The Genzler 4 On The Floor is an all-analog bass overdrive pedal from Genzler Amplification, and it was the company's first pedal. Its central idea is a four-position "gear" selector that shifts between four different overdrive types, from a tube-amp clean channel in 1st Gear up to a heavier overdrive that can enter distortion territory in 4th Gear, with a clean blend underneath so your low end survives1.
Genzler describes the pedal as one that "gracefully emulates 4 different overdrive types found in classic tube circuit topologies," offering "4 separate 'gears' of variable analog overdrive textures and harmonic content to SHIFT through, along with a clean blend"1. It is now shipping at a list price of $239.99 USD1.
The four gears
The gear selector is a four-position switch, and each position is a different clipping character rather than just more or less gain1. Genzler's own descriptions of each gear:
| Gear | Character |
|---|---|
| 1st Gear | Reminiscent of a tube amp's clean channel, including natural harmonics, with a bit of overdriven tone when driven hard; Genzler calls it "a nice always-on selection"1 |
| 2nd Gear | Emulates a tube amp's mildly overdriven tone, with a small amount of dynamically compliant clipping asymmetry1 |
| 3rd Gear | A more aggressive up-shift from 2nd Gear: a moderate, asymmetrical overdrive that is less compliant, with greater compression for a tighter feel1 |
| 4th Gear | The most aggressive gear: a heavier, symmetrical, low-compliance overdrive that can enter distortion territory when driven hard1 |
Bass Musician Magazine's reviewer Jake Wolf heard the range as running "from smooth creamy tube amp breakup in '1st gear' all the way up to aggressive harmonic distortion in 4th gear"2.
Controls
The pedal keeps its control set focused on the blend between clean and driven signal2:
- Gear selector: a 4-position overdrive gear selector switch choosing among the four overdrive types1
- Drive: dials in the amount of overdrive within each gear2
- Drive Volume: sets the level of the drive signal2
- Clean Volume: blends the clean signal in at the right volume level2
- Drive Sensitivity switch: a High/Low switch to accommodate higher- or lower-output basses12
- HPF/LPF section: shapes the top and bottom end of the overdrive character; the overdrive engine's input HPF is adjustable from 30Hz to 200Hz12
The high-pass filter matters for bass players specifically: it sets how much low frequency feeds the overdrive engine, so you can keep the sub-bass out of the clipping circuit and let the clean blend carry it instead. The sensitivity switch is a practical touch for anyone moving between an active bass with hot output and a passive instrument12.
Power and connections
The 4 On The Floor accepts power supplies from 9VDC to 18VDC, either polarity, with the pedal auto-detecting the supply, and draws 40mA max1. The supply voltage changes the headroom: maximum output level is +9dBu on a 9V supply, +14dBu on 12V and +20dBu on 18V1. Maximum input level also scales with voltage, from 0dBu (9V, high sensitivity, Drive at 9:00) up to +18dBu (18V, low sensitivity)1.
The power supply is not included with the pedal1. Because it accepts either polarity and auto-detects, it will run from supplies built for either center-negative or center-positive standards, but a low-noise supply is specified1.
Input impedance is >1M ohm and output impedance is 1k ohm1. The pedal sits in a lightweight aluminum chassis, 5" (127mm) wide by 4.1" (104mm) deep by 2.3" (59mm) high, weighing 1.1 lb (0.5kg)1.
History: the first Genzler pedal
The 4 On The Floor was the first pedal in the Genzler Amplification pedal line, a Classic Bass Overdrive1. Premier Guitar reported on the launch, describing "the companies first pedal the 4 ON THE FLOOR Classic Overdrive"3. The Crash Box 4 distortion and the re/Q dual-function EQ followed in the line3.
Genzler describes the pedal line as "a 'redux collaboration' that brings Jeff Genzler and engineer Andy Field back together again," with principal engineer Scott Andres also involved1.
What reviewers said
Bass Musician Magazine's Jake Wolf reviewed the 4 On The Floor alongside the Crash Box 4 and re/Q2. The 4 On The Floor is an all-analog bass overdrive pedal from Genzler Amplification, listed at $239.991.
"The 4 On The Floor and Crash Box could easily replace several of the OD/Dist pedals I've used over the years, given the range and tweakability."
He highlighted the same features a player would notice first: the Drive knob for dialing in overdrive within each gear, the Drive Volume and Clean Volume for balancing the two signals, and the HPF/LPF section for reining in the top and bottom of the drive character2.
Videos
Genzler Amplification
Genzler Amplification
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Questions
Is the Genzler 4 On The Floor true bypass?
Yes. Genzler Amplification lists the 4 On The Floor with a true bypass, so with the pedal off your signal passes through without the circuit in the way. The pedal is all analog, and the maker does not describe any buffered bypass mode.
What does each gear on the 4 On The Floor sound like?
1st Gear is like a tube amp's clean channel with a bit of overdrive when driven hard. 2nd Gear emulates a mildly overdriven tube amp with mild compression and asymmetrical clipping. 3rd Gear is a moderate, less compliant asymmetrical overdrive with more compression, and 4th Gear is a heavier symmetrical overdrive that can reach distortion when pushed.
Does the 4 On The Floor work on 18V?
Yes. It accepts power supplies from 9VDC to 18VDC, either polarity, and auto-detects the supply. Running it at higher voltages raises the headroom: maximum output level is +9dBu on a 9V supply, +14dBu on 12V and +20dBu on 18V. Current draw is 40mA max.
Can the 4 On The Floor be an always-on pedal?
Yes. Genzler describes 1st Gear as reminiscent of a tube amp's clean channel with a bit of overdriven tone when driven hard, and calls it a nice always-on selection. The clean blend lets you keep your fundamental bass tone underneath the drive.
Does the 4 On The Floor come with a power supply?
No. Genzler Amplification states that the power supply is not included, so you need your own 9VDC to 18VDC supply. Either polarity works because the pedal auto-detects it, and it draws 40mA max.
Sources (3)
- 4 ON THE FLOOR CLASSIC BASS OVERDRIVE PEDAL, Genzler Amplification, 2026-09-14
- Review: Genzler Amplification Crash Box 4, Bass Musician Magazine, 2022-06-20
- Genzler Amplification Unveils the re/Q EQ Pedal, Premier Guitar, 2021-10-29
