![]() ![]() Who is this best suited for: If you’re looking for a preamp pedal which will spice up your guitar tone, the Epoch Boost is a great option. When I positioned it at the end of the signal chain, this preamp pedal transformed added rich overtones which complemented the other pedals perfectly. I believe that the standout quality of the Catalinbread Epoch Boost is its ability to interact with other timing-based effects, such as reverbs and delays. This boosts the headroom of your guitar’s output, adds a shiny top-end layer, and increases the clarity of each note that is played. Like the preamp that inspired it, the device can be used with the echo function turned off. However, the Epoch Boost isn’t limited to producing an echo effect. This tape echo preamp was used by many guitarists in the prog and psych-rock genres in the 1960s to create trippy, echo-draped tones. My Review: The Epoch Boost pedal is based on one of my favorite preamplifier circuits of all time – the legendary Maestro Echoplex EP-3. It produces warm, inviting tones that prepare your guitar’s signal for the amplifier. This pedal features a minimalistic design, with a 2-band EQ and two dynamic controls. Its four-control layout doesn’t take long to become accustomed to, but the sounds it produces are complex and unique.īottom Line: Xotic’s BB proves that guitar preamp pedals don’t need to be flashy and over-the-top to function perfectly. Who is this best suited for: Guitarists who prefer to keep things simple when it comes to assembling their pedalboard will love the easy-to-use design of the Xotic BB Preamp. The gain produced by this pedal sounds natural, with ear-friendly harmonics which resemble a slightly cranked preamp section of a vintage tube amplifier. The quality which I found to be most unique about the Xotic BB preamp is its ability to add an ideal amount of gain to the signal, without overdoing it. Any problem frequencies which became apparent can easily be removed by using the EQ in conjunction with the tone pots on your guitar. I found that by adjusting the ‘Treble’ and ‘Bass’ knobs slightly, I was able to ensure that the tone produced by the preamp pedal was consistent with my guitar’s clean tone. The EQ controls installed on the BB preamp are very easy to use. Right off the bat, I could tell that this analog stompbox wasn’t going to disappoint! Their EP Booster is one of the best devices in its field, so I was expecting the BB preamp to be on a similar level. My Review: US-based pedal producers Xotic are a brand I’ve long admired. ![]() The pedal also offers phantom power for vocal mics or recording, and an EQ section for tweaking your tone. Clean and crisp headroom is provided by the ‘Hi/Lo’ switch, and the high-quality inner circuitry prevents any noise issues from occurring. Despite its extensive onboard controls, the pedal is very easy to use so you don’t need a wealth of experience with effects pedals to operate it effectively.īottom Line: With a long list of useful features, this JHS Pedals preamp is a multi-faceted tool for guitarists. Who is this best suited for: The Colour Box V2 is best suited for guitarists, vocalists, or other musicians who want to control every aspect of their amplified tone. This is a key difference I noticed between the original model and this second edition – it includes phantom power, an XLR mic input, and the possibility to be used as outboard gear in the recording studio. The thing that really sets the JHS Pedals Colour Box V2 apart from other guitar preamp devices is its compatibility with vocals and other instruments. The extensive EQ section allowed me to shape each frequency band of the guitar’s output meticulously, reducing any harsh tones and making sweeter tones more prominent in the mix. I was also very impressed by the functionality of the onboard controls included on the Colour Box V2. While some guitar preamp pedals use heavy compression to create a powerful sound, this pedal gently boosts the signal and leaves plenty of headroom for further adjustments. ![]() The first thing I noticed about the Colour Box V2 was its incredibly clear and consistent signal. Consequently, when I heard that JHS Pedals were releasing a second edition, I was eager to see how they had improved upon the first model. My Review: The revered original version of the Colour Box was amongst the best preamp pedals I’ve ever had the pleasure of testing. EarthQuaker Devices Arrows V2 (Best Under $100)ġ x 6.35mm Jack Input, 1 x XLR Mic Input, 1 x Output Catalinbread Epoch Boost (Best Under $150)Ĥ. JHS Pedals Colour Box V2 (Best Overall)ģ. ![]()
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