9 Wondrous Preamp Pedals for Better Tone

Audio engineers tend to think of a preamp as a tool for powering a mic and/or boosting its signal before the recording, while audiophiles see it as a device that comes ahead of their power amp, sporting equalization and volume controls, and some switching functionalities. Such a device would usually function as the primary source of drive, EQ, and other tone-shaping capabilities. Some older guitarists associate preamp closely with formerly ever-present 80s rack units from Marshall, A/DA, Mesa/Boogie, and other brands. Existing guitar preamp selections are already more varied, and a pedal preamp is the most convenient option for modern pedalboard-bound musicians. One might be wondering what makes a preamp different from a regular distortion pedal with EQ if it is merely a pedal equipped with volume, tone, and gain controls. Great preamps serve as a comprehensive sound solution capable of working equally well in front of a guitar amp, in an effects loop, clean power amp, as well as directly into a PA system or recorder. Preamps can be valuable equipment for touring guitarists who need a powerful, compact gigging tool that can function as an excellent tone foundation. Below are some preamp pedals worth checking out.

Carl Martin 3 Band Parametric Preamp

Designed with musicians who play acoustic guitar, double bass, accordion, harmonica, violin, etc. in mind, the 3 Band Parametric Preamp by Carl Martin has been developed for utilization as an EQ for acoustic instruments. These musicians usually employ combo amps and find the use of 19″ rack equipment quite impractical. Basing on experience, such instruments often necessitate an exceptional EQ and balanced line driver. Carl Martin has integrated those features into a convenient pedal format with both XLR and 1/4″ outputs. For supreme flexibility, Carl Martin found it necessary to build a sophisticated three-band semi-parametric EQ. The 3 Band Parametric Preamp works equally great for direct studio recordings as well as for dialing in the sound of basses, electric guitars, and other electronic instruments. It also features an inbuilt regulated (+-12V) power supply that allows designing the circuitry of the best quality with maximum headroom.

Darkglass Alpha Omega Ultra

The Alpha Omega Ultra by Darkglass Electronics is arguably among the most flexible bass preamps in the market. At its core are two discrete distortion circuits (Alpha and Omega), which let users explore exciting tonal frontiers while indulging in an infinite dynamic range. They can also craft new sonic textures with a six-band active graphic EQ, and then pipe everything via a single-user digital impulse-response cabinet simulation. Users obtain full control with Distortion and Bypass footswitches that enable individual utilization of the Alpha·Omega Ultra’s EQ and distortion. Other features include a switchable ground lift, headphone output, and a Micro-USB B port for loading new digital cabinets from PC or Mac. The Alpha Omega Ultra consists of controls for Drive, Level, Blend, and Mod. The Level knob sets the volume of the overdriven signal, while Drive dial in the amount of gain in the overdriven signal. The Blend dial combines the clean signal with the processed signal. The Mod control picks or mixes between the two distortion circuits: Omega is raw and brutal, whereas Alpha is punchy and tight with plenty of definition. With the Alpha Omega Ultra, users can bring studio-quality cabinet emulations wherever they go. Credits to its digital impulse-response cabinet emulation, users enjoy an extensive array of top-of-the-line cabs at their disposal. Built directly into the pedal’s XLR output, this studio-quality effect will add uncompromising, ready-to-mix bass tones to their rig.

**Boss AD-2 Acoustic Preamp **

The AD-2 Acoustic Preamp from Boss presents a seamless and convenient way to capture woody and natural tones from an acoustic-electric instrument’s pickup system, both in recording or live performance. It enables acoustic-electric guitarists to enjoy natural, studio-grade sound while playing on any stage. Armed with a sophisticated Boss sound engine, the AD-2 Acoustic Preamp loads advanced processing power that belies its straightforward, intuitive interface and compact size. Ambience serves up pro-quality reverberation optimized for acoustic guitar, while Acoustic Resonance re-creates the complex resonance characteristics of the unplugged tone. “The tone of an acoustic guitar is created by the complex interaction of sounds from its body, top, strings, and other elements. And as you play with varying techniques, dynamics, and more, this interaction constantly evolves to create the rich, woody sound we love. Unfortunately, the standard undersaddle piezo pickups installed on most stage guitars simply can’t reproduce this resonant complexity. The AD-2’s Acoustic Resonance effect solves this issue by analyzing the input signal as you play, and then employing advanced processing to beautifully recreate your guitar’s naturally evolving tone,” Boss detailed. Adjusting the single-knob control tweaks several parameters within the AD-2 Acoustic Preamp to attain the right tonal balance for any style. The AD-2 Acoustic Preamp also boasts must-have stage tools, including a balanced DI out for direct connection to a PA, a notch filter for feedback control, and a simple mute function for switching and tuning guitars. It also incorporates two separate outputs for performance flexibility.

DOD Overdrive Preamp 250

Boasting more than four decades of history and experience behind it, the iconic analog DOD Overdrive Preamp 250 has been resurrected by popular demand. The DOD 250’s smooth distortion is vital for that mid-70s guitar sound, and its high-gain preamp has been a classic for about 40 years. The DOD 250 pedal is perfect for those who need an overdrive to boost their amplifier’s natural sustain or a mellow, tube-sounding distortion. Users may also crank up the gain to obtain extreme distortion with a lush, full sound. The DOD 250’s 2013 variant nails the original’s wild heart and classic tone without taming its performance. It comes better than ever with gobs of output, a crisp blue LED indicator, advanced 9V DC power supply input, and true bypass, so the guitar tone stays pristine even when the pedal is off. The Overdrive Preamp 250 has been “redesigned with a lighter aluminum chassis, sleek yellow metallic flake, and flat black matte bottom paint job.” It is the perfect sonic foundation to continue DOD’s legacy. Similar to its predecessors, the Overdrive Preamp 250 carries Level and Gain knobs. Gain adjusts the distortion amount, while Level gives “some subtle body for ‘always on’ performance or huge amounts of boost for boosting solos above a dense stage mix.”

Dunlop EP101 Echoplex Preamp

Labeling Dunlop’s Echoplex Preamp as a preamp/gain boost stompbox does not do it justice. Spec’d from the iconic Echoplex EP-3 employed by legends such as Eric Johnson and Eddie Van Halen, the Echoplex Preamp serves up the sweetened sound of the EP-3’s preamp stage. Users obtain a vibrant boost for the majority of the gain range. Cranking the gain gives a beautiful warm overdrive. The Echoplex Preamp mimics the EP-3’s distinctive preamp mojo, following a similar signal path with a Gain knob for as much as +11dB boost and FET circuitry. It lets users add the EP-3’s legendary secret sauce right on their pedalboard. Per Jim Dunlop, “Dunlop’s EP101 Echoplex Preamp recreates the magic of the EP-3’s front end, featuring a Field-effect Transistor (FET) just like the original and following the exact same signal path. The Gain control allows you to boost your signal by up to +11dB, with light asymmetrical clipping at higher settings for a bit of nice organic grit.” Operating on standard 9V power, the Echoplex Preamp features power management circuitry to ensure continuous headroom performance throughout the normal life of a 9V battery. Sporting a status LED, true bypass switching, a replica EP-3 dial, and sturdy Phase 90-sized chassis, the Echoplex Preamp has been constructed to take a beating on the road.

EarthQuaker Devices Bows

The Bows by EarthQuaker Devices is a Germanium preamp built around an elusive NOS OC139 black glass transistor. It provides users with two different ways to sculpt their guitar tone. The Full mode gives some bass and low-mid beef to the tone while preserving sonic definition. Treble mode dishes out a resonant, cocked-wah type of sound capable of pushing an amp and driving a guitar to the front of any mix. The Bows carries a Level knob that delivers a magnificent 15dB of gain available above unity. It is true bypass and leverages relay-based soft-touch switching. Per EarthQuaker Devices, each Bows unit is crafted “one at a time by real life human beans in the temperature controlled bubble of Akron, Ohio.” EarthQuaker Devices is an Ohio-headquartered boutique pedal company concentrating on creating tools for musicians to discover their unique tone. Its designs range from revamped classics to unique and innovative pedals. EarthQuaker Devices founder Jamie Stillman was teaming up with rock band the Black Keys when he found a design that ignited the company’s success. EarthQuaker Devices dedicates itself to helping individuals find their tone with high-quality products at reasonable prices.

JHS Pedals Colour Box

The Colour Box by JHS Pedals is crafted to emulate the distinctive sound of plugging an instrument straight into a vintage Neve preamp. It loads the tone of some iconic pieces of recording equipment into a guitar rig, whether performing in the studio or live. By leveraging a pure analog circuitry true to the schematic and design of vintage Neve circuitry, JHS Pedals recreated everything that makes the Neve preamps magical. A Lundahl transformer and studio-quality circuitry make the Colour Box a preamp, fuzz, distortion, overdrive, and EQ all in one. The Colour Box consists of controls for Hi Pass, Master, Pre-Vol, Step, Bass, Middle, and Treble. The Pre-Vol and Master knobs bring tones from slight warmth and grit to gated fuzz to massive distortion or overdrive. The Step dial is a five-way switch that increases the gain of the two preamp stages simultaneously as much as 39dB. Manage the unit’s headroom to achieve over-the-top distortion and fuzz or cleaner tones. The EQ section is a revolutionary Baxandall-esque EQ circuit, so users can cut or boost Treble, Bass, and Mids at will. The Hi-Pass filter sweeps from 60Hz to 800Hz to deliver AM radio/garage style sounds or eliminate muffled low-end.

Orange Bax Bangeetar Guitar Pre-EQ

Meet Orange Amps’ first stompbox since the 60s—the Bax Bangeetar Guitar Pre-EQ. This highly-anticipated pedal boasts an extensive gain range from a clean boost to crazy distortion levels. No diode clipping enables the Bax Bangeetar Guitar Pre-EQ to sound and respond more like an amp, making the user forget it is all coming from a stompbox. “As soon as you plug into the Bax Bangeetar, you’ll quickly notice that all the sounds contained within remain articulate and tight across the gain range, without any hint of wooliness. In fact, it doesn’t feel like a pedal at all. We’ve achieved all of this without the use of the back-to-back diode clipping techniques found in most pedals. This box distorts and behaves just like our amps, with natural-sounding and controllable breakup, and delivers serious punch with no stifling compression,” Orange Amps detailed. Inspired by some of the coveted consoles of the 60s but with several modern updates, the Bax Bangeetar’s revolutionary EQ sets it apart from other drive stompboxes. It consists of Mid, Q, Freq, Vol, Top, Bottom, and Gain knobs. As a conventional pedal, the Bax Bangeetar is in a class of its own, featuring a distinctive and highly versatile gain structure with comprehensive EQ controls.

Xotic BB Preamp

A real tonal Swiss army knife, just about any guitarist will find the Xotic BB Preamp beneficial. This beautiful-sounding boost stompbox is capable of getting any tube amp singing like an angel. Flaunting an extensive variety of tones, users will always obtain the perfect sound for the right moment. The BB Preamp boasts a 30dB+ clean boost with a customizable +/-15dB dual-band active EQ that provides a broad range of harmonic content to the user’s desired sound. The BB Preamp leverages a pre-gain stage that enables it to go from an incredibly pristine clean to a super smooth, overdriven, and compressed sound. It also features a true bypass for eradicating any signal interference when turned off. The BB Preamp can be utilized with a 9V battery or AC adaptor.