Z-mode expands your options

The Audere preamp changes the impedance load on the pickups which changes the pickup's response. Changing the loading effects how the pickups react to the string's vibration - and the sound they produce.

In our new internal preamp design the Z load is applied at the start of the signal path - before the volume, balance, tone controls or cabling. The preamp features a 5 position rotary switch which combines 1 of 3 pickup loads.

Now all it takes is the rotation of the Z-Mode switch, Standard Z-Modes:
 · High-Z for a classic bright and lively tone,
 · Mid-Z for the classic standard for active bass sound,
 · Low-Z for a full spectrum of the low tones that are exceptionally clear.

New Z-Mode Combinations:
 · High Z bridge, Mid Z Neck,
 · High Z bridge, Low Z Neck (modified to have less high frequencies)
allowing the player to pan (by either using the relative volume of the 2 pickups or simple moving your hand playing positions) to unique tonal variations.

Frequency Response Curves for High Z Bridge, Low Z Neck

Neck pickup in Red
Bridge pickup in Blue
Scan taken with Nordstrand NJ5 Pickups, balance control - center detent, tone controls flat.

Clear, clean signal processing for authentic bass sound

No matter what Z-mode you're in, the tone is clear and well defined. We employ high quality components and modern design expertise to process the pickup signal cleanly, with lower noise and greater transparency.

More about Impedance

All of the electronic components in the signal path of an Electric Guitar or Bass up to the first preamp are sources of impedance (Z) variations. This includes the pickups, tone and volume pots, external cables, and the first amplifier, internal or external.  Instead of letting the sound chain and its many components drive the pickup loading, the Z-Mode preamp is it takes control of this impedance load, isolating the pickups from the changes that occur down stream.

Link to Technical details and Graphs illustrating the effect of changing the impedance load