The Whirlwind OC Bass Optical Compressor is a compressor pedal voiced specifically for bass, debuted by Whirlwind at NAMM in 2012. Its defining feature is a Compressor/Limiter Switch that lets the same pedal work as either a compressor or a limiter, and it offers three pre-programmable attack speeds: Fast, Slow, and Medium1. It belongs to the wider family of compressor pedals and sits alongside Whirlwind's other bass-oriented pedals such as the Whirlwind Bass Ten EQ.
Controls
The OC Bass keeps its control layout simple: two knobs, a speed selector, and the compressor/limiter switch1.
| Control | What it does |
|---|---|
| Input and Output knobs | Control the level and gain to help you hone in on the amount of punch and sustain you want1 |
| Speed Switch | Sets the attack time, with three pre-programmable speeds: Fast, Medium, and Slow1 |
| Compressor/Limiter Switch | Switches the pedal between compressor and limiter operation1 |
Compressor and limiter modes
The pedal's headline feature is the switch between its two modes. As No Treble reported at the pedal's debut, "Voiced specifically for bass, the pedal switches between a compressor and a limiter"1. For a bass player, that means one pedal can cover gentle, always-on dynamics control in compressor mode and peak-catching in limiter mode, without changing boxes.
Attack speeds
The Speed Switch offers three pre-programmable attack speeds: Fast, Slow, and Medium1. Attack time shapes how quickly the compression responds to a note's start, so the switch lets a player choose between a faster response and one that lets more of the note's initial attack through.
Power
The Whirlwind OC Bass keeps its control layout simple: Input and Output knobs control the level and gain to help you hone in on the amount of punch and sustain you want1.
The OC Bass's Input and Output knobs control the level and gain to help you hone in on the amount of punch and sustain you want1.
Availability and price
Whirlwind debuted the OC Bass Optical Compressor at NAMM in 2012, and it was available at the time of the announcement priced around $2291.
Videos
Premier Guitar
Questions
What voltage does the Whirlwind OC Bass need?
The OC Bass runs on an 18-volt wall adapter. Whirlwind included the adapter with the pedal, so no separate purchase was needed to power it.
Does the Whirlwind OC Bass come with a power supply?
Yes. According to No Treble's report on the pedal, the 18-volt wall adapter was included with the pedal when it shipped.
What do the Fast, Medium and Slow settings do?
The Speed Switch sets the pedal's attack time. It offers three pre-programmable attack speeds: Fast, Slow, and Medium, letting the player choose how quickly the compression responds to the incoming bass signal.
What is the difference between compressor and limiter mode?
The Compressor/Limiter Switch changes how the pedal behaves. Voiced specifically for bass, the pedal switches between a compressor and a limiter, so the same box can serve as an always-on dynamics control or as a limiter that catches peaks.
How much did the Whirlwind OC Bass cost at launch?
The Whirlwind OC Bass Optical Compressor was available priced around $229 when it launched in 2012.
Sources (1)
- Whirlwind Introduces OC Bass Optical Compressor Pedal, No Treble, 2012-03-10
