M87 BASS COMPRESSOR
DESCRIPTION
• Classic studio compressor in a
Phase 90-sized pedal
• CHT™ Constant Headroom
Technology for clear, clean
performance
• Ten Gain Reduction status LEDs
• True bypass
DIRECTIONS
• Run a cable from your bass to the
Bass Compressor’s INPUT jack
and run another cable from the
Bass Compressor’s OUTPUT
jack to your amplier.
• Set RELEASE, ATTACK, OUTPUT
and INPUT controls to 12 o’clock
and the RATIO control to 4.
• Turn the effect on by depressing
the footswitch.
• Observe the METER display while
playing normally and set the
INPUT knob so that the rst 3 to
7 green gain reduction LEDs light,
clockwise to light more and coun-
terclockwise to light less LEDs.
• Rotate the OUTPUT knob clock-
wise to increase overall effect
volume or counterclockwise to
decrease it.
• Rotate the ATTACK knob clock-
wise to increase reaction time of
compression or counterclockwise
to decrease it.
• Rotate the RELEASE knob clock-
wise to increase the time it takes
your signal to return to its uncom-
pressed level or counterclockwise
to decrease it.
• Use the RATIO knob to select
compression ratio. The 4 setting
selects a 4:1 ratio, meaning that
if the input level rises 4 decibels
SPECIFICATIONS
Input Impedance 1 MΩ
Output Impedance 600 Ω
Max Input Level +14 dBV
Max Output Level +8.5 dBV
Freq. Response
±1 dB, 20 Hz to 20 kHz
Noise Floor* -90 dBV
THD** > 0.5%
Gain 31 dB
Compression Ratio
4:1, 8:1, 12:1, 20:1
Attack Time 20 µs to 800 µs
Release Time 50 ms to 1.1 s
Bypass True Hardwire
Current Draw
LEDs OFF 14 mA
LEDs ON 19 mA
Power Supply 9 volts DC
*A-Weighted, all controls at mid position
**20 dB gain reduction, 1.1s release setting,
50 Hz to 20 kHz
above threshold, the output level
will only rise by 1 decibel. There-
fore, gain has been reduced by 3
decibels. The 8 setting selects an
8:1 compression ratio, 12 selects
12:1, and 20 selects 20:1.
COMPRESSION
Standard studio dynamic range
reduction can be achieved by
setting ATTACK and RELEASE
knobs to 12 o’clock, with a 4:1
or 8:1 ratio, and by adjusting the
input control to consistently light
the -3 to -7dB LEDs while play-
ing. To soften the sound of your
attack, dial in a faster attack time
(CW) and reduce the input control
(CCW) to light only the -3 to -5
dB LEDs during note attacks.
To accentuate the sound of your
attack, dial in a slower attack time
(CCW) and a faster release time
(CW). For a more compressed
sound, set the input control to
a higher level (CW) to light more
gain reduction LEDs with a slow
release time and a fast attack
time.
LIMITING
Limiting refers to high
compression ratios (12:1 or 20:1)
with fast attack and release
settings. The Bass Compressor’s
12 setting produces soft limiting
while 20 setting produces hard
CONTROLS
METER display shows gain
reduction level and compressor
response time
RELEASE knob controls how
quickly your signal returns to its
uncompressed gain level
ATTACK knob controls reaction
time of compression
OUTPUT knob controls overall
effect volume
RATIO sets the degree of
compression, from mild 4 (4:1)
to extreme 20 (20:1)
INPUT knob controls gain level
of input signal
FOOTSWITCH toggles
effect on/bypass (blue LED
indicates on)
limiting, and even “brick wall”
limiting with the fastest attack
and release settings. In contrast,
to get the classic ‘squishy’
limiting effect, dial in a slow
release time (CCW) with a fast
attack.
POWER
The MXR Bass Compressor is
powered by one 9-volt battery
(remove bottom plate to install),
a 9-volt AC adapter such as the
Dunlop ECB003/ECB003E, or a
DC Brick™ power supply.
DUNLOP MANUFACTURING, INC.
P.O. BOX 846 BENICIA, CA 94510 U.S.A.
TEL: 1-707-745-2722 FAX: 1-707-745-2658
METER
Short string taps are an easy
way to see the METER display
Compressor reaction time and
can be helpful in setting Attack
and Release controls.
