The Fire-Eye Bright-Eye is a clean boost and buffer pedal from Fire-Eye Development, priced at $175.00 USD as of the maker's product page on 26 October 20261. Fire-Eye describes it as bringing the hi-fidelity signal-conditioning circuitry of the company's Red-Eye Preamp to a pedal-train format, so players who know the Red-Eye get the same circuitry in a standard foot pedal for a board2.
The controls
The Bright-Eye keeps its control set small2:
- Boost button with a volume control, engaged and disengaged by foot
- Boost light, showing when the boost is active
- Mode switch, selecting between flat and shaped frequency response
The Mode switch is the tone-shaping decision on the pedal: flat leaves the signal untouched, while the shaped setting alters the frequency response2.
One detail worth knowing before buying: the boost is switched by a light beam and photocell rather than a conventional mechanical switch. Fire-Eye says this is done to keep switching silent2:
"to eliminate all button noise and popping"
Power and connections: 9V or 18V
The pedal runs on standard 9 or 18-volt pedalboard power, Boss-style, with center-negative, center-ground polarity2. The supply voltage changes the clean headroom: Fire-Eye gives the clean, unclipped output level as 5V peak-to-peak on 9V power and 12V peak-to-peak on 18V power2, so an 18V supply gives noticeably more clean output before clipping.
Connections are high-quality Switchcraft 1/4-inch jacks for input, output and power2. The input is high-impedance at 1 million ohms, with a maximum input level of 2 volt peak-to-peak in the features list and 12 volt peak-to-peak in the detailed specification list2. The output is low-impedance at 600 ohms, which Fire-Eye says will drive all guitar pedals and amps effectively2, and the buffer side of the circuit is what puts it alongside dedicated buffer pedals as well as preamp pedals.
| Specification | Value |
|---|---|
| Clean output, 9V power | 5V peak-to-peak2 |
| Clean output, 18V power | 12V peak-to-peak2 |
| Input impedance | 1 million ohms2 |
| Maximum input level | 2 volt peak-to-peak or 12 volt peak-to-peak (the maker's page gives both)2 |
| Output impedance | 600 ohms2 |
| Jacks | Switchcraft 1/4-inch, input, output and power2 |
| Power | 9V or 18V DC, center-negative, center-ground2 |
| Weight | 6 ounces2 |
| Dimensions | 1.25 x 1.5 x 3.75 inches2 |
Because the Bright-Eye accepts either 9V or 18V, check what your pedalboard supply delivers before setting it up: the clean output level you get depends on which voltage you feed it2.
Videos
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Questions
What is the difference between the Bright-Eye and the Red-Eye Preamp?
The Bright-Eye brings the hi-fidelity signal-conditioning circuitry of the Red-Eye Preamp to a pedal-train format, according to Fire-Eye Development. In other words, it packages the same maker's circuitry as a standard foot pedal for a pedalboard, rather than the Red-Eye's original format.
What polarity does the Bright-Eye power supply need?
The Bright-Eye uses standard 9 or 18-volt pedalboard power, Boss-style: center-negative, center-ground. It can run at either 9V or 18V, with a higher clean output level available at 18V.
Does the Bright-Eye boost button make a popping noise?
No. Fire-Eye states that a light beam and photocell control the boost to eliminate all button noise and popping, so switching the boost in and out is silent.
How much does the Fire-Eye Bright-Eye weigh?
The Bright-Eye weighs 6 ounces, and its enclosure measures 1.25 x 1.5 x 3.75 inches, according to Fire-Eye Development's product page.
Sources (2)
- Buy the Bright-Eye Clean Boost/Buffer Pedal, Fire-Eye Development
- Bright-Eye Clean Boost & Buffer Pedal, Fire-Eye Development