Guitar World Verdict
It’s a no-brainer that Xotic’s AC Booster V2 is an outstanding update of the original pedal. With even more dynamic response, an additional gain stage boost and four external DIP switches for expanded tonal functionality, the ACV2 will undoubtedly find a home on many players’ pedalboards.
Pros
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A more sonically versatile update to Xotic’s popular AC Booster.
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External DIP switches provide modes for Classic and Modern tones, Compression, Lo Mid and Hi Mid Boost frequencies.
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Footswitchable secondary gain boost stage.
Cons
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None.
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What is it?
Xotic’s range of AC and RC Booster pedals has solidly earned their status as bona fide classics in the stompbox canon. And as a testament to their enduring popularity, they’re still common and essential staples on many professional and studio guitarists’ pedalboards.
Considering that the original AC Booster debuted in 2002, you can say Xotic has taken its time by being very methodical and deliberate before launching an update to their popular pedal.
But here we are, 23 years later, and Xotic returns with the AC Booster V2, a much improved and versatile version that retains the same beloved control set but with a side panel of four DIP switches for even more tone shaping capability and an additional footswitchable gain boost.
Build Quality
The AC Booster V2’s familiar tone-shaping knobs of Gain, Volume, Treble and Bass remain in play, as well as this classic overdrive/boost pedal’s original eye-catching yellow housing.
What’s different on its face is a mini Boost control (that lights up in red once the pedal is plugged in) and an accompanying Boost footswitch (with an orange LED indicator), which activates the pedal’s additional gain stage.
A Bypass footswitch turns the pedal on or off (in green LED), and visible on the right side of the ACV2 is a side panel with 4 pole external DIP switches to activate four specific functions like Compression (+6dB of compression), Mode (“Classic” for original AC Booster tone or “Modern” for a more articulate gain bump), Lo Mid Boost (+6dB of boost @500hz) and Hi Mid Boost (+6dB of boost @2khz).
The pedal features true-bypass operation and can be powered from 9 to 18 volts via a center negative DC adapter (not included) or a standard 9V battery.
Specs
- Launch price: $180/£164/€199
- Type: Boost pedal
- Controls: Gain, treble, volume, bass, 4-way DIP switches for Compression, Classic/Modern modes, Lo Mid Boost, Hi Mid Boost, Bypass, Boost footswitches
- Connectivity: 1/4" I/O, Center negative DC adapter
- Bypass: True bypass
- Power: 9 to 18V DC, 9V battery
- Dimensions: 110mm X 60mm X 50mm
- Contact: Xotic Effects
Usability and sounds
The ACV2 is one of those pedals that’s very much a “love at first listen,” and nearly impossible to produce a bad tone with. What’s cool is that its overdriven range is far more natural in its breakup. Plus, the Bass and Treble knobs provide far more tweakability than a standard tone knob.
Beginning by setting the pedal in “Classic” Mode (original AC Booster) without engaging the other DIP tone functions, it’s instantly clear why the AC Booster has been a quintessential “always-on” pedal. No matter what amp I pair it with, the ACV2 boosts your tone with a warmly smooth overdrive that broadens your signal and accentuates your touch.
The pedal’s footswitchable secondary gain stage stacks an additional molten layer of saturated crunch for added heat and sustain for solos
It’s easy to say the ACV2 sounds “amp-like,” but once you turn the pedal on, your amp’s character sounds more “alive,” as if you’ve introduced an extra tube preamp for increased dynamics.
Once you sculpt a tube-like base tone on the ACV2, you’ll love – like me – the fact that the pedal’s footswitchable secondary gain stage (regulated by the mini boost knob) stacks an additional molten layer of saturated crunch for added heat and sustain for solos.
Moving over to the “Modern” setting, the ACV2 becomes even clearer and present with a sharper attack in its overdriven character. It’s subtle, but you can sense the gain is turned up a notch. It’s also easy to discern that the “Classic” setting warmly colors your tone, while “Modern” is more defined with biting clarity. If you’re stacking other drive pedals with the ACV2, “Modern” offers the most transparency.
While I’d rather use a real compressor, the pedal’s “Compression” switch is useful for injecting a smoother response with a bed of sustain to work wonders for enhancing your picking dynamics.
Finally, depending on the amp I was using, I found the “Lo Mid” and “Hi Mid” boost switches came in handy for restoring missing frequencies for obvious reasons.
Verdict
Verdict: ★★★★★
Guitar World verdict: It’s a no-brainer that Xotic’s AC Booster V2 is an outstanding update of the original pedal. With even more dynamic response, an additional gain stage boost and four external DIP switches for expanded tonal functionality, the ACV2 will undoubtedly find a home on many players’ pedalboards.
Hands-on videos
Xotic Effects
Mike Hermans
Austin Guitar House
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- This article first appeared in Guitar World. Subscribe and save.
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