compression pedal for bass?

[snakesandarrows]

My guitarist uses a cheap Marshall Compression pedal that sounds great, but it's not labeled as a "bass compression" pedal. Is it still okay for bass because I'm in the market for a good compression pedal.

Also any suggestions on other bass compression pedals?

[*insertcoolname]

Well, it will work, but most likely not very well. It'll probably sound like crap but if it's a sound you like go for it. Instead of giving the standard "find bongomania's website" answer (which is great by the way) I'll say this. The BBE optostomp is great for someone who wants simple and transparent compression. I've heard great things about the new markbass unit and plan on buying one very soon. The EBS and demeter also get a lot of love.

[dkhp124]

EBS MultiComp FTW.

[Bottom Lover]

Originally Posted by dkhp124

EBS MultiComp FTW.

+1
Dual band is the way to go when it comes to bass compressors.
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Electric Bass Guitars

[Bassnut62]

4-knob Keeley Compressor is awesome, very transparent studio rack quality in a pedal the size of an MXR or ZVex. It sucks no tone whatsoever and works great on bass. It has enough control parameters to tailor the compression to whatever yuo need IMO.

[SteveC]

bbe optostomp

[N.F.A.]

Demeter Compulator

[VisualShock]

I like the Boss CS3. I've got it set pretty much as a limiter roughly covering the highs. It's really good for me, as I use a Trace Elliot head, with three lights to say "more gain" "just right" and "less gain". It keeps my volume on the preamp at the optimim level, and gives it a little extra punch =)

[RickenBoogie]

Trex Squeezer, (since we're calling out our fav's), and, it's GREEN!

[anthowl]

my personal faves (as i list in all compression threads, lol) are the Guyatone BL2 Botom Limiter and the MXR Dynacomp.
the first is a bass specific pedal, the latter is a guitar pedal.

also, EBS multicomp is cool.

[PSPookie]

I have no experience with it but specs and reviews make the MarkBass Compressore look very interesting.

[Slapagroove]

The DBX series...specifically the 160A?

[scotch]

Is this the compressor? Also, thank goodness for yet another "tout your fave comp" thread...

(sorry, getting cranky this time of year.....)

From Bongo's reviews:

"Marshall "Edward the Compressor" ED-1: This pedal has two serious flaws: it rolls off almost all the low end, and it cuts the overall level of your signal significantly, both engaged and in bypass. I've been told by a fan of this pedal that theirs does not have either of those flaws, so I'm going to buy another one and see. But I'm doubtful it will be any different, as the one I have now arrived to me in perfect new condition. Aside from the terrible lows and the volume drop, the compression action is pretty decent and the noise level is low. The construction feels rugged. There is an "enhance" control which is supposed to allow the highs or lows to pass through with less compression, resulting in an emphasis of the less-compressed range. But I don't hear any difference at any setting of that knob. The footswitch is not true bypass, and as I noted the bypassed signal also has a drop in signal level. I will update this review as soon as I've gotten a chance to acquire a second one of these for comparison."

[jamesie]

Originally Posted by Bottom Lover

+1
Dual band is the way to go when it comes to bass compressors.
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Electric Bass Guitars

oh yes, the ebs multicomp is good

for studiowork i like the drawmers - a little bit expensive, but worth the money and 19"

[jschwalls]

I "built" my own compressor using a CS-3. And I loved it.. now I am using a DBX rack compressor since I am running 2 signals...

[kcole4001]

The Keeley 2 knob comp is great.
I use it mainly as a limiter to keep the amp limiter from being overworked, especially when using a 5 string.
Fits nicely in a pedal board.

[kesslari]

Read this: http://www.ovnilab.com/index.shtml

then decide.

BTW, another happy EBS Multicomp user here...

[cybersnyder]

Like U2, I still haven't found what I'm looking for.

My Holy Grail would be a pedal that can do the Tony Levin "bwap" at extreme settings, subtle fattening of the sound at lower settings like the EBS, work as a limiter for slap and run on 9V boss style power supply.

I lust for one of these:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dFkwdAK40hI

But maybe it's because only a handful were made. I've tried contacting burt-man but I have no idea what to write in Japanese and my several English emails were ignored or caught by his spam filter.

[AndyLES]

I recently picked up a Boss LMB-3 Bass limiter, and with some subtle settings, it sounds great.

[ItsMichaelYeah]

I love How Misunderstood this effect is.