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Adding a compressor pedal to your bass pedalboard can be a secret weapon. A bass compressor pedal can help add sustain and headroom to your bass tone and can help contain the dynamic range of your playing for a more consistent sound.
Related: What does a compressor pedal do?
So what are the best bass compressor pedals? Below we’ve compiled a list of a few fantastic compressor pedal options for your bass rig.
Best Compressor Pedals for Bass
| Bass Compressor Pedal | Key Features | Where to Buy | |
|---|---|---|---|
| MXR - M87 Bass Compressor | - Comprehensive Controls - Visual LED Gain Reduction Meter - Unique CHT Technology |  | Amazon |
| Origin Effects - Cali76 Compact Bass | - Studio Grade Compression - Pedalboard Friendly Design - Blend Knob - Unique High Pass Filter |  | Amazon |
| EHX - Bass Preacher | - Versatile Attack Control - Straightforward Operation - Budget Friendly! |  | Amazon |
| TC Electronic - SpectraComp | - Compact Design - TonePrint Technology - One Knob Control |  | Amazon |
| Darkglass Electronics - Hyper Luminal | - Blend Knob - Three Compression Modes - Visual Gain Reduction Meter |  | Amazon |
| Ampeg - Opto Comp | - Budget Friendly - Simple 3 Knob Layout - Vintage Style Compression |  | Amazon |
MXR M87 Bass Compressor
View on AmazonWhen it comes to bass compressors, the MXR M87 Bass Compressor stands out as a versatile and precise tool for sculpting your tone. Whether you’re aiming for subtle dynamic control or punchy, studio-quality compression, this pedal provides a wide range of options to fine-tune your sound to perfection.
At the heart of its versatility are the independent attack and release controls, which allow you to shape the response of your compression exactly to your playing style. Combine this with the ability to adjust both the input and output levels, and you’ve got a pedal that lets you dial in the ideal balance between compression and volume. The addition of a selectable ratio control offers even more flexibility, enabling you to achieve anything from light dynamic smoothing to full-on squashing effects.
A standout feature of the MXR M87 is its LED gain reduction meter, which provides a real-time visual display of how the compressor is affecting your signal. This makes it incredibly intuitive to see exactly what’s happening to your tone, whether you’re on stage or in the studio.
Another innovation is MXR’s Constant Headroom Technology (CHT), which ensures the pedal maintains plenty of headroom, delivering clean, clear compression without sacrificing your tone. This is especially important for bass players, as it preserves the low-end clarity and punch that are essential for anchoring a mix.
Key Features:
- Comprehensive control: Independent knobs for input, output, release, attack, and ratio give you full command over your compression settings.
- Visual feedback: LED lights display gain reduction in real-time, making adjustments easy and precise.
- CHT technology: Delivers ample headroom and ensures your bass remains clear and articulate.
The MXR M87 Bass Compressor is a favorite among bassists for its balance of functionality, tone preservation, and user-friendly design, making it a fantastic addition to any rig.
WHERE TO BUY
Origin Effects Cali76 Compact Bass
View on AmazonThe Cali76 Compact Bass builds on the success of its guitar-focused sibling, the Compact Deluxe, and delivers an equally impressive compression experience tailored specifically for bass players. Designed with a focus on studio-grade performance, this high-quality compressor pedal offers exceptional tone-shaping capabilities, making it a standout choice for both live and studio applications.
Despite its professional-grade performance, the Cali76 Compact Bass comes in a pedalboard-friendly enclosure that doesn’t sacrifice features for size. Its top-mounted jacks make it easy to integrate into tight setups, and the intuitive control layout ensures effortless adjustments on the fly.
This compressor provides comprehensive control over input, output, attack, and release, allowing you to fine-tune every aspect of how the compression interacts with your signal. The addition of a blend knob sets this pedal apart, enabling you to mix in your dry signal for parallel compression, which retains the natural dynamics and punch of your playing while benefiting from the smoothness of compression.
For added versatility, the Cali76 Compact Bass includes a high-pass filter. This feature ensures that your low-end frequencies remain clear and powerful by preventing the compressor from overreacting to sub-bass notes, making it ideal for maintaining a full, rich tone.
Key Features
- Studio-grade compression: Delivers professional-quality dynamic control tailored for bass.
- Compact design: Pedalboard-friendly enclosure with convenient top-mounted jacks for easy integration.
- Comprehensive controls: Adjust input, output, attack, and release with precision.
- Blend knob: Allows for parallel compression, combining the best of both compressed and natural signals.
- High-pass filter: Preserves low-end clarity by focusing compression on midrange and higher frequencies.
The Cali76 Compact Bass is a premium compressor pedal that combines studio-quality sound with a compact, road-ready design, offering unmatched versatility and tonal excellence for discerning bassists.
WHERE TO BUY
Electro-Harmonix Bass Preacher
View on AmazonThe Bass Preacher by Electro-Harmonix proves that simplicity and performance can go hand in hand. This compact bass compressor pedal is a powerful yet straightforward tool designed to enhance your bass tone without overwhelming you with controls. With its minimalist approach and versatile features, it’s an excellent option for bassists at any level, especially those new to using compression.
One of the standout features of the Bass Preacher is its three-way toggle switch, which allows you to select between different attack speeds. This makes it easy to adapt the pedal to various playing styles or genres, from punchy, fast attack settings for slap bass to slower, smoother options for sustained, melodic lines—all at the flick of a switch.
The pedal keeps things user-friendly with just two main controls: Volume and Sustain. The Volume knob lets you adjust the output level to match or boost your signal, while the Sustain knob determines how much compression is applied, allowing you to go from subtle dynamic control to thick, sustained notes effortlessly.
Despite its professional capabilities, the Bass Preacher remains budget-friendly, making it an accessible choice for bassists who want to experiment with compression without breaking the bank. Its simple yet effective design ensures that it can hold its own in any rig, whether you’re playing live or recording in the studio.
Key Features
- Versatile attack control: A three-way toggle switch lets you select from three different attack speeds, perfect for adapting to different playing styles.
- Straightforward operation: Simple Volume and Sustain controls make it easy to dial in your ideal compression settings.
- Affordable design: Delivers high-quality compression at a price point that’s perfect for players on a budget.
WHERE TO BUY
TC Electronic SpectraComp
View on AmazonThe TC Electronic SpectraComp redefines what’s possible with a compact compression pedal. Despite its tiny size and minimalist design, this studio-grade bass compressor delivers unparalleled versatility, thanks to TC Electronic’s innovative TonePrint technology. This feature allows you to access and load a wide variety of pre-designed compressor settings, making it easy to find the perfect sound for any style or situation.
One of the SpectraComp’s most impressive aspects is its simplicity. With just a single control knob, you can seamlessly adjust the overall amount of compression applied to your signal. However, the real magic lies in its customization options. Using the TonePrint app, you can choose from an extensive library of professionally crafted compressor profiles or create your own. These settings can then be uploaded directly into the pedal, giving you the flexibility of a multi-knob compressor in a pedal that takes up almost no space on your board.
The SpectraComp’s miniature enclosure makes it a great choice for bassists who are tight on pedalboard space or want a grab-and-go compression solution without sacrificing sound quality. Despite its compact size, this pedal delivers the same high-quality performance you’d expect from a larger, more complex unit.
Key Features
- Compact design: A mini-sized enclosure ensures it fits easily on any pedalboard, no matter how packed.
- TonePrint technology: Access and upload custom compression settings from TC Electronic’s vast library or create your own for ultimate flexibility.
- Simple controls: A single knob manages the amount of compression while maintaining studio-grade sound quality.
The TC Electronic SpectraComp is perfect for bassists who want a high-quality, customizable compressor in a pedal that’s easy to use and fits effortlessly into their setup. It’s proof that sometimes, less really is more.
WHERE TO BUY
Darkglass Hyper Luminal
View on AmazonThe Hyper Luminal by Darkglass Electronics is a cutting-edge bass compressor pedal designed to meet the needs of experienced bass players who demand precision, versatility, and tone quality. Packed with advanced features, this pedal offers a host of options to shape your dynamics while maintaining the rich, natural character of your playing.
One of the standout features of the Hyper Luminal is its Blend knob, which allows for parallel compression. By mixing your dry signal with the compressed tone, you can retain the natural attack and dynamics of your playing while enjoying the smoothness and control of compression. This feature is particularly useful for bassists who want their low-end punch to stay intact.
Adding to its versatility, the Hyper Luminal offers three unique compression modes, each inspired by classic studio compressors. This gives you the ability to switch between distinct tonal characteristics, making the pedal adaptable to a wide range of genres and playing styles. Whether you want vintage warmth, transparent dynamics, or aggressive punch, the Hyper Luminal has you covered.
The pedal also features a visual gain reduction meter, providing real-time feedback on how the compression is interacting with your signal. This makes it easy to fine-tune your settings, whether you’re on stage or in the studio.
Key Features
Blend knob: Perfect for parallel compression, balancing your dry and compressed signals for a natural yet controlled tone.
Three compression modes: Choose between distinct styles of compression for maximum versatility.
Visual gain reduction meter: Monitor the impact of your compression in real-time with an intuitive LED display.
The Hyper Luminal combines cutting-edge technology with a user-friendly interface, making it a powerful choice for bassists who want professional-grade compression in a compact pedal format.
WHERE TO BUY
Ampeg Opto Comp
The Ampeg Opto Comp is a classic optical compressor designed specifically for bass players who want smooth, vintage-style compression in an easy-to-use format. With its straightforward three-knob interface, this pedal offers a perfect balance of simplicity and functionality, making it a fantastic choice for players of all levels.
The Opto Comp’s vintage-style compression provides a warm, natural response that enhances your tone without overwhelming it. This makes it ideal for adding subtle sustain or evening out dynamics, whether you’re playing fingerstyle, with a pick, or slapping. Its optical circuitry delivers the iconic, musical compression associated with high-end studio gear, all in a compact and affordable pedal.
With just three controls—Compression, Release, and Output—the Opto Comp is incredibly intuitive, allowing you to quickly dial in your ideal settings. This simplicity makes it a great option for players who want high-quality compression without spending too much time tweaking.
Best of all, the Opto Comp is budget-friendly, offering professional-grade tone-shaping capabilities at a price point that won’t break the bank. It’s a great addition to any rig, whether you’re just starting out or looking to upgrade your setup.
Key Features
- Budget-friendly design: High-quality compression at an affordable price.
- Simple three-knob layout: Easy to use, with controls for Compression, Release, and Output.
- Vintage-style compression: Optical circuitry delivers smooth, warm dynamics perfect for classic bass tones.
WHERE TO BUY