The Pigtronix Bass Station is a preamp, DI, effects loop and boost unit for bass, released in December 2013. It gathers the functions an ampless bass player needs most into one box: a good compressor, a DI, and a tuner, in the words of Bass Musician Magazine's Jonathan Moody, who reviewed it at launch1.
What it does and how it is laid out
The unit is built from sections that follow the signal through a gigging rig. The compressor section starts with the Philosopher Bass Compressor circuit, and Moody called it "one of the most musical compressors I've had"1. A "grit" switch on the compressor section "allows you to get some extra sounds out of the unit"1.
The boost control provides up to 12dB of clean boost when turned completely clockwise1. From there the signal goes to the effects loop, which has separate send and return jacks and, in Moody's words, "functions exactly like you'd expect"1. The DI at the end of the chain he described plainly: "The DI provides a solid signal, with no additional bells and whistles, which is exactly what you want"1.
| Section | What it gives you |
|---|---|
| Compressor | Based on the Philosopher Bass Compressor, with a grit switch for extra sounds1 |
| Boost | Up to 12dB of clean boost fully clockwise1 |
| Effects loop | Separate send and return jacks1 |
| DI | Solid signal, no extra features1 |
The Bass Station ships with an 18V adaptor, though it can run on 9V if you prefer1. At its 2013 release it was sold exclusively through Sweetwater1.
What reviewers said
Moody's review framed the Bass Station as the unit that came closest to what he needed of all the preamp/DI/loop/mute units he had tried, calling it the forerunner in his search for a single unit to serve as his entire rig without an amp1. His verdict on the design: "the simplicity of the unit allows you to immediately incorporate into your gigging setup and take full advantage of its" features1.
For related reading, see Preamp Pedals, Compressor Pedals, Boost Pedals and Bass Pedals.
Videos
Pigtronix
Jonathan Moody
Questions
Does the Bass Station have an effects loop?
Yes. The Bass Station includes an effects loop with separate send and return jacks, so you can place your own pedals between the preamp section and the DI output. Reviewing the pedal for Bass Musician Magazine in 2013, Jonathan Moody wrote that the loop 'functions exactly like you'd expect,' with the signal passing through it before reaching the output stage.
What does the grit switch do on the Bass Station?
The grit switch sits on the compressor section and, in the reviewer's words, 'allows you to get some extra sounds out of the unit.' It is a way of adding extra character on top of the compression rather than a separate drive circuit with its own controls.
Where can you buy the Pigtronix Bass Station?
At its December 2013 release, the Bass Station was available exclusively through Sweetwater, according to Bass Musician Magazine's review. That exclusivity was reported at launch, so current availability may differ.
What is the Bass Station's compressor based on?
The compressor section starts with the circuit of Pigtronix's Philosopher Bass Compressor, the company's dedicated bass compression pedal. Reviewer Jonathan Moody called the resulting compressor 'one of the most musical compressors I've had.'
Sources (1)
- Pigtronix Releases Bass Station, Bass Musician Magazine, 2013-12-01
