The ISP Technologies Beta Bass Preamp Pedal is a bass preamp that puts several processing stages in one box: an ultra-clean preamp and EQ, a compressor, an Exciter, Decimator noise reduction and a distortion circuit. ISP Technologies describes it as a way to "add anything from subtle harmonic enhancement to full-bore distortion with the Exciter, Decimator, and Distortion effect," which makes it a preamp, EQ, compressor and distortion pedal in a single unit1. The company also sells the same processing as the Beta Bass PreAmp, a unit it markets to "the professional bassist"2.
What it does to your sound
ISP Technologies describes the core of the pedal as "the ultra-clean preamp and EQ as you shape your tone," with bass, treble and two sweepable mid controls covering the tonal shaping. From there, the compressor is dialed in "to taste for extra fatness"1. The company's page for the Beta Bass PreAmp says the compression section is "based on Time Vector Processing adaptive response auto makeup gain," meaning the compressor responds to the input and adjusts its own makeup gain2.
The Decimator stage is ISP Technologies' patented noise reduction technology, which the company says makes this "the only bass processor on the market with built" in Decimator noise reduction2. For players, that means the noise reduction is designed into the signal path rather than added as a separate noise gate pedal. The Exciter and Distortion stages sit on top, covering everything from harmonic enhancement to full distortion1.
Controls at a glance
| Stage | What it does |
|---|---|
| Preamp and EQ | Ultra-clean preamp with bass, treble and two sweepable mid controls for shaping tone1 |
| Compressor | Dialable to taste for extra fatness; based on Time Vector Processing with adaptive response and auto makeup gain12 |
| Exciter | Harmonic enhancement, from subtle up1 |
| Decimator | Patented noise reduction technology built in2 |
| Distortion | Full-bore distortion when pushed1 |
Inputs, outputs and live use
The pedal has one 1/4-inch input and two outputs: a 1/4-inch output and an XLR output1. The XLR is the notable one for bass players, since it lets the pedal feed a mixing console or recording interface directly as well as an amp through the 1/4-inch output. ISP Technologies also points to "the footswitch flexibility you need when performing live"1.
The Beta Bass Preamp Pedal runs on a 9V AC power supply, which is included1. It is not a standard 9V DC center-negative pedal supply, so a typical daisy-chain adapter will not power it.
Size and weight
The pedal takes up more board space than a standard compact enclosure, so it needs a fair amount of pedalboard room. Note that ISP Technologies' page for the Beta Bass PreAmp lists a weight of 8 lbs.2, while the pedal page lists 2.2 lbs.1; the two pages disagree, and the 2.2 lbs. figure is the one given for the pedal.
Videos
Premier Guitar
Riffs, Beards & Gear
Guitar Gear
Questions
Does the ISP Beta Bass Preamp have an XLR output?
Yes. According to ISP Technologies, the Beta Bass Preamp Pedal has two outputs: one 1/4-inch output and one XLR output. The XLR makes it possible to run the pedal straight to a mixing console or recording interface, while the 1/4-inch output feeds an amplifier. The pedal has a single 1/4-inch input for the instrument.
Does the ISP Beta Bass Preamp come with a power supply?
Yes. ISP Technologies lists the pedal as running on a 9V AC power supply, and the supply is included with the pedal. Because it uses an AC supply rather than a DC one, players should not substitute a standard 9V DC pedal supply or daisy-chain adapter.
How big is the ISP Beta Bass Preamp pedal?
ISP Technologies lists the Beta Bass Preamp Pedal at 1.9 inches high, 7 inches wide and 5 inches deep. That is wider and deeper than a standard single pedal, so it takes up more room on a pedalboard.
How much does the ISP Beta Bass Preamp weigh?
ISP Technologies lists the Beta Bass Preamp Pedal at 2.2 lbs. The company's page for the Beta Bass PreAmp unit lists a weight of 8 lbs., so the two product pages disagree, and the pedal figure of 2.2 lbs. is the one that applies to the pedal.
Does the ISP Beta Bass Preamp have a built-in compressor?
Yes. The pedal includes a compression section that ISP Technologies says is based on Time Vector Processing with adaptive response and auto makeup gain. On the pedal, the compressor is dialed in to taste for extra fatness, sitting after the preamp and EQ stage.
Sources (2)
- ISP Technologies, ISP Technologies
- ISP Technologies, ISP Technologies
