The Caveman Audio BAS1 Bass Channel is a rack-mount bass preamp channel, and the maker calls it their flagship. Caveman Audio describes it as "a tone monster that will make every note you play stand out clearly and with the character and definition of a genuine tube amplifier." Steen Skrydstrup, founder of Caveman Audio, calls the BAS1 his masterpiece.1
What it is and how it is built
The BAS1 is a 19-inch rack unit, two rack units high and 350 mm deep, weighing 5 kg (11 lbs). It is a channel designed to sit at the front of a bass rig: preamp, compression, EQ and output section in one box, with a D.I. output for going direct to a desk.1
The controls
The signal path is deliberately simple. Caveman Audio says the preamp section holds only one control, GAIN, and an LED meter helps you dial in the best Input Gain level for the preamp.1
- GAIN: the single preamp control, with an LED meter to guide the input level1
- Compressor: Threshold and Output/Blend are user-adjustable; Attack and Release times are pre-set inside the unit, chosen specifically with bass signals in mind1
- EQ: a two-band parametric equalizer plus a fixed Bass control1
- Master Volume: sits at the very end of the signal chain1
- MUTE: a mute function completes the unit1
The compressor
The compressor section is Caveman Audio's version of the Urei 1176LN, which the maker calls legendary, but with increased attack time in order to preserve the dynamics of a bass guitar. It is designed to run in parallel with the original signal, which Caveman Audio says maintains the integrity of your signal. In practice, parallel compression means the untouched signal and the compressed signal are heard together, so you blend in sustain and evenness without losing the attack of the notes.1
"We have pre-set the Attack and Release time inside the unit, again specifically with bass signals in mind."
Power and connections
The BAS1 is a rack unit measuring 19" x 2U x 350 mm (WxHxD), so it takes a standard rack space alongside other outboard gear. Designer Steen Skrydstrup, founder of Caveman Audio, calls it his masterpiece: "This is my masterpiece that I am very proud of."1
At 5 kg (11 lbs) and a 2U rack format, the BAS1 is stage and studio rack gear rather than a pedalboard unit. For pedal-format options from the same maker, see the Caveman Audio BP1, the Caveman Audio BP1 Compact and the Caveman Audio BC1 Bass Compressor, or browse Bass Pedals and Preamp Pedals more widely.
Manual and availability
The BAS1 carries a list price of 20.995,00 kr. DKK. The maker publishes a BAS1 Quick Guide as a PDF manual on its website.1
Videos
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Questions
Is the Caveman Audio BAS1 a rack unit or a pedal?
The BAS1 is a rack unit, not a pedal. Its dimensions are 19 inches wide, 2U high and 350 mm deep, which is standard 19-inch rack gear, and it weighs 5 kg, or 11 lbs. It is described by Caveman Audio as a bass preamp channel and the company calls it their flagship. Players who want a pedal-format alternative from the same maker can look at the Caveman Audio BP1 or the BC1 Bass Compressor instead.
Does the BAS1 have a D.I. output?
Yes. The BAS1 has a D.I. output, and Caveman Audio specifies an output load for it of 2k ohms or more. That lets you send a signal straight to a mixing desk or audio interface while also feeding an amplifier, which is a common setup for live bass rigs and recording sessions.
Can you adjust attack and release on the BAS1 compressor?
No. Caveman Audio has pre-set the Attack and Release times inside the unit, chosen specifically with bass signals in mind. The player dials in the Threshold and the Output/Blend settings. The compressor runs in parallel with the original signal, so the uncompressed signal keeps its integrity while the compressed signal is blended in.
How heavy is the Caveman Audio BAS1?
The BAS1 weighs 5 kg, which is 11 lbs. That is typical for a 19-inch rack unit of this kind, and it is worth planning rack weight if you are flying with a rig or building a portable rack case around it.
Does the BAS1 work on 120V power in the US?
Yes. The BAS1 accepts 100-240VAC at 47-63Hz, so it covers US 120V mains power as well as European voltages. A single universal power specification like this means the same unit can be used in different countries without a step-up or step-down transformer.
Where can I find the BAS1 manual?
Caveman Audio publishes the BAS1 Quick Guide as a PDF on its website, at caveman-audio.com under the uploads folder, with the file named BAS1-QUICK-GUIDE.pdf. The product page for the BAS1 links to it directly, so it is the first place to look for setup and operating details.
Sources (1)
- BAS1 Bass Channel, Caveman Audio, 2026-04-13
