it is good to have, but for flamenco guitar no way. That is the ONE instrument that needs to be "open" because it is acting musically as an orchestra, and really needs that range.

I say get used to using the mic position when you play to control volume, and arrange your flamenco accompaniment so that the falsetas wont' get crushed by loud stomping or palmas.

Ricardo

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  REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE |  Date Jun. 24 2010 14:18:24
 
HemeolaMan

Posts: 1514
Joined: Jul. 13 2007
From: Chicago

RE: Does anyone use a Compressor/Lim... (in reply to Chiste de Gales) 
for the best sound in the world, set the threshold to -50 dB, the ratio to 25:1 and then crank the output.

that will make everyone love you

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  REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE |  Date Jun. 25 2010 3:16:29
 
Chiste de Gales

Posts: 298
Joined: Jan. 13 2009
 

RE: Does anyone use a Compressor/Lim... (in reply to Guest) 
I use a Shure57 and a Fender Performer 1000 amp (made for electric guitar)


Thanks so much for the advice:

quote:

ORIGINAL: Ricardo

I checked it after the gig and realized the thing was not even plugged in! My signal routed through but it was not even on. So NO COMPRESSION= more flamenco!


quote:

ORIGINAL: AlVal
maybe put the money towards a small diaphram condensor


I think I know what to do now.

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  REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE |  Date Jun. 25 2010 4:49:06
 
Ron.M

Posts: 7051
Joined: Jul. 7 2003
From: Scotland

RE: Does anyone use a Compressor/Lim... (in reply to HemeolaMan) 
quote:

or the best sound in the world, set the threshold to -50 dB, the ratio to 25:1 and then crank the output.




I dunno...

I like the sound of "clean" guitar, but I also love the "low action/heavy compression" sound that Quique Paredes uses on some of his stuff.




I also remember seeing two Gitanos in a bar once and the guitarist had a cheap clip-on mic and a tiny, beat-up amp which was cranked up to max and overdriving and distorting to hell.

It sounded fantastic actually!

cheers,

Ron
  REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE |  Date Jun. 25 2010 8:56:43
Guest

RE: Does anyone use a Compressor/Lim... (in reply to Chiste de Gales) 
quote:

I use a Shure57 and a Fender Performer 1000 amp (made for electric guitar)

theres the problem right there
amp wise
http://www.aer-amps.info/
or even better [more headroom....]
http://www.acousticimg.com/index2.html
live mics
my choice
http://www.sennheiser.com/sennheiser/home_en.nsf/root/professional_wired-microphones_camera-mics_k6-series_003282
but so many others out there
these are just suggestions after years of searching for a 'good' sound
hope it helps....

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  REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE |  Date Jun. 25 2010 10:36:42
 
Pimientito

Posts: 2481
Joined: Jul. 30 2007
From: Marbella

RE: Does anyone use a Compressor/Lim... (in reply to Ricardo) 
quote:

I checked it after the gig and realized the thing was not even plugged in!

Money well spent . I dont use any compression, just a bit of reverb, a notch filter and I use the acoustic EQ setting on the amp.
If you dont want to buy an expensive amp and mic I can recommend the Trace Elliot acoustic floor switch so you can use that through a regular PA and it sounds beautiful.

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  REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE |  Date Jun. 25 2010 11:57:07
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