The Broughton Audio Scorpion Deluxe is a preamp and overdrive pedal designed specifically with bassists in mind. It combines an overdrive circuit with a three band EQ, a cab sim, and two outputs: a balanced Direct output for a mixer and a mono output for an amp, both usable at the same time1.
What sets it apart from most bass overdrives is how it handles the clean signal. Instead of a clean blend knob, the overdrive circuit uses a resonant feedback circuit that lets the dynamics and punch of the clean signal come through on their own1. Broughton Audio describes the pedal as all analog, with no latency and what the maker calls huge headroom1.
A bass preamp and overdrive without a clean blend
Most bass overdrives solve the problem of losing low end by adding a clean blend, mixing your untouched signal back in with the driven one. The Scorpion Deluxe takes a different route. Its overdrive circuit implements a resonant feedback circuit, which the maker says allows the dynamics and punch of the clean signal to come through without any clean blend1.
The same design appears in the standard Broughton Audio Scorpion, which Broughton Audio describes as an overdrive pedal that can be transparent or transformative: letting your inherent tone shine, or reshaping it into a powerful, cutting bass tone2. The Deluxe builds on that circuit by adding preamp features, a cab sim, and a balanced output, which puts it in preamp pedal territory alongside its overdrive duties.
The controls
The Scorpion Deluxe gives you a three band EQ plus the overdrive controls1:
| Control | What it does |
|---|---|
| Depth | Sets the amount of low frequency clipping, from a lean, grindy tone to a full on bass distortion; more lows clipped makes the signal thicker and heavier1 |
| Bass | Shelving control, +/-15 dB at 80 Hz1 |
| Mid | Semi parametric, +/- 15 dB with a variable frequency range of 200 Hz to 2 kHz1 |
| Treble | Shelving control, +/- 15 dB at 3 kHz1 |
| Footswitch | Activates the overdrive circuit, letting you dial in the harmonics, depth, and volume for a cutting tone1 |
The Depth knob is the heart of the drive side. Because it controls clipping of the low frequencies specifically, you can keep the grind focused in the mids and treble at one end of its range, or let the bottom end break up for a thicker, heavier signal at the other1. The EQ covers a wide sweep: the semi parametric mid control alone moves from 200 Hz to 2 kHz, which spans the range where a bass sits in a mix.
Power and connections
The pedal runs on an external DC supply, which is not included. It accepts 9 to 24 volts, uses a standard Boss style connector with center negative polarity, and draws approximately 10 mA1. That current draw is low enough that it shares easily with other pedals on a powered board.
The power supply is not included with the pedal, and it must be center negative, Boss style. Running it at higher voltages within the 9 to 24V range is supported by the maker1.
On the output side, the two jacks work independently. You can send a balanced signal to the mixer from the Direct output and feed an amp from the mono output simultaneously1. The cab sim switch has three positions:
- Left: cab sim off
- Middle: cab sim applied only to the Direct balanced output
- Right: cab sim applied to both outputs1
That middle position is the practical one for live use: the house gets a speaker simulated feed while your amp on stage keeps its natural character1.
Scorpion vs Scorpion Deluxe
| Scorpion | Scorpion Deluxe | |
|---|---|---|
| Type | Overdrive pedal for bass2 | Preamp and overdrive for bass1 |
| Outputs | Mono2 | Balanced Direct output plus mono amp output1 |
| Cab sim | No2 | Yes, three position switch1 |
| Power | 9 to 24V2 | 9 to 24V1 |
| Current draw | Approximately 5 mA2 | Approximately 10 mA1 |
| Warranty | One year to the original owner2 | One year to the original owner1 |
Both pedals share the same resonant feedback overdrive circuit and the Depth knob's control over low frequency clipping12. The Deluxe is the one to look at if you need a DI feed, a cab sim, or the fuller EQ section; the Scorpion covers the drive side alone in a smaller, lower draw package.
Buying, warranty and returns
Broughton Audio lists the Scorpion Deluxe at US$215.001. The maker ships internationally via Canada Post, with shipping cost shown at check-out1.
- Warranty: one year to the original owner, with warranty repairs handled by email1
- Returns: email within 7 days of receiving the product; the buyer pays return shipping, and a refund is issued minus shipping cost when the item arrives back in new condition1
Broughton Audio also makes other bass friendly drives and preamps, including the Evergreen Overdrive, the Sunray, the Quicksilver, and the Terraformer.
Videos
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Questions
Does the Broughton Scorpion Deluxe work as a DI box?
Yes. It has a balanced Direct output that can send a signal straight to a mixer, and a mono output for an amp. A cab sim switch lets you apply speaker simulation to the Direct output only, to both outputs, or turn it off entirely.
Can I use the amp output and the direct output at the same time?
Yes. Broughton Audio says you can send a balanced signal to the mixer from the Direct output while feeding an amp from the mono output at the same time. The cab sim switch controls where the speaker simulation is applied.
Is the Scorpion Deluxe analog?
Yes. Broughton Audio describes it as an all analog pedal with no latency and what they call huge headroom. The overdrive, EQ, and cab sim are all handled in the analog domain.
What is the difference between the Scorpion and the Scorpion Deluxe?
The Scorpion is an overdrive pedal for bass, while the Scorpion Deluxe is a preamp and overdrive that adds a balanced Direct output with a cab sim. The Deluxe also draws about 10 mA versus about 5 mA for the Scorpion.
Sources (2)
- Scorpion Deluxe, Broughton Audio
- Scorpion, Broughton Audio
