Xotic Bass RC Booster

[open_space]

I have a question to all Xotic Bass RC Booster: how much gain does it actually have?

Will it work as a low gain overdrive? Or is it more of a clean boost? I checked the videos on youtube, but couldn't tell.

I have another overdrive that I use (TS9DX) but I dial a bit more overdrive on it and I need something cleaner, something that will only break up when I hit strings really hard. Will Xotic do that?

I could also use Xotic as a booster into TS9DX for heavier tones.

I would appreciate all the info I can get, because I will be ordering the Xotic unseen and unheard, so I want to be sure I am getting what I need.

Thanks!

 

[chicago_mike]

I built a clone of the RC Booster and modded it for bass. At least the guitar version is SUPER clean. Im sure the Bass version has the same or VERY similar overdrive structure.

Can it do clean boost? Yes. I can get mine to do that and can get it to easily fake svt grit. Thats what the overdrive sounds like on this pedal..overdrive. Not distortion not fuzz. But an amp on 11.

Oh, and yeah I do use it in conjunction with my diy juggernaut for more nasty tones. And the RC works great with other pedals, envelope filters, phasers, octavers..etc.

Can plug it directly into a soundcard too.

 

[RCCollins]

There IS a clipping circuit in the RC, so technically it could be described as an OD rather than a "boost" - but this is VERY mild on bass. It thickens up your tone a bit, and can add some hair, but it won't come anywhere close to a tubscreamer type pedal

The RC booster packs a lot of gain, but is transparent to the point of subtlety, as far as clipping goes.

 

[open_space]

There IS a clipping circuit in the RC, so technically it could be described as an OD rather than a "boost" - but this is VERY mild on bass. It thickens up your tone a bit, and can add some hair, but it won't come anywhere close to a tubscreamer type pedal

The RC booster packs a lot of gain, but is transparent to the point of subtlety, as far as clipping goes.

But how mild? I mean I have tubescreamer for other stuff, I am just looking for a slight grit sometimes. Will it deliver?

 

[RCCollins]

my guess is "no" - a cranked up Bass RC Booster still sounds more "furry" than "gritty" to my ears

maybe the pedal you're looking for is an Xotic Bass BB "preamp" - don't let the name fool you, that's a heck of an overdrive (lots of gain available though - it would make a good upgrade to your tubescreamer)

 

[open_space]

my guess is "no" - a cranked up Bass RC Booster still sounds more "furry" than "gritty" to my ears

maybe the pedal you're looking for is an Xotic Bass BB "preamp" - don't let the name fool you, that's a heck of an overdrive (lots of gain available though - it would make a good upgrade to your tubescreamer)

Thanks, I know about the BB preamp, but I don't really want it, since the TS9DX is still my favourite overdrive, no need to upgrade it (I have tried Fulltone, Sparkle Drive, Barber LTD). Actually the second setting on the TS9DX is basically the same schematic as the BB preamp, so they should be similar.

I really wanted a pedal, that would make my sound louder and add a bit of hair to it. I might still give RC booster a try.

 

[christanto nugroho]

Ive try boss geb 7, seymour duncan paranormal, bbe 482 sonic max, radial bassbone 1. But xotic rc booster is the most clean clear that improve (not change) your tone! This baby respect your bass a lot. Just bring original tone to the front. And thats just enough for me, just enough!

 

[Al Kraft]

RCCollins pretty much nailed it from my perspective. The RC is for folks who want to increase gain in an almost tonally transparent way - it provides a touch more body and volume. The EQ is very musical and sounds interactive (Baxandall like to my ears - think original Ampeg type EQ). It's sort of the pedal for folks who wished they had more output, but don't want to change their tone at all (or at least very much).

The best way to say it for me is that it makes a passive bass still sound like a passive bass only with more gain to drive the next thing you're sending the output signal to. The BB is where you can start off almost as clean and work your way into some overdrive very easily. I hope that's helpful.

 

[Barisaxman]

More info coming soon, I just picked one up out of the classifieds. From the videos I've watched it's looks like there a touch of fur/grit there, which is exactly what I'm after since I don't ever get into true overdrive territory. "Amp on 11" is about right, as I really enjoyed the Bassman 100T I used to play when it was right at the breakup point. I'm hoping to create a close approximation of that sound for when I don't want my tone perfectly clean. My other option if this doesn't pan out is maybe a Bass Soul Food since it can blend the dirt into the clean signal..should allow a good amount of control.