[JessThrasher]

I am kinda in a rush to learn a the Halo 2 Theme STeve Vai remix for the school end of year fest. When I play it, it sounds kinda chopy even with the distortion cranked. It's because I don't have enough sustain. Any pedals I can use to increase sustain?

[Mike8307]

There was a thread here a week or so ago about sustain.

Sustain

I'm not a pedal / effects guru and I had always thought that a compression pedal would sustain a note. But according to LC Jones that was not the case. I had said that vibrato was a way to sustain a note, i.e. BB King. You might want to try a volume pedal, stepping up the volume as the note begins to die. You might be able to do that with the volume control on your guitar. Keep it low and the amp volume high.. rolling up the knob as the note dies. Might be what you are looking for without the cost of another pedal.

Michael

[solidwalnut]

Originally Posted by hermanli_ibanezshredder

I am kinda in a rush to learn a the Halo 2 Theme STeve Vai remix for the school end of year fest. When I play it, it sounds kinda chopy even with the distortion cranked. It's because I don't have enough sustain. Any pedals I can use to increase sustain?

Even though compression by itself tends to kill sustain, the combination of it with reverb adds a bit of force to the tone. You can try it. But it's been said before that alot depends on the axe itself and learning to extend note duration through the use of good vibrato.

The real key to getting great sustain is to play through a tube amp. Add a touch of compression and reverb there and whoa! Learning the use of vibrato is key. If none of the above are available, use vibrato plus bending techniques coupled with a touch of reverb.

Steve

[Europa]

Good advice, I was recently amazed by the Halo theme on electric too, sounds great, especially if you've played the game

[zappa]

i have to say that i have never known a compression unit to kill sustain !

i guess if you use it incorrectly it may , but otherwise it will only increase the sustain .

high gain and drive along with compression will create a great sustain.
after that its all down to the quality of your guitar , amp etc.

[solidwalnut]

Originally Posted by zappa

i have to say that i have never known a compression unit to kill sustain !

i guess if you use it incorrectly it may , but otherwise it will only increase the sustain .

high gain and drive along with compression will create a great sustain.
after that its all down to the quality of your guitar , amp etc.

I'm sure you're right about the compression units (not having had many). I guess I was coming from the rack mountable and totally adjustable types of compression units where every aspect is adjustable. Pure compression will just stomp on tone (especially as the ratio increases) and unless there's some make-up gain added, it won't be value-added. Most guitar units have only a couple of knobs, so it would be hard to kill the tone with them since make-up gain is probably a part of the 'output' pot!

You're also right about the high gain. Man, I remember now. I have this Lab Series L11 200W head that has a compression unit inside, but don't use it much anymore. The overall sound out was better and better with the more high gain and drive.

Steve

[zappa]

i guess its a case of finding your own acceptable levels of compression in relation to the tone .

i guess there are always other ways to improve sustain without using compression tho !
dave gilmore didnt seem to have much of a problem , but then with a group of sound technicians and a big wodge of cash - who would ?