The tool I often choose to use to compress bass is a multi-band compressor because this gives me independent control over specific frequency bands, meaning I can compress the the lows differently to the mids and so on.
I firstly create a section in the multi-band compressor which contains the frequencies between 40Hz and 120Hz. I then set a fast attack and a slightly slower release, usually with a low ratio of 2:1 and pull the threshold down until the compressor starts to work. I use a fast attack and a slower release because i don't want any peaks in the low end and i want to keep the compression smooth. Depending on how inconsistent the low end is, I usually aim for 3-6dB of gain reduction. Once this is complete, I use the make-up gain to match the level that was audible before the compressor was engaged.
I'd like to point out that sometimes, compressing the low end is as far as I go with bass compression and sometimes I'll apply a single band compressor like an LA-2A just to even out the dynamics.
When dealing with an aggressive picked bass, I will usually add a second band into the multi-band compressor to even out the pick attack. I use a slower attack in this range to retain some of the transients and then apply a fast release so that the compressor recovers in time for the next transient. I normally go for a ratio of 3:1 or 4:1 and pull down on the threshold so that the compressor is consistently working on the pick attack. Again, I apply the appropriate make-up gain.
Multi-band compression is not the be all and end all to processing bass, it is simply an option and one that you may decide to take depending on the source tone you are working with.
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