Source Audio ZIO Analog Bass Preamp and DI Pedal

ZIO Analog Bass Preamp+DI: A Powerful and Compact Tone Shaping Pedal

The ZIO Analog Bass Preamp+DI is a pedal that delivers massive punch and flexibility for monster bass tones. With its all-analog, ultra-low noise tone shaping system, it offers rich and dynamic tones with plenty of headroom and maximum tweakability. This compact and easy-to-use pedal is a great addition to your setup, whether you're using it in front of your amplifier or as a preamp/direct box via its balanced XLR output.

Total Tone Control
The ZIO Analog Bass Preamp + DI has an intuitive set of tone controls that can take your bass sound to a new level. With the BASS and FOCUS knobs, you get tremendous depth and power. The BASS knob provides colossal low-end boost at around 100Hz, while also gently reducing muddy low-mids to retain clarity. The FOCUS knob sweeps the cut-off point of a high-pass filter to tame excessive sub bass and low bass frequencies, providing extra headroom for a concise and punchy sound. You can boost or cut the highs with the TREBLE knob to enhance articulation without adding harshness, or smooth attack transients for a softer approach. The OUTPUT knob offers up to +16db of overall boost above unity gain or up to -6db of cut. The ZIO Analog Bass Preamp + DI gives you a huge range of tones to choose from, no matter your bass model or musical genre.

Natural Drive
The GRIT toggle captures the magic of transformer-style breakup that occurs when a vintage tube amp gets pushed to overdrive. Adjust the amount of grit with a "set-it-and-forget-it” GAIN control located on the side of the pedal. It's not a fuzz, it's a natural crunch that adds just enough overdrive to lift your bass tone to a new level of aggression.

Punch & Clarity
Based on a time-honored studio maneuver, the SCOOP toggle engages an EQ curve based on the famous "Pultec Trick" (used by studio engineers from the 1950s right through today). Activating SCOOP mode triggers a low-mid cut to remove "mud" frequencies, a gentle presence boost in the upper midrange, and a natural-sounding high pass filter to reduce low-frequency rumble. It's a more "polished" sound to establish your bass more clearly in the mix.

Direct Impact
The DIRECT OUT is a balanced XLR output with a ground LIFT switch that delivers a low-noise, amp-like signal, equally effective in the studio or on stage. The inclusion of a standard 1/4 output allows for a parallel signal running directly to a pedalboard or the front of your bass amp.

A Higher Quality OP-AMP
After bench-testing several classic and popular op-amp chips from the 1970s, we selected the Burr Brown OPA1656 for its pure tonality, dynamic range, frequency response, and overall feel. Its rail-to-rail output with a higher current capability delivers unmatched transparency and headroom. This 8-legged OPA chip was the perfect match for the ZIO's mission of delivering supreme amp-like bass tone in a compact housing.

Key Features

• Preamp with extremely low noise and distortion levels
• Supports both active and passive basses with +/- 12V high voltage rails
• Comprehensive tone-shaping control set, including a FOCUS high-pass filter
• Additional tonal character options with GRIT and SCOOP modes
• XLR Direct Output with the option for ground lift
• True Bypass for unaltered signal when not in use
• Convenient headphone output for direct monitoring
• Power consumption of 200mA for output
• Sleek brushed anodized aluminum housing
• Dimensions: L: 4.5 in./11.4cm x W: 4.5 in./11.4 cm x H: 2 in./5.1cm (including knobs)
• Weight: 1 lb./0.45 kg.