| Author |
Topic: Beginner Question Sustain |
Gerd Kaindlstorfer
From:
Austria
|
Posted 20 May 2021 4:25 am |
|
| Hello everybody. Im a real greenhorn in pedal steel playing. The volume pedal is used for sustaining the notes. Does anybody use a compressor infront of the guitar too to get the same effect? |
|
|
 |
Chris Brooks
From:
Providence, Rhode Island
|
Posted 20 May 2021 6:29 am
|
|
Gerd, my sense is that most of us do not use a compressor.
Learn to use light, rolling pressure with the left (bar) hand), get a good, strong attack with the right hand picking finger, and use the volume pedal to feed volume as the note decays.
Many suggest thinking of the "volume" pedal as, rather, an expression pedal.
And welcome to the world of PSG. You've got some great resources right here on the Forum.
Chris |
|
|
|
Georg Sørtun
From:
Mandal, Agder, Norway
|
Posted 20 May 2021 9:50 am
|
|
I use a compressor/limiter/enhancer (BOSS LMB-3) as "buffer" pre VP, but its primary function is not to sustain notes even if it naturally does that too. My main PSGs sustain well enough on their own though, so having a "unit" for it is just a bonus that reduces VP-riding ever so slightly.
Its main functions are to 1) act as impedance-buffer (1Mohm in/1Kohm out), 2) even out and enhance pick-attacks without overdriving amp-input, 3) duck (mute) previous notes, 4) color tone – act as EQ, 5) eliminate the need for a number of effects used by most PSG players – I rarely ever use any.
A compressor/limiter/enhancer for use on stage, is, IMO, only useful if it is "playable" – modifies its effect(s) to match the player's actions, and it can not take over for proper use of the VP. That most compressors for regular guitar just sounds "funny" when used on PSG, is another matter. |
|
|
|
