Question:
i just got an ebow, and after spending some serious time w/ it this afternoon, i've noticed that as you move towards the pickup, sometimes (pretty often), the volume will just go way up very fast. what is the best way to deal w/ this? volume pedal, compression, some other effect, or is it just better technique? i just want to be able to use this for my church's worship team, and it sounds great, exactly the sound i bought it for, but i can't have sudden volume spikes, that doesn't work.
james
Answer:
I think using it with distortion would work for now, but a compressor would be good for your cleans, if you choose the volume pedal route, then you'll need to try to compensate for reaction time, say, by only doing swells.
Answer:
If I remember correctly from mine (before I sold it), the recommendations from the manufacturer are to cut your guitar volume by half and even adjust your tone down too. It takes your output and puts it into the stratosphere if you leave your volume up. I am not completely sure, but you will probably find it less sensitive then as you move closer to the pickup.
Answer:
Originally Posted by Jubal If I remember correctly from mine (before I sold it), the recommendations from the manufacturer are to cut your guitar volume by half and even adjust your tone down too. It takes your output and puts it into the stratosphere if you leave your volume up. I am not completely sure, but you will probably find it less sensitive then as you move closer to the pickup. ya, i did, but it's still very sensitive. like, i'll have the level output i want right before the pickup, and then as i start to get really close, it just goes through the roof.
So Rainer, you would say at some point get a compressor? ya, distortion does work a little, but i like the sound w/out it better. a compressor would limit the dynamic range, right?
Answer:
Alright, here's what a need. I do have a general idea of what compression does, and I like the way my rig sounds right now, but I have specific purpose for a compressor. I just bought an ebow, and after spending like all this afternoon playing w/ it, I have realized that I really do need something that can deal w/ the dynamics of the E-Bow, mostly leveling out sudden high volume increases. This is really all I need it for. The three that I have heard the most about are first of all the MXR Dynacomp, then the Barber Tonepress, and the Keeley Compressor. I have reasons to like all 3.
The Dynacomp, not as expensive, and is still supposed to be good.
Barber Tonepress, heard a lot of good stuff here, and no complaints.
Keeley Compressor, heard great reviews and no complaints here too, and Brad Avery of Third Day, my favorite guitarist (both tonewise and playing-wise) uses one. his tone is awesome, at least to my ears.
any suggestions or tips guys?
james
Answer:
What are the controls available on each of those compressors?
Answer:
Originally Posted by bobthecockroach What are the controls available on each of those compressors? I'm unsure, that's why I came here to ask for advice for my specific situation, cause I'm really not sure.
Answer:
Well, basically what compression does is lower the transients of your sound, the louder sounds get softer, the softer sounds get louder. (for the most part, it's the louder sounds getting softer)
/forum...d.php?t=130354
Here's a good discussion on compression.
Answer:
Originally Posted by Rainer. Well, basically what compression does is lower the transients of your sound, the louder sounds get softer, the softer sounds get louder. (for the most part, it's the louder sounds getting softer)
/forum...d.php?t=130354
Here's a good discussion on compression. yah, i actually just read that thread, and yes, that is exactly what I need to do. I need to flatten out the extreme highs in volume that I am getting.
Answer:
I'm merging the two threads... since this is all the same question.
eBows are inferiour to real bows.
Well, actually eBows are pretty cool, but I much prefer the natural and incredibly versatile horsehair 'n' rosin. eBow can't touch that.
(note I also took the liberty of titular case...)
Answer:
If you just bought it, give it some time. You may find that between your volume knob and where you "play" the ebow, you might not need any kind of compression. It's a very dynamic addition to your instrument that will take some time to learn.
I use a volume pedal, more for hands free control than anything else.
Answer:
I would work on your eBow technique before deciding to dump some money on a compressor. As a former user (becuase mine was in my guitar case when it was stolen last week) of an eBow, I can tell you that with practice, it becomes pure instinct to use that volume swell to your advantage. I actually used that technique to better my dynamics while using it, and (at the very least) I thought it worked to great effect. I would actually recommend against stifling the volume changes, and instead work to control yourself enough to not need the help.
Answer:
+1 PianoMan. The volume increase is a characteristic of the ebow that is intended to be used to your advantage. You can control the volume much more easily by adjusting your height and distance from the pickup(s) used.
And on that note, I'm sort of at a loss as to how a compressor would help you there...I see compressors as more tone sculpting tools than anything else. Give it more time, dont make a hasty purchase/decision that is unnecessary. The ebow is not something you learn to master overnight.
Answer:
what if i got like a limiter or something, just to level off the really really high volume a little bit? cause i don't mind some volume swells, but the ebow has a tendency to sudden very high volume swells, which is not something good in a worship team setting.
Answer:
A compressor with a "ratio" control can (usually) function as a limiter.