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 Empress Bass Compressor Blue. It pairs well with the Swart Star-Base 1 and the Ampeg Rocket Bass RB-115 Combo Bass Amp.
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.
What stands out
“Use case: beginners and home-studio guitarists who want basic compression for leveling dynamics”
— from the community notes
“a two-position switch toggles between normal and treble modes to compensate for compression-induced high-frequency loss”
— from the listing
“Tone: smooth optical compression with a Tone control that can add treble emphasis or keep frequency response neutral, useful for brightening compressed signals that lose high-frequency content”
— from the community notes
“The Arcade Audio Button Masher is a guitar and bass compressor pedal featuring an optical circuit”
— from the listing
“frequency balance”
— from the listing
Trade-offs
“Signal-chain interaction: use at the front of the chain before drive; the Treble switch compensates for compression-induced high-frequency loss”
— from the community notes
“american musical supply”
— from the listing
- compression
- treble
- smooth
- frequency
- optical
- optical compression
- high end
- intuitive
Price updated Oct 23, 2026
Genres the Arcade Audio Button Masher Compressor is commonly used in
- Country
cited
Inferred from shared tonal signals, not a stated genre tag. - Country Pop
cited
Inferred from shared tonal signals, not a stated genre tag. - Alternative
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
Swart Star-Base 1
Swart
13% matchfills a frequency gapFills in a frequency range the other side doesn't cover, instead of piling more onto what's already there. (bright → warm)
Swart Star-Base 1 leans warm right where the bright tone needs it
Comes later in the signal chain
Ampeg Rocket Bass RB-115 Combo Bass Amp
Ampeg
10% matchfills a frequency gapFills in a frequency range the other side doesn't cover, instead of piling more onto what's already there. (bright → warm)
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.
Comes later in the signal chain
Ampeg Venture V7 700-Watt Bass
Ampeg
10% matchfills a frequency gapFills in a frequency range the other side doesn't cover, instead of piling more onto what's already there. (warm → bright)
Arcade Audio Button Masher Compressor's own compressed character is the real reason this is worth trying
Comes later in the signal chain
Hiwatt Park P18LH 'Little 45' Handwired18W
Hiwatt
tonal matchComes later in the signal chain
Hiwatt Park P18LH 'Little 45' Handwired18W leans warm right where the bright tone needs it
Orange BT1000H Terror Bass 1000-Watt Bass Amp
Orange
tonal matchComes later in the signal chain
Run Orange BT1000H Terror Bass 1000-Watt Bass Amp after it and the bright edge settles into something more warm
Orange Terror Bass
Orange
tonal matchComes later in the signal chain
Orange Terror Bass's warm balances out the bright tone
Gibson GA-50
Gibson
tonal matchComes later in the signal chain
Run Gibson GA-50 after it and the bright edge settles into something more warm
Victory Amplifiers V50 The Earl
amplifier
tonal matchComes later in the signal chain
Victory Amplifiers V50 The Earl leans warm right where the bright tone needs it
Pedals that stack with the Arcade Audio Button Masher Compressor
Systech Harmonic Energizer
Systech
30% matchfills a frequency gapFills in a frequency range the other side doesn't cover, instead of piling more onto what's already there. (warm → bright)
Arcade Audio Button Masher Compressor leans toward compressed, and that's a real, usable character to pair with
Comes later in the signal chain
Greer Mizuki blue
Greer
29% matchfills a frequency gapFills in a frequency range the other side doesn't cover, instead of piling more onto what's already there. (warm → bright)
Arcade Audio Button Masher Compressor's own compressed character is the real reason this is worth trying
Comes later in the signal chain
JHS Overdrive/Preamp
JHS Pedals
24% matchfills a frequency gapFills in a frequency range the other side doesn't cover, instead of piling more onto what's already there. (warm → bright)
What Arcade Audio Button Masher Compressor brings here leans toward compressed — that's worth building a pairing around
Comes later in the signal chain
One Control Stone Bramble Overdrive
One Control
23% matchfills a frequency gapFills in a frequency range the other side doesn't cover, instead of piling more onto what's already there. (warm → bright)
Arcade Audio Button Masher Compressor's own compressed character is the real reason this is worth trying
Comes later in the signal chain
NuX String Singer Overdrive
Nux
23% matchfills a frequency gapFills in a frequency range the other side doesn't cover, instead of piling more onto what's already there. (warm → bright)
Arcade Audio Button Masher Compressor leans toward compressed, and that's a real, usable character to pair with
Comes later in the signal chain
Crazy Tube Circuits Constellation
Crazy Tube Circuits
23% matchfills a frequency gapFills in a frequency range the other side doesn't cover, instead of piling more onto what's already there. (warm → bright)
Arcade Audio Button Masher Compressor leans toward compressed, and that's a real, usable character to pair with
Comes later in the signal chain
Beetronics Overhive Custom Cross Path
Beetronics
22% matchfills a frequency gapFills in a frequency range the other side doesn't cover, instead of piling more onto what's already there. (warm → bright)
Arcade Audio Button Masher Compressor's own compressed character is the real reason this is worth trying
Comes later in the signal chain
Death By Audio Germanium Filter
Death By Audio
22% matchshapes the dynamic responseShapes how the tone responds to picking dynamics rather than its frequency or gain. (dynamic → compressed)
Arcade Audio Button Masher Compressor's own compressed character is the real reason this is worth trying
Comes later in the signal chain
See all 19 pedals that pair with the Arcade Audio Button Masher Compressor →
Boutique & premium upgrades
Providence Bass Boot Comp BTC-1
Providence
54% similarityShared character: compressor, compression
Demon FX Optocoupler Bass Compressor Just
Demon Fx
51% similarityShared character: compressor, compression, smooth
DigiTech XBS Bass Squeeze
Digitech
49% similarityShared character: tone control, compressor, compression
Laney Black Country Customs Custard Factory Compressor
Laney
49% similarityShared character: tone control, compressor, compression
Strymon OB.1 Bass
Strymon
48% similarityShared character: compressor, smooth
Fender Bassman Compressor
Fender
46% similarityShared character: dynamic control, compressor, smooth
Similar 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 Empress Bass Compressor Blue, the Empress Bass Compressor MKII Silver. Boutique upgrades: Providence Bass Boot Comp BTC-1, Demon FX Optocoupler Bass Compressor Just, DigiTech XBS Bass Squeeze.
What pairs well with the Arcade Audio Button Masher Compressor?+
Strong matches from rig and tone-complementarity evidence: Swart Star-Base 1, Ampeg Rocket Bass RB-115 Combo Bass Amp, Ampeg Venture V7 700-Watt Bass — Swart Star-Base 1 leans warm right where the bright tone needs it.
How much does the Arcade Audio Button Masher Compressor cost?+
Around $29.95 (live listing price, updated Oct 23, 2026).