The Diamond Pedals BEQ-2 is a Boost-EQ pedal: a clean boost and a tilt-style EQ in one enclosure. Pedal of the Day, reviewing it ahead of release, called it "a Boost-EQ that's simple yet versatile," and noted that it packs both effects into an extremely pedalboard-friendly enclosure, smaller than its big brother, the BEQ-11.
The controls: Gain, Tilt, Mids and the EQ switch
The BEQ-2 keeps its front panel to three knobs and a switch:
| Control | What it does |
|---|---|
| Gain | Controls the Clean Boost portion, setting the volume level1 |
| Tilt | Spectral tilt of the frequency response pivoted around a fixed point in the upper midrange; flat at noon, darker to the left, brighter to the right1 |
| Mids | +/-10dB boost/cut in the upper-to-midrange frequencies, working in conjunction with the Tilt control1 |
| EQ toggle | Inserts or removes the EQ section completely from the signal path1 |
The Gain knob's range runs from -6dB up to about +15dB, which Pedal of the Day described as "a wide spectrum of choices enabling that perfect, dialed-in tone"1. Because the EQ can be switched out entirely, the pedal can also serve as a straight clean boost when the tone shaping is not wanted1.
Using it with an amp
Pushed into an amp, the BEQ-2's extra input level does more than just raise volume. As Pedal of the Day put it: "if you put it in front of a tube amp, you'll get that naturally occurring break-up distortion on the front end"1. That makes the boost usable as a light drive source as well as a level lift, in the manner of many boost pedals.
BEQ-2 and BEQ-1
The BEQ-2 is a variant of the BEQ-1, offering the same pairing of boost and EQ in a smaller, pedalboard-friendly enclosure1. Pedal of the Day's verdict was that "this seemingly basic effect will transform your sound, and alter the way you see and use your overall setup as well"1.
The BEQ-2 was not yet available when reviewed on 30 September 20191.
Videos
Pedal of the Day
Questions
What is the difference between the Diamond Pedals BEQ-2 and the BEQ-1?
The BEQ-2 is a smaller version of the BEQ-1, described by Pedal of the Day as its big brother. Both combine boost and EQ, but the BEQ-2 puts the two effects in one extremely pedalboard-friendly enclosure that takes up less room on a board.
How much boost does the BEQ-2 give?
The Gain knob covers a range from -6dB up to about +15dB, so it can also cut level slightly below unity. Pedal of the Day described this as a wide spectrum of choices for dialing in a tone.
Can the BEQ-2 push a tube amp into breakup?
Yes. According to Pedal of the Day, if you put the BEQ-2 in front of a tube amp, the increased input level produces naturally occurring break-up distortion on the front end of the amp.
Can the EQ section be switched out of the signal path?
Yes. A toggle switch inserts or removes the EQ section completely from the signal path, so the pedal can be used as a straight clean boost when the EQ is not wanted.
Is the Diamond Pedals BEQ-2 available yet?
When Pedal of the Day reviewed it on 30 September 2019, the BEQ-2 was not yet available, and the reviewer pointed readers to the Diamond Pedals website for it to become available soon. The original company later closed during the pandemic and was revived in 2023 by Greg Djerrahian of SolidGoldFX.
Sources (1)
- Diamond Pedals BEQ-2 Boost EQ, Pedal of the Day, 2019-10-01
