
M87 BASS COMPRESSOR
DESCRIPTION 
• Classic studio compressor in a  
 Phase 90-sized pedal
™
• CHT
 Constant Headroom  
Technology for clear, clean  
performance
• Ten Gain Reduction status LEDs 
• True bypass
CONTROLS
 METER display shows gain 
reduction level and compressor 
response time 
 RELEASE knob controls how 
quickly your signal returns to its 
uncompressed gain level
 ATTACK knob controls reaction 
time of compression
 OUTPUT knob controls overall 
effect volume 
 RATIO sets the degree of 
compression, from mild 4 (4:1)  
to extreme 20 (20:1)
 INPUT knob controls gain level 
of input signal 
  FOOTSWITCH toggles 
effect on/bypass (blue LED 
indicates on)
POWER 
The MXR Bass Compressor is 
powered by one 9-volt battery 
(remove bottom plate to install), 
a 9-volt AC adapter such as the 
Dunlop ECB003/ECB003E, or a  
DC Brick™ power supply.
DIRECTIONS
• Run a cable from your bass to the 
Bass Compressor’s INPUT jack 
and run another cable from the 
Bass Compressor’s OUTPUT  
jack to your amplier.
• Set RELEASE, ATTACK, OUTPUT 
and INPUT controls to 12 o’clock 
and the RATIO control to 4.
• Turn the effect on by depressing 
the footswitch.
• Observe the METER display while 
playing normally and set the 
INPUT knob so that the rst 3 to 
7 green gain reduction LEDs light, 
clockwise to light more and counterclockwise to light less LEDs. 
• Rotate the OUTPUT knob clockwise to increase overall effect 
volume or counterclockwise to 
decrease it. 
• Rotate the ATTACK knob clockwise to increase reaction time of 
compression or counterclockwise 
to decrease it. 
• Rotate the RELEASE knob clockwise to increase the time it takes 
your signal to return to its uncompressed level or counterclockwise 
to decrease it. 
• Use the RATIO knob to select 
compression ratio. The 4 setting 
selects a 4:1 ratio, meaning that 
if the input level rises 4 decibels 
above threshold, the output level 
will only rise by 1 decibel. Therefore, gain has been reduced by 3 
decibels. The 8 setting selects an 
8:1 compression ratio, 12 selects 
12:1, and 20 selects 20:1.
COMPRESSION 
Standard studio dynamic range 
reduction can be achieved by 
setting ATTACK and RELEASE 
knobs to 12 o’clock, with a 4:1 
or 8:1 ratio, and by adjusting the 
input control to consistently light 
the -3 to -7dB LEDs while playing. To soften the sound of your 
attack, dial in a faster attack time 
(CW) and reduce the input control 
(CCW) to light only the -3 to -5 
dB LEDs during note attacks. 
To accentuate the sound of your 
attack, dial in a slower attack time 
(CCW) and a faster release time 
(CW). For a more compressed 
sound, set the input control to 
a higher level (CW) to light more 
gain reduction LEDs with a slow 
release time and a fast attack 
time.
LIMITING 
Limiting refers to high 
compression ratios (12:1 or 20:1) 
with fast attack and release 
settings. The Bass Compressor’s 
12 setting produces soft limiting 
while 20 setting produces hard 
limiting, and even “brick wall” 
limiting with the fastest attack 
and release settings. In contrast, 
to get the classic ‘squishy’ 
limiting effect, dial in a slow 
release time (CCW) with a fast 
attack.
SPECIFICATIONS 
Input Impedance    1 MΩ 
Output Impedance    600 Ω 
Max Input Level    +14 dBV 
Max Output Level    +8.5 dBV
Freq. Response   
    ±1 dB, 20 Hz to 20 kHz 
Noise Floor*  -90 dBV 
THD**  > 0.5% 
Gain  31 dB
Compression Ratio   
    4:1, 8:1, 12:1, 20:1
Attack Time  20 µs to 800 µs 
Release Time  50 ms to 1.1 s
Bypass  True Hardwire
Current Draw 
  LEDs OFF  14 mA 
  LEDs ON  19 mA 
Power Supply  9 volts DC 
*A-Weighted, all controls at mid position 
 **20 dB gain reduction, 1.1s release setting, 
 50 Hz to 20 kHz
METER
 Short string taps are an easy 
way to see the METER display 
Compressor reaction time and 
can be helpful in setting Attack 
and Release controls. 
DUNLOP MANUFACTURING, INC. 
P.O. BOX 846 BENICIA, CA 94510 U.S.A. 
TEL: 1-707-745-2722 FAX: 1-707-745-2658