Compression pedals are essential tools in a bass player’s toolbox, helping even out the dynamics of your playing and make you ready for studio or stage use.
As with anything, bass guitar compression pedals come in all sorts of quality levels ranging from inexpensive, compact and user-friendly options to top-of-the-line boutique compressors with advanced features like EQs and knobs. No matter where you are starting out or searching for your first compressor pedal, we have you covered here with our list of 2019’s top bass guitar compression pedals.
Boss CS-3
Compression is a basic, essential effect used by musicians to ensure their notes don’t sound too loud. Furthermore, compression allows musicians to create more consistent funk riffs or ensure all their notes can be heard without being overshadowed by other instruments.
Compressor pedals can soften loud signals or boost soft ones for more even output and rounder tones, as well as add sustain to notes for longer and more recognizable sounds.
The Boss CS-3 pedal is one of the most widely used on the market today. A compact compression/sustainer, it works great with both electric and bass guitars and provides exceptional quality at an unbeatably affordable price.
It is clear why so many players enjoy this compressor pedal; its user-friendly operation and sturdy construction will serve both beginner and veteran players equally well. It promises years of playback!
Tone shaping options such as Tone and Sustain knobs enable you to achieve compression and sustain effects precisely tailored to your taste. Unfortunately, however, the unit produces some noise at certain settings which is easily resolved using a noise gate.
Boss is unquestionably the master of guitar effects, with its legendary CS-3 model being popular among pro players for many years. Boss pedals stand the test of time thanks to their solid construction, great pricing, and user-friendly features such as custom name engraving.
Ampeg Opto Comp
Compression pedals are essential tools for bass players, helping to control volume by altering its dynamic range. Furthermore, compression can add warmth and definition to a bass tone.
The Ampeg Opto Comp is an optical circuit-based compressor pedal designed to create smooth analog compression using just three knobs. It is very user-friendly with a low noise floor.
It features a three-way mode switch that enables you to choose among TubeSim, Multi-Band and Normal compression modes. Threshold adjustment can be accomplished using two internal trim pots – in TubeSim mode the “low” pot controls overall signal threshold while in Multi-Band mode you can set individual thresholds for each frequency band.
Attack and Release are measured in milliseconds, with faster attack times bringing out lower-level details to increase sustain in bass playing, while longer release times bring out louder parts that make your playing sound denser and thicker. Finding your ideal attack and release times depends on your playing style, tempo and music genre; therefore you should experiment until you discover an ideal setting that meets all three.
Target Customer: This compressor pedal offers excellent value with its wide variety of usable compression settings and quiet, low noise floor – perfect for bass players wanting a bit of compression in their setup without breaking the bank!
TC Electronic is well known for creating compact yet high-quality compressor pedals, such as their Spectra Comp pedal. It is a digital multi-band compressor packed into its tiny enclosure that supports their TonePrint feature to beam preset compressor settings directly from your phone or tablet to the pedal for quick use.
Boss TU-2
Compressor pedals are an indispensable component of a bassist’s arsenal, and can serve a multitude of functions. They can help shape or even cut through mixes depending on which settings are selected for use.
The Boss TU-2 bass guitar compressor pedal is one of the most acclaimed and reliable compressor pedals available. A mainstay on many pedalboards, this handy unit contains everything needed in a compact package for effortless playback.
Compression can help even out your sound when playing solo or with a band, by making sure the low end doesn’t become either too loud or quiet. Furthermore, compression reduces dynamic range so you can better hear yourself within a mix.
Before purchasing a compressor pedal, it is important to conduct thorough research. An ideal compressor pedal would offer fully transparent compression settings while being of high-quality construction.
Weight should also be an important consideration. A pedal that weighs more could be less portable; therefore, when selecting one for use on your pedalboard you must think carefully about where it will sit.
Consider checking the battery life of any compressor pedal you are considering purchasing, especially if budget constraints require that decision. A pedal that uses just one battery could be best.
Professional musicians would benefit from considering pedals with buffered circuitry to ensure that their signal remains strong when connecting it with an amp and to prevent noise from invading it.
The Boss TU-3 bass guitar compressor pedal is an upgraded version of its predecessor, the TU-2, with additional features and functionality. First off, its display is brighter so you can more easily read it; plus there are new modes such as guitar flat tuning mode which enables tuning your strings up to six semitones below standard tuning standards.
Overall, the Boss TU-3 is an outstanding option for anyone searching for an updated version of the TU-2. With many similar features but notable upgrades in certain areas, this model more than makes up for its lower cost tag.
Keeley Compressor Plus
Keeley Compressor Plus is an ideal compressor pedal to increase sustain, increase volume or smooth out picking attack, while offering many features sought by guitarists. Based on Ross Compressor and MXR Dynacomp pedals.
This pedal features both a standard compression circuit and a tone control to help customize your sound, especially useful if you prefer subtler tones from your guitar.
Blend Control (BC) is another key feature, providing a way to balance between the effects of compression and your dry signal. By bringing some of your dry signal in with compressed signal, BC makes it easier to achieve a specific tone while keeping peaks intact on your guitar’s signal chain.
The Keeley Compressor Plus is an extremely flexible compressor, making it the perfect solution for an array of styles and guitars. Its softened tonality as well as additional volume increases can enhance the sound of any distorted guitar or amp.
With its versatility, the Compressor Plus has become extremely popular with bass guitar players worldwide and has sold in excess of 80,000 units globally since it was created by Keeley Electronics. Many customers have taken notice and given this pedal rave reviews.
Robert Keeley has earned a name for himself by creating high-quality pedals that withstand road abuse, using metal film resistors and capacitors for no hum, while hand matching transistors with less than 1% tolerance tolerances to ensure your bass tone remains clean and pure. With his designs comes this pedal.
The Keeley Compressor Plus is an analog, true bypass pedal designed for use with any guitar, amplifier or combination thereof. You can use it to boost sustain or smooth out peaks in your guitar’s sound; plus it offers affordable compression.