Best Bass Compressor Pedals – Buying Guide By Zager Guitars

Are you sick of playing your guitar and having some of the sounds you make be too quiet and others too loud? Do you desire a technique to level out your guitar to have a more dependable and continuous sound?

 Have no fear, though, since we have the finest bass and guitar compressor pedals list ever!

Why Should You Buy a Bass Compressor Pedal?

There are several compelling reasons to buy a bass compressor pedal as a bass guitar owner.

Even Out the Volume Levels

A bass compressor pedal can help even the volume pedals of your guitar playing. It ensures that all the notes are high and the intricate bass lines have a wide dynamic range.

Add Sustain

It can help sustain your music, making your bass lines fuller and impactful. It is practically useful when you play long notes.

Improve Clarity

A bass compressor pedal can help improve the clarity of your guitar, making it easier to listen to each note in the mix. This is more useful when playing in a band setting and provides a solid foundation for the other instruments.

Control Dynamics

A bass compressor pedal can help you to control the dynamics of your playing, allowing you to play with greater expression and nuance. This is particularly useful when playing with other musicians, as it allows you to match the dynamics of the other instruments and create a cohesive sound.

Achieve a Professional Sound

It can help you to achieve a professional sound, making your bass playing sound more polished and refined. This is particularly useful for recording and performing, as it can help you to stand out from other bass players and create an unforgettable sound.

MXR M87 Bass Compression Pedal

The MXR M87 bass compressor is a versatile, transparent pedal providing smooth and natural compression. It also features an LED gain reduction meter for effortless visual monitoring and ten gain reduction status LEDs that clearly indicate the following best bass compressor pedal and level.

The clean knob on this compressor allows you to blend in your dry, unaffected sound as much or as little as you choose. This will enable you to obtain a beautiful, extremely compressed sound and then adjust some dry signal to make it seem less squished. It’s great for any bass player since the attack switch allows you to convert between a slower, more retro style and a rapid, modern attack.

Boss CP-1X Compressor

The CP-1X is a multiband guitar compressor that uses BOSS’s MDP technology to keep your instrument’s personality and playing style for free musical expression. Its advanced dynamics control provided by intelligent processing analyses your signal in multiple dimensions as you perform, never coloring or muddying your tone the way typical stompbox compressors can.

The four-knob layout makes it easier to tune in complex effects, and the helpful gain reduction indicator always lets you know how much compression is being used. The CP-1X provides next-generation performance for every musical genre and is optimized for all types 

Price $178.00

Aguilar TLC Bass Compressor Pedal

The Anguilar TLC bass compressor pedal is versatile and can be used for everything from subtle smoothing to heavy compression. It consists of a propriety Trans Linear Control (TLC) compressor circuit that provides a range of compression settings – from smooth to heavy limiting.

One of the most prominent features of the Aguilar TLC Compressor is the blend knob which allows you to mix dry and compressed signals, which makes it easier to dial in the right amount of compression and bass signal without compromising your natural tone. It also consists of a volume knob that controls the overall volume of the compressor signals.

It also consists of a LED gain reduction display of the amount of compression applied in real-time, making it easier to monitor your signals and adjust the settings as required. If you want to improve your sound quality, it is a perfect choice!

Price $249.99

Wampler Ego Compressor

The Wampler Ego Compressor pedal is designed for guitarists who want a versatile compressor that can be used in various musical genres and styles. It consists of a three-position attack switch that allows you to choose your attack time. This gives you high control over the compressor’s response and modifies your playing style.

It also features a blend knob that mixes and controls the output level. The four-knob design allows it to control the amount of compression applied and adjust the EQ of the compressed signal chain. 

The Wampler Ego compressor’s blend knob and actual bypass switch with intuitive controls make it an excellent choice for any guitarist looking to improve their sound quality.

Price $199.97

Keeley Compressor Plus

The Keeley Compressor Plus is a pedal to enhance your guitar’s sound signal. It features controls for sustain, level, and blend. The Sustain control adjusts the amount of compression applied to the movement, while the level control adjusts the output volume. 

The blend control allows you to mix the compressed and dry signals, giving you greater control over the final sound. One of the silent features of the Keeley Compressor Plus is the tone control, which allows you to adjust the high-frequency response of the compressed signal. 

This can be particularly useful when playing with distortion or overdrive, as it can help prevent the movement from becoming too harsh or brittle. It is a high-quality compressor pedal that can enhance the sound of your guitar.

Price $149.00

Electro-Harmonix Bass Preacher

The Electro-Harmonix Bass Preacher is a compressor pedal specifically designed for bass guitar. Its compact and rugged design makes it an excellent choice for gigging musicians. And with its unique tone-shaping circuit, you can maintain the natural character of your bass guitar’s sound while still getting smooth and transparent compression.

The four-knob design is easy to use and controls the amount of compression applied, while the volume knob controls the overall output level. One of the standout features of the Electro Harmonix Bass Preacher is its true bypass-switching which ensures that the pedal doesn’t affect your tone.

It also has a unique tone-shaping circuit, which helps it maintain the natural character of your bass guitar’s sound. The pedal is also designed to work well with passive and active bass guitars. It is a highly effective and versatile compressor pedal ideal for bass guitarists looking for a compact and reliable compression solution.

Price $101.60

Boss BC-1X Bass Compressor

The BC-1X Bass compressor pedal has professional multiband compression that is carefully managed, making it easy to adjust for natural sounds that suit any playing style. 

Due to the sophisticated design’s responsiveness to various dynamics and registers, your tone will never become overly compressed or muddy. 

The four-knob configuration is simple to set up and provides you reasonable control over the effect’s many characteristics. The BC-1X is a must-have tool that punches dynamic performers and precision of studio quality. It is transparent, robust, and simple to use.

Price 199.70

Darkglass Hyper Luminal Compressor

The Darkglass Hyper Luminal Compressor is an extraordinarily advanced and versatile compressor that many professional guitarists use. It is known for its extremely low noise floor, high dynamic range, and exceptional tone-shaping capabilities.

It has a sleek, modern design with a large LED showing the compression amount and basic settings. The pedal also features a bypass switch, allowing you to bypass the compressor altogether when unnecessary. This helps to preserve your natural tone and ensures that the pedal doesn’t affect your sound when it’s not in use.

Its multi-band design, comprehensive set of controls, and true bypass switch, with its sleek design and exceptional tone-shaping capabilities, make it an excellent choice for any guitarist or bassist looking to take their sound to the next level.

Price $293.99

Orange Kongpressor

The Orange Kongpressor is easy to use. It has a pedal which is a valuable metal bar to prevent accidental knocking of the controls while turning it on and off with your foot.

Due to this, you have great control over how the compression impacts your signal, thanks to the volume, compression, treble, attack, and release knobs, which operate virtually like studio compressors. Setting a longer release time enables long notes to bloom and sustain for longer, which is perfect for basslines.

Price $155

Markbass Compressor

The Markbass compressor pedal is a high-quality, top-of-notch compressor designed for the bass guitar. It is well known for its transparent and natural compression as well as its ability to enhance the dynamic range of your bass guitar,

It has a compact and sturdy design making it perfect for beginners! It has a four-knob layout that is easy to use and can control threshold levels. It also has a VLE( Vintage Loudspeaker Emulator) knob that adds retro characters to your sound.

It is a great option for bass guitarists looking for a simple yet effective compression solution combined with optical compression technology.

Price $199

TC Electronic Spectra Comp Bass Compressor

The TC Electronic Spectra Comp is a high-powered compressor pedal for bass guitarists. It has a multiband compression technology that allows low, mid, and high-frequency ranges. It has a toggle switch that lets you choose between a classic or modern compression mode.

It is a great option to go with whether you’re playing live or at a small gig. It is worth considering as an option on the pedalboard.

Price $119

MXR M282 Dyna Compressor

The MXR M282 is a classic compressor pedal that many guitarists have loved for decades. It provides smooth and transparent compression helping to even out your playing without messing up with your tone and its dynamic compression range.

One of the most intriguing features of MXR M282 is its control layout, with just two knobs for output level and sensitivity. The pedal also features a rugged and durable metal hosting, true bypass switching, and an LED indicator. It can be valuable to any guitar or bass player’s toolkit. So, it’s worth considering if you’re looking for subtle dynamic control and range.

Price $149.99

Seymour Duncan Studio Bass

The Seymour Duncan Studio Bass Compressor pedal is a high-quality compressor for bass guitars. It consists of a Blend control for mixing dry and compressed signals, rules for compression ratio, attack and release time, and two compression modes. 

It also has a built-in preamp with active EQ controls to shape your tone. Overall, it’s a versatile and practical option for improving the dynamics and style of your bass playing.

Price $169.00

BOSS LMB-3

The Boss LMB 3 is a bass guitar compressor pedal designed to provide smooth compression with a minimal coloration of your tone. It features a simple control layout with knobs of threshold, ratio, and level, allowing you to adjust the compression and output volume amount.

One of the key features of the LMB-3 is its enhancer control, which is designed to boost high and low frequencies, providing a more dynamic and lively sound. So, it is an excellent option for you to go with!

Price $118.60

Empress Bass Compressor

The Empress Bass Compressor is a high-quality compressor pedal designed specifically for bass guitarists. It features a wide range of advanced controls and features that allow for precise and transparent compression with minimal coloration of your tone.

It also has a built-in sidechain EQ, allowing you to shape the compression based on external audio signals. It is beneficial for bass guitarists playing in a band setting. Its advanced features and controls make it an excellent choice for professional bass guitarists.

Price $274.00

Why Do You Need a Compressor?

Have you ever been playing guitar and suddenly realized that some parts of your performance are too loud while others are too soft? Or maybe you struggle to maintain a sustainable and consistent tone across all your notes. If so, a guitar compressor pedal might be the solution you’ve been searching for!

Compressor pedals help to even out the dynamics of your playing and offer tone-shaping capabilities to help you achieve your perfect sound. By compressing the signal, you’ll experience increased sustain and a smoother, more consistent sound that’s easier to control and manipulate. Plus, many compressors allow you to adjust the frequency response of your guitar signal, so you can dial in the perfect tone to match your playing style.

Not all guitarists feel the need to use compressors, and they don’t require it. It comes down to personal preference and the specific needs of your playing style. However, a compressor pedal can be a game-changer if you want to take your guitar playing to the next level and gain greater control over your sound and dynamics.

Why Use a Compressor for Bass Guitar?

A bass compressor pedal is an essential tool for bass guitarists because it even outs the volume levels of your guitar playing and helps maintain a consistent, clear sound. Think of this as your secret weapon for achieving a smooth and consistent sound. It helps blend the volume levels of your music into a smooth and even sound.

But that’s not all; a bass compressor can also add sustain to your sound, making those notes sound even more impactful and bringing your playing to another level. So, with a bass compressor in your toolkit, you can control your sound levels and ensure that your bass guitar sound is always consistent and polished.

Types of Bass Compressors

Different types of bass compressor pedals are available in the market, and each has unique characteristics and features.

Optical Compressor

Optical compressors use an LED and high light-sensitive resistor that sets them apart from the rest. It is known for its smooth and natural compression, which works well for bass guitars!

Voltage Controlled Amplifier Compressor

The VCA compressor pedals use an electronic chip to control the compression level. It is ideal for bass guitar players since it can handle a high level of gain with a fast response.

FET (Feild Effect Transistor) Compressor

These use a transistor to control the compression ratio and maintain the compression level. Widely known for its warmth. One of the benefits of these compressors is their versatility. They can be used in various genres, from jazz to rock, and are great for rhythm and lead playing. They are also known for their transparency, meaning they don’t color your sound too much.

Tube Compressor

Tube compressors use vacuum tubes to control the compression level, resulting in a warm, rich sound perfect for genres like blues, jazz, and classic rock. The lines add harmonic distortion and saturation to the sound, giving your guitar tone extra depth and complexity.

Multiband Compressor

This compressor arranges the signal across various frequency bands, enabling more precise compression control. They are frequently employed for mixing and mastering in studio environments.

Choosing the Right Bass Compressor Pedal

How much should I spend on a bass compressor?

The amount you want to spend on a compressor pedal depends on your preference. It boils down to the quality, features, and brand of the compressor pedal you’re looking to invest in.

You can find simple and basic bass compressor pedals for as little as $50, while high-end models can cost several $$$. Although budget compressor pedals can be a good starting point, they may not offer the same features as an excellent high-end model.

If you’re on a tight budget and a beginner, you can find some workable and decent compressors for around $100-$150. These will generally provide you with basic compression and level controls.

A professional quality compressor might work for you if you’re a more experienced player looking to level up. You can estimate to spend around $200-$500 or more. These high-quality compressor pedals offer more components and advanced features like parallel compression and sidechain inputs.

Ultimately, The amount you want to spend on a bass compressor depends on your preference and budget. It’s always a good idea to do your research and pick out the one you think would be the best for you!

About Us

Zager Guitars is a family-owned third-generation guitar builder that has been building guitars in Lincoln, Nebraska, since 1902. Zager is rated in the top 5% of all guitar brands and has been featured in Time Magazine, Newsweek, The Wall Street Journal, Forbes, Rolling Stone, The New Yorker, ABC, NBC, CBS, CNN, FOX, and a multitude of national and international news media. Zager also donates over $1M in guitars to children and public schools nationally, more than any other acoustic guitar maker.

To achieve the levels of playability that Zager guitars deliver, it requires a “precision build.” This means computer-controlled milling, laser-guided cutting, and robotic sanding and finish application. Bob Taylor of Taylor Guitars uses the automated building on their most expensive models because a computer build is always more precise than a hand-build

Zager does one thing differently, though. Where Taylor keeps their machines in Mexico and the US, we keep ours in Indonesia, where wood and materials for guitar building are 50% lower in price. This way, you receive a guitar with the most cutting-edge technology available today for $3000 instead of $6000-$10,000.

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