Xotic EP-Pro Preamp Boost and Volume Pedal

£299.00

Also available on Amazon, eBay & Reverb

Fresh on the menu for 2026 are the Xotic Guitar Pedals, freshly added and carefully selected. These New units are available to order online with fast, secure delivery from trusted UK retailers. Read on for full details, specifications, demos, videos, reviews, and the best places to buy the Xotic Guitar Pedals today.


Description

Fresh on the menu for 2026 are the Xotic Guitar Pedals, freshly added and carefully selected. These New units are available to order online with fast, secure delivery from trusted UK retailers. Read on for full details, specifications, demos, videos, reviews, and the best places to buy the Xotic Guitar Pedals today.

The Xotic EP-Pro is a premium preamp, boost and volume pedal that distils the magic of the legendary Echoplex preamp into a modern, ultra-flexible format. Building on the iconic EP Booster circuit, it delivers that unmistakable analogue warmth while giving you precise control over feel, touch and response, whether it is in front of your amp, in the loop, at the end of your chain or in front of a digital rig.

Designed as an always-on tone enhancer, the EP-Pro is all about making your guitar and amp feel better under the fingers. From subtle sweetening and added nuance through to fat, harmonically rich boost, it lets your playing breathe and respond more dynamically. At the same time, the integrated volume pedal function gives you smooth, musical control over level without sacrificing clarity or tone.

Whether you are chasing classic Jimmy Page and Eddie Van Halen style Echoplex-inspired tones, looking to add life and dimension to a digital modeller, or simply want your valve amp to wake up and respond more naturally, the EP-Pro slots into almost any setup. Its refined FET preamp, flexible switching and compact treadle format make it a powerful hub for shaping both your sound and your playing experience.

EP Booster Heritage with Modern Refinement

At the heart of the EP-Pro is the same celebrated preamp concept that made the original EP Booster a modern classic. It captures the rich, musical character of the Echoplex preamp, adding subtle compression, harmonic content and a touch of sparkle that flatters almost any guitar and amp combination. With extended control and switching options, the EP-Pro lets you dial that magic in exactly where you want it, from barely-there sweetening to a more pronounced, amp-pushing boost.

FTR: Feel, Touch and Response

Xotic’s FTR philosophy puts the playing experience front and centre. Rather than simply changing EQ or adding gain, the EP-Pro is voiced to enhance the way your guitar reacts to your hands. Notes bloom more naturally, dynamics feel more expressive and your amp responds more fluidly to picking strength and volume knob changes. The result is a rig that feels more connected and inspiring, helping you play more musically without fighting your gear.

Multiple Placement Options for Infinite Possibilities

The EP-Pro is designed to be used in several key positions in your signal path, each unlocking a different flavour of control. In front of a valve amp it adds nuance and drive to the input stage, in an effects loop it shapes level and character at the power section, and at the end of your pedalboard it acts as a master tone and volume shaper. Placed before digital modellers and amp sims, it restores organic response and analogue feel, helping your virtual rigs behave more like a great amp in the room.

Integrated Volume Pedal with Flexible Switching

Combining preamp and volume control in a single treadle, the EP-Pro keeps your board tidy while giving you hands-free control over level. The pedal can be configured for true bypass or buffered operation via internal dip switches, allowing you to tailor it to your rig and cable runs. Whether you are using it for subtle swells, overall volume balancing or as a dynamic gain control into your amp, the EP-Pro maintains clarity and tone across its entire travel.

Key Features

  • Echoplex-inspired FET Preamp – Based on the much-loved EP Booster circuit, the EP-Pro delivers the rich, musical enhancement associated with the classic Echoplex preamp. It adds harmonic depth, subtle compression and a touch of top-end sweetness, helping your guitar sit perfectly in the mix without sounding processed.
  • Preamp and Volume Pedal in One – By combining a high-quality preamp/boost with a smooth treadle-controlled volume stage, the EP-Pro reduces pedalboard clutter and puts powerful tone and level control under your foot. You can shape your core sound and manage dynamics from a single, compact unit.
  • Optimised for Multiple Signal Chain Positions – The EP-Pro is designed to excel in front of amps, in effects loops, at the end of pedal chains or in front of digital modellers. Each position offers a different way to refine your tone, from tightening and energising your amp to adding sparkle and cohesion to your entire rig.
  • Selectable True Bypass or Buffered Operation – Internal dip switches let you choose between true bypass or buffered signal switching. This flexibility means you can preserve the purest possible signal path in simple setups, or use the buffer to maintain clarity and high-end detail when running longer cable lengths or more complex boards.

Specifications

Dimensions and Weight

  • Dimensions (D x W x H): 210 mm x 100 mm x 67 mm
  • Weight: 980 g (2.16 lb)

Electronics

  • Boost Switching: True bypass or buffered signal switching (selectable via dip switches)
  • Input Impedance: 500 k ohm
  • Output Impedance: 2 k ohm
  • Nominal Input Signal Level: -20 dBV
  • Nominal Output Signal Level: -20 dBV

Power

  • Power Consumption: 9 V DC / 10 mA (max)
  • Battery Type: 9 V DC (006P) x 1
  • Approximate Battery Life: 40 hours continuous use with alkaline battery
  • AC Adapter (Optional): 9 V DC to 18 V DC, regulated, negative tip

Additional information

Weight 0.5 kg

Brand

Xotic

Xotic is a well-respected Japanese manufacturer of high-quality guitar pedals and accessories, known for its innovative designs and exceptional build quality. Established in the early 2000s, Xotic quickly gained recognition in the music industry for creating pedals that deliver exceptional tonal clarity, versatility, and reliability. Their product range includes overdrive, distortion, modulation, and boost pedals, all designed to provide musicians with a wide range of sounds and tonal options.

Xotic’s most famous products include the *BB Preamp* overdrive, the *AC Booster*, and the *EP Booster*, which have become staples for guitarists looking for transparent, dynamic effects that enhance their natural tone. Known for their compact and durable design, Xotic pedals are highly praised for their ability to seamlessly integrate into any pedalboard setup. Xotic’s attention to detail and commitment to quality has made their pedals a go-to choice for both professional musicians and avid pedal enthusiasts, offering reliable, studio-grade effects in a user-friendly format.

Category

Guitar Pedals

Tags

Boost

A boost pedal does one simple thing brilliantly — it makes your signal louder, stronger, and more alive. Whether you’re pushing a valve amp into natural breakup, lifting a solo above the band, or adding a touch more presence to your core tone, a clean boost gives you extra headroom without changing your character.

Use it at the front of your chain to drive other pedals harder, or after your gain stages to raise volume without adding distortion. Subtle or powerful, transparent or slightly coloured, a boost is one of the most useful tools on any pedalboard — small box, big difference.

Buffer

A buffer pedal protects your tone when your signal has a long journey to travel. As cables and multiple pedals build up, high frequencies can fade and your sound can lose clarity. A buffer restores strength and sparkle, keeping your signal full, punchy, and consistent from guitar to amp.

Use a buffer at the start of a large pedalboard, after vintage true-bypass chains, or anywhere your tone feels dull or weak. It doesn’t add gain or colour — it simply preserves what you already have, making sure your core sound arrives exactly as it should.

Compressor

A compressor pedal evens out your dynamics, smoothing peaks and lifting quieter notes so everything feels tighter and more controlled. It adds sustain, clarity, and balance — making clean chords ring longer, country licks snap with precision, and funk rhythms pop with consistency. Subtle or pronounced, compression shapes the feel of your playing as much as the sound.

Use it at the front of your chain to tighten your core tone, add sustain to leads, or keep complex passages sitting neatly in the mix. From gentle polish to unmistakable squash, a compressor is one of those foundational tools that quietly makes everything sound more professional and dialled in.

EQ

While Ed Sheeran primarily relies on the natural sound of his acoustic guitar and vocals, he occasionally uses EQ (Equalization) to shape and enhance his tone during live performances or in the studio. EQ pedals or onboard preamps can allow him to adjust the frequency response of his guitar signal to suit the acoustics of different venues or to achieve specific tonal characteristics. Here’s how EQ might be utilized in Ed Sheeran’s setup:

1. **Tonal Shaping**: EQ can be used to adjust the balance of frequencies in the guitar signal, allowing Ed Sheeran to shape his tone to his liking. For example, he might boost the midrange frequencies to bring out the warmth and presence of his acoustic guitar, or cut certain frequencies to reduce any harshness or mud in the sound.

2. **Feedback Control**: In a live setting, EQ can help control feedback by notching out problematic frequencies that might cause the guitar signal to feed back through the amplification system. This can be particularly useful when performing in venues with challenging acoustics or high volume levels.

3. **Room Correction**: In situations where the venue’s acoustics are less than ideal, EQ can be used to compensate for any deficiencies in the sound. By adjusting the EQ settings, Ed Sheeran can tailor the guitar tone to sound more balanced and natural, regardless of the room’s acoustic properties.

4. **Matching Gear**: EQ can also be used to match the tone of Ed Sheeran’s guitar to the sound of other instruments or equipment in his setup. For example, he might adjust the EQ to complement the tonal characteristics of his vocal microphone or to blend seamlessly with backing tracks or other instruments.

Overall, while EQ may not be a central component of Ed Sheeran’s guitar effects setup, it can still play a valuable role in shaping his tone and ensuring that he achieves the desired sound in different performance environments. Whether used subtly for tonal shaping or more aggressively for feedback control, EQ allows Ed Sheeran to tailor his guitar tone to suit his musical vision and performance needs.

New

This is brand new, fresh in, and a UK warranty is included. New Gear always comes from trusted UK music retailers.

Preamp

A preamp pedal shapes and boosts your guitar’s signal before it reaches your amp or recording interface, giving you control over tone, gain, and headroom. It acts as the first stage of amplification, adding warmth, clarity, and character while preparing your signal for the next part of the chain. Some preamps emulate the response of classic valve circuits, while others offer clean, transparent tone shaping ideal for acoustic instruments or direct recording setups.

Used on its own, a preamp pedal can serve as the foundation of your tone, providing a consistent core sound wherever you play. When combined with other effects, it enhances dynamics and helps each pedal sound more defined and natural. Whether you’re looking to push your amp harder, bring life to a dull signal, or refine your sound for the studio, a good preamp pedal adds presence, punch, and musicality to any rig.

used

Used pedals bring character, value, and often a bit of history to your board. Whether it’s a well-loved classic or a recent release looking for its next home, a used pedal offers the same core tone at a more accessible price. Fully tested and described clearly, it’s a chance to grab great gear without paying brand-new money.

Go used to explore different sounds, track down discontinued favourites, or build your setup more affordably. Sometimes a pedal with a few marks on the casing still delivers flawless tone — and might even have a story or two behind it.

Volume

Volume pedals control the output level of a guitar signal using a foot-operated treadle. They allow smooth volume swells, dynamic control during playing, and easy muting between songs. Volume pedals can be placed at different points in the signal chain to either control overall loudness or adjust gain and drive behaviour when positioned before distortion or overdrive pedals.