Source Audio Zio Bass Preamp

[shoepedals]

Cheers,

So the Scoop will be slightly reduced in the high-end by the grit being applied AND can be further adjusted +/- with the Treble control BUT cannot be adjusted (+) by the Bass control?

I wouldn't think of it that way, exactly. The Bass and Treble controls are at the end of the circuit and they will affect the total signal coming out of the unit. However, for example, if you boost the bass, it will not boost the bass going into the Grit circuit, so that it won't get too flubby. Scoop and Focus, however, will affect the Grit circuit's breakup characteristic if engaged. This way, you can tighten up the Grit response if it's distorting too much on the fundamentals or low mids and then add Bass back in later to compensate.

The idea is that if you need to, you can clean up the low frequencies and preserve headroom in the rest of the circuit and only add them back at the end.

Hopefully that makes sense

 

[dedpool1052]

I wouldn't think of it that way, exactly. The Bass and Treble controls are at the end of the circuit and they will affect the total signal coming out of the unit. However, for example, if you boost the bass, it will not boost the bass going into the Grit circuit, so that it won't get too flubby. Scoop and Focus, however, will affect the Grit circuit's breakup characteristic if engaged. This way, you can tighten up the Grit response if it's distorting too much on the fundamentals or low mids and then add Bass back in later to compensate.

The idea is that if you need to, you can clean up the low frequencies and preserve headroom in the rest of the circuit and only add them back at the end.

Hopefully that makes sense

Makes perfect sense.
The ability to control the low-end both pre and post gain (or grit circuit in this instance) is a great way to adjust the overall feel and compression of the grit, and overall signal.

 

[lowendrv]

Cheers,

So the Scoop will be slightly reduced in the high-end by the grit being applied AND can be further adjusted +/- with the Treble control BUT cannot be adjusted (+) by the Bass control?

Bass is boost only and treble is boost and cut . The HPF (Focus) is the secret sauce when boosting the bass . imho

 

[PhatBottomBass1]

Bass is boost only and treble is boost and cut . The HPF (Focus) is the secret sauce when boosting the bass . imho

Yes.... Treble +/- & Bass +

As someone else asked, not knowing, if the HPF was say like a Broughton that is adjustable from I believe 25Hz to ???

This "Focus" while being a HPF and variable, but not perhaps best described as selectable, due to the interactive nature of the Bass boost control.

My specific question related to professional advice with published specifications and specific scenarios that were suggested best achieved by a 40Hz roll @ -12db/oct. From what I see this will have no problem getting there from here where as the sfx Micro Thumpinator would not.

My ZIO Bass Preamp is sitting on an order waiting for another item and then I'll put'er to work!

 

[dedpool1052]

The zio is a great tone enhancer.

*Edit*
Screw you, autocorrect.

 

[lowendrv]

View attachment 5335121
Yes.... Treble +/- & Bass +

As someone else asked, not knowing, if the HPF was say like a Broughton that is adjustable from I believe 25Hz to ???

This "Focus" while being a HPF and variable, but not perhaps best described as selectable, due to the interactive nature of the Bass boost control.

My specific question related to professional advice with published specifications and specific scenarios that were suggested best achieved by a 40Hz roll @ -12db/oct. From what I see this will have no problem getting there from here where as the sfx Micro Thumpinator would not.

My ZIO Bass Preamp is sitting on an order waiting for another item and then I'll put'er to work!

I got rid of my Broughton HPF on my board because the one on the ZIO works great for me . I adjust my HPF different for every room . The ZIO is easier for me find a good tone live on the fly . I go by what my ears tell me not what graphs says .

 

[GRichards]

I have a question after reviewing the manual. Can the Zio operate on phantom power?

 

[PhatBottomBass1]

I got rid of my Broughton HPF on my board because the one on the ZIO works great for me . I adjust my HPF different for every room . The ZIO is easier for me find a good tone live on the fly . I go by what my ears tell me not what graphs says .

In this case, what someone's ears may feel sounds great, could end up blowing up a speaker due to the mechanics of that situation under specific stress parameters.

No offense, but everyone's ears are not going to figure it out until it's too late... fortunately, I have one new (no longer in production) original replacement speaker in the event things don't go as planned!

To recap:

(a) SA now has the info in the public domain.

(b) Everyone on TB uses their ears to find the best possible situation with everything. No other considerations are considered.

(c) Bass + & Treble -/+

(d) Scoop, bad....unless it isn't.

(e) Grit, who needs grit, unless it's turned all the way up.

(f) The DI must be good...right?

 

[lowendrv]

In this case, what someone's ears may feel sounds great, could end up blowing up a speaker due to the mechanics of that situation under specific stress parameters.

No offense, but everyone's ears are not going to figure it out until it's too late... fortunately, I have one new (no longer in production) original replacement speaker in the event things don't go as planned!

To recap:

(a) SA now has the info in the public domain.

(b) Everyone on TB uses their ears to find the best possible situation with everything. No other considerations are considered.

(c) Bass + & Treble -/+

(d) Scoop, bad....unless it isn't.

(e) Grit, who needs grit, unless it's turned all the way up.

(f) The DI must be good...right?

No offense I haven't played a gig in 30 years where I had to worry about my cabinets blowing up . If I had gig like that now , I would find a different gig . I never play loud . PA does the heavy lifting at loud gigs now . In that case my rig is just a monitor for me and maybe the drummer .

 

[red_rhino]

(b) Everyone on TB uses their ears to find the best possible situation with everything. No other considerations are considered.

Not really. Everyone on TB does whatever works best for them to reach their tonal goals. Some of us get very deep into the numbers and settings, others go by intuition and ears, the latter being one of main appeals for tools like the Zio, IMHO. Still, it's interesting and informative to see everyone's specific technical inquiries; it gives insight.

 

[DumDrummer]

I got rid of my Broughton HPF on my board because the one on the ZIO works great for me . I adjust my HPF different for every room . The ZIO is easier for me find a good tone live on the fly . I go by what my ears tell me not what graphs says .

This is what I was trying to get to-- will this allow me to nix a pedal. The markings on the pedal and the "quick start" guide left me with only a vague sense of how that focus knob worked. Sounds like this might be a great option for those who like to employ the use of a HPF in their setup.

 

[Johno Dunn]

This is what I was trying to get to-- will this allow me to nix a pedal. The markings on the pedal and the "quick start" guide left me with only a vague sense of how that focus knob worked. Sounds like this might be a great option for those who like to employ the use of a HPF in their setup.

I’m considering letting my EQ2 go, because this thing sounds so good on its own!

 

[lomo]

This is what I was trying to get to-- will this allow me to nix a pedal. The markings on the pedal and the "quick start" guide left me with only a vague sense of how that focus knob worked. Sounds like this might be a great option for those who like to employ the use of a HPF in their setup.

I guess it comes down to where one likes to/usually sets his HPF. Mine is usually around 40-50Hz and it's a hard shelf (Broughton), so when my Zio lands I'll have to A/B and decide. Currently I passively emphasize lows on my Sushi Box preamp pedals and trim the boom with the HPF. The Zio would add a few new wrinkles since it's not the same animal. The other question I'll have to answer is whether I want the Zio at my feet or always within easy reach of my hands. I have a board that's usually on the floor and a smaller one that's almost never on the floor. If I use the Zio's Focus as an always on HPF, then the other Zio features will have to be set & static since the whole pedal is either engaged or off as far as the foot switch is concerned.

 

[PhatBottomBass1]

(g) it's not square

(h)

 

[NPappas]

I have a question after reviewing the manual. Can the Zio operate on phantom power?

It has diode protection if connected to an upstream device that sends phantom power, but if you're asking if the power can be actuated by the inputs, the answer is no. It needs dedicated 9V power @ 200mA.

 

[shoepedals]

It has diode protection if connected to an upstream device that sends phantom power, but if you're asking if the power can be actuated by the inputs, the answer is no. It needs dedicated 9V power @ 200mA.

Yeah, there's no way that phantom power would be able to handle the Bass Zio. Phantom is really only good for very low current uses as it is only specified for up to about 10mA. It's meant for applying a voltage across a microphone diaphragm and powering a basic preamp inside a mic. It could run a basic fuzz pedal or jfet booster, but not so much a headphone amp and relatively complex EQ circuit.

 

[jcburn]

Just catching up on this thread I like what this "looks" like EQ wise and all achievable in 1 pedal (on my current board it would take 2 pedals to achieve this.)

 

[lowendrv]

I guess it comes down to where one likes to/usually sets his HPF. Mine is usually around 40-50Hz and it's a hard shelf (Broughton), so when my Zio lands I'll have to A/B and decide. Currently I passively emphasize lows on my Sushi Box preamp pedals and trim the boom with the HPF. The Zio would add a few new wrinkles since it's not the same animal. The other question I'll have to answer is whether I want the Zio at my feet or always within easy reach of my hands. I have a board that's usually on the floor and a smaller one that's almost never on the floor. If I use the Zio's Focus as an always on HPF, then the other Zio features will have to be set & static since the whole pedal is either engaged or off as far as the foot switch is concerned.

I play 3 or 4 different amps . A Demeter , Ampeg , Mesa or GK . The eq is different on all of them . I can't preset on any of them for a gig . FOH always gets pre eq DI . A PF50T Ampeg gets most of my gigs . All have a different mids .

 

[PhatBottomBass1]

No offense I haven't played a gig in 30 years where I had to worry about my cabinets blowing up . If I had gig like that now , I would find a different gig . I never play loud . PA does the heavy lifting at loud gigs now . In that case my rig is just a monitor for me and maybe the drummer .

No offense, but ya don't have to use a wreaking ball to make the a side of a building collapse. The cabinet is not going to be beat to death by the amplifier on "11" .... But, the frequencies put to it could be challenging if the correct stress releasing reductions are not in place.

A common case of this, is when players talk about their cabinet "farting out",.... something I've never personally experienced?

The cabinet does sound really nice, but players historically have over done it and paid the price. This is why I asked about it. He also said that the lack of HPF being readily available and not offered on SWR amps was the causation of this problem 25 years ago.

So, being a thinking Bass player...I got the lowdown, adjusted fire and expect great results and no issues!

See how that thinking process avoids catastrophe?

 

[rsmith601]

No offense, but ya don't have to use a wreaking ball to make the a side of a building collapse. The cabinet is not going to be beat to death by the amplifier on "11" .... But, the frequencies put to it could be challenging if the correct stress releasing reductions are not in place.

A common case of this, is when players talk about their cabinet "farting out",.... something I've never personally experienced?

The cabinet does sound really nice, but players historically have over done it and paid the price. This is why I asked about it. He also said that the lack of HPF being readily available and not offered on SWR amps was the causation of this problem 25 years ago.

So, being a thinking Bass player...I got the lowdown, adjusted fire and expect great results and no issues!

See how that thinking process avoids catastrophe?

When the Microthumpinator came out, we thought "wow, we can easily add this function to most of our bass oriented pedals", so we have. Off the top of my head I cant remember the first pedal we added it to. Its has been a while.