The ZIO Analog Bass Preamp + DI is an ultra-low noise, all-analog tone shaping tool voiced specifically for bass. Bass ZIO offers an expansive range of tonal options in a compact housing with an intuitive set of controls. This first-rate preamp/DI was a collaborative between Source Audio engineer Jesse Remignanti and Christopher Venter of SHOE Pedals (creator of the DOD Looking Glass and the SHOE Savior Machine). It utilizes high-quality Burr-Brown Op-Amps which provide maximum headroom and a simple yet powerful set of equalization, gain, and tone coloring controls. It also offers three independent outputs: a standard ¼”, a balanced XLR, and a dedicated headphone jack.
Bass ZIO is very simple to use. It features an intuitive set of controls that can achieve an exceptionally diverse collection of bass tones. The OUTPUT knob offers +16db of overall boost above unity gain as well as -6db of cut. The BASS and FOCUS offer tremendous flexibility when used in tandem. The BASS knob provides a significant low-end boost at around 100Hz, while the FOCUS knob sweeps the cut-off point of a high-pass filter to tame excessively low frequencies. Together the BASS and FOCUS provide to power to dial in colossal low-end with a powerful punch, without being hampered by floppy bottom. The TREBLE knob boosts or cuts the high frequencies, which can be adjusted to either enhanced articulation without adding harshness, or smooth attack transients for a softer approach.
ZIO also features a dynamic pair of highly beneficial tone coloring options in the GRIT and SCOOP toggles. The GRIT toggle enables a natural sounding distortion that captures the magic of transformer-style breakup, the tone that occurs when a high-powered bass amp gets pushed to its limit. The amount of gain engaged by the GRIT toggle can be adjusted with a “set-it-and-forget-it” GAIN control located on the side of the pedal. The SCOOP toggle engages a special midrange cut to clean up “muddy” frequencies. The SCOOP’s cut profile is based on the legendary “Pultec Trick” - a time-honored Pultec EQP-1A Equalizer (a studio rack equalizer originally released in the 1950s) setting that studio engineers have regularly dialed up whenever they need added clarity in a bass tone.
The pedal also includes three outputs that can be used individually or simultaneously. The ¼” OUTPUT jack connects to an amplifier or pedalboard. The DIRECT OUT is a balanced XLR output with a ground LIFT switch. The XLR Out brings amplifier character when connected directly to a mixer or audio interface for recording or live sound applications. The HEADPHONE jack features a high dynamic range, low-noise amplifier that is capable of driving low impedance studio headphones.