The Broughton Audio Archetype Boost is a high voltage tube booster in a compact pedal enclosure, built around a JJ 12AX7 vacuum tube. Broughton Audio's circuit drives the tube into asymmetric voltage swing, and the maker describes the result as "amazing tube compression with harmonic grind when digging in"1. It is a boost pedal in the plain sense: it pushes the signal, and the tube does the coloring.
Power and the tube
The Archetype Boost needs a DC power supply, which is not included, and it cannot run on a battery. The supply should be a standard Boss style connector with center negative polarity1. The pedal accepts 9 to 12 volts DC, and Broughton Audio is direct about the ceiling: "Do not exceed 12 volts or the tube will be damaged"1.
The current draw is worth planning around. It peaks at 300 mA for just a moment at powerup, then settles to 200 mA steady state1. Many isolated power outputs on a pedalboard supply less than that, so the Archetype Boost wants an outlet with headroom rather than a shared daisy chain.
The tube inside means the power rules are strict: 9 to 12 volts DC only, and never above 12 volts. Broughton Audio redesigned the internal power supply around a boost converter that operates well beyond the audio region, raising the tube's voltage efficiently and without noise1.
In the signal chain
Broughton Audio says the Archetype Boost stacks well with other boosts and preamps, and recommends placing it last in line to even out levels1. With true bypass switching, the pedal stays out of the signal path when it is off1.
Part of the Archetype family
The Archetype Boost sits in the same family as the Broughton Audio Archetype Tube Preamp, a larger tube preamp from the same maker1. The preamp covers everything from clean bass tone to fuller sounds, with a Gain knob, a Boost switch that increases gain for more drive, Bass and Treble shelving EQ, and an inductor based Middle EQ where noon is flat. It also adds features the compact Boost does not have: dual input/thru jacks for an unaffected parallel out, a transformer isolated balanced output with ground lift, and a fit in the Apache 3800 case2. Players who want tube tone with EQ and a balanced out can look at the preamp; players who want a straight tube boost in a small box have the Archetype Boost.
| Archetype Boost | Archetype Tube Preamp | |
|---|---|---|
| Type | high voltage tube booster | tube preamp |
| Tube | JJ 12AX7 | tube circuit |
| EQ | none | Bass and Treble shelving, inductor based Middle |
| Outputs | standard pedal output | dual input/thru with parallel out, transformer isolated balanced out with ground lift |
| Enclosure | compact pedal | larger enclosure, fits the Apache 3800 case |
Questions
Does the Broughton Audio Archetype Boost use a real vacuum tube?
Yes. Broughton Audio describes the Archetype Boost as a high voltage tube booster in a compact enclosure, and its circuit drives a JJ 12AX7 tube into asymmetric voltage swing. The maker says the result is tube compression with harmonic grind when digging in. Because a real tube is in the circuit, exceeding the pedal's 12 volt maximum supply can damage the tube.
Can I run the Archetype Boost on a battery?
No. Broughton Audio states that the pedal requires a DC power supply, and one is not included with the pedal. The supply should be a standard Boss style connector with center negative polarity, at 9 to 12 volts DC. A battery clip is not part of the design, so plan a pedalboard power output with enough current headroom for it.
Is the Archetype Boost true bypass?
Yes. Broughton Audio states that the Archetype Boost has a true bypass switch, so when the pedal is off, the signal passes through without the tube circuit loading it. That matters on a pedalboard where the boost may sit between other pedals and the amp.
Where should the Archetype Boost go in a signal chain?
Broughton Audio says the Archetype Boost stacks well with other boosts and preamps, and recommends placing it last in line to even out levels. In practice that means after your overdrives and fuzzes and before the amp or any downstream preamp, so it can shape the overall level going into the next stage.
How much current does the Archetype Boost draw?
Broughton Audio lists the current draw as peaking at 300 mA for just a moment at powerup, then dropping to 200 mA steady state. That is well above what many small pedal power outputs supply, so give the Archetype Boost its own outlet or an output rated for at least 300 mA.
Sources (2)
- Archetype Boost, Broughton Audio
- Archetype Tube Preamp, Broughton Audio
