In this article we’re going to be discussing the best bass boost pedals that exist in October 2023.
Whether you want to accentuate certain parts in your songs and get richer and more prominent sound, or you simply want to amplify your bass a little bit more, a proper boost pedal is one of the things you need on your pedalboard. Today’s market is full of such pedals and while some feature pretty straightforward design, other are more complex and offer additional features.
What Is A Bass Boost Pedal?
As the name suggests, a typical boost pedal has just one task – to boost your bass guitar signal. The way these pedals achieve this is pretty simple – they amplify specific frequencies. A typical booster amplifies primarily mid frequencies, but most boost pedals come with powerful EQ sections and other tweaking options that can put focus on more specific frequency ranges.
What’s interesting about these pedals is that they can be used in different places of a signal chain. Some players use it in front of an amp, while others go with it into an effects loop. In the first case, the pedal goes before overdrive and distortion pedals, providing enriching harmonics and better sustain. In the case you want to go into an effects loop, you will benefit from more prominent modulation effects sound or simply get more volume.
These additional features are the reason why many products are called preamp pedals. It’s hard to draw a line between these products but we could say that, while boost pedals usually focus on mid-frequencies boost, a preamp is a more comprehensive thing that adds a more complex EQ section and a few more things, including connectivity features like cab simulator, phantom power etc. In the world of bass pedals, at least, these two terms are generally used for the same thing.
A great thing is that today’s market is full of all kinds of boost pedals. Some of them feature pretty straightforward designs and offer simple operation, while others come with all kinds of extra features, including not just EQ, but distortion effects as well.
Bass Boost Pedals
MXR M81 Bass Preamp
Available On Amazon – Check Current Price
With six knobs and two buttons, the MXR M81 may seem more complex than an average bass boost pedal but things are actually pretty straightforward. The catch is in the company’s unique Constant Headroom Technology, where you can control both input and output levels and get impressive tone clarity at high volumes, something that is hard to achieve with most bass boost pedals.
The rest of the knobs work as a typical EQ, with Bass, Mid and Treble controls. Additionally, there is the Mid Frequency knob, which provides additional control of midrange frequencies. Another thing that we really like is the Pre/Post switch, which optimizes the sound depending on where you put the pedal in your signal chain.
The pedal sounds great but it is also pretty versatile. For example, it can work on a 9V battery, power supply or phantom power from a mixer. Furthermore, you can choose between buffered and true bypass and get even better control. Besides the standard 1/4″ output, there is also a balanced out, so you can go directly into PA and preserve the sound.
Who Should Buy This Pedal?
It’s not easy to find a specific group of players to recommend this pedal. Simply, it is a well-sounding and quite versatile boost pedal that can satisfy a broad range of bass players. Anyone who looks for a great-sounding, clean boost pedal with a good amount of tonal tweaking options should seriously consider this unit.
Darkglass Electronics Alpha Omega Ultra
Available On Amazon – Check Current Price
While some manufacturers like to keep things simple, Darkglass came up with a pretty comprehensive pedal that offers so many features. Labeled as a preamp unit, this stompbox integrates not just boost and EQ, but also a couple of distortion types into a single housing.
The front side of the pedal comes with several knobs. For example, there is the Mod knob that lets you choose between two distortion types, while the Blend knob lets find the perfect mix of dry and wet signals. Of course, you can set the Level and the amount of Drive. We particularly like the 6-band EQ, while there are two more buttons that are all about boosting your tone. The first one is called Growl and it boosts low-end saturation. On the other hand, the Bite switch offers a clean boost of high mids, which ensures excellent presence and definition.
Besides numerous tone-shaping options, this pedal is also versatile in terms of connectivity features. Besides classic 1/4″ ins and outs, you may also count on XLR balanced output, so you can go directly into PA. The pedal features Aux in and Headphone output, as well as a USB port, so you can do things like loading cabinet simulation impulse responses etc. The pedal runs on a 9V power supply.
Who Should Buy This Pedal?
The Darkglass Electronics Alpha Omega Ultra is a fantastic choice for players who look not just for a good boost pedal but a complete solution that includes a distortion effect, capable EQ and a lot of connectivity features.
Tech21 SansAmp Bass Driver DI
Available On Amazon – Check Current Price
Despite the old-school housing design, this is a pretty advanced pedal that comes with lots of features and lots of tone-shaping options. It is a pretty comprehensive pedal that offers several ways to boost your sound. Furthermore, there is an overdrive effect, EQ and a variety of connectivity features.
As we’ve just mentioned, there are several ways to boost sound. One of them is a classic Presence knob, while there are also a couple of buttons that boost certain frequency ranges. For example, there is a 40/80Hz button, which is great for 5- and 6-string basses. Also, there is the 500/1000Hz button, which adds extra flexibility to a variety of different pickups and techniques. Furthermore, you can get an additional 10dB boost if you use a classic 1/4″ out.
The pedal also comes with a typical 3-band EQ, while the Blend knob lets you mix dry and wet signals. Finally, there is the Drive knob, so you can add a bit of classic distortion to your sound. As for connectivity features, there are both classic 1/4” and XLR outputs, while you also have the option to use parallel output and send a clean signal to your onstage amp. The pedal can run on a 9V battery, power supply or phantom power from the mix.
Who Should Buy This Pedal?
Players with a wide range of boost preferences will find this pedal highly appealing, thanks to a variety of sound-shaping options. Despite the numerous features and great overall quality, the pedal is reasonably priced.
TC Electronic Spark
Available On Amazon – Check Current Price
Many players like to keep things simple, especially if they go into an amp and already have a good bass distortion pedal. For them, the TC Electronic Spark seems like an excellent choice. It is affordable, sounds great and, most importantly, it is super easy to use. The housing is pretty compact and comes with just a couple of controls. It’s worth mentioning that this pedal was primarily designed for electric guitars. However, it works fantastic with low-end frequencies, which makes it great for bass guitars as well.
If you look at the front side of the pedal, you will find just four knobs, all typical for these kinds of effects. There is a two-band EQ, with Bass and Treble control, as well as the Gain knob and, of course, the Level knob. For additional flexibility, there is a small toggle switch in the middle, which lets you choose one of three boost types. The Clean mode offers a typical clean boost, while Fat mode adds a decent dose of girth. Finally, the middle position is a great choice if you have a lot of bandmates and need to find your way through the mix.
Considering the pedal’s compact size and super-simple layout, it’s no wonder that there are single inputs and outputs. Of course, there is a footswitch to engage and disengage the pedal, which features true bypass, so your tone remains preserved. The pedal can run both on a power supply and a 9V battery.
Who Should Buy This Pedal?
It’s easy to conclude that this pedal is designed for all those players who don’t need extra features in a boost pedal. It is a no-nonsense unit with a straightforward design. It is also a great choice for bass players on a tight budget because the sound quality is pretty amazing for the price range.
MXR Thump Bass Preamp
Available On Amazon – Check Current Price
Want to save space on your pedalboard but don’t want to sacrifice sound quality? The MXR Thump Bass Preamp is the solution. This pedal features super compact dimensions but the company managed to pack a lot of great things into this small housing. Controls are simple and intuitive but, at the same time, the range of tones you can dial is pretty impressive.
That’s mostly because of the fact that there are five knobs in total. Three of them are reserved for a classic 3-band EQ that includes small Bass, Middle and Treble Knobs. Of course, you can control the output level, while the Freq knob lets you adjust the Middle knob by putting the focus on anything between 250Hz and 1kHz. In that way, it’s super easy to optimize the boost pedal for your instrument and playing technique.
When it comes to connectivity features, things are pretty straightforward. There are single 1/4” ins and outs, as well as an on/off switch with a true bypass. The pedal is powered by a 9V power supply, which is sold separately.
Who Should Buy This Pedal?
If you appreciate simplicity and easiness of use, along with great sound quality, the Thump is an excellent choice. It is also a great option if you need to save space on your pedalboard.
MXR Micro Amp
Available On Amazon – Check Current Price
MXR has been in business for decades and it has always been famous for making products that are not just great-sounding, but also extremely pedalboard-friendly. The Micro Amp, as the name suggests, is one of the company’s smallest units, with tiny dimensions and super-simple controls. Practically, there is just one knob that lets you set the right amount of boost.
If you appreciate such a simple layout but still want a little bit more control, the company also offers the MXR Micro Amp Plus, which is a kind of upgraded version of this pedal. Compared to the standard pedal, this one comes with two more knobs – Bass and Treble.
Both pedals feature the same dimensions and same housing design and both sound equally great. Also, both feature true bypass, so you can’t go wrong with any of these two. Both are designed for electric guitars, so the extra EQ features of the Micro Amp Plus may have an edge.
Who Should Buy This Pedal?
Anyone who is looking for a pedalboard-friendly unit with an extremely simple and easy-to-use layout will find this pedal very interesting. Despite the simplicity, the pedal doesn’t sacrifice functionality all that much, while the tone quality is excellent.
Our Number One Choice
All pedals on the list are great but, somehow, we see the MXR M81 Bass Preamp as our first choice. It is a quintessential boost pedal with a straightforward design and impressive clarity. We really like its powerful EQ section and the additional flexibility it provides, while numerous connectivity features make it ready for any situation. Finally, there are three ways to power it, which is always convenient.
Our Premium Choice
The Darkglass Electronics Alpha Omega Ultra is our premium choice because it doesn’t just work as a great boost pedal, due to the impressive EQ section, but also works great as a distortion pedal. You have a choice of two types of distortion and both sound great. The whole pedal sounds and works like a genuine premium product, so the choice seems natural.
Best Value For Money
Don’t be fooled by its affordable price and simple design. This tiny unit has so many great things to offer, much more than you would probably expect in this price range. Not only that it sounds great, but it also offers a high level of flexibility, as you can choose between three different boost types, depending on what your preferences or playing technique are. It is a perfect choice if you’re looking for a classic boost pedal, whether your budget is tight or not.
That concludes this full buyers guide on the best bass boost pedals. Feel free to leave a comment if you have any questions regarding the products you have seen in this article. Check out our other bass buyer guides such as the best bass preamp pedals.
Here at Guitar Effects Pedalz we also provide full reviews of the best online guitar services so you can learn guitar online with our Guitar Tricks Review.
FAQ: Best Bass Boost Pedals
Q1: What are bass boost pedals?
A bass boost pedal is an audio effects pedal designed specifically for bass guitars. It enhances the low-frequency range of the bass signal, allowing players to achieve a more pronounced and powerful bass sound.
Q2: How do bass boost pedals work?
Bass boost pedals typically employ circuitry that boosts the low frequencies of the bass signal. These pedals can either be dedicated bass boost units or multi-effects processors with bass-enhancing capabilities.
Q3: Can you recommend any bass boost pedals in 2023?
While I’ve covered specific pedals in the article, one highly regarded bass boost pedal in 2023 is the Xotic Spark Booster. It offers a versatile boost with a bright and punchy tone, making it a popular choice among bassists.
Q4: What is the MXR Bass Preamp and how does it affect my bass tone?
The MXR Bass Preamp is an audio effects pedal that functions as a dedicated bass preamp. It not only provides bass boosting capabilities but also acts as a tone-shaping tool, allowing you to adjust the EQ and sculpt your bass sound.
Q5: Are there any mini-sized bass boost pedals available?
Yes, there are mini-sized bass boost pedals available on the market. These compact pedals offer the same functionality as their larger counterparts while saving pedalboard space.
Q6: Can a bass boost pedal connect to my amplifier or other effects pedals?
Absolutely! Bass boost pedals typically feature standard input and output jacks, allowing you to connect them to your bass guitar, amplifier, or other effects pedals in your signal chain.
Q7: How can I effectively increase the gain and add more sparkle to my bass sound?
To increase gain and add sparkle to your bass sound, you can use a bass boost pedal with a gain control knob. Increasing the gain on the pedal will boost the overall signal strength and add brightness to your tone.
Q8: Are there any bass boost pedals with switchable frequency options?
Yes, some bass boost pedals, such as the Keeley Bassist Limiting Amplifier, offer switchable frequency options. These pedals allow you to select specific frequency ranges to boost, giving you greater control over your tone.
Q9: Do bass boost pedals introduce noise into the signal chain?
While some lower-quality pedals may introduce noise, many high-end bass boost pedals are designed to minimize noise and maintain signal integrity. It’s important to choose a reputable brand and read user reviews for noise-related concerns.
Q10: How does altering the output volume on a bass boost pedal affect my sound?
Adjusting the output volume on a bass boost pedal controls the overall level of the boosted signal. It allows you to match the output volume to the rest of your signal chain and ensures a balanced sound when engaging the pedal.
Q11: Can I use bass boost pedals in my recording studio or audio engineer setup?
Certainly! Bass boost pedals are valuable tools for recording studios and audio engineers. They can be used to enhance the bass frequencies during mixing without relying solely on EQ adjustments or plugin processors.
Q12: Are there any bass boost pedals with an “Echoplex” style effect?
Yes, some bass boost pedals offer an “Echoplex-style” effect, emulating the iconic sound of the vintage Echoplex tape delay unit. These pedals combine bass boosting capabilities with the warmth and character of tape echo effects.
Q13: How much of a boost can I expect from a bass boost pedal?
Most bass boost pedals can provide a boost of up to 20dB (decibels), allowing for significant amplification of the low frequencies. This boost can help your bass cut through the mix and deliver a more powerful and defined tone.
Q14: Do bass boost pedals alter the low frequencies only, or can they affect the overall frequency response?
Bass boost pedals primarily focus on enhancing the low frequencies of your bass signal. However, depending on the specific pedal and its frequency response, they can also impact the overall tonal balance and affect other frequency ranges.
Q15: Can I use a bass boost pedal to increase the gain of my bass without using a dedicated preamp?
Yes, bass boost pedals with gain control can effectively increase the gain of your bass signal without the need for a dedicated preamp. They provide a convenient all-in-one solution for boosting and shaping your bass tone.
Last update on 2023-10-02 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API