What does the BOSS compressor pedal do?

The BOSS Compressor pedal keeps your volume even by boosting quiet signals, and reducing loud ones. With clean tones this ensures every string, chord, and picked note will ring out evenly, and for distortion it will preserve the natural sustain while smoothing out your tone.

Why would I need a BOSS compressor pedal?

A BOSS compressor pedal is useful for making playing sound more consistent and adding more sustain for long held notes. It is also an essential effect in country music!

What does a BOSS compressor actually do?

A BOSS compressor is a little like a combination of limiter and booster. By that we mean that extreme spikes and dips in your playing get evened out. The overall sound is often given a boost (it depends how you set it of course) for a sound that can appear to have more 'life'. BOSS Compressors use simple points in your signal called thresholds to dictate when the compressor signal kicks in.

Where should a BOSS compressor pedal go?

A BOSS compressor is usually first, or near the very beginning of a pedal chain. It is vital to remember it will compress anything that's sent into it!

Can I use this CS-3 compressor with my bass?

Definitely! Compression on bass is a great idea to give your sound some solid and consistent substance. The CS-3 will work fine with a bass since the actual task of compression is about volume levels rather than pitch. With bass, a little compression is very welcome indeed.