Review Demo - Keeley Bassist Compressor Limiting Amplifier

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Bass pedals have of course been around for years, but recently, some of the more notable guitar-pedal wizard have been dabbling in the bass pedal game. Keeley Engineering’s Bassist Compressor is a fine example. Keeley has always been perceived as a pro’s pedal builder. And when Robert Keeley’s compressors were introduced more than a decade ago, fast became a common sight on pedalboards. With a simple design and superb transparency, the Bassist may could well see the same success.

Pressed into Service
Compression for bass works on that same principles as any other audio compression. Essentially it evens out your signal by kicking in when you push it too hard. You set the threshold to determine when compression will kick in, and the ratio to determine how much compression you want. Using a compressor assures even tone for hard players, keeps your signal from peaking, can prevent you from damaging gear with dB spikes. And depending on how you apply it, it can increase sustain or add potency to your signal.

The Bassist’s heart is a THAT Corp. 4320 “Analog Engine” integrated circuit. The 3-knob design is as straightforward as a compressor can be. The first control sets the compression ratio, which ranges from 1:1 to infinity. The threshold control in the center has a very wide range to help tame spikes in volume, and the gain control regulates volume between the pedal’s engaged and off positions.

Color Me Compressed
The Bassist is a very quiet pedal and can handle hot signals, so it’s equally suited for active and passive basses. I checked it out using both an active Warwick Streamer and a passive Fender Jazz through an Aguilar Tone Hammer 500 and matching SL 112 cabinet.

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