Zoom A3 - favourite compressor setting?

silverspear · #1 10-16-2018, 03:15 AM

I know I'm probably shooting in the dark here, but a shout out to zoom A3 users!

Recently I've turned to my A3 once again in church to try to get my quiet guitar solos to sound louder ,via the compressor route.. I've not been able to decide which compressor effects to use, and how to get the right settings to bring down the strumming volume, so that I can bring up the overall k
volume for my quiet solo passages.

Anyone uses the A3 compressor for this purpose, and care to share your settings?

Mr. Jelly · #2 10-16-2018, 06:00 AM

Compressors take the dynamics out and don't really make things louder though they give the impression that they are.

ManyMartinMan · #3 10-16-2018, 06:38 AM

It sounds like you need a volume pedal or do what lead players have been doing for decades - simply dial up your volume a bit prior to starting your solo. You do, however, call it a "quiet solo passage".

KevWind · #4 10-16-2018, 08:50 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mr. Jelly

Compressors take the dynamics out and don't really make things louder though they give the impression that they are.

Well yes and no .. Yes using just the compression feature usually brings down the peak level . BUT if you have a "Make up gain " feature, you can definitely increase the overall db's at output.

I am wondering why the OP cannot just set the level he likes for the strumming parts and then use the boost switch on the A3 for his solo parts ?
That is one of its specific design functions

jazzguy · #5 10-17-2018, 04:45 AM

I don't have a Zoom, but a little compression goes along way. But to another poster's point, once you compress your guitar, you have to bring the overall volume up slightly to make up what you reduced when compressing. I'm a fan for using a little "always on" compression in a band situation to cut thru in the mix.

silverspear · #6 10-17-2018, 04:49 AM

I'm not denouncing the use of the boost pedal in the A3, but it's not convenient to keep switching the boost on and off within a song.

thus my preference for a set-and-forget compressor setting. I do know that I need to raise the volume when I apply compressor.. for me,that's the whole point.

back to topic, would appreciate zoom user's inputs if you use any compressor.. thanks!

Brent Hahn · #7 10-17-2018, 08:04 AM

I saw the title and thought, hmm, how many posts before someone says "Don't use compressors." I guessed wrong by about three.

When it comes rules and tradition and hide-boundedness, I'm down with all that when it comes to Real Ale. But that's about it.