Best 'No-Fuss' Compression Pedal

[VitoMB]

A compressor is the most important effect on bass IMHO. Actually it is the most expensive pedal that I have on my pedalboard. I went with a Opti-FET from FEA Labs. The side-chain EQ is necessary to control the compression on the different frequencies. Once you have tried this, there is no turning back.

i use it in front of the pedalboard to even out my playing. I play finger style with lot of speed (Iron Maiden songs, for instance). I would say that the compressor is essentiel there. YMMV.

 

[wazzel]

A compressor is the most important effect on bass IMHO. Actually it is the most expensive pedal that I have on my pedalboard. I went with a Opti-FET from FEA Labs. The side-chain EQ is necessary to control the compression on the different frequencies. Once you have tried this, there is no turning back.

i use it in front of the pedalboard to even out my playing. I play finger style with lot of speed (Iron Maiden songs, for instance). I would say that the compressor is essentiel there. YMMV.

I use the dual band FEA compressor, great compressor pedal.

 

[Vinny_G]

EBS MultiComp. Very sturdy, the sound is great, and the Tubesim mode can be very useful for that vintage sound. It's analog, and there is an internal control to adjust the balance between bands in Multi-Band mode. Active/Passive switch, and it handles 18 V as well. Simple to use yet very versatile pedal. Highly recommanded.

 

[DeepThoughts]

Boss LM-2B has been an "always on " for me for the last 25 years. I'm thinking about the Diamond just for the "colorful" content.

 

[GMC]

EBS MultiComp. Very sturdy, the sound is great, and the Tubesim mode can be very useful for that vintage sound. It's analog, and there is an internal control to adjust the balance between bands in Multi-Band mode. Active/Passive switch, and it handles 18 V as well. Simple to use yet very versatile pedal. Highly recommanded.

I like the EBS MultiComp a lot. I had one on my board for a long time (7 years-ish) and I've only recently let it go and replaced it with a Source Audio Ultrawave instead. For me, I love the small form factor and dial in simplicity. It's 3 distinct sounds were great too. However, my Ultrawave has full Midi control and a lot of patch options. It's stereo and does a lot more than just compression.

 

[T Bassman]

Union LAB comp.

 

[Teck_Instructor]

+1 for the SpectraComp. Toneprints to find the compression characteristics you want, then one knob. Not for everyone, but I use it for the simplicity while performing.

 

[dirtychinchilla]

+1 for the SpectraComp. Toneprints to find the compression characteristics you want, then one knob. Not for everyone, but I use it for the simplicity while performing.

I'm also a fan for the simplicity of it. The Toneprints are OK, but in general it's incredibly easy to work with. One knob, set and forget. I only sold mine because I have gone digital. I wouldn't hesitate to buy it again.

 

[WG Plum]

Interesting... Zero mention of the Aguilar comp. Its seems about as simple as it gets.

 

[Obese Chess]

I have no experience with it but maybe an Anasounds Lazy Comp would work.

Oh man. I had never heard of these but they look perfect for me (not OP) - I just want something to tighten up the sound going into a distortion pedal. And there's one for sale locally for a hundred bucks.

 

[themickster]

I would say the compression definitely effects the high end more than the lows. I feel like it smoothes the highs while thickening everything up a bit.

That Multi-function Processing does work. I get overdriven highs and deep, clean lows from the BB-1X.

 

[rob_thebassman]

TC is probably the most 'non fuss' compressor if your just gunna use presets