The Nemphasis 02 Oxygen Bass Preamp is an analog bass preamp pedal, one of two O2 Oxygen preamps the company officially launched at NAMM 2016. It carries the same 3 band EQ as its Pro Series sibling in a compact unit with a cool blue finish, and it is designed for the bassist who does not need a DI out1. At launch it carried an RRP of £149 in the UK1.
Controls and what they do
The 02 Oxygen keeps the control set lean. Guitar.com described the 3 band (Bass-Treble-Middle) EQ section as having been described by the media as one of the most effective and sensitive of its kind, and the company says the preamp is matched for outstanding performance with digital, solid state or valve amplification for electric, acoustic and double bass instruments1.
| Control | What it does |
|---|---|
| 3 band EQ (Bass, Middle, Treble) | The same highly efficient 3 band EQ as the Pro Series1 |
| Mid-shift mini toggle | A pre set boost or scoop of the mid frequencies1 |
| Internal bass boost adjustment | For bassists who require more low end girth1 |
The internal bass boost is worth knowing about before you buy: it is set inside the pedal rather than on the top panel, so it is a set-and-forget trim for players who want more low end from the unit1.
Power and connections
The unit is powered by an external 9V DC supply1. The defining difference in connections is the one it leaves out: there is no DI output here. Guitar.com states the pedal "is designed for the bassist who does not need a DI out"1.
If you need to run a balanced line to a mixing desk, the Pro Series 02 Oxygen from the same launch adds a 3 pin XLR socket offering a balanced DI out, along with a Ground Lift switch to eradicate unwanted earth loops if they occur1.
How it differs from the Pro Series
Both pedals were officially launched at NAMM 20161. The Pro Series is the fuller-featured unit, while the 02 Oxygen is the compact take on that formula, with a smaller footprint and a lower UK launch price of £149 RRP against the Pro Series1.
What reviewers said
Coverage at launch came from the guitar press. Guitar.com's report passed along the company's description that the Pro Series Preamp delivers extreme flexibility and tonal overlapping with outstanding clarity, outshining many EQ systems installed within some bass amplifiers, and noted the 3 band EQ section alone had been described by the media as one of the most effective and sensitive1.
Videos
Marco Sassetti
Bassline Music Shop
Aldo Mella
Questions
Does the Nemphasis O2 Oxygen have a DI output?
No. Guitar.com reports that the 02 Oxygen is designed for the bassist who does not need a DI out. The larger Pro Series 02 Oxygen in the same launch does carry a balanced DI output on a 3 pin XLR socket, so a player who needs to feed a mixing desk directly would look at that model instead.
Who designed the Nemphasis O2 Oxygen?
Both the Pro Series 02 Oxygen Bass Preamp and the 02 Oxygen Bass Preamp were designed by Matteo Bresciani, according to Guitar.com's report on the pedals' launch at NAMM 2016.
What does the mid-shift switch do?
The 02 Oxygen carries a mid-shift mini toggle switch that offers a pre set boost or scoop of the mid frequencies. It sits alongside the 3 band EQ, giving a quick way to move the mids without reaching for the Middle control.
Is the Nemphasis O2 Oxygen analog?
Yes. Guitar.com describes Nemphasis as a maker of high quality, analogue effects for guitar and bass at realistic prices, and the 02 Oxygen is an analog bass preamp pedal.
What does the Ground Lift switch do on the Nemphasis Pro Series?
On the Pro Series 02 Oxygen, the Ground Lift switch is there to eradicate unwanted earth loops if they occur, which matters most when the pedal's balanced XLR DI output is connected to a PA or recording desk. The 02 Oxygen without the Pro Series prefix has no DI output and no Ground Lift switch.
Sources (1)
- News: Nemphasis has announced two new bass preamp pedals, Guitar.com, 2016-02-26
