Xotic EP Booster in front of high gain amp?

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Bash_Man

Bash_Man

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Any one use the Xotic EP booster in front of their high gain amp? The amp I am using (Splawn nitro) is already a gain monster and I am not looking to overdrive it more.. but more add a touch of that input gain for lead work and a tad bit of thicker Power chord rhythm work.

Thoughts?


Thanks
 
I tried this combo and didn't care for it much. One of my gripes with the Nitro is it is super picky with boosts, at least with my experience. A TC Spark booster would work better for what you're looking for with that particular amp.
 
Purity said:
I tried this combo and didn't care for it much. One of my gripes with the Nitro is it is super picky with boosts, at least with my experience. A TC Spark booster would work better for what you're looking for with that particular amp.
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Thanks for the feedback.
 
I use an MXR Booster Mini, which is the Echoplex Preamp and a Micro Amp crammed into a mini pedal. I like the Echoplex boost to push the mids into the front a little harder.
 
With the EP Booster, Xotic shamelessly piggybacked the Clinch EP-Pre when it was released. They tried to, anyway.
But they missed. The proprietary Clinch circuit - a one man operation - makes for that Echoplex preamp effect that lifts gain and mids transparently to any front end. It is not captured by any of the other followers IMHO. Some do good things a bit differently eg Chase Tone.
The fallout at the time was pretty dramatic. Xotic banned anyone from their forum that mentioned the comparison. There were many who signed up and were banned within days.
I’ve never forgotten. Xotic hasn't had an original idea since AFAIK.
 
napalmdeath said:
In my experience, yes. BUT, not if used with an OD.

Try a Buxom Boost.
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+1 for BB. As I was reading down the thread I was going to suggest it, 3 band EQ and bass cut, will let you dial in exactly what you want & eliminate any muddiness. An EQ pedal might do the same thing for you.
 
Purity said:
I tried this combo and didn't care for it much. One of my gripes with the Nitro is it is super picky with boosts, at least with my experience. A TC Spark booster would work better for what you're looking for with that particular amp.
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This. I had an EP booster that I tried in front of my QR and Nitro and I found that the EP had some sort of weird midrange thing going on that just did not work with either amp. I since sold it and have a simple, single knob spark mini that sounds killer with every amp I‘ve ever put it in front of. Super transparent. Virtually zero coloring or tone filtering going on. Your amp sounds just like your amp with just a touch extra juice for leads.
 
PDC said:
This. I had an EP booster that I tried in front of my QR and Nitro and I found that the EP had some sort of weird midrange thing going on that just did not work with either amp. I since sold it and have a simple, single knob spark mini that sounds killer with every amp I‘ve ever put it in front of. Super transparent. Virtually zero coloring or tone filtering going on. Your amp sounds just like your amp with just a touch extra juice for leads.
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That's odd. I never noticed any tone coloration with the EP, and always considered it a step up from the Spark, (owned both versions). However, if I was going the Spark route, I'd go for the full sized with EQ options.

But, as I mentioned above, the Buxom Boost works VERY well with the Splawns. I used one with both a Quick Rod, and Competition. It works really well at being an extension of your amp, vs. adding color.
 
Thanks everyone for your responses. always very helpful :)

I've decided not going with the EP Booster and commiting to my purchase of an AxeFx FX8 to replace my rack multieffects and pedal board, including a boost. I'll look at utilizing the Booster/drive configuration in the FX8 and see where it goes from there.

Cheers
 
Bash_Man said:
Thanks everyone for your responses. always very helpful :)

I've decided not going with the EP Booster and commiting to my purchase of an AxeFx FX8 to replace my rack multieffects and pedal board, including a boost. I'll look at utilizing the Booster/drive configuration in the FX8 and see where it goes from there.

Cheers
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The FX8 is awesome. It’s unfortunate that they’re not doing anymore updates though
 
LP Freak said:
The FX8 is awesome. It’s unfortunate that they’re not doing anymore updates though
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that's ok. my effects usage is minimal, however having effects is always nice for things like Delays Chorus, Phaser, wah. I am sure the existing latest firmware effects will be more than sufficient. for me its about reducing the amount of stuff I have. The FX8 will help eliminate a full 4U rack and a pedal board. It'll simply be the FX8 and amp head with cabinet.
 
The best use for the EP Booster for me was with my Bassman and Telecaster, and that was not for high gain rock stuff. The EP Booster boosts everything, even the lows, which you don’t want if you want a tight rock or metal tone. The Buxxom Boost is miles better for that. I’m also interested in the new Source Audio Clean Boost that recently came out. The EP Booster is a boost I’d only use with single coils.
 
Bash_Man said:
that's ok. my effects usage is minimal, however having effects is always nice for things like Delays Chorus, Phaser, wah. I am sure the existing latest firmware effects will be more than sufficient. for me its about reducing the amount of stuff I have. The FX8 will help eliminate a full 4U rack and a pedal board. It'll simply be the FX8 and amp head with cabinet.
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The effects on it sound great. You can pick one up for a pretty decent price now too
 
LP Freak said:
The effects on it sound great. You can pick one up for a pretty decent price now too
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that's exactly what attracted me to it.. the price. was originally gonna pickup an AxeFx 2 ultra but couldnt justify $1500 on a used unit and still have to carry around a rack with a pedal board. The FX8 it is.

Hopefully i'll get it by end of month or 1st week of March.
 
napalmdeath said:
That's odd. I never noticed any tone coloration with the EP, and always considered it a step up from the Spark, (owned both versions). However, if I was going the Spark route, I'd go for the full sized with EQ options.

But, as I mentioned above, the Buxom Boost works VERY well with the Splawns. I used one with both a Quick Rod, and Competition. It works really well at being an extension of your amp, vs. adding color.
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Does the BB impact the tightness of the Splawn? Positively or negatively?
 
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