Phil - you have some of the best guitar videos on RU-vid. I look forward to each one and I like the no nonesense approach you take at providing information. Keep it up and keep helping us all rock out better.
I've been using compression for a long time and have heard it explained many ways. I was just browsing RU-vid tonight and came across your explanation/tutorial video.... The "pebble in the water" illustration is one of the best explanations on compression I've ever heard. Well done.
I never really understood compression before, after watching this I feel like a world expert in it! Fantastic explanation and demonstration, thank you.
I'm getting tired of your guitar collection. Sell them all or give them to me. I've been using compression with distortion since 1979... guys couldn't figure out how I got the sound. You are a good teacher Phil.
Thanks Phillip. I finally looked into the compressor, what it does, and why I would want one. I do. A fitting description and analogy. Sounds like a volume conditioner, similar to a power conditioner.
Hi Phil, I'd just like to add to the listeners who say keep the lo-fi videos - you are so informative and expressive that a HD recording with all the bells, whistles and editing would just detract from the one-on-one nature of your info videos. It's like we're sitting opposite each other and you're giving the gift of your knowledge. I've been playing for 30+ years, and I know that it's the tiny, little things that matter; the half-idea that transforms one's thinking and playing; just sayin' don't ever change!!!
Thanks. What I love about your stuff is that you speak to the regular guy who happens to love guitars but doesn't necessarily know a ton about gear ect. I feel like your on the same level as most people who watch you if that makes sense.
I'm almost 4 minutes into the video but had to stop to comment... I love your explanation! Your analogy makes sense to me and I have a hard time finding that in videos. The musical terminology is lost on me and other videos use it way to much. Thanks for the video man! Will be checking out your other videos for sure!
That was a great explanation! Funny, I took music theory classes, but couldn't really explain compression. I know Roger mcguinn used it for his 12 string to sound more sustained and even, and that it makes country guitar "pop", but this really clarified it.
the best explanation i've ever heard. i was looking for the other "explained" videos on your channel, but it seems like there's only this one? i bought the compression pedal immediately after watching this video 😂 MXR Dyna Comp as I was learning how to play "Play For Today" by the Cure and the teacher (Anyone Can Play Guitar) used that one in the video
I always thought that compression was used to add more bass, because in EDM music production that's what it does but its different for guitar. Thanks for the clear explanation on that!
Thanks for another great and informative video. I've used compression before and I always liked the sound. It's nice to finally know why. Keep 'em comin'.
great video I have had a compressor/sustainer for 20 years and have never touched it. Now I know what the thing is and what is does. Thanks I might be able to use it now
Phenomenal video as always. I don't think I'll buy a compressor for years tbh I have to learn how to handle dynamics better on my own before I start using one
Explained perfectly thank you I don't really use pedals so when someone said "you need a compression pedal" I looked you up!! 🤘🤘🤘he was right I need one. Lol
Thank you so much for making this highly informative breakdown of the enigmatic compression pedal. Just for fun, I make and play cigar box guitars. I like to use a variety of mag pups to amplify the things. For amplifiers, I use a Roland Cube-15 and the marvelous Roland Micro-Cube, (no electric CBG player should be without a trusty Roland Micro-Cube). I have a few effects pedals, (overdrive, fuzz, chorus and delay). The hard/tone wood neck through body construction, gives a colossal natural sustain to my CBGs. They do have a tendency to be overly bassy though; even with the pup in the bridge position. That's great for the Blues but even that needs a bit of taming. I think a compression pedal would control the bass and help even things out. It's certainly something I'm going to seriously look into. Again, many thanks for the information.
Thank you! I'm an older guy who has seen it all - I know a lot but I'm always open to better explanations of music points. You do a great job of explaining things. Myself, I'm attempting to put together a basic pedal board - so far I have a Menatone RED SNAPPER overdrive which I really like and a TC Electronics Delay/Looper which I haven't played with much. I know I'm going to need a compression pedal - HERE'S MY PROBLEM - Phil, What MORE should I buy and put on my pedal setup??? Big question. I play mostly rock and blues - some jazz, some country. Maybe you have something on RU-vid already??
I try not to use a compressor much, but almost always just end up leaving it on all the time. I just like to have the built in sustain and apparent volume boost (due to the compressor evening out the frequencies), and find it less enjoyable to play without it on.
@@Haha-Jim I don't like the way a tubescreamer changes the alters the tone though, especially for a clean tone. I'll kick an overdrive on when I need even more boost, or for doing some heavy riffing, but in general I just prefer the sound and feel of a compressor.
I love compressors. I'll set all the parameters at their most intense for bass, and play moderately with a .60mm pick on brand new pro-steels, and let the compressor swell up the volume. I also use my compression pedals to layer in a clean or almost clean rhythm guitar in a place where it would normally be very distorted. Like a thrashy song with fast (NON-palm-muted) downstrokes a la Johnny Ramone, I'll quad-track with fuckload of distortion on the two main tracks, then record two secondary tracks with the amp set almost clean, but have the compression on and set to squash the signal. It creates a really cool dirty/clean textural thing, but without the sharp attack of the clean sound, allowing the two different tones to gel better in the mix. Damn, I typed way more than I meant to.....I really do love compression!
Thanks for making all of these great videos for us if you ever come to Australia I would lobve to shout you a beer or two cheers Michael Thornton NSW Australia
