The CNZ Audio SBO-20 is a compact boost pedal that gives up to 20 dB of clean gain, with Bass, Treble and Gain knobs on top if you want to shape the tone rather than just lift the volume. CNZ Audio describes it as a "True Gain Booster" that "creates rich and powerful sound," and the pedal carries what the maker calls a classic Rocket Booster look. It sits in the boost family, alongside related drive types like overdrive and distortion1.
What it does
At its simplest, the SBO-20 works as a clean volume lift: CNZ Audio describes a boost pedal as a way to "toggle your volume with the tap of your foot." Turn the Gain knob up and you get up to 20 dB of clean boost, useful for pushing an amp or lifting a solo above a mix1.
The pedal goes further than a single-knob booster, though. CNZ Audio says the four knobs let you shape the boost "from transparent to modded," meaning you can either leave the tone untouched or use the EQ to color it1.
Controls
| Control | What it does |
|---|---|
| Gain | Adjusts the initial effect the Bass and Treble knobs have, boosting the sound of the guitar. Turning it up increases the effect of both treble and bass and increases the sound; turning it down gives a more controlled effect on the EQ.1 |
| Bass | Shapes the low end of the boosted tone.1 |
| Treble | Shapes the high end of the boosted tone.1 |
| Level | Sets the overall output of the boost.1 |
CNZ Audio's product page lists the pedal's boost capability as up to 20 dB of clean gain, with the Bass, Treble and Gain knobs available to color the tone. The maker's page also references a Bass EQ range of plus or minus 15 dB; the two descriptions are not reconciled on the page, so treat the exact EQ range as approximate.
Power and connections
The SBO-20 runs on a 9V DC supply with a center-negative, outside-positive plug, drawing 70 mA. That is a standard pedalboard supply configuration, but the 70 mA draw means it should be run from a supply output rated to handle it rather than daisy-chained carelessly with high-draw pedals1.
| Connection | Detail |
|---|---|
| Input | 1/4 inch, 1M ohms input impedance1 |
| Output | 1/4 inch, 10K ohms output impedance1 |
| Power | 9V DC input, center negative, 70 mA1 |
Bypass and build
The pedal uses true bypass, which CNZ Audio says "provides transparent tone when off," so the circuit stays out of the signal path when the effect is switched out. The enclosure is a solid aluminum housing on all sides with a firm foot switch, and the pedal weighs .53 lbs including packaging1.
Size
CNZ Audio lists the SBO-20 at 3.75 inches long, 1.77 inches wide and 1.9 inches high. That compact footprint suits a crowded board, and the low height keeps it clear of adjacent jacks and knobs1.
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Questions
Is the CNZ Audio SBO-20 true bypass?
Yes. CNZ Audio specifies true bypass for the SBO-20, which the maker says provides transparent tone when the pedal is off. With true bypass, the pedal's circuit is removed from the signal path entirely when switched out, so your guitar's signal passes straight through to the next pedal or amp without passing through the boost circuitry.
What power supply does the SBO-20 need?
The SBO-20 needs a 9V DC supply with a center-negative, outside-positive plug, the same polarity used by most standard pedal power supplies. CNZ Audio lists a current draw of 70 mA, so a typical pedalboard power supply output rated above that will run it. Check your supply's per-output current rating before sharing it with other pedals.
How much current does the SBO-20 draw?
CNZ Audio lists the SBO-20's current draw at 70 mA at 9V DC. That is modest by modern pedal standards, but it is above what a battery would typically be relied on for, so most players run it from a pedalboard power supply with a center-negative output.
What size is the CNZ SBO-20?
CNZ Audio lists the SBO-20's dimensions as 3.75 inches long by 1.77 inches wide by 1.9 inches high, and a weight of 0.53 lbs including packaging. That compact footprint is in line with other small-format boost and overdrive pedals, so it fits easily on a crowded pedalboard.
Sources (1)
- SBO-20 | Booster Pedal | CNZ Audio, CNZ Audio
