- Jul 8, 2007
- 1,272
- 9
- Disclosures
- Lead Designer, Zeibek Boutique Pedals
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Booster pedal, which one do you use/like?
- Thread starter musicelectronix
- Start date
bongomania
Commercial User
I use the Radial PB-1. It has a very clean, full tone with no audible compression, dirt, or EQ shaping. In combination with my passive bass, and given the range of gain and the impedance drag control, I can use it to simulate any kind of bass guitar output when testing compressors, preamps, effects, etc. When playing, not testing, I leave the drag wide open and set the gain about halfway in order to bring my low-output passive up to the level of my active bass, without altering the passive's tone much.
I use the MXR microamp. Small, clean and one knob...
Only thing I don't like is the footswitch - while you can feel when it turns on, it doesn't take much to "knock" it on - not like the real switches like on my EBS, HBE and EHX pedals.
Does the job though - but given I just got a Hematoma, I may no longer need it.
Only thing I don't like is the footswitch - while you can feel when it turns on, it doesn't take much to "knock" it on - not like the real switches like on my EBS, HBE and EHX pedals.
Does the job though - but given I just got a Hematoma, I may no longer need it.
I like the HAO Rust Boost 1 [I have two], I usually use it for buffering fuzzes, at times clean boosting, and it has a real cool OD sound when "boost" is past 9 0'clock.
scotch
It's not rocket science!
- Nov 12, 2006
- 6,944
- 2,081
- 51
- Disclosures
- Please see Profile for Endorsement disclosures
I'm a big advocate of the Xotic Bass RC Booster. I did a lot of research & shopping/auditioning and went with the RC. I also liked the Creation Audio MK 4.23, but the Xotic sounded equally transparent, cost less, and was more flexible.
It's super transparent, but also gives you the optional 2 band eq (most likely an active baxandall circuit w/ boost and cut).
I use mine for a variety of functions:
a)clean boost for stepping up low-output vintage pickups
b)clean volume boost for accent/solo passages
c)to drive my tube pre's or tube amps into overdrive (the old fashioned way!)
d)as a "quickee" eq. I'll set it for treble cut and a little boost, for instance, when I am playing a song where I switch from fingers to pick.
The RC is true bypass, transparent, small format, and very flexible. It works equally well with passive and active instruments. I love it!
I also have an EH LPB-1. It works fine for boosting the signal, but the gain knob is touchy & it's not nearly as versatile as the Xotic. For $40, though, it's fine for more volume... the newer ones are even true bypass.
It's super transparent, but also gives you the optional 2 band eq (most likely an active baxandall circuit w/ boost and cut).
I use mine for a variety of functions:
a)clean boost for stepping up low-output vintage pickups
b)clean volume boost for accent/solo passages
c)to drive my tube pre's or tube amps into overdrive (the old fashioned way!)
d)as a "quickee" eq. I'll set it for treble cut and a little boost, for instance, when I am playing a song where I switch from fingers to pick.
The RC is true bypass, transparent, small format, and very flexible. It works equally well with passive and active instruments. I love it!
I also have an EH LPB-1. It works fine for boosting the signal, but the gain knob is touchy & it's not nearly as versatile as the Xotic. For $40, though, it's fine for more volume... the newer ones are even true bypass.
I use the Xotic RC Bass Booster. I however don't use it for a solo boost or special EQ, it's always ON in my pedalboard and it's part of my sound. Makes my Laklands sing even more without changing their tone.
For a normal boost maybe the LPB1 is a cheaper alternative. However the Xotic is as high-quality as you can get, the EQ is super transparent and what it added to my sound is worth more than it's price tag.
My $0.02
For a normal boost maybe the LPB1 is a cheaper alternative. However the Xotic is as high-quality as you can get, the EQ is super transparent and what it added to my sound is worth more than it's price tag.
My $0.02
Just to put my 2 cents and suggestions out there:
1) I like my boost clean, with lots of headroom. Thats what I love about the Hema's boost section. It never distorts with my passive jazz, or even when I crank the sub oct on my POG. That said I also like the fact that it boosts freqs proportionally. If I boost my jazz I get more mids, and if I boost the p-pup soloed with the tone off on my P/J I get more bass. (EDIT: at least this is the way it sounds to my ears, and explains a little in how it sounds more punchy IMO)
2) I like the fact that the Hema is -∞ to +5db. I'd LOVE it tho if 12 noon was ±0. I just think that having a nice ref point for 0 is better, especially if you want to use it to cut or boost. I do see the advantage of having a large boost (say +30db), and it would be cool to have the min point on the knob as ±0. My "solution": selectable ranges.
3) Taking the above -∞ to +5/10 and putting an output impedance selection would make it really useful for boosting in front of fuzzes, especially vintage ones.
Just my 2 cents
1) I like my boost clean, with lots of headroom. Thats what I love about the Hema's boost section. It never distorts with my passive jazz, or even when I crank the sub oct on my POG. That said I also like the fact that it boosts freqs proportionally. If I boost my jazz I get more mids, and if I boost the p-pup soloed with the tone off on my P/J I get more bass. (EDIT: at least this is the way it sounds to my ears, and explains a little in how it sounds more punchy IMO)
2) I like the fact that the Hema is -∞ to +5db. I'd LOVE it tho if 12 noon was ±0. I just think that having a nice ref point for 0 is better, especially if you want to use it to cut or boost. I do see the advantage of having a large boost (say +30db), and it would be cool to have the min point on the knob as ±0. My "solution": selectable ranges.
3) Taking the above -∞ to +5/10 and putting an output impedance selection would make it really useful for boosting in front of fuzzes, especially vintage ones.
Just my 2 cents
mikeboth
The last thing you'll ever see
Just what the world needs - another boost pedal.
What about a 'best of' mutant boost pedal that has every single feature of every other boost pedal?
- switchable 9V / 18V operation
- switchable silicon transistor / germanium transistor / FET / Mosfet / IC
- adjustable input impedance
- adjustable output impedance
- adjustable gain
- second footswitch with adjustable gain
- some consideration given to EQ also
- a solitary, strategically placed carbon resistor for extra mojo (doesn't even need to be connected in the signal chain; put a 100 ohm one in as a power-supply line filter, and then claim this produces 'magic' tone)
- RGB LED, with 3 internal trimpots, so the user can have their own custom coloured on/off indicator
I think that about covers it ....
scotch
It's not rocket science!
- Nov 12, 2006
- 6,944
- 2,081
- 51
- Disclosures
- Please see Profile for Endorsement disclosures
Just what the world needs - another boost pedal.
What about a 'best of' mutant boost pedal that has every single feature of every other boost pedal?
- switchable 9V / 18V operation
- switchable silicon transistor / germanium transistor / FET / Mosfet / IC
- adjustable input impedance
- adjustable output impedance
- adjustable gain
- second footswitch with adjustable gain
- some consideration given to EQ also
- a solitary, strategically placed carbon resistor for extra mojo (doesn't even need to be connected in the signal chain; put a 100 ohm one in as a power-supply line filter, and then claim this produces 'magic' tone)
- RGB LED, with 3 internal trimpots, so the user can have their own custom coloured on/off indicator
I think that about covers it ....
+1,000 !!!!
Actually I would love a "booster" with two footswitchable gain amounts & accurate variable impedance selection on the ins & outs! That would be incredible!
mikeboth
The last thing you'll ever see
The only problem with a MonsterBoost(TM) pedal as described is that it would eat other lesser pedals when left alone with them; you'd need to take it off your pedalboard and put it in a special cage each night. 
More seriously, actually trying to make a 'better' booster that has a different feature set to those scores of boosters already available AND is saleable, would be quite a task.
More seriously, actually trying to make a 'better' booster that has a different feature set to those scores of boosters already available AND is saleable, would be quite a task.
This is a completely idiotic question: but what is the difference between a booster and a preamp? Would someone need both?
