The Tubesteader Magnezium is a dual tube preamp from Tubesteader, a Montreal-based small builder who specializes in gain pedals with real tubes in them. As of its September 2022 coverage it was the builder's latest dirt box1. The pedal offers two separate gain channels and is voiced after the legendary Magnatone Super 59 M80 amp, with a pair of 12X7 tubes operating at the full 250VDC1.
The controls
Each channel carries the expected Volume and Gain knobs, plus its own 3-way EQ section1. That gives each of the two channels an independent set of controls, so the low-gain and high-gain sides can be dialed separately.
The two channels are described differently by Delicious Audio:
- Low-gain channel: a richer bottom end, able to deliver glassy tones at lower settings1
- High-gain channel: optimized for distorted tones with harmonically rich content1
Output modes and channel switching
On the preamp's side, a toggle switch presents two distinct output modes1:
| Mode | Character | Intended use |
|---|---|---|
| Mode 1 | Higher output | Direct connections to a power amp or a cabinet simulation1 |
| Mode 2 | Attenuated, with a treble cut | Connecting to the front of an amplifier1 |
The higher-output mode is what lets the Magnezium act as a preamp into a power amp or a speaker simulation setup, while the attenuated mode behaves more like a drive pedal into a traditional amp's input1.
Channels can be switched via the left footswitch, or remotely via the 1/8" side-mounted jack1, which suits players running the pedal under a larger switching setup.
The Magnezium comes from Tubesteader, a Montreal-based small builder who specializes in gain pedals with real tubes in them, and it is described as the builder's latest dirt box1.
Videos
Tubesteader
intheblues
The Studio Rats
Questions
What amp is the Tubesteader Magnezium voiced after?
Delicious Audio's writeup describes the Magnezium as voiced after the legendary Magnatone Super 59 M80 amp. The pedal carries that voicing across two separate gain channels: a low-gain channel with a richer bottom end that delivers glassy tones at lower settings, and a high-gain channel optimized for distorted tones with harmonically rich content.
What tubes does the Tubesteader Magnezium use?
The Magnezium is equipped with a pair of 12X7 tubes operating at the full 250VDC, according to Delicious Audio. Running tubes at full plate voltage is a point of difference for Tubesteader, a Montreal-based builder that specializes in gain pedals with real tubes in them.
Can I switch channels remotely on the Magnezium?
Yes. The two channels can be switched via the pedal's left footswitch, or remotely via a 1/8-inch side-mounted jack, so you can change channels from a switching system or controller without touching the pedal itself.
Can the Magnezium go straight into a power amp or cab sim?
A side toggle switch presents two distinct output modes. The first delivers a higher output, which Delicious Audio describes as ideal for direct connections to a power amp or a cabinet simulation. The second is an attenuated mode with a treble cut, designed for connecting to the front of an amplifier.
Sources (1)
- Tubesteader Magnezium Dual Tube Preamp, Delicious Audio, 2022-09-01