The Ampeg Opto Comp Compressor is an Ampeg compressor pedal, currently around $115.01. Close alternatives include the MXR M87B Blackout Bass Compressor Limited Edition and the Caline Blue CP 45 Caline. It pairs well with the Laney RB3 Richter Bass Amp and the Traynor SB110.
Ampeg Opto Comp Compressor
Ampeg · pedal
The Ampeg Opto Comp is an all-analog optical compressor pedal designed primarily for bass guitar. Three controls (Compression, Release, Level) and an optical detection circuit deliver transparent, smooth compression with minimal coloration. An 80 dB signal-to-noise ratio keeps the noise floor low even at heavy compression settings. A purple bypass LED and a green peak indicator LED provide visual feedback on signal level and compressor activity. An internal -15 dB pad switch accommodates active basses with high output. Powered by 9V DC or a standard battery. Pedalboard-friendly dimensions, slightly taller than Boss or MXR format enclosures.
What stands out
“Three controls (Compression, Release, Level) and an optical detection circuit deliver transparent, smooth compression with”
— from the listing
“The Opto Comp delivers exactly what its name implies: optically smooth bass compression that manages dynamics”
— from the reviews
“Tone: transparent and clean, controlling dynamics”
— from the community notes
“The Release control is genuinely useful for matching compression decay to playing style, and the green peak LED that dims with release time gives practical visual feedback during live performance”
— from the reviews
“Use case: effective as a foundation compressor for live bass performance, evening out attack transients from slap or fingerstyle technique”
— from the community notes
Trade-offs
“Signal-chain interaction: works well at the front of the bass chain before drive or preamp pedals; the internal -15 dB pad protects the input from hot active bass pickups”
— from the community notes
- compression
- smooth
- bass
- dynamic
- peak
- compressor
- transparent
- attack
Price updated Oct 24, 2026
Genres the Ampeg Opto Comp Compressor is commonly used in
- Country Pop
cited
Inferred from shared tonal signals, not a stated genre tag. - Country
cited
Inferred from shared tonal signals, not a stated genre tag. - Funk
cited
Inferred from shared tonal signals, not a stated genre tag. - Alternative
cited
Inferred from shared tonal signals, not a stated genre tag. - Blues
cited
Inferred from shared tonal signals, not a stated genre tag. - Rock
cited
Inferred from shared tonal signals, not a stated genre tag.
Amps that pair well with the Ampeg Opto Comp Compressor
Laney RB3 Richter Bass Amp
Laney
20% matchfills a frequency gapFills in a frequency range the other side doesn't cover, instead of piling more onto what's already there. (transparent → mid-forward)
Into the RB3's mid-forward rehearsal voice, the Opto Comp's smooth compression keeps dynamics even before the amp's own EQ reacts.
Comes later in the signal chain
Traynor SB110
Traynor
17% matchfills a frequency gapFills in a frequency range the other side doesn't cover, instead of piling more onto what's already there. (transparent → mid-forward)
Traynor SB110's own full character is the real reason this is worth trying
Comes later in the signal chain
Ampeg RB-112 Rocket Bass 100-Watt Combo Bass
Ampeg
11% matchshapes the dynamic responseShapes how the tone responds to picking dynamics rather than its frequency or gain. (high headroom → compressed)
Ampeg Opto Comp Compressor leans toward compressed, and that's a real, usable character to pair with
Comes later in the signal chain
Synergy SL2 Module
Synergy
tonal matchComes later in the signal chain
Synergy SL2 Module goes after Ampeg Opto Comp Compressor in the chain
ENGL E610II Savage 120 MkII Head
Engl
tonal matchComes later in the signal chain
ENGL E610II Savage 120 MkII Head goes after Ampeg Opto Comp Compressor in the chain
Ceriatone 2202H
Ceriatone
tonal matchComes later in the signal chain
Ceriatone 2202H goes after Ampeg Opto Comp Compressor in the chain
Orange Rockerverb 50 MkIII NEO 50W 2x12 Combo
Orange
tonal matchComes later in the signal chain
Put Orange Rockerverb 50 MkIII NEO 50W 2x12 Combo after Ampeg Opto Comp Compressor
Bad Cat Lynx 50
Bad Cat
tonal matchComes later in the signal chain
Bad Cat Lynx 50 goes after Ampeg Opto Comp Compressor in the chain
Pedals that stack with the Ampeg Opto Comp Compressor
Electro-Harmonix 1973 Violet Ram's Head Big Muff Pi V2
Electro-Harmonix
23% matchfills a frequency gapFills in a frequency range the other side doesn't cover, instead of piling more onto what's already there. (transparent → mid-forward)
Electro-Harmonix 1973 Violet Ram's Head Big Muff Pi V2 leans toward fuzzy, and that's a real, usable character to pair with
Comes later in the signal chain
Nobels ODR-1
Nobels
23% matchfills a frequency gapFills in a frequency range the other side doesn't cover, instead of piling more onto what's already there. (transparent → mid-forward)
What Nobels ODR-1 brings here leans toward full — that's worth building a pairing around
Comes later in the signal chain
Origin Effects M-EQ Driver
Origin Effects
14% matchfills a frequency gapFills in a frequency range the other side doesn't cover, instead of piling more onto what's already there. (bright → smooth)
Run the Opto Comp's smooth compression ahead of the M-EQ Driver for even attack before the midrange-cutting low-gain drive reacts.
Comes later in the signal chain
Mooer 010
Mooer
13% matchshapes the dynamic responseShapes how the tone responds to picking dynamics rather than its frequency or gain.
What Ampeg Opto Comp Compressor brings here leans toward compressed — that's worth building a pairing around
Comes later in the signal chain
Boss ML-2
Boss
11% matchshapes the dynamic responseShapes how the tone responds to picking dynamics rather than its frequency or gain.
Ampeg Opto Comp Compressor's own compressed character is the real reason this is worth trying
Comes later in the signal chain
Tech 21 Para Driver
Tech 21
11% matchshapes the dynamic responseShapes how the tone responds to picking dynamics rather than its frequency or gain.
Run the Opto Comp's smooth compression ahead of the Para Driver for even dynamics before the mid-forward preamp EQ reacts.
Comes later in the signal chain
Fender Hammertone Reverb
Fender
11% matchsits in the right chain slotPlaced for where it does its job cleanly in the chain, not for a tonal interaction with the anchor.
Run the Hammertone's lush, shimmering reverb after the Opto Comp's smooth compression settles the signal, so the reverb trails an even decay. — goes in the amp's FX loop (or last, into a clean amp)
Comes later in the signal chain
Ampeg Classic Analog Bass Preamp
Ampeg
10% matchshapes the dynamic responseShapes how the tone responds to picking dynamics rather than its frequency or gain.
Run the Opto Comp's smooth, peak-tamed compression ahead of the Classic Analog Bass Preamp for even dynamics before the preamp's own mid-forward EQ reacts.
Comes later in the signal chain
See all 9 pedals that pair with the Ampeg Opto Comp Compressor →
Cheaper alternatives
Demon FX Optocoupler Bass Compressor Just
Demon Fx
54% similarityShared character: bass, compressor, attack
Behringer BLE400
Behringer
53% similarityShared character: peak, true bypass, compression
Blaxx BX-Bass Limit
Blaxx
52% similarityShared character: peak, compressor, attack
Electro-Harmonix Bass Preacher
Electro-Harmonix
52% similarityShared character: bass, peak, compressor
Fender Bassman Compressor
Fender
49% similarityShared character: bass, compressor, attack
Joyo R-27 Scylla Bass Compressor
Joyo
47% similarityShared character: bass, compressor, compression
Boutique & premium upgrades
Ashdown Velvet Compressor
Ashdown
64% similarityShared character: bass, peak, compressor
Ashdown Studio Compressor
Ashdown
54% similarityShared character: bass, compressor, attack
Boss CP-1X Compressor
Boss
53% similarityShared character: bass, peak, compressor
Origin Effects Cali76 MK2 Bass Compressor
Origin Effects
45% similarityShared character: bass, compressor, attack
Strymon OB.1 Bass
Strymon
41% similarityShared character: bass, compressor, transparent
Similar character
MXR M87B Blackout Bass Compressor Limited Edition
MXR
54% similarityShared character: bass, compressor, attack
Caline Blue CP 45 Caline
Caline
54% similarityShared character: live performances, compressor, attack
Empress Bass Compressor Blue
Empress
50% similarityShared character: compressor, attack, transparent
Boss BC-1X
Boss
46% similarityShared character: bass, peak, compressor
Laney Black Country Customs Custard Factory Compressor
Laney
42% similarityShared character: compressor, compression, transparent
Demon FX Call 76
Demon Fx
40% similarityShared character: compressor, compression, bass
See all alternatives to the Ampeg Opto Comp Compressor (cheaper + boutique) →
Questions people ask
What are good alternatives to the Ampeg Opto Comp Compressor?+
The closest matches in character are the MXR M87B Blackout Bass Compressor Limited Edition, the Caline Blue CP 45 Caline, the Empress Bass Compressor Blue. Budget picks: Demon FX Optocoupler Bass Compressor Just, Behringer BLE400, Blaxx BX-Bass Limit. Boutique upgrades: Ashdown Velvet Compressor, Ashdown Studio Compressor, Boss CP-1X Compressor.
What pairs well with the Ampeg Opto Comp Compressor?+
Strong matches from rig and tone-complementarity evidence: Laney RB3 Richter Bass Amp, Traynor SB110, Ampeg RB-112 Rocket Bass 100-Watt Combo Bass — Into the RB3's mid-forward rehearsal voice, the Opto Comp's smooth compression keeps dynamics even before the amp's own EQ reacts..
How much does the Ampeg Opto Comp Compressor cost?+
Around $115.01 (live listing price, updated Oct 24, 2026).