The Source Audio ZIO Analog Front End + Boost is an all-analog preamp and boost pedal developed with Christopher Venter of SHOE Pedals. It provides four distinct preamp circuits, each with up to +20 dB of output boost.
ZIO can be placed at the beginning of a pedalboard to shape the signal before other effects, after drive pedals as a clean level and tone stage, at the end of a board to drive longer cable runs, or in an amplifier effects loop to adjust level and response.
Four Preamp Circuits:
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JFET: transparent boost with a flat response and low coloration.
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LOW-CUT: reduces deep low frequencies while retaining the low-midrange, increasing available headroom.
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STUDIO: inspired by the classic “Pultec trick,” with a low-mid cut, slight upper-mid lift and subtle high-pass filtering.
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E-PLEX: inspired by the preamp section of vintage Echoplex tape-delay units, with a slightly driven, mid-focused response.
Cable-Capacitance Tone Control
The three-position TONE switch simulates different cable capacitance. BRIGHT applies the lowest capacitive load, MED approximates a medium cable length of around 15 ft, and DARK applies a higher capacitive load for a softer high-frequency response.
ZIO uses Burr-Brown JFET op-amps selected for headroom, frequency response and low noise. The pedal converts a high-impedance instrument signal to a strong low-impedance output suitable for feeding additional pedals, long cable runs or an amplifier input.
Features and Specifications:
- 4 analog preamp circuits: JFET, LOW-CUT, STUDIO and E-PLEX
- Up to +20 dB output boost
- 3-position TONE switch: BRIGHT, MED and DARK
- 2-position Footswitch Action switch with always-on Mute option
- Extra Tuner/Line output
- True Bypass
- Input impedance: 1 MΩ
- Output impedance: 150 Ω
- Power: 9 V DC centre-negative, 20 mA
- Brushed anodized aluminium enclosure
- Dimensions: 10.5 x 6 x 5.65 cm including knobs
