The Joyo Monomyth is a bass preamp pedal designed to give bassists a wide range of tonal options in one box. Its core idea is two independent channels: one for EQ and one for overdrive, so you can shape your clean tone and your drive tone separately. Joyo's product page, which lists it as the R-26 Monomyth, describes a 6-band graphic EQ, lifelike cab sim tone, an independent overdrive channel and a TREBLE Boost switch1.
What it does
Bass Musician Magazine's reviewer, Cláudio Ribeiro, summed up the design in his July 2024 review: "With independent channels for EQ and overdrive, as well as useful additions like a cab sim and DI output"2. In his verdict, "The Joyo Monomyth shines in its dual-channel design, offering both a transparent EQ channel and a versatile overdrive channel"2.
The Blend control balances the dry and effected signals, which the reviewer called crucial for maintaining low-end presence, the usual concern when a bass signal is driven2.
The controls
| Control | What it does |
|---|---|
| Drive | Controls the amount of gain in the overdrive channel2 |
| Voice | Adjusts the character of the overdrive, from distortion to fuzz2 |
| Gain Boost | Adds extra gain, particularly effective at low gain settings to enhance the low end2 |
| Blend | Balances the dry and effected signals, crucial for maintaining low-end presence2 |
| EQ Function Controls | 6-band graphic EQ plus a master control for precise tonal shaping2 |
| LED Light Control | Customizes the pedal's ambient lighting2 |
The Voice knob is the character control of the drive side. As the reviewer put it, "The voice control mimics the functionality of the Darkglass Alpha Omega, shifting from distortion to fuzz, with a sweet spot around the middle for balanced tones"2. Players looking at the drive side may also want to compare it with dedicated overdrive pedals, distortion pedals and fuzz pedals, or with other preamp pedals in Joyo's range such as the Joyo Preamp House and the JOYO R-24 RIGEL PREAMP.
Outputs and using it without an amp
Outputs are plentiful, according to the review: a DI and XLR out for direct recording or ampless setups, and a headphone out for convenient silent playing2. That makes it usable as a front-end for recording straight into an interface, or for practicing without a rig.
Bass Musician Magazine's reviewer listed two cons: plastic knobs, and a cab sim limited to the XLR out2.
Power and physical details
The Monomyth's working voltage is DC 9V2. The pedal measures 130 x 110 x 50 mm and weighs 442g2.
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Questions
What is the Joyo Monomyth?
The Joyo Monomyth is a bass preamp pedal from Joyo, reviewed by Bass Musician Magazine in July 2024. It combines a clean EQ side with an independent overdrive channel, a 6-band graphic EQ, a cab sim, a TREBLE Boost switch and a Blend control, giving a bassist a full tonal toolkit in one pedal.
Does the Joyo Monomyth have a DI output?
Yes. Bass Musician Magazine notes that outputs are plentiful: the Monomyth has a DI and XLR out for direct recording or ampless setups, plus a headphone out for quiet practice. The reviewer noted as a con that the cab sim is limited to the XLR out.
What does the Voice knob do on the Monomyth?
The Voice knob adjusts the character of the overdrive, from distortion to fuzz. Bass Musician Magazine's reviewer found it mimics the functionality of the Darkglass Alpha Omega, with a sweet spot around the middle for balanced tones.
Is the Joyo Monomyth based on the Darkglass Alpha Omega?
Joyo does not make that claim, but Bass Musician Magazine's reviewer wrote that the Voice control mimics the functionality of the Darkglass Alpha Omega, shifting from distortion to fuzz, with a sweet spot around the middle for balanced tones.
What power does the Joyo Monomyth need?
The Monomyth runs on a DC 9V supply, according to the Bass Musician Magazine review, which lists a working voltage of DC 9V among its specifications.
Sources (2)
- R-26 MONOMYTH_JOYO, JOYO
- Gear Review: Joyo Monomyth, Bass Musician Magazine, 2024-07-15
