A compressor pedal is a great tool for increasing sustain on your electric guitar. It works by reducing the dynamic range of your signal, which means that the loudest notes are brought down in level and the quietest notes are brought up in level. This results in a more even sound with more sustain.
There are a few different compressor settings that you can use to increase sustain on your electric guitar. Here are a few tips:
- Ratio. The ratio setting controls how much the compressor reduces the dynamic range of your signal. A higher ratio will result in a more compressed sound with more sustain. A lower ratio will result in a less compressed sound with less sustain.
- Threshold. The threshold setting controls the level at which the compressor starts to compress your signal. A lower threshold will cause the compressor to kick in earlier, resulting in a more compressed sound. A higher threshold will cause the compressor to kick in later, resulting in a less compressed sound.
- Attack. The attack setting controls how quickly the compressor reacts to a signal that crosses the threshold. A faster attack will cause the compressor to kick in more quickly, resulting in a more compressed sound. A slower attack will cause the compressor to kick in more slowly, resulting in a less compressed sound.
- Release. The release setting controls how quickly the compressor stops compressing your signal once the signal falls below the threshold. A faster release will cause the compressor to stop compressing more quickly, resulting in a more transient sound. A slower release will cause the compressor to stop compressing more slowly, resulting in a more sustained sound.
Here is a sample compressor setting for increasing sustain on electric guitar:
- Ratio: 4:1
- Threshold: -12dB
- Attack: 10ms
- Release: 500ms
This setting will give you a moderate amount of compression with a long release time, which will help to increase sustain. You can adjust the settings to your liking to find the sound that works best for you.
It is important to note that every compressor pedal is different, so the settings above may not work perfectly for your pedal. It is a good idea to experiment with different settings to find what works best for you and your guitar.
Here are some additional tips for using a compressor pedal to increase sustain:
- Place the compressor pedal early in your signal chain. This will ensure that the compressor is able to work on your clean signal before any distortion or other effects are applied.
- Use a compressor pedal with a blend knob. This will allow you to blend your compressed signal with your dry signal, giving you more control over the amount of compression.
- Experiment with different settings. There is no right or wrong answer when it comes to using a compressor pedal. The best way to find the sound that you’re looking for is to experiment with different settings.
By following these tips, you can use a compressor pedal to increase sustain on your electric guitar and get the most out of your music playing experience.
