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Bass compressor

G72

G72

May 27, 2024
21
17
#1
Hey there, im looking for bass compressor.
There so many to choose from so i have no idea what to get.

I want achieve a more even and consistent sound and prevent sounding thin or too muddy.
The pedal does not need color my sound at all and i just need a solid and clean compression.
It could have sustain also but im not sure if it need it at all.

Which pedal would you guys suggest for around 100$?

Does anyone have experience with the Ampeg optocomp?
 
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#2
If you can spend a little more than $100, go for a used Walrus Audio Mira (GC has one for $120 right now). Mira is excellent for the money. Bought one when Sweetwater was closing them out. Ended up liking it enough to keep it (which says a lot when my other comps are Effectrode, Broughton, and Empress).

Solid review for Mira from compressor pedal reviews linked below. Even if you do not buy Mira, you should check out the site for any comps you are considering.

www.compressorpedalreviews.com

Walrus Audio Mira Compressor Review

In the Spanish language, Mira is a command that translates to look, see, and call attention to. Walrus says, "With the Mira Optical Compressor, you're creating and shaping studio-grade timbre that demands to be seen, heard, and above all, felt." You can read my earlier review of the Walrus Audio...
www.compressorpedalreviews.com www.compressorpedalreviews.com
 
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#3
ahbass2500 said:
If you can spend a little more than $100, go for a used Walrus Audio Mira (GC has one for $120 right now). Mira is excellent for the money. Bought one when Sweetwater was closing them out. Ended up liking it enough to keep it (which says a lot when my other comps are Effectrode, Broughton, and Empress).

Solid review for Mira from compressor pedal reviews linked below. Even if you do not buy Mira, you should check out the site for any comps you are considering.

www.compressorpedalreviews.com

Walrus Audio Mira Compressor Review

In the Spanish language, Mira is a command that translates to look, see, and call attention to. Walrus says, "With the Mira Optical Compressor, you're creating and shaping studio-grade timbre that demands to be seen, heard, and above all, felt." You can read my earlier review of the Walrus Audio...
www.compressorpedalreviews.com www.compressorpedalreviews.com
Click to expand...
Oh wow, a site dedicated to compressor pedal reviews?! I will definitely check that out, thanks!!

I think a sec. hand Walrus pedal is hard to find over here in the EU… New ones sell for €280, which is too steep for me.
 
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#5
I agree that it can be very confusing and overwhelming to choose a compressor pedal. You'll find just a ton of posts on TB pulling you every which way with opinions. I can't really point you in a specific direction but I will tell you that, at least for me, taking the time to research different brands and options with good in depth reviews and demos on YouTube can probably get you at the starting point of choosing one. Good luck on your compressor quest!
 
#8
G72 said:
Oh wow, a site dedicated to compressor pedal reviews?! I will definitely check that out, thanks!!

I think a sec. hand Walrus pedal is hard to find over here in the EU… New ones sell for €280, which is too steep for me.
Click to expand...

Missed the EU location in my first post. Odd to see such a steep price for them there. They were $280 new here. Then they were discontinued and steeply discounted at most retailers. Bought mine new for $104 from Sweetwater. Used prices here tend to be $120-$160 on them.
 
#9
If you are experienced with compression and want a compressor that give you full control over attack/release/ratio, the MXR M87 is hard to beat for uncolored, solid compression.

But don't forget: No compression is FAR better than poor compression. With any compressors that give you full control over attack/release/ratio it can be VERY easy to ruin your tone if you don't know what you're doing. Compression is by far the most difficult effect to learn. I see FAR too many bass players ruin their tone with poor compression and should have left compression to the FOH engineer. The best way to really learn compression is with pre-recorded material, using a quality plug-in compression like FabFilter Pro-C2.

If this is your first compressor and you want something that's completely foolproof, I recommend a simpler, "one-knob" compressor. The EBS Multicomp may not be "flavor of the month" around here anymore, but it's VERY easy to use, sounds great and is fairly uncolored (unless you use the "tube" setting). I own LOTS of far more expensive compressors but I keep coming back to the Multicomp on my pedalboard. It's such a simple, effective , set-and-forget compressor that does the job and allows be to focus on my playing, rather than twisting knobs on my pedalboard. You really can't go wrong with the MultiComp.
 
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#10
G72 said:
Hey there, im looking for bass compressor.
There so many to choose from so i have no idea what to get.

I want achieve a more even and consistent sound and prevent sounding thin or too muddy.
The pedal does not need color my sound at all and i just need a solid and clean compression.
It could have sustain also but im not sure if it need it at all.

Which pedal would you guys suggest for around 100$?

Does anyone have experience with the Ampeg optocomp?
Click to expand...

A used Seymour Duncan Studio Bass ticks the boxes...if available. I'm a big fan of anything with a blend. You can buy a whole lotta compressor in that price range but it won't be the latest & greatest. The Ampeg would be a solid contender from what I've read.

Riis
 
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#13
Deleted member 271037 said:
If you are experienced with compression and want a compressor that give you full control over attack/release/ratio, the MXR M87 is hard to beat for uncolored, solid compression.

But don't forget: No compression is FAR better than poor compression. With any compressors that give you full control over attack/release/ratio it can be VERY easy to ruin your tone if you don't know what you're doing. Compression is by far the most difficult effect to learn. I see FAR too many bass players ruin their tone with poor compression and should have left compression to the FOH engineer. The best way to really learn compression is with pre-recorded material, using a quality plug-in compression like FabFilter Pro-C2.

If this is your first compressor and you want something that's completely foolproof, I recommend a simpler, "one-knob" compressor. The EBS Multicomp may not be "flavor of the month" around here anymore, but it's VERY easy to use, sounds great and is fairly uncolored (unless you use the "tube" setting). I own LOTS of far more expensive compressors but I keep coming back to the Multicomp on my pedalboard. It's such a simple, effective , set-and-forget compressor that does the job and allows be to focus on my playing, rather than twisting knobs on my pedalboard. You really can't go wrong with the MultiComp.
Click to expand...
One knob is preferable for me. Although I have a couple of full-featued ones (Broughton and Empress) and occasionally experiment with the controls, they usually all end up just below noon.

My optical compressors (Diamond and Broughton) sound smoother and more luxurious. The Empress and Fairfield Accountant are harsher (although the Accountant in a fun way).

I keep an eye on the Lusithand Alma and Union Tube & Transistor LAB compressors. I don’t need them, which makes me want them even more.
 
#14
G72 said:
Hey there, im looking for bass compressor.
There so many to choose from so i have no idea what to get.

I want achieve a more even and consistent sound and prevent sounding thin or too muddy.
The pedal does not need color my sound at all and i just need a solid and clean compression.
It could have sustain also but im not sure if it need it at all.

Which pedal would you guys suggest for around 100$?

Does anyone have experience with the Ampeg optocomp?
Click to expand...
Been using an Ampeg OptoComp and at minimum settings it brings the bass from "out back" to "out front" in the mix. Not sure how or why but it just adds what I want.

IMG_6263.JPG
 
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#16
Deleted member 271037 said:
If you are experienced with compression and want a compressor that give you full control over attack/release/ratio, the MXR M87 is hard to beat for uncolored, solid compression.

But don't forget: No compression is FAR better than poor compression. With any compressors that give you full control over attack/release/ratio it can be VERY easy to ruin your tone if you don't know what you're doing. Compression is by far the most difficult effect to learn. I see FAR too many bass players ruin their tone with poor compression and should have left compression to the FOH engineer. The best way to really learn compression is with pre-recorded material, using a quality plug-in compression like FabFilter Pro-C2.

If this is your first compressor and you want something that's completely foolproof, I recommend a simpler, "one-knob" compressor. The EBS Multicomp may not be "flavor of the month" around here anymore, but it's VERY easy to use, sounds great and is fairly uncolored (unless you use the "tube" setting). I own LOTS of far more expensive compressors but I keep coming back to the Multicomp on my pedalboard. It's such a simple, effective , set-and-forget compressor that does the job and allows be to focus on my playing, rather than twisting knobs on my pedalboard. You really can't go wrong with the MultiComp.
Click to expand...

The EBS is probably the most important part of my live sound, and this is on the tube sim setting. I tried to replace it with a "flavor of the month", but quickly realized that it wasn't going anywhere. I have the old two knob version...it's pretty much idiot proof.
 
Last edited:
#19
Keep an eye out for good deals on the Aguilar TLC. I got one a while back and it's pretty much always on. It's very transparent, and it's tough to find any settings that sound bad. Mine is the V2 model, but I don't think there's any functional difference between this one and the original – seems like all they did was update the look and remove the battery compartment to save space.
 

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