The Sunnaudio Rabbithead RH-1 is an all-analog preamp and dual overdrive pedal, introduced in 2019. It combines a preamp section with two switchable overdrives, and it includes a speaker simulator with a balanced output for going direct. Delicious Audio's Paolo De Gregorio describes it as "an analog, transformerless Preamp/Dual Overdrive accepting both instrument and line in signal"12.
Inputs, outputs and Mix Mode
The RH-1 accepts both instrument and line level signals, so it can sit at the front of a pedalboard or take a line feed1. On the output side it offers "two simultaneous 1/4\" outputs which includes one balanced speaker sim output"1. The speaker sim can still be used when the pedal is bypassed, which means the balanced direct output keeps working even when the preamp and overdrives are out of the signal path1.
A dedicated Mix Mode footswitch changes what the pedal passes on. As De Gregorio puts it: "When this is on, the overdrives are bypassed and you only get the preamp tone."1
The preamp section features knobs for Volume, Mix, Bass and Treble1.
Power and size
The RH-1 runs on 9 volt DC or battery power1, and it fits in a standard Hammond-sized space on a pedalboard2.
Related Sunnaudio preamps
Sunnaudio later released the Nucleus NU-1, a two-channel analog preamp pedal. Guitar World noted in October 2020 that "Last year Sunnaudio introduced the Rabbithead RH-1" when covering the NU-1's launch3. The company has also made the R2D3 Helion, a bass-oriented preamp EQ pedal. For more in this category, see Preamp Pedals and Overdrive Pedals.
Videos
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Questions
Is the Sunnaudio Rabbithead RH-1 analog or digital?
The Rabbithead RH-1 is all analog. Delicious Audio describes it as an analog, transformerless preamp and dual overdrive that accepts both instrument and line level signals, so no digital processing is involved anywhere in the circuit.
Can the Rabbithead RH-1 run on a battery?
Yes. Guitar World reports that the RH-1 runs on 9 volt DC or battery power, so it can be powered either way. That makes it usable on a pedalboard with a supply or on its own with a battery.
Does the Rabbithead RH-1 have a speaker simulator?
Yes. The RH-1 includes a speaker simulator with a balanced speaker sim output, and Delicious Audio notes that the speaker sim can still be used when the pedal is bypassed. That makes it practical for going direct to a mixer or audio interface.
What did the Rabbithead RH-1 cost at launch?
Guitar World reported in May 2019 that the Rabbithead RH-1 was available for $479.
Sources (3)
- Sunnaudio Rabbithead RH-1 Preamp/Dual Overdrive, Delicious Audio, 2021-11-15
- Sunnaudio Introduces the Rabbithead RH-1 Preamp and Overdrive, Guitar World, 2019-05-01
- Sunnaudio goes big with the Nucleus NU-1 dual boost preamp, Guitar World, 2020-10-20
