The Guyatone BL-2 Bottom Limiter is an analog compressor/limiter pedal, a compact stompbox designed to hold down aggressive playing and keep the low end even. RockBoard's PedalPedia describes it as a pedal that "will reign in that aggressive Slap and Pop technique and leave a smooth, solid foundation upon which to build your musical masterpieces," which points at bass players first, though the same limiting works on guitar.1
It is a straightforward pedal to operate: two knobs and a switch, with a compression range that runs from gentle control up to what RockBoard's PedalPedia calls "up to a 100:1 ratio squash that will make every note punchy and tight no matter how light you play."1
Controls
The BL-2's variable Level and Threshold controls allow the user to dial in a variety of compression and limiting effects, from light leveling to hard limiting. Alongside them, a Slow/Fast switch offers two different attack types for increased tonal variations, so the player can choose how the pedal grabs the front of each note.1
| Control | What it does |
|---|---|
| Level | Sets the output level; with Threshold low it doubles as the boost volume |
| Threshold | Sets where limiting begins; higher settings give harder limiting |
| Slow/Fast | Two-position switch selecting between two attack types |
Where the Threshold sits changes the character as well as the amount of compression. according to RockBoard's PedalPedia, "Higher Threshold settings yield a warm, round, slightly gritty tone similar to a hard-working tube amp."1
Using it as a clean boost
The BL-2 has a second use beyond limiting. With low Threshold and high Level settings, RockBoard's PedalPedia says it can be used as an uncompressed clean booster with up to 40 dB of gain, which is enough lift to push an amp or to bring a quiet passage forward in a mix.1 For players comparing it with other Guyatone compressors, that boost range is a distinguishing feature: the Guyatone STm5 Compressor/Sustainer and the Guyatone SD-2 Sustainer D are oriented toward sustain, while the Guyatone PS-021 Guitar Exciter / Compressor and Guyatone PS-020 Bass Exciter / Compressor combine compression with an exciter circuit. For more on the effect type itself, see Compressor Pedals.
The BL-2 runs on 9V DC center negative and draws 10mA, so it can share a standard pedalboard power supply output without difficulty.1
Videos
Paulo Leão
Questions
Is the Guyatone BL-2 Bottom Limiter analog?
Yes. The BL-2 is an analog circuit, listed with a circuit type of analog on its product page. That matters for players who want the character of analog compression and limiting without digital conversion in their signal path, and it sits alongside Guyatone's other analog compressor designs in the company's pedal range.
What power supply does the Guyatone BL-2 need?
The BL-2 runs on a 9V DC supply with a center negative plug, the same standard polarity used by most compact pedals. It draws 10mA of current, which is a light load, so it fits comfortably on a pedalboard powered by a standard supply with plenty of headroom to spare.
How much current does the BL-2 Bottom Limiter draw?
The BL-2 draws 10mA. That is a small current draw by pedal standards, so it can share a daisy-chained or isolated output on most pedalboard power supplies without straining the supply's total budget.
Can the BL-2 be used as a clean boost?
Yes. According to the maker, with low Threshold and high Level settings the BL-2 can be used as an uncompressed clean booster with up to 40 dB of gain. That gives it a second role on a pedalboard as a straight volume lift when compression is not wanted.
What does the Slow/Fast switch do on the BL-2?
The Slow/Fast switch offers two different attack types for increased tonal variations. In practice it changes how quickly the limiter responds to a picked or slapped note, letting the player choose between a slower, more open attack and a faster, tighter clamp on the front of each note.
What compression ratio does the BL-2 reach?
The maker describes the BL-2 as reaching up to a 100:1 ratio squash, which it says will make every note punchy and tight no matter how lightly the player attacks the strings. That is an extreme limiting ratio, well beyond what most general-purpose compressor pedals offer.
Sources (1)
- BL-2 Bottom Limiter by Guyatone, RockBoard PedalPedia, 2026
