The Arcade Audio Button Masher Compressor is an Arcade Audio compressor pedal, currently around $29.95. Close alternatives include the Caline Blue CP 45 Caline and the Demon FX Optocoupler Bass Compressor Just. It pairs well with the Ampeg Rocket Bass RB-115 Combo Bass Amp and the Traynor YBA100 Tube Bass Head.
Arcade Audio Button Masher Compressor
Arcade Audio · pedal
The Arcade Audio Button Masher is a guitar and bass compressor pedal featuring an optical circuit. Three knobs control Intensity (compression amount), Volume (output level), and Tone (frequency balance); a two-position switch toggles between Normal and Treble modes to compensate for compression-induced high-frequency loss. True bypass, LED power indicator, 1/4-inch mono jack I/O. 9V power supply required, no battery option. Part of the Arcade Audio video-game-themed pedal line. Available through zZounds, American Musical Supply, and Amazon.
- compression
- treble
- frequency
- optical
- smooth
- intuitive
- compressed
- bypass
Price updated Aug 27, 2026
Genres the Arcade Audio Button Masher 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. - Alternative
cited
Inferred from shared tonal signals, not a stated genre tag. - Blues
cited
Inferred from shared tonal signals, not a stated genre tag. - Funk
cited
Inferred from shared tonal signals, not a stated genre tag.
Amps that pair well with the Arcade Audio Button Masher Compressor
Ampeg Rocket Bass RB-115 Combo Bass Amp
Ampeg
26% matchInto the RB-115's massive, vintage-voiced preamp, the Button Masher's smooth optical compression keeps dynamics even before the amp's own broad tone reacts.
Traynor YBA100 Tube Bass Head
Traynor
15% matchInto the YBA100's headroom-rich bass preamp, the Button Masher's smooth optical compression keeps dynamics even before the amp's own gain reacts.
Orange BT1000H Terror Bass 1000-Watt Bass Amp
Orange
13% matchArcade Audio Button Masher Compressor's own compressed character is the real reason this is worth trying
Dumble Steel String Singer
Dumble
tonal matchDumble Steel String Singer leans smooth right where the bright tone needs it
Fender Prosonic
amplifier
tonal matchFender Prosonic leans warm right where the bright tone needs it
Gibson GA-50
Gibson
tonal matchRun Gibson GA-50 after it and the bright edge settles into something more warm
Orange Terror Bass
Orange
tonal matchOrange Terror Bass's warm balances out the bright tone
Orange Little Bass Thing
Orange
tonal matchOrange Little Bass Thing leans warm right where the bright tone needs it
Pedals that stack with the Arcade Audio Button Masher Compressor
Catalinbread SFT
Catalinbread
22% matchThe SFT's thick, compressed overdrive stacks with the Button Masher's own smooth optical compression for a rounder push.
Dunlop Echoplex Preamp
Dunlop
20% matchRun the Button Masher's smooth optical compression ahead of the Echoplex Preamp for even attack before the silky preamp gain reacts.
One Control Lingonberry Overdrive
One Control
18% matchThe Lingonberry's musical, responsive drive stacks with the Button Masher's own smooth optical compression for a rounder push.
Catalinbread Katzenkonig 70
Catalinbread
17% matchRun the Button Masher's smooth optical compression ahead of Katzenkonig 70 for even attack before the modern metal distortion reacts.
Walrus Audio WAL-385/MK2 #BK
Walrus Audio
15% matchRun the Button Masher's smooth optical compression ahead of the WAL-385 for even attack before the lush, thick overdrive reacts.
Wren and Cuff Fade Font '94
Wren And Cuff
15% matchRun the Button Masher's smooth optical compression ahead of Fade Font '94 for even attack before the creamy Muff fuzz reacts.
Revv G2 Overdrive
Revv
15% matchRun the Button Masher's smooth optical compression ahead of G2 Overdrive for even attack before the dynamic tube drive reacts.
TC Electronic VPD-1 Vintage Pre-Drive
TC Electronic
14% matchRun the Button Masher's smooth optical compression ahead of the VPD-1 for even attack before the vintage preamp drive reacts.
See all 14 pedals that pair with the Arcade Audio Button Masher Compressor →
Boutique & premium upgrades
Ashdown Velvet Compressor
Ashdown
69% similarityShared character: dynamic_control, compressor, smooth
Origin Effects Cali76 MK2 Bass Compressor
Origin Effects
68% similarityShared character: compressor, compression, simple
Blaxx BX-Bass Limit
Blaxx
65% similarityShared character: dynamic_control, pedalboard, compressor
Ashdown Studio Compressor
Ashdown
65% similarityShared character: pedalboard, compressor, compression
Boss CP-1X Compressor
Boss
65% similarityShared character: compressor, treble, compression
Ampeg Opto Comp Compressor
Ampeg
65% similarityShared character: compressor, true_bypass, smooth
Similar charactersee all similar tone character →
See all alternatives to the Arcade Audio Button Masher Compressor (cheaper + boutique) →
Questions people ask
What are good alternatives to the Arcade Audio Button Masher Compressor?+
The closest matches in character are the Caline Blue CP 45 Caline, the Demon FX Optocoupler Bass Compressor Just, the Empress Bass Compressor Blue. Boutique upgrades: Ashdown Velvet Compressor, Origin Effects Cali76 MK2 Bass Compressor, Blaxx BX-Bass Limit.
What pairs well with the Arcade Audio Button Masher Compressor?+
Strong matches from rig and tone-complementarity evidence: Ampeg Rocket Bass RB-115 Combo Bass Amp, Traynor YBA100 Tube Bass Head, Orange BT1000H Terror Bass 1000-Watt Bass Amp — Into the RB-115's massive, vintage-voiced preamp, the Button Masher's smooth optical compression keeps dynamics even before the amp's own broad tone reacts..
How much does the Arcade Audio Button Masher Compressor cost?+
Around $29.95 (live listing price, updated Aug 27, 2026).
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