The Bergantino Super Pre is a bass preamp pedal built by Bergantino Audio Systems around a digital signal processor. Bergantino describes it as a DSP Embedded System Controlled Bass Pre-Amp, and its range runs from clean tone shaping through compression to drive: the maker lists EQ, compression, distortion, overdrive and fuzz among what it covers, "from enhancing your clean tone, to adding gain, to offering a wide range of compression." On the drive side, Bergantino says it offers "overdrive that cops that old school tube tone, you get all of the dirt and grit that excites harmonics and cuts through." For players who want one box to carry to a gig, Bergantino says the Super Pre "fits in your gig bag, backpack, carry on, and on your pedalboard with ease."1
What it does to your sound
The compressor is the VRC compressor, and it runs in two modes. In parallel mode, Bergantino explains that it "splits the signal and runs 50% through the compressor and 50% as your clean" signal, which keeps the uncompressed part of your playing audible under the squeezed part. In serial mode it "grabs 100% of the signal and compresses all of it," the way a conventional compressor pedal in line with your bass would.1
The drive side reaches into overdrive, distortion and fuzz territory, all inside the same unit, so a bass player can cover clean, lightly pushed and heavily dirtied sounds without a board full of separate pedals.1
Controls, scenes and footswitches
The face of the pedal carries a Program control, a Master volume, and a Bright control that Bergantino says is "adjustable from 1db of boost to 12dbs," so it can be used heavily or subtly depending on the room. An "ultra-crisp and easy-to-read OLED display" shows what is loaded.1
| Control | What it does |
|---|---|
| Program | Program control1 |
| Master | Master volume1 |
| Bright | Treble boost, adjustable from 1 dB to 12 dB of boost1 |
| Memory 1, 2, 3 | Footswitches for scene recall1 |
| Mute | Footswitch for muting1 |
For presets, the Super Pre holds 21 savable scenes, which Bergantino says let "you dial in the exact tones you want." Three memory switches on the face of the box "allow you to access all scenes from the currently loaded bank," and the four footswitches are Memory 1, Memory 2, Memory 3 and Mute.1
Outputs and practice use
The pedal carries two studio-quality DI outputs, one pre and one post, described by Bergantino as latency compensated. Pre and post means one output can send your unaffected bass signal to the desk while the other sends the fully processed sound, or both can be used together. For quiet playing, the Auxiliary Input and Headphone jacks are there "for personal monitor and practice use."1
Bergantino also notes that the Super Pre carries "the same BFT technology that is featured in the Bergantino Forté D," tying the pedal to the maker's amplifier platform.1
Who plays it
Bergantino published an artist video on 14 August 2023 in which "Bergantino Artist Claudio Rocha demonstrates THAT TONE! The Super Pre bass preamp pedal," with the maker crediting the pedal's "amazing toolbox" for getting him there.2
Related pedals
Players comparing bass preamps in this space may also look at the Damnation Audio Contour Pre, a preamp from Damnation Audio, or browse the wider range of bass pedals.3
Videos
Bergantino Audio
Bergantino Audio
Bergantino Audio
Questions
How many presets does the Bergantino Super Pre hold?
The Super Pre holds 21 savable scenes. Bergantino says these let you dial in the exact tones you want and recall them later. Three memory switches on the face of the pedal give access to all scenes from the currently loaded bank, and the footswitches are labeled Memory 1, Memory 2, Memory 3 and Mute.
Does the Bergantino Super Pre have a headphone jack?
Yes. The Super Pre has both an Auxiliary Input and Headphone jacks, which Bergantino describes as being for personal monitor and practice use. That makes it possible to run an audio source into the pedal and play along quietly without an amplifier or speaker.
Is the Bergantino Super Pre analog or digital?
The Super Pre is digital. Bergantino describes it as a DSP Embedded System Controlled Bass Pre-Amp, meaning the preamp, EQ, compressor and drive effects are processed digitally rather than in an analog circuit.
Does the Bergantino Super Pre have a DI output?
Yes, it has two. Bergantino specifies two studio-quality DI outputs, one pre and one post, and describes them as latency compensated. Having both lets you send an unaffected signal and a processed signal to a mixing desk or audio interface at the same time.
Sources (3)
- Bergantino Super Pre Bass Preamp Pedal, Bergantino Audio Systems
- Bergantino Artist Claudio Rocha demonstrates THAT TONE! The Super Pre bass preamp pedal, with its amazing toolbox, facilitates getting him there…oh…and his chops help, too., Bergantino Audio Systems, 2023-08-14
- Contour Pre, Damnation Audio
