Pigtronix Philosopher Bass Compressor Pedal

No longer available at zZounds
Tighten up your bass tone without losing any bite. This compressor pedal keeps dynamics under control, and adds crystal-clear sustain or diode-clipping dirt.

Your Pigtronix Philosopher bass compressor pedal provides awesome optical compression in the style of the famous Philosopher's Tone circuit, utilizing a simple control layout that makes shaping your sond as easy and straightforward as possible. Tweak this baby's volume, compression, and sustain controls to fine-tune the contour of your compression, and flip the "grit" switch to get some interesting tonal breakup. A cool and sleek outer chassis houses the top-notch Philosopher's Tone circuitry, and holds up well to the tests of time through every stomp. This compressor pedal also lets you dial in endless sustain, keeping your output ringing out long after you've hit your note. See how far you can slam your signal with the Pigtronix Philosopher bass compressor.

Sleek Looks

On the outside, this powerful piece of gear boasts cool eye-catching threads. Each black knob contrasts tastefully against this baby's sleek blue-green top, and a white font for the description of each control makes their respective functions easy to read. With only three controls and the single grit switch, manipulating each dimension of compression couldn't be more intuitive.

Dialing in Your Compression -- And Grit, If You Want It

The compression knob at the top sets the blend of your clean and compressed audio -- a technique called "parallel compression" that lets smooth out the overall signal's level, while preserving the natural attack and bite of your playing by dialing in more dry, read more uncompressed signal. The volume control on the left determines the makeup gain you're sending to your output, and the sustain knob on the right sets the compression threshold to dial in the intensity of compression. In the middle you'll see Pigtronix's grit switch, which lets you add an intriguing distortion to your signal.

Sweet Inner Circuitry

Housed inside this pedal's protective and resilient chassis are the hardworking components binging your signal all of the treatment it deserves. With Pigtronix's diode-clipping electronics along and highly acclaimed Philosopher's Tone compression circuit, you can blend in the natural string dynamics of your playing for an awesome and surprisingly organic compression effect. For having such a simple control layout, this pedal is incredibly dynamic.

Endless Sustain Feature

When you turn down your compression, the effect is subtle and reminiscent of traditional optical compressors. Crank it up and slam your signal as far as it can go, and then you'll engage your Philosopher's Tone's endless sustain feature. Your note will ring out long after it's been hit in a captivating suspension that leaves anyone within earshot waiting in anticipation for more.

Features:

- Bass compressor pedal for clean, pristine, endless sustain
- "Grit" switch for adding organic diode-clipping dirt when you want it
- Volume, compression, and sustain controls
- Cool and sleek outer chassis design stands up to the test of time
- One 1/4" input
- One 1/4" output
- 18-volt power supply included
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Pigtronix Philosopher Bass Pedal

The Pigtronix Philosopher Bass Compressor brings the heralded Philosopher's Tone compressor circuit to bassists in a small-size stompbox format. The sustain control on this pedal varies the compression threshold to provide everything from subtle peak limiting to infinite clean sustain, all with incredible low end response. The Philosopher Bass Compressor also sports a compression blend knob, mixing clean tone in parallel with the optical compression. This approach is far more effective than a typical compressor's "attack" control for preserving your natural string envelope to achieve transparent and musical results.

In addition to the wide range analog compression circuit with unrivaled sustain and parallel blend, the Philosopher Bass Compressor's GRIT switch brings in a harmonic distortion tuned especially for low frequency domination. Used with a tube or solid state amp or even straight into a mixing board, DI or DAW, the Philosopher Bass Compressor delivers a greater level of control and power to bass players at an affordable price.

The Philosopher Bass Compressor features true bypass switching and runs fine on standard 9-volt power but ships with an 18-volt adapter for superior headroom, clarity, overall output and use with active basses. Never before has so much bass friendly compression been squeezed into such a small package.

Features:

- Analog optical compressor, tuned for bass guitar
- BLEND knob for Parallel Compression
- GRIT switch for harmonic grind
- Noiseless clean sustain
- 18VDC 300mA supply included
- Chassis Size - 2.4" x 4.4" x 1"
- Circuit Design by Howard Davis
- Sound Design by David Koltai
- True Bypass

Reviewers gave this product an overall rating of 4.5 out of 5 stars. (3 ratings)
Submitted December 31, 2016 by Jonathan P in Boonton, NJ

"Great Upgrade!"

Overall: 4.5 out of 5 stars
(see rating details)
Verified Customer zZounds has verified that this reviewer made a purchase from us.
I purchased this box after my old DOD Bass Compressor took a dump after 15 years. This box feels very heavy duty like it can take a lot of hits on the road. I love how it sounds, you don't really "feel" the compression but you hear it. Very subtle even when totally squashing the signal to the max. Haven't found a use for the Grit switch, but maybe I will find a use for it in the future. I have never had to call support so...i'll give them the benefit of the doubt and say that they would be a 5 Star. Love this box and I should have upgraded a long time ago. zZounds made the purchase easy with their payment plan. A+ guys!

Musical Background:

Been playing for 37 years. Professionally for 29. I play Bass, guitar, Keys and a little drums.

Musical Style:

Hard Rock & Roll, Americana, and new Age
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