The Master Effects Transmission is a bass preamp pedal built around the preamp circuit found in the vintage Yamaha BB1200 basses. Master Effects says the preamp is based on the original onboard preamp with slight modifications to make it pedal friendly, such as power filtering1. The 3-band EQ is identical to the circuit that was on the original basses, and the maker added a switchable output boost circuit to compensate for volume drop when frequencies are cut in the EQ section, or to serve as a volume boost for solos2.
Although the preamp is intended for bass, Master Effects says it also functions exceedingly well on guitar, with boosted mids giving a guitar tone a mid-boosted crunch1. Delicious Audio's Paolo De Gregorio made the same point when covering the V2 in April 2022, writing that boosting the mids makes a guitar tone stand out in a dense mix and can create a pleasing crunch tone2.
A Yamaha BB1200 preamp in a pedal
The vintage Yamaha BB1200 basses carried an onboard preamp, and the Transmission puts that circuit in a stompbox. Master Effects describes the lineage plainly: the preamp is based on the original onboard preamp, with slight modifications to make it pedal friendly, such as power filtering1. The EQ section is unchanged in character, since the 3-band EQ is identical to the circuit on the original basses1.
What the maker added is the output boost circuit. Its stated purpose is twofold: to compensate for any volume drop that may occur if some frequencies are cut in the EQ section, and to act as a volume boost for solos2. For a bass player cutting lows or scooping mids, that keeps the pedal from quietly disappearing from the mix.
The V2, which Delicious Audio covered on 12 April 2022, shrinks the effect to a compact size2. The enclosure is powder coated with UV printed artwork1.
The controls
The Transmission carries five controls, listed by Master Effects as Boost, High, Middle, Mid, and Low1.
| Control | What it does |
|---|---|
| Boost | Sets the switchable output boost, for volume drop compensation or solo boost2 |
| High | Treble band of the 3-band EQ, identical to the circuit on the original basses1 |
| Middle | Middle band of the 3-band EQ1 |
| Mid | Second mid control within the EQ section1 |
| Low | Bass band of the 3-band EQ1 |
The two mid controls give more shaping over the middle of the spectrum than a simple three-knob EQ, which matters for bass players fighting for space in a band mix, and, per the maker and the press alike, for guitar players looking to make their tone stand out12.
Power, switching and price
The pedal uses a standard boss-style 9V power supply and can be run at 18V for additional headroom1. The current version uses soft-touch relay true bypass1; when Delicious Audio covered the V2 in 2022, it was described as true bypass via Vimex 3PDT stomp switches, so the switching design has changed across the pedal's run2.
The price is $149 US plus shipping. Shipping within Canada and the US is $20 US; shipping to the UK, Western Europe, Australia, and Japan is approximately $60 US. Customers outside Canada are responsible for any customs, import or VAT charges their country levies on the pedal1.
The warranty is 1 year on parts and labor, and it does not cover damage due to using an improper power supply or other misuse1. Given the 9V/18V power spec, using a correct supply matters for keeping that coverage intact.
Videos
Master Effects Pedals
Master Effects Pedals
Noise Generator
Questions
Is the Master Effects Transmission true bypass?
Yes. The current Master Effects product page lists the Transmission as soft-touch relay true bypass. When the V2 was covered by Delicious Audio in 2022, it was described as true bypass via Vimex 3PDT stomp switches, so the switching design has changed over the pedal's run.
Can the Transmission be used on guitar?
Yes. Master Effects says the preamp is intended for bass but also functions exceedingly well on guitar, and that boosting the mids gives a guitar tone a mid-boosted crunch. Delicious Audio similarly found it works well on guitar, with boosted mids making the tone stand out in a dense mix.
Where is the Master Effects Transmission made?
Each pedal uses a professionally assembled PCB and is assembled by hand in Calgary, Alberta, Canada, according to the maker's product page.
What is the warranty on the Master Effects Transmission?
Each pedal comes with a 1 year warranty on parts and labour. The warranty does not cover damage caused by using an improper power supply or other misuse.
Sources (2)
- Transmission bass preamp / Yamaha BB1200s Preamp / Master Effects, Master Effects
- New Pedal: Master Effects Transmission V2 Preamp/EQ, Delicious Audio, 2022-04-12