The Phil Jones Bass X2C Dual Compressor is a bass compressor pedal that splits your signal into two frequency bands and compresses each one separately. A crossover inside the pedal divides the signal into high and low bands, and each band gets its own dedicated row of compression controls and its own footswitch, so the two compressors can be switched in and out independently1.
What sets the X2C apart from a standard single-band compressor is that the low and high halves of your bass tone are treated as separate signals. Phil Jones Bass says its dual-band compression design is more flexible than standard single-band compressors and provides a more natural and transparent sound2. The pedal also carries a dual effects loop: each band has FX Send and Return jacks, so you can run other effects into just the low band or just the high band1.
What it does
A single-band compressor treats your whole bass signal as one thing, which means the compressor reacts to the loudest part of the signal, usually the low end, and everything else gets pulled along with it. The X2C takes a different approach: the crossover splits the signal into high and low bands, each with its own dedicated row of controls for Ratio, Release, Attack, and Threshold, specific to that frequency band1.
The crossover point itself is adjustable. An X/O frequency knob fine-tunes where the dividing line sits between the signals sent to the two bands; rotating it towards Lo routes more of the total signal into the low band1. Phil Jones Bass says the dual crossover divides the signal into frequency bands ranging from 100Hz to 500Hz2.
Once each band is compressed, the two are blended back together at the output:
| Control | What it does |
|---|---|
| Ratio, Release, Attack, Threshold (low band) | Full compression settings for the low frequency band1 |
| Ratio, Release, Attack, Threshold (high band) | Full compression settings for the high frequency band1 |
| X/O | Sets the crossover frequency dividing the two bands; towards Lo sends more signal to the low band1 |
| LO/HI Mix | Blends the two bands to the output and works as a tone control; turning towards LO or HI makes those frequencies more prominent1 |
| Wet/Dry | Blends the compressed signal with your clean signal1 |
| Two footswitches | Independently switch the two compressor bands on and off1 |
The Wet/Dry knob is the parallel blend many bass players look for on a compressor: you can mix in as much of the compressed signal as you want against your clean signal1.
The dual effects loop
Each band has FX Send and Return jacks, which can either function as an effects loop affecting those specific frequency bands, or as crossover outputs if nothing is returned1. In practice that means you can send only the low band to another pedal, or only the high band, and leave the other band untouched. With six total jacks on the pedal, the X2C is built for players who want to route their signal deliberately rather than run everything in one chain1.
Because the two compressors are independently controlled with separate footswitches, you can also leave one band uncompressed entirely, compressing the low frequencies while preserving the high frequencies, or vice-versa13.
Power and size
The X2C requires a 9V power supply delivering 1000mA (1A)1.
A 1000mA (1A) current draw is far above what most compact pedals need. The X2C needs a power supply or isolated output rated for at least 1A at 9V, not a typical low-current daisy chain output.
The pedal also has a fairly large footprint, so plan board space accordingly1.
What reviewers said
Jake Wolf reviewed the X2C for Bass Musician Magazine in August 2024 and was positive about both sound and build. On the sound, he wrote132:
"Super clean and clear, with musical compression."
Jake Wolf, Bass Musician Magazine1
He also found the pedal well-designed and robust in build, with clear lettering, an intuitive control layout, and excellent LED metering1.
Videos
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Questions
What is a dual band compressor?
A dual band compressor splits your signal into two frequency bands, low and high, using a crossover, then compresses each band separately with its own controls. Phil Jones Bass says this design is more flexible than standard single-band compressors and gives a more natural, transparent sound, since the lows and highs of a bass respond very differently to compression.
Can the X2C compress only the low frequencies of a bass?
Yes. Because the crossover divides the signal into separate high and low bands, each with its own compressor and footswitch, you can compress the low band while leaving the high band untouched, or the other way around. The X/O knob sets where the dividing line falls between the two bands.
Does the PJB X2C need a 9V power supply?
Yes. The X2C requires a 9V power supply delivering 1000mA (1A). That is a high current draw for a pedal, so it needs a dedicated 9V output rather than a typical low-current daisy chain.
How many jacks does the PJB X2C have?
The X2C has six total jacks. Besides the input and output, each band has its own FX Send and Return jacks, which work as an effects loop for that band or as crossover outputs when nothing is returned to them.
How much does the PJB X2C cost?
Bass Musician Magazine reported retail pricing of $359 in August 2024, and the Phil Jones Bass press release gave a street price of $359.99 in May 2024. The two figures are close but not identical, and both date from 2024.
Sources (3)
- Review: PJB X2C Multifunctional Dual Band Compressor, Bass Musician Magazine, 2024-08-28
- Step Into X2C With Phil Jones Bass Duel Compressor/Effects Loop, Bass Gear Magazine, 2024-05-22
- New Gear: Phil Jones Bass X2C Dual Compressor/Effects Loop, Bass Musician Magazine, 2024-05-21
