Source Audio ZIO Analog Front End + Boost

The goal in creating the ZIO Analog Front End + Boost was simple yet ambitious: “Make Everything Sound Better!” ZIO is an all-analog preamp/boost pedal that includes a choice of four distinct preamp circuits, each with up to +20dB of additional output boost. ZIO is Source Audio’s first all-analog effects pedal and designed in collaboration with Christopher Venter, the owner and sole engineer at SHOE Pedals. ZIO is a deceptively flexible unit that can serve many different purposes at various places in your signal path. Use it at the front of your chain of effects to shape the rest of your outgoing tone, after your drive pedals as an overall tone sweetener or clean volume boost, or at the the end of your pedalboard to drive a long cable run or as a restorative device to recreate the sound of your guitar going directly into the input of your amplifier. You can also use the ZIO in your amp's effects loop if you want to drive your power amp even harder, or to compensate for a level mismatch between two channels.

Product Specs

Manufacturer Part Number (MPN): SA271

• Circuit knob with four distinct preamp circuits: JFET (transparent, flat frequency curve), LOW-CUT (cuts lows without affecting mid to high frequencies), STUDIO (replicates “Pultec Trick” equalization), E-PLEX (inspired by the preamp in a vintage Echoplex Tape Delay unit)
• High quality components and Burr Brown JFET op-amps
• Output control with up to +20dB of signal boost
• 3-way Tone toggle switch with bright/medium/dark cable capacitance voicing
• 2-way Footswitch Action toggle switch (with always-on “Mute” option)
• Extra Tuner/Line Output
• True Bypass
• Input Impedance: 1 Mega Ohm (1 MΩ)
• Output Impedance: 150 Ohm (150 Ω)
• Power Consumption: 9V DC center negative @ 20mA
• Brushed anodized aluminum housing
• Dimensions: 4.1 in. × 2.36 in. × 2.22 in. (including knobs)

What's in the Box

• Quick Reference Card