Ways To Use a Compressor Pedal

[caseyjamessound]

Hope everyone's doing well!

Here's an article I wrote about some different ways to use a compressor pedal for steel guitar...
https://playpedalsteel.com/pedal-steel-5-best-ways-to-use-a-compressor-pedal/

I'm curious: how many players use a compressor pedal? What do you use it for, and how do you change the settings to achieve what you're looking for?

Thanks,
Casey

[Zebedee]

I use quite a few pedals simultaneously, so if I add a compressor to my current rig, will it make me sound like Buddy ?

[Haddock]

Hi Casey
I’m a compressor addict and use one all the time. I have a Keeley Compressor Pro which is a great bit of kit. I find it works really well with the volume pedal as a sort of ‘wall’ to play up against and allows you to modify the volume taper of the pedal at the higher levels without removing the control. Also as I play a 12 (or 14) string, it helps control the vast dynamic range. Not for everyone, I know, but works for me. What I don’t often do though, is use it as an ‘effect’. Its a tool and I like it invisible.

Nice pedal board Zeb, though not entirely sure how you work it all with your feet on the ABC pedals.

Cheers
Calum

[Jif]

Early on in my pedal steel adventure I used a bit of compression, in a subtle fashion similar to what Calum is describing to give a wee bit of help with sustain etc. As time progressed I found I preferred to just use the volume pedal as it gave me more intimate control over these factors, also compression tends to suck tone a bit even when used in a subtle fashion.

Call me old fashioned if you will. I do like to use compression on 6 string guitar though, using a volume pedal on guitar is not really practical and compression used wisely works well.

The good news for me is I sat down at my steel yesterday for the first time in 5 months since my cancer diagnosis and found I can play it again up to a point, I have just finished my chemo regime and the pain I have been subjected to has seriously diminished, so I can play for about an hour before it gets a bit much. This includes using pedals and levers.

Bit off topic but I'm just so happy to be able to play again I couldn't help sharing this.

[Donny Johnston]

A bit off topic it may be but I dont give a We are all needing a bit of good news and this is . I am really pleased for you. Donny.

[Danny Mitchell]

I'm so glad to hear that, Geoff, and hopefully things will progress from here, and I'm with you on the compression issue. I might apply a little to a recording but I found it never felt right playing live.

[Haddock]

Geoff, you’re old fashioned!
Good news about the treatment though!
Cheers
Calum

[Ken Byng]

I like to use a compressor in my studio on vocals and lead guitar, and I find that using a compressor carefully with a Telecaster is great. For steel however, I like to use a limiter and have done for many years after talking to Weldon Myrick in Nashville in the 80's one time. He would use a valve compressor/limiter when recording fast picked pedal steel. Unless care is taken when using a compressor, the dreaded 'pop' at the start of a note is very noticeable. I think that a limiter to be much more transparent.

[dessa]

Kenny we are on the same page. Limiter every time. I use mine on guitar in preference to a compressor to eliminate the dreaded “pop”. Best compressor I have ever used was the Wampler Ego to enable a dry blend.

[Ken Byng]

Kenny we are on the same page. Limiter every time. I use mine on guitar in preference to a compressor to eliminate the dreaded “pop”. Best compressor I have ever used was the Wampler Ego to enable a dry blend.

I use a DBX limiter for recording my steel Derek, and find that it doesn't colour my tone in any way. I do like valve compressors on vocals, but I can hear most compressors on an electric guitar a mile off. Though I must agree with you and Callum that the Wampler and Keeley compressors are very good.