“It bothers me that there is a generation that has never plugged into a tube amp because they have a free one on their laptop”: EarthQuaker Devices and Dr. Z launch a tube-loaded preamp pedal – and it could be the missing piece of your digital rig puzzle
www.guitarworld.com
The ZEQD-Pre pedal has been described as the ultimate end-of-signal-chain tonal tool, giving authentic tube warmth to any setup

EarthQuaker Devices has partnered with guitar amp expert Dr. Z for the ZEQD-Pre – a tube-loaded preamp that might just be the pedal that digital modeler users have been dreaming of.

It’s a pretty big collaboration. On the one hand, you have one of the gear world’s pre-eminent effects pedal makers. On the other, you have a boutique amp manufacturer whose builds have been championed by the likes of Joe Walsh.

The ZEQD-Pre Tube Pre Amp, then, is enticing indeed. Effectively, it aims to replicate the sound, feel, and response of an all-analog tube amplifier. Simple on paper, but there’s more to it than that.

EQD Product page

  • B-TR3E@feddit.org
    1·
    6 days ago

    A tube preamp in a foot pedal sounds like an awful idea to me. Sure, they’re going to sell to hapless gear-fetishists who are falling for the foot-pedal and tube hype but technically tubes in a pedal don’t make any sense. Cooling is as awful as power supply and just don’t think about tubes’ shock sensitivity when hot. 19" and 8.5" rack tube preamps, OTOH, have been around for a long time and they are still the way to go. I hate the uncritical way sites like Guitar World are celebrating any bullshit that’s getting thrown on the matket in the hope of selling a few units and profiting from sales commission. It completely devalues this kind of publication. Who the fuck wants to read a magazine that’s taking you for a fool and screw you over?

    • Baron Von JOPM
      3·
      6 days ago

      It’s not even a new idea to put tubes in a preamp/overdrive pedal. There’s options from Fender, Victory, Friedman, Orange, EHX, and Kingsley

      • B-TR3E@feddit.org
        1·
        6 days ago

        I new about the Electro Harmonix one. Always wondered how long it would last on stage - supposed anyone would have the nerve. I guess these pedals are strictly for bedroom use. The tube being displayed in such a prominent (and idiotic) place looks a lot like that.

        Edit: “Balanced XLR output” - ok. This thing isn’t even meant to be connected to an actual amp…