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First-rate Preamp/DI with Analog Circuitry





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A collaboration between Source Audio engineer Jesse Remignanti and Christopher Venter of SHOE pedals, the Source Audio ZIO analog bass preamp and DI offers bassists an impressive selection of tone sculpting options. The ZIO’s secret ingredients are pristine Burr-Brown op-amps for substantial headroom, plus the /-12V high voltage rails for active and passive basses. Combined with controls for equalization, gain, and tone coloring, the ZIO will get you that hard-hitting bass sound you’ve always desired. And did we mention it’s all analog? Bassists will have three independent outputs to choose from, including a 1/4-inch, a balanced XLR, and a dedicated headphone jack to accommodate any musical scenario you find yourself in. Take it from Sweetwater: the Source Audio ZIO passes with flying colors when it comes to gigs, rehearsal, and recording applications.





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Simple controls and a world of tone shaping options





The ZIO may have an imposing range of tonal versatility, but Source Audio designed the pedal with intuitive controls. For instance, the Output knob can dial you into 16dB of overall boost above unity gain or cut up to 6dB. Meanwhile, the Bass knob offers a low-end boost around 100Hz while its accompanying Focus knob adjusts the cut-off point on a highpass filter to soothe those excessively low frequencies. Here, you’ll find that colossal low-end punch infused with plenty of power ? and forget about the floppy bottom! The Treble knob then steps in for boosts or cuts to the high frequencies, enhancing articulation minus the harshness for smooth attack transients.





Add distortion and focus it to perfection





The tone sculpting possibilities open up further when users explore the dynamic qualities of the Grit and Scoop toggles. With the Grit toggle, you’ll find delightful heaps of natural-sounding distortion with the essence of transformer-style breakup to highlight your tone like that of a high-powered bass amp pushed to the max! On the side of the pedal, there’s also a set-it-and-forget-it Gain control to temper the amount of gain engaged by the Grit section so you hit the sweet spot every time. The Scoop toggle targets your muddy frequencies and gives them a special midrange cut. Source Audio based this toggle on a legendary studio technique based on a 1950s studio rack equalizer setting to add that must-have clarity to any bass tone.





Let’s talk outputs





The ZIO analog bass preamp/DI pedal has three outputs ready to be used individually or simultaneously. A 1/4-inch output jack can connect you to your preferred amp or pedalboard. The direct out, a balanced XLR output jack with a ground lift switch, can add some amplifier character when connecting to mixers, recording interfaces, PAs, and in other live sound applications. Lastly, engage in silent practice using the headphone jack that features high dynamic range and a low-noise amplifier perfect for driving low impedance headphones.





Source Audio ZIO Analog Bass Preamp/DI Pedal Features:


Ultra-low noise with all-analog tone shaping


Expansive range of options including EQ, gain, and tone coloring


Collaboration between Source Audio and SHOE Pedals


Pristine Burr-Brown op-amps provide impressive headroom


3 outputs work independently or simultaneously


1/4-inch, balanced XLR, and dedicated headphone jack outputs


Output knob offers 16dB of boost above unity gain or -6dB of cut


Bass knob gives low-end boost around 100Hz


Focus knob engages cut-off point in highpass filter


Treble knob boosts or cuts high frequencies


Add natural-sounding distortion with the Grit, Scoop, and Gain toggles


/-12V high voltage rails for active and passive basses


Includes 9V power supply