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Source Audio Zio Bass Preamp

#261
Derek Williams said:
After nearly 4 weeks, mine arrived! I played with a bit last night, and it's great. I didn't A/B test yet against my other preamps though, but my impression is that I like it at least as much as my Capo. Part of this is just how easy it is to dial in a good sound. I pretty much did the same as @Johno Dunn 's photo above: both switches on, bass and focus at least 50%, knock treble down slightly. Grit level at factory default, which on my bass is barely noticeable which I like.

Once work calms down a bit I'll try to compare to some of my other pedals (Capo, LowRider, Sushi UA, etc)

The only changes I'd prefer are: Grit and Scoop should be knobs instead of switches, and top jacks are always welcome. Neither of those issues are deal breakers though.
Click to expand...

Looking forward to Derek's comparisons. . One of the most knowledgeable poster's along with Johnk_10 ... Shameless plug!!
 
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#262
A few thoughts after a couple of rehearsals. Most importantly, it sounds good. The pedal is very easy to use, the sound is well balanced with no extreme settings. It's also very useable as a DI.

The grit mode is the secret sauce of the pedal, and I may also use the scoop EQ for quieter songs.
(Tip for owners, try to turn the scoop on before playing anything. This mode sounds really good by itself, but it's somewhat shadowed by the normal mode).

A couple of small details/feedback would be:
- Top jacks, yes.
- The grit trimpot is not easy to adjust, there's a millimetric gap between clean and dirt.
- I'd prefer to turn the grit on/off with the stomp switch.
But this is just gear geek talking :D
 
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#263
triviani said:
A few thoughts after a couple of rehearsals. Most importantly, it sounds good. The pedal is very easy to use, the sound is well balanced with no extreme settings. It's also very useable as a DI.

The grit mode is the secret sauce of the pedal, and I may also use the scoop EQ for quieter songs.
(Tip for owners, try to turn the scoop on before playing anything. This mode sounds really good by itself, but it's somewhat shadowed by the normal mode).

A couple of small details/feedback would be:
- Top jacks, yes.
- The grit trimpot is not easy to adjust, there's a millimetric gap between clean and dirt.
- I'd prefer to turn the grit on/off with the stomp switch.
But this is just gear geek talking :D
Click to expand...
I’m not a big dirt guy, but I have it set just a crack past minimum, and it just adds something special. Same with the Scoop. I didn’t think, being a fretless only player, that I would use it. But it just sounds so good with it on. And the Focus….fagetaboutit! It rocks!
 
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#268
triviani said:
What are the advantages of having side jacks? Are there any?
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Stereo operation is easier for sure, depending on the patch cable type, the connectors get pretty crowded when everything is top mounted. Not as much of a problem with side jacks which are more agnostic to the cable type you're using.

I've owned several top-jack pedals that crowded the input jack so much that with certain types of patch cables, created a spark when connecting the barrel power cable.

Debatable, but it seems like even in 2024, the majority of pedalboard designs are geared towards easier routing with side jacks, but I've definitely seen a few designs that work well with top mounted pedals.

Those are just a few things withholding personal preference.
 
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#269
I can say that I am one of those that prefers side jacks. Besides the benefits mentioned by NPappas, I love being able to use a solid double-sided jack and just connect up boxes without a bunch of cable mess, and it provides better spacing between foot switches, imo.
 
#270
NPappas said:
Stereo operation is easier for sure, depending on the patch cable type, the connectors get pretty crowded when everything is top mounted. Not as much of a problem with side jacks which are more agnostic to the cable type you're using.

I've owned several top-jack pedals that crowded the input jack so much that with certain types of patch cables, created a spark when connecting the barrel power cable.

Debatable, but it seems like even in 2024, the majority of pedalboard designs are geared towards easier routing with side jacks, but I've definitely seen a few designs that work well with top mounted pedals.

Those are just a few things withholding personal preference.
Click to expand...

Fair enough. Seems like you're a Source Audio fan. A Zio with top jacks would save space in my nano board, specially being a pedal that small.
 
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#271
triviani said:
Fair enough. Seems like you're a Source Audio fan. A Zio with top jacks would save space in my nano board, specially being a pedal that small.
Click to expand...
There was a poll on the Gear Page a few years ago, and there was a fairly even split. This was a surprise to me. We had mainly top jacks at the time.
 
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