same here - don´t forget to set on "line" and adjust the level of the comp - it decreases your outputlevel. I do this at the complevel.The optical comp block run after the cab is pretty cool for a polished studio sound.
I play with this from time to time, and was trying it last week as well. I was putting a comp first in the chain. This is something I normally never do with analog gear, but many times I find digital units to be "overly dynamic". The Axe can be OK, but Line 6 gear for example, I can barely play without a compressor in every high gain preset. It is like I have to hit the strings as hard as I can constantly, for it to sound right. A little compressor first in the chain can kind of even out that response, and make single notes sound as powerful as chords. I usually only use light settings though, like a compression ratio of 2-4. Any more and it sucks all your dynamics away. It really helps your high gain not sound weak when you are not slamming your strings. I could possibly accomplish the same thing using EMG pickups, I dunno, but I find this helps in many situations. I usually never use a Comp and OD together though, since an OD Drive will add it's own compression.
Would you care to share your settings and say where you place the COMP in the chain?
The optical comp block run after the cab is pretty cool for a polished studio sound.
Hey Leon man, happy to do a screen dump of how this looks.. including the settings for this particular block?!?
I pinched these settings from a preset @FractalAudio posted when the Opto comp blocks came out. Block is attachedView attachment 42547
I personally don't use broadband compression on high gain guitars because it usually causes more problems than it solves.
The reason why that guy might like broadband compression for his Periphery tones is because the compressor is mainly being triggered by low-end spikes. What that does is make your tone more edgy and harsh. Yeah, it'll feel like your tone is more "in your face", but at the price of fizziness.
I opt for using multiband compression at the end. I use it only to work on the mid-bass and low-mid frequencies. Your low-end remains untouched. Your guitars sound full. And you have control over just how much of those frequencies you want to let through.
Here you go. Play with lowering Thresh 1 until it starts ducking just enough on the Axe's front panel screen.Could you please share a screenshot on how you set up your multiband compression at the end of the chain?
Also, how would I set up a compressor in the axe fx to get triggered from low-end spikes as well?
I would really like to test both these instances and see what I like best.. Thanks in advance!