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Pros:
- Great quality
- Transparent sound
- Wide range of tone shaping options
- Noiseless operation
Cons:
- Requires 12v power
- A bit large
If you have never used a bass compressor before, the combination of these two words in a single sentence will make no sense for you. Trust me, we’ve all been there. Compressors have experienced their share of bullying due to their character. The same goes for bass. How could these two underrated devices meet each other and create something good? Trust me, my friend, they get on with each other like a house on fire. They are a harmonic couple – they don’t even fight about anything.
They simply help each other find the limits of their potential and unveil everything that’s hidden beneath the surface. Compression is the ultimate tool for your tone shaping and can be even more essential than an equalizer in many cases. If you find the best one, never let go off it, my friend. You’ll need it throughout your whole life. Today I’ll assist you in that process by introducing one of the most perfect options out there. Markbass Compressore is truly a studio-quality device and once I start breaking down its features, you’ll have a hard time closing your jaw (and I’m not even exaggerating). This bad boy is an expert when it comes to bass compression as he treats it with love, care and support. It’s my favorite and perhaps the best bass compressor pedal.
Features
Markbass Compressore is so good that it’s hard to believe your eyes when you look at its features for the first time. It’s easy to think that you’re dreaming about a magical compressor, however, this puppy exists in reality. Even though it was designed with bass guitars in mind, it can be utilized with many different instruments. The circuitry is flexible enough to accommodate various input levels, turning it into a tone-shaping tool that can handle anything you throw at it.
And that my friend, makes it worth the money. Speaking of which, it is expensive. But that fact is understandable, as it has an actual tube in its body. Yeah, you heard me, it incorporates a single ECC81, which is utilized for creating the perfect compression. After reading that I’m sure you won’t even dare to think negatively about its price.
I’m sure it’s obvious by now that Compressore depicts quality through and through. But I still want to underline that it has top-notch construction. Even though the tube makes it vulnerable, it does so with everything it encounters. The design is impeccable and unique. I, personally, have never seen anything like this before. The brand updated its appearance in 2015, but the old version is pretty distinctive as well (I don’t even know which one I prefer).
Since this puppy is almost perfect, the flaws it has are so minor that I’m even reluctant to mention them. But I always have to be objective so I’ll definitely tell you: if you have an overcrowded pedalboard, you might want to pass on this one since it is the size of two stompboxes (maybe even bigger). My advice would be to make some space, because this fella deserves it. The other thing is that it requires 12V DC (minimum 700mA) power due to the tube, which can be inconvenient for some. But if you do compromise, Compressor will make up for everything you sacrificed.
Controls
The control section incorporates all the useful and essential knobs. This puppy combines everything the best bass compressor should have, as it features 6 encoders. It gives you a lot of precision and enables you to make accurate and meticulous adjustments. Such possibilities are key factors in creating the most scrupulous tone.
The panel starts with the Gain knob. It modifies the level of your instrument at the input and lets you alter how loud your signal will be as it passes through the rest of the pedal. Threshold lets you set the barrier after which your sound will start compressing. Ratio determines the intensity of the effect, while Attack changes its speed. Alternatively, release can be utilized for adjusting, how quickly your sound decompresses. The last knob here is Volume, which sets the level of the overall output. Of course, we have a footswitch that activates or turns off the unit. It’s needless to say that Compressore provides you with as much control as possible, and it does so without creating the need to read the manual and spend hours, attempting to figure out what’s what.
Markbass Compressore Sound
I’m doing my best to gather up words and describe the sound of Compressore. Markbass did a fascinating job with this one – this fella offers extraterrestrial performance. The fact that it has an actual tube in the circuitry makes a lot of difference. It creates a more distinctive character – you can definitely hear that warmth once you engage the pedal. It also fattens up your bass by yielding full and defined midrange.
Its highs aren’t as bright as you might expect, but I think they go really well with the ambiance of the instrument. If you overuse it, it will, of course, result in deteriorating the dynamics of your sound. However, every compressor has to be utilized carefully and moderately. Compressore has the most precise response that you’ll only find in studio apparatus. And plus, it is almost noiseless. We all know that tubes might develop some unwanted sounds, however, this puppy is as quiet as it can be. This bad boy easily outperforms its direct rivals and you’ll guess yourself what it does to those cheaper models.
Conclusion
Do I need to say anything else to describe Markbass Compressore? I don’t think so, but I’ll still give you my final verdict. This is the best bass compressor pedal on the market and there’s no way anyone can argue with that. Unless you put it against studio equipment, it will easily outperform all of its competitors. The ability to use it with a wide variety of instruments makes it really flexible and justifies the price point even more. I never thought you’d be able to buy perfection until I met Compressore. Good luck!
