The goal in creating the ZIO Analog Front End + Boostwas simple yet ambitious:“Make Everything Sound Better!” ZIO is an all-analog preamp/boost pedal from Source Audio 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.

The word "ZIO" is an acronym for Impedance (“Z” is the electrical symbol for impedance), Input (“I”), and Output (“O”). The pedal is designed to takea guitar’s high impedance signal,sweeten the tone with any of its four preamp circuits, and output a strong, low impedance signal that won’t be alteredby the buffered dry tones of effect pedals further down the signal chain. High fidelity, noise-free Burr-Brown op amps help give ZIO extreme clarity and responsive pick dynamics, while maintaining idealbody and warmth. ZIO has four distinct preamp circuits. JFEToffers a completelytransparent signal boost with zero coloring or distortion. LOW-CUTreduces “tubby” bottom-end for a tighter sound with added headroom. STUDIOfinds inspiration from the time-honored “Pultec Trick,”a studio technique that addsclarity by cutting the “mud frequencies” and adding mid-rangearticulation. E-PLEXcapturesthe focused and subtle grit of the preampsfound in vintage Echoplex Tape Delay units.The ZIO’s TONE toggle offers three different levels of capacitance (or simulated cable length) to brighten or darken thetone.

The ZIO’s simple control set makes it easy to find the perfect “base tone” for any guitar and ensures thatthe dry signal hittingeach pedal and the amplifierremainsstrong and consistent.