The ZIO Analog Bass Preamp + DI is an ultra low-noise all-analog tone shaping tool voiced specifically for bass.

This rich and dynamic pedal sounds great in front of an amplifier, but also creates beautiful, amp-like tones when routed directly to a front-of-house mixer or recording interface via its XLR Direct Out with ground lift.

From warm, vintage tones to modern, punchy sounds, ZIO is the first and final step to elevating your bass to its rightful place in the mix.

NATURAL DRIVE
The GRIT toggle captures the magic of transformer-style breakup, the tone that occurs when a vintage tube amp gets pushed to overdrive. Adjust the amount of grit with a "set-it-and-forget-it” GAIN control located on the side of the pedal. It's not a fuzz, it's a natural crunch that adds just enough overdrive to lift your bass tone to a new level of aggression.

PUNCH & CLARITY
Based on a time-honored studio maneuver, the SCOOP toggle engages an EQ curve based on the famous "Pultec Trick" (used by studio engineers from the 1950s right through today). Activating SCOOP mode triggers a low-mid cut to remove "mud" frequencies, a gentle presence boost in the upper midrange, and a natural-sounding high pass filter, to reduce low frequency rumble. It's a more "polished" sound to establish your bass more clearly in the mix.

DIRECT IMPACT
Enjoy the natural characteristics of a high-end bass amplifier when connected directly to a front-of-house mixer or audio interface. ZIO's DIRECT OUT is a balanced XLR output with a ground LIFT switch that delivers a low-noise, yet amp-like signal, equally effective in the studio or on stage. The inclusion of a standard 1/4 output allows for a parallel signal running directly to a pedalboard or the front of your bass amp.

A HIGHER QUALITY OP-AMP
After bench-testing about half a dozen classic and popular op-amp chips spanning back to the 1970s, Source Audio selected the Burr Brown OPA1656 for its pure tonality, dynamic range, frequency response, and overall feel. Its rail to rail output with a higher current capability delivers unmatched transparency and headroom. This 8-legged OPA chip was the perfect match for the ZIO's mission of delivering supreme amp-like bass tone in a compact housing.