Pedal Steel type tones with only compression?

Jimmy Chandler · Post by **Jimmy Chandler** » 7 May 2022 12:30 pm

See this video (the link should start the video at the 2:38 mark, the portion I am asking about): https://youtu.be/DNq3PRONyDI?t=158

The video is a demo of the Origin Effects SlideRIG Compact Deluxe MK2 Compressor Pedal. It appears the guitarist is getting that PSG-style sounds just with his glass side and the compression. Am I missing something? Or might this pedal be worth the purchase, if this is my goal (and I'm playing electric guitar, not lap or pedal steel).

Thanks.

Rick Abbott · Post by **Rick Abbott** » 7 May 2022 1:28 pm

He's using the volume knob a whole lot, too.

Mike Auman · Post by **Mike Auman** » 7 May 2022 1:29 pm

Notice his little finger is rolling the guitar volume knob, that's where he's getting the swells, like Roy Buchanan did here...https://youtu.be/swX9oq6TVAU

Jimmy Chandler · Post by **Jimmy Chandler** » 7 May 2022 1:32 pm

Thanks, Mike and Rick!

So I assume if I have a volume pedal + the slide, these sounds are possible? It's just not something I've seen much written about or examples of.

Mike Auman · Post by **Mike Auman** » 7 May 2022 4:37 pm

A compressor can help with sustain, and smooth out the initial attack, but a volume pedal will do a lot more for that swell/sustain approach. A bar or slide helps with glissando and vibrato, but I'm not sure whether you get a lot more sustain with a bar vs. fingers and frets, I've never actually done an A/B on that. But I'll bet there's someone here who has tested it!

Rick Abbott · Post by **Rick Abbott** » 8 May 2022 3:53 pm

His manner of playing really reminds me of Sacred Steel. It's a vocal-like way of using the bar. Check out this video, you can skip to 1:45 to hear a real master of the style. This is done with sustain from the bar, but also volume pedals. This is just his hands, I think.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9bmwj64rnjY

Jimmy Chandler · Post by **Jimmy Chandler** » 9 May 2022 6:46 pm

Rick Abbott wrote:His manner of playing really reminds me of Sacred Steel. It's a vocal-like way of using the bar. Check out this video, you can skip to 1:45 to hear a real master of the style. This is done with sustain from the bar, but also volume pedals. This is just his hands, I think.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9bmwj64rnjY

I’m a big fan of the sacred steel players, who I first learned of through a friend who was a huge Robert Randolph fan. And I know Ghent and his son’s AJ music well, they’re all fantastic musicians.