The Xotic BBP-COMP is a compression pedal that rolls two preamp circuits into one box, with a no-compression option on top. Xotic describes it as taking "two iconic pedals into one while taking it's sound to a new level with a no compression option," and it sits in the maker's BB Preamp family alongside the Xotic BB Preamp and the Xotic BB Preamp AT. For a player, it means one pedal that can act as a standard compressor, a heavier compressor, or a straight preamp with no compression at all. It belongs to the wider field of compressor pedals and preamp pedals1.
Modes and what they do
The BBP-COMP gives the player three ways to run it, chosen on the pedal itself1:
- Standard compression, which Xotic ties to the current BB-PREAMP circuit1
- More compression, which Xotic ties to the Andy Timmons BB-AT circuit1
- No compression, which runs the preamp side without compression1
Xotic frames the pedal as letting users "choose, standard compression (current BB-PREAMP), more compression (Andy Timmons BB-AT)" or the no-compression option1. In practice, that means the two BB Preamp voicings Xotic already builds separately are available in one enclosure, and a player can switch the compression out entirely when they want the preamp character alone.
The pedal's front panel carries an on/off footswitch function with an on/off status LED that shows whether the effect is engaged1.
Power: battery or adapter
The BBP-COMP runs on 9VDC with a negative center tip and draws a maximum of 15mA1. Xotic specifies a 2.1mm x 5.5mm DC jack and asks players to unplug the adapter when the pedal is not in use1.
An AC adapter is optional. Xotic recommends a regulated supply and names the Boss PSA, Ibanez AC109, Dunlop Brick, Voodoo Lab and 1 Spot as examples1. The pedal also runs on a battery, and Xotic gives approximately 40 hours of continuous use with an alkaline battery1.
When an external power supply is used, the battery is disconnected from the circuit. Xotic notes this alongside its true bypass specification, so running an adapter keeps the battery fresh1.
To change the battery, Xotic's manual says to remove four screws from the bottom plate to access the battery compartment1.
Signal and connections
The BBP-COMP has a standard input jack, an output jack, and the DC power jack. Xotic lists the nominal input at -20dB, input impedance at 1M ohm, and output impedance at 2K ohm1. A 1M ohm input is high enough that the pedal will not load down passive pickups, which matters if it sits early in a chain after a guitar with single coils or humbuckers.
Questions
Is the Xotic BBP-COMP true bypass?
Yes. According to Xotic's manual, the BBP-COMP is true bypass, and when an external power supply is used, the battery is disconnected from the circuit. That means the pedal's electronics sit out of the signal path when it is switched off, and the battery does not drain while you run it from an adapter.
Does the Xotic BBP-COMP take a battery?
It does. The BBP-COMP runs on a battery, and Xotic specifies approximately 40 hours of continuous use with an alkaline battery. To reach the battery, you remove four screws from the bottom plate. If you prefer to run it from an adapter, the battery is disconnected from the circuit when external power is plugged in.
How long does the battery last in the BBP-COMP?
Xotic's manual gives approximately 40 hours of continuous use with an alkaline battery. Actual life depends on how much you play with the pedal engaged, but that figure is the maker's own specification for continuous operation.
How do I change the battery in the Xotic BBP-COMP?
Xotic's manual says to remove four screws from the bottom plate to access the battery. Once the screws are out, the plate comes off and the battery compartment is exposed, so you can swap in a fresh battery and refit the plate.
What power supply does the Xotic BBP-COMP need?
The BBP-COMP needs 9VDC with a negative center tip, drawing a maximum of 15mA, through a 2.1mm x 5.5mm DC jack. Xotic recommends a regulated adapter and names the Boss PSA, Ibanez AC109, Dunlop Brick, Voodoo Lab and 1 Spot as suitable options. An adapter is optional; the pedal also runs on battery.
Sources (1)
- BBP_COMP_manual.pdf, Xotic Effects, 2023
