All user reviews for the Xotic Effects BB Preamp

Xotic's BB preamp is a dirt box capable of providing compressed, fluid gain for elegant leads, crunchy blues style distortion or for pushing a good tube amp into saturated high gain bliss!

I previously reviewed the BB+, and after having spent time with the BB, realized that it is different enough to deserve its own review.
As with the + the term "preamp" is used lightly (or perhaps incorrectly), since this unit is nothing more than a dirt box. But it does sound phenomenal!

UTILIZATION

The BB runs on the standard 9volt battery or adapter. This unit is very easy to use.

SOUND QUALITY

Xotic created a unique gain pedal with the BB. It has qualities reminiscent of some other pedals (tube screamers, blues driver, etc) but it has its own unique voicing that shines through with most amps.
What really makes this thing a blast to play is the bouncy, compressed nature of the attack and sustain. Crank this up through a nice clean channel and just try not to wank for extended periods of time!

The voicing of the original BB has a slightly different flavor than the BB+. The + (on Channel A, which is supposed to be the regular BB channel) has gain and output controls, a compression cut switch and only a tone control for eq.
In comparison the BB has gain and output, as well as active treble and bass controls for finer adjustment to your tone and low end response. Perhaps this is what gives the BB circuit a slightly more hi-fi and smooth tone (at least in my opinion).
As a boost, the BB is one of the better units I've used. The original character of the amp is able to shine through, and it is pushed in all the right places resulting in more of what you love about your amp. This is where the BB+ has the advantage however, as its "blue" channel is even more transparent and sparkly, and is what makes the + version worth buying over the original in my opinion.

OVERALL OPINION

If you're looking for an overdrive/clean boost pedal that doesn't squash your tone or have an exaggerated mid-hump, check out the Xotic BB. The simple yet versatile active eq, addictive feel and great clean boost capabilities make this one of the best choices in the saturated pedal market.

overdrive pedal
30db gain and bass and treble adjustment
completely Anloga
in true bypass (owl)

UTILIZATION

easy to use recess unless a penguin I could not see how you gallery ...

SOUND QUALITY

c simple since I have I use it almost all the fatal weapon tps c od pedal type of boost, and yes it's c excels, it sounds clearly has the kind bluebreaker marshall ave in the amphetamines prescision so that legato are very facilemebt, she eats almost no dynamics and works perfectly on solo. everything depends on the rhythm of what we want ms solo I play without anymore. sound c LIQUEFYING more fluid you lose a little of the basic sound of peersonnalité ms c the end I think. Most are respectful of od that I had anything a must if you fly me kill myself, not my life I'll rchete a koi without it lol.
negative point that it is more a boost, c on c moin clear sound too modern convinquant else is doing better now too clean for the heats against it sound as if a lamp Y'avait geniale koi

OVERALL OPINION

I use it for 1 year and I had no ms do not have the same worth c ms c dear world anyway, the guy must have at Xotic action in total Minten ....
I prefer c its prescision and the fact that magnifies the sound to my ear
on the other hand when you push it too drive volume and breath on a saturated ms good as you want classic c
I'd like to test the ac + and + to see ms bb bb fills me ja

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UTILIZATION

I use it for everything. I play in two rock bands / fusion / postrock, it does its job perfectly. Little reliable.

SOUND QUALITY

This is THE pedal to have is simple if it breaks or it does not work anymore I bought the same. The sound is faithful to the guitar to the amp and especially touched by the guitarist. Here we do not cheat, the sound is open, the EQ is effective, the grain of the pedal is very "smooth" and music.

For me there's no better term crunch. Ideal as a crunch and also as a boost pedal.

OVERALL OPINION

This is the pedal for those who seek his blues / rock / pop / fusion. It was only over time that we understand that having the rock sound is not to have a lot of gain but have his trusty guitar to open, not compressed.

Some say it is not given, certainly ... But if it suits you it will stay on your pedalboard for years. You understand this is a love story between me and my BB)

It is an OD pedal and / or boost depending on the settings
4 knobs volume bass treble gain
true bypass switch
between output
Simple and efficient pedal

UTILIZATION

Manuel useless, it's a very intuitive pedal. Level

SOUND QUALITY

her you imagine the grain of a tube screamer without losing the bass and treble and an impressive reserve of volume.
It compresses a lot but it keeps her in the PCHE.

To the very end blues, this pedal rubber not bad grades.

But for the game in jazz fusion, it makes the game so legato Plutt destiny a technical game.

In boost, it is very effective, we may start from a big crunch to a saturation well crmeuse and powerful while retaining some clarity in the notes and everything without being too aggressive.

OVERALL OPINION

I bought to boost the crunch channel of my Bogner Shiva.
It is very effective because it boosts my amp (thanks to its reserve volume) to loud sounds which allows me to keep the amp with a gain Lger for passages for a kind of 3rd channel .. .

I have not tried much except Fulltone OCD whose grain seemed more draft in my use.

The pedal is CHRE, I do not know if is true but I am guided by my ears.

I do not m'tends: clne TS (I never test a real vintage), gain, volume, bass and trebble for equal.
Handmade, made in USA, suddenly we pay a high price. 9v power supply standard, I use it on pedalboard. Format "single" from Xotic has released more than BBs, Ac Also, larger format ... Little space in any case a Pedalboard, but what sound presence!

UTILIZATION

No manual, no need. One branch and one is playing. Each volume pot is extremely dynamic. So it was a real change in sonority according rglages. J uses it a lot as the EQ section, and walk very well as a clear boost.

SOUND QUALITY

One of the best pedals in my opinion. It can be used as a boost with gain 0. THE EQUAL is very effective. Then you go up the gain and crunch very quickly (this is the most pronounced of Xotic "single" in terms of saturation), to go up a good saturation. Let's be clear, do not drool that is always clean, and warm: there are really grain Robben Ford or Eric Johnson, Larry Carlton. C may also sound more "hendrix" with adequate share rglages (bass and trebble 3h) I use it with an RC booster (when you love Xotic you do not count) upstream, it is pure Happiness! For specific on, I played on a Mesa Boogie DC-2, very hot blues, crmeux, and the BB sounds close to the saturated channel of this amp. on the other hand, if you push the volume and more gain, you get a much more "Zeppelin-ien" ...

OVERALL OPINION

I use it for many years. I had sold a few months ago to finance a more versatile preamp, and I'm back two month after. I compared the AC Booster and too kind as his medium, I have not liked. Issue price, that is expensive, but worth it.
Yes I redid this choice ahahah.
Note: I did not test the BB Plus, it seems that it does not sound exactly the same.

bah see other reviews oubien watch 'tis buttons on the photo

UTILIZATION

super simple cons takes time to find its settings, but then after ...

SOUND QUALITY

If andy timmons size and other uses is not to make beautiful, this pedal is really useful, I explain: I play on mesa roadster mesa 2x12 and if necessary (not the same sound as the combo of HP) the sound is fine you get used to the bb engaged and we arrive at an expression of his amp ever hoped for, it's like mixing studio in full, what his friends! an incredible presence (the sound is "food for a phrase very humorous randall smith), and that the cut is very sad ... he misses a trick! I could not do passer.plein possibility, but I find that with a tube amp, it's just huge ... I hesitated

OVERALL OPINION

(considering the price) but I do not regret the purchase, I'll keep good time
The key word is its "equalization" and marvel at the fact bb
as more and no less
go for it !!!!!

The BB is not just an overdrive pedal. It is much more a booster, compressor and overdrive pedal (Tubescreamer-like) in one.

UTILIZATION

As with most pedals this one is not very difficult to set up. Just pay attention to where you put it in your FX chain and make sure to balance the levels.
You don't really need a manual because if you bought this pedal you know what to do with it.

SOUND QUALITY

The sounds reminds me a bit of the MXR Zack Wylde. If you are looking for bluesy, jazzy then the BB is in my opinion currently one of the best on the market. A Twin, a BB – that’s it. The BB has a lot of dynamics and doesn’t change the basic character of the guitar sound.

OVERALL OPINION

1A pedal – perfect construction and layout!