The Xotic BB Plus is a two-channel preamp pedal from Xotic. Xotic describes it as "a pre-amplifier, so transparent and versatile it bridges the gap between fingertips, guitar and amplifier"1. Channel A carries the core of the original BB Preamp, which Xotic says has "an amp-like feel" with "characteristics that are very open with rich complex harmonics"1. Channel B is a booster with its own gain, volume and a three-band EQ, and the two channels can be stacked with a single button1.
The BB Plus is a two-channel pedal, and Channel A is the side voiced for gain. Xotic describes its character as having "an amp-like feel" with "very open with rich complex harmonics"1. Channel A runs in true bypass, so it does not load down the signal when the pedal is off1.
The controls
Each channel has its own Volume and Gain controls. Volume sets the overall level of its channel, and Gain determines the amount of gain1. Channel A adds a Tone control that attenuates midrange and high midrange frequencies, while Channel B gets a fuller EQ section1.
| Control | Channel | What it does |
|---|---|---|
| Volume | A and B | Controls overall level of the channel |
| Gain | A and B | Determines the amount of gain of the channel |
| Tone | A | Attenuates midrange and high midrange frequencies |
| EQ Treble | B | High shelving EQ at 10KHz |
| EQ Mid | B | Peaking EQ at 1KHz |
| EQ Bass | B | Low shelving EQ at 500Hz |
Both channels also carry a Comp switch. Xotic notes that the compression is not as pronounced at low gain settings, so the switches matter most when a channel's gain is turned up1.
Stacking the two channels
The BB Plus's main draw is that Channel A and Channel B stack with a single button press, and the order of the stack is switchable. The A>B, B>A switch changes whether Channel A feeds into Channel B or Channel B feeds into Channel A: with the button up, A goes into B; with the button down, B goes into A1.
That order choice is a practical one. Running the BB Preamp channel into the booster gives the preamp's character first and then pushes its output level; running the booster into the preamp drives Channel A's gain stage harder. Both channels are true bypass, so the pedal does not load the signal down when it is off1.
Where it sits in the Xotic lineup
Within Xotic's lineup, the BB Plus sits alongside the company's other boost and preamp pedals, offering two channels where pedals like the RC Booster-V2 and the EP Booster offer one. Its Channel A carries the amp-like, harmonically rich voicing Xotic describes for the pedal1, with the second channel adding a second, independently controlled version of that preamp stage in one enclosure.
Videos
Xotic Video
Mike Hermans
The Official Xotic Guitars and Effects Channel
Questions
Can you stack both channels on the Xotic BB Plus?
Yes. Channel A is based on the original BB Preamp and Channel B is a booster, and the two channels stack with a single button. An A>B, B>A switch sets the order: with the button up, Channel A feeds into Channel B; with the button down, Channel B feeds into Channel A.
What does the Comp switch do on the BB Plus?
Both channels have a Comp switch. Xotic notes that the compression effect is not as pronounced when the channel's gain is set low, so the switch has its most audible effect at higher gain settings.
Is the Xotic BB Plus true bypass?
Yes. Xotic specifies true bypass for both Channel A and Channel B, with no loading down of the signal when the pedal is off.
Is the Xotic BB Plus discontinued?
The BB Plus is no longer in current production. As of October 2021, Aion FX listed it among Xotic pedals that had not yet been traced, and it does not appear in Xotic's current lineup.
Sources (2)
- BB_Plus_manual1.pdf, Xotic, 2023
- Tracing Journal: Xotic BB Preamp (several versions), Aion FX, 2021-10-22
