Review: DOD Bifet Boost 410

DOD has introduced an updated version of its Bifet Boost 410 pedal this year – the 2014-version adds a switchable buffer to the circuit.

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The DOD Bifet Boost 410 (current price in Finland: 99 €) is a signal level booster, giving you up to a whopping 20 dB of amplification.

The booster sports two controls – one for volume and one for tone.

Over the last few years, the term ”true bypass” has become the new marketing buzzword, bandied about frequently to ”prove” one pedal’s superiority over another. In reality there’s no mystique attached to true bypass – it simply means that when the pedal is switched off the input is hardwired straight to the output, without passing through any of the effect’s circuitry. If a pedal’s manufacturer doesn’t state true bypass in the spec list, chances are the pedal in question has an internal buffer, which stays in the signal chain even when the effect is off. A buffer is a small amplifier, whose main purpose lies in changing the signal’s impedance from high to low. Most buffer amps don’t amplify the signal level at all (= a gain ratio of 1:1), while some add a tiny bit of treble boost. A high impedance signal suffers from far greater degradation, when fed through a long signal chain (or very long guitar leads), than a low impedance signal. This means that a buffered bypass can come in handy, if you’re using a lot of effect pedals in series. True bypass is usually preferable in smaller set-ups, or if the effect in question sits in front of a fuzz pedal (fuzz pedals generally need a high impedance signal to function properly).

The updated DOD Bifet Boost 410 pedal offers a switchable buffer, so you can decide whether you want to use a buffer or not. You get the buffer in the mini-switch’s On-position, or true bypass with the switch turned off.

The Bifet Boost 410 can be run using a 9 volt battery or a (Boss-type) power supply (not included).

You need to take off the pedal’s metal base plate to change batteries.

The package includes four small stick-on rubber feet, which you can use when the pedal’s not used on a pedalboard.

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Usually, boost pedals can be divided into two categories: Those who provide a completely clean and neutral boost, and those who add a little colour and/or grit to the signal. The DOD Bifet Boost 410 belongs in the latter category, adding a little extra character to the mid-range frequencies, along with the raise in signal level.

Using the booster on a clean amp channel may push the guitar signal into overdrive, depending on the amount of headroom offered by the amp used. In this example you can clearly hear the Blackstar HT-1R’s sound break up and distort:

Used into a crunchy channel, the DOD-booster will add more chunky gain to to your tone:

You can use the tone control to add quite a lot of top end to your sound. You have to remember, though, that the sheer amount of gain on tap in this pedal will also boost any noise (hiss, hum) in your signal chain:

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DOD’s Bifet Boost 410 is a pro-quality boost pedal and very easy to use. The added buffer switch lets you decide for yourself, whether you need a bypass buffer or not.

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DOD Bifet Boost 410 (2014)

Current price in Finland: 99 €

Finnish distributor: EM Nordic

Thanks to DLX Music Helsinki for the loan of the review sample!

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Pros:

+ up to 20 dB boost

+ tone control

+ switchable buffer