How to get the best solo compression/gain

[Acesofbelkan]

I've done a search but came up empty handed, although I'm sure this has been covered before,
But I have a single recto series 2, and it sounds perfect for rhythms to me, just amazing! But I have trouble getting the smooth liquidy lead tone.

I tried the vintage mode for the liquidy high-gain tone, but it lacks the scream and harmonics, and the modern mode setting is just too, dynamic. One thing that makes solos super easy to play is that you have the right compression so hammered on notes sound just as loud as a picked note, this really helps me with lagato type licks.

So whats the most affordable solution to this? I'm not sure if what I need is a compressor or overdrive.
I read people like to but tubescreamers but that's primarily to tighten up the low end, my single rect's low end isnt nearly as muddy as the dual and triples Ive tried, but maybe the tubescreamers add compression too?

Let me know guys, whats the best way to get high gain lead tone out of a single recto

 

[b0nkersx]

Tubescreamers help. Any gain boost will add compression. For a liquidy solo thing, try vintage mode with a lot of gain (don't be afraid to go past 2:00) and keep the presence low. Adding treble should help things feel more compressed.

 

[erectifier]

hey man i ran into the same problem as you in my first weeks of owning my solo rec v2 as i like my rhythm sound scooped. i had an amazing tone for all my chugging and rhythm parts but it sounded hollow when i wanted to solo. i bought the mxr 10 band eq and it worked wonders. i just dial it in to boost the mids and add around 3db of gain and volume and kick that on whenever i want to play lead runs and its perfect! this thing has so many uses too it can really help to clean up the green channel and can be used for all kinds of recording purposes. im sure it will make you love your recto much more! it sucks not having the 3 channels but this is an easy fix

 

[Blaklynx]

+1 for an EQ.... in the loop and out front.

Try an OD, tubescreamer or similar. I like the MI Audio Blues Pro because it doesn't have that mid-hump and has more gain and volume than your typical Ibanez/Maxon TS pedals(haven't tried the MI Audio Blues Deluxe yet). I place an EQ after it, too.

I use the volume control on the guitar to go from low gain to a more saturated gain. Works well. I also use another pedal after the first (usually a MI Audio Tube Zone) if I can't be bothered with the vol on the guitar, cascading two OD's. You need to be careful with the gain/volume settings on both pedals and on the amp.

The EQ after the pedals helps me get the tone I want. I find just a tone control on a pedal lacks character and some 'oomph', if you know what I mean. I can taylor the tone from the pedal to match the amp better. I also have an EQ in the loop to further taylor the overall tone. EQ's are your friend! Use them wisely and they'll do wonders for your tone.

I also tried an original Marshall Drive Master. From memory, this was a good pedal. I'll have to try it again one day.

Another suggestion, try a compressor up front with mild settings, together with an OD, before or after the OD. Whatever suits you. There's no hard and fast rule here.

Good luck.

 

[Acesofbelkan]

I was thinking of getting just a compressor pedal because my rhythm tone isn't scooped at all, and sounds ok for leads, but it just lacks the compression and scream that I need.

The EQ pedal and OD sounds like the best choices, but I don't have a lot of money. My guess the EQ would make a much larger difference than the OD pedal correct?

I know EQ's should go in the loop but my idea was to put it before the preamp so I can get the compression that I despreately am trying to get.

Thanks for the great advice guys btw I'm getting alot of ideas from you guys

 

[droptrd]

a compressor isnt the answer. Just experiment with boosts, ODs and EQ pedals. But the bottom line is that rectos arent the best playing lead amps IMO. Not saying they suck. I love my Tverb. But If want to really focus on fluid effortless lead tone I dont plug into my recto. Its not really their strong suit IMO. Again Im not saying they cant do it. Just not as well as say a Mark or 5150 or a well modded Marshall. My honest suggestion is, if you really want the best playabilty and lead tone, get a Mark.

 

[boogieman60]

I disagree. If you are looking for a liquid LEAD tone, a compressor is the way to go. I use a Boss. Gain at 2:00, attack at 12:00, tone at 1:00, and comp at 1:00 The mistake guys make with comp is over squashing the sound. On the clean channel it is Smooth..Add some gain and it sings...At ANY volume you want. Borrow one and try it...you'll like it....BTW I don't use it for crunch or rhythm sounds...PS Run it through the front end, NOT the loop.

 

[Acesofbelkan]

Maybe I should get a compressor pedal first. Because the tone of my rhythm sounds good for leads, but its just the actual dynamics that make the leads sound choppy.

So to put it simply; I dont want to color the tone that comes out of this beast at all. I just want to make it easier to play my lagato and hammer on/off techinques along with some added sustain.

The vintage mode has alot more liquidy feel to it, but the tone is so dull. The modern setting definitely has the taste of the screaming tone Im looking for but its so effin hard to get smooth playing out of it since as droptrd said, recto's are riffing machines so you need those dynamics in your riffs for them to feel more powerful.

sorry if I confused anyone!

 

[BostonRedSox]

As everyone else has stated, a compressor isn't really the answer you want, especially with a high gain Boogie amp. The may sound great at giving you sustain on a Dr Z Maz 38 though. Tubescreamers seem to come up quite a bit, but really any kind of distortion/gain/boost pedal will aid you in adding compression and gain to your dirt channel. I personally love the Fulltone OCD (18 volts) with my Roadster on all the channels, and it really liquifies and tightens the loose Recto nature of my Roadster so I can achieve better lead tones. I also like it because it can boost the volume and add a lot of interesting feedback. The OCD is also great out "front" because of it's true bypass setup.

I have recently bought a MXR CSP028 Custom Shop '74 Dyna Comp reissue. This compressor is just tone, tone, tone and I highly suggest it to anyone trying to add great sustain and compression to their clean tones. I believe REZAMATIX uses one too, and can probably vouch for this pedals awesomeness. I keep this on pretty much all of the time, and actually sounds great on my cruchier Roadster channels. It sort of helps bring in the wild gain character that is inherent to all of the Roadster's channels and helps it get closer to more vintage lower gain tones. It's important to keep your amp on DIODES if you experiment with this.

Good luck!

 

[konstantine RK]

MXR Dyna Comp for my cleans and BBE boosta grande for the leads.

 

[Guitarmiester]

Like others have said, a compressor isn't what you're after. I'd recommend one for cleans, but not rhythm/lead. You'll find it to be much more subtle than expected. Spend some time researching OD pedals.

 

[screamingdaisy]

I use a compressor for my leads for the same reason the OP is asking... my rhythm tone isn't all that scooped and works fine for a lead tone, just that it cuts off a little early on the longer notes. I tried various boosts and ODs and didn't like how they changed and generally thinned the tone, whereas the compressor leaves it pretty much intact with a slight fattening of single notes and some extra sustain that helps keep them from dying out as quickly.

That said, if you're looking for more 'scream' a compressor won't give it to you. Just a slightly fatter/longer sustaining version of what you already have.

On the OD side the best I've come across for a Recto is the Maxon OD808. That said, I use it for rhythm work and not for leads.

 

[cheameup]

as well as boosts or compressors pickups can make a huge difference . and they cost way less than a decent pedal


what PU's are you using for leads ?

 

[Acesofbelkan]

I have 2 Jacksons, one with a JB in the bridge, and one with a invader. But the invader equiped guitar has midboost active circuitry so the leads are good but the compression just isnt there for the legato type stuff

 

[droptrd]

as well as boosts or compressors pickups can make a huge difference . and they cost way less than a decent pedal


what PU's are you using for leads ?

+1

Pups are a big part of the equation as well. There alot of pups out there that have high outputs that drive the amp harder and create a natural compression in the preamp. I guess thats what youd call it. SD's are cool. Id recomend something on the boutique side of things. Motor City Pickups is my personal fav. Check out the Afwayu. Also Bareknuckle Pickups too. There are many others too.

 

[UnderJollyRoger]

as well as boosts or compressors pickups can make a huge difference . and they cost way less than a decent pedal


what PU's are you using for leads ?

+1

Pups are a big part of the equation as well. There alot of pups out there that have high outputs that drive the amp harder and create a natural compression in the preamp. I guess thats what youd call it. SD's are cool. Id recomend something on the boutique side of things. Motor City Pickups is my personal fav. Check out the Afwayu. Also Bareknuckle Pickups too. There are many others too.

But beware, many passive high output pickups have less highs ... you could of course check out some active pickups ...

 

[mrd]

I'll add my two cents to the mix...

You should be able to get pretty **** close to where you want (I'm assuming you're after something in the vein of Satriani/Petrucci/Vai super liquid gain feel) just by plugging straight in and dialling appropriately. I really think a lot of that sound is in your hands. That being said, I've had good results with the 10-band MXR pedal. Lower the first three sliders (31hz, 62hz and 125hz) so they form a sort of ramp, a smooth line leading to the 250hz slider. Then boost either volume or gain to drive your front end harder. Boosting volume all the way up makes **** pretty hairy, especially on modern mode.. but ****, does it sound good. Tight as hell and the lead sounds just jump off the fretboard. This is with a Les Paul Standard, btw. Something to consider! Pedal is about $90 I think.

 

[screamingdaisy]

I'll add my two cents to the mix...

I'll also add that choosing a pickup based on it's ability to give good lead compression can really compromise a dynamic rhythm tone.

 

[UnderJollyRoger]

I'll add my two cents to the mix...

I'll also add that choosing a pickup based on it's ability to give good lead compression can really compromise a dynamic rhythm tone.

+ 1. Especially high output pickus can lack some high end ...

 

[Acesofbelkan]

I can get pretty close to the compressed tone that I want with the invader pickups equiped guitar, but its not quite there yet honestly. The volume spikes just kill smooth sweeps that I'm otherwise able to do a lot easier on a amp that has a bit more compression.

To screamingdaisy's response, I totally agree. The invader pickup equiped jackson definitely has a smoother sound, but the rhythm isnt as badass and pissed off as the JB to my ears. Changing pickups probably isnt something I would want to do, I want to go from rhythm to liquidy leads, seems like right now a EQ or a comp is my choice to make. I dont really want to add anymore gain or color the sound too much with a booster. I think it sounds amazing already. I just need the liquididy feel and sustain.