You've added an item to the cart! ×
View Cart Continue Shopping

Welcome to Orange

Thank you for choosing Orange.

Since 1968, when the company was founded, Orange Amplification has been researched and developed by the guitarist for the guitarist. Today, with a team of the industry’s most dedicated engineers, it continues to test the boundaries of conventional pedal design to bring you the latest range of effects.

Orange’s commitment to quality control, construction and craftsmanship is long established, and each pedal design passes through a rigorous test procedure before shipping, resulting in complete confidence that you will be delighted with your new purchase, and that it will provide you many years of enjoyment and reliability.

This web page contains valuable technical and safety information. Please take the time to read these instructions and warnings, as the information will enhance the performance and longevity of your pedal.

  1. Read these instructions.
  2. Keep these instructions.
  3. Heed all warnings.
  4. Follow all instructions.
  5. Do not use this apparatus near water or other liquids.
  6. Clean only with a dry cloth.
  7. Do not block any ventilation openings. Install in accordance with the manufacturer’s instructions.
  8. Do not install near any heat sources such as radiators, heat registers, stoves, or other apparatus (including amplifiers) that produce heat.
  9. Do not defeat the safety purpose of the polarised or grounding-type plug. A polarised plug has two blades, with one wider than the other. A grounding-type plug has two blades and a third grounding prong. The wide blade or the third prong are provided for your safety. If the provided plug does not fit into your outlet, consult an electrician for a replacement of the obsolete outlet.
  10. Protect the power cord from being walked on or pinched, particularly at plugs, convenience receptacles, and the point where they exit the apparatus.
  11. Only use attachments/accessories specified by the manufacturer.
  12. Use only with the cart, stand, tripod, bracket, or table specified by the manufacturer, or sold with the apparatus. When a cart is used, use caution when moving the cart/apparatus combination to avoid injury from tip-over.
  13. Unplug this apparatus during lightning storms or when unused for long periods of time.
  14. Refer all servicing to qualified service personnel. Servicing is required when the apparatus has been damaged in any way, such as power-supply cord or plug is damaged, liquid has been spilled or objects have fallen into the apparatus, the apparatus has been exposed to rain or moisture, does not operate normally, or has been dropped.

WARNING! TO REDUCE THE RISK OF FIRE OR ELECTRIC SHOCK, DO NOT EXPOSE THIS APPARATUS TO RAIN OR MOISTURE.

Where indicated or stated on the product/unit, this device complies with Part 15 of the FCC rules. Operation is subject to the following two conditions:

  1. This device may not cause harmful interference
  2. This device must accept any interference received, including interference that may cause undesired operation.

Note: This equipment has been tested and found to comply with the limits for digital devices of its class, pursuant to Part 15 of the FCC Rules. These limits are designed to provide reasonable protection against harmful interference in a residential installation. This equipment generates, uses and can radiate radio frequency energy and, if not installed and used in accordance with the instructions, may cause harmful interference to radio communications. However, there is no guarantee that interference will not occur in a particular installation. If this equipment does cause harmful interference to radio or television reception, which can be determined by turning the equipment off and on, the user is encouraged to try and correct the interference by one or more of the following measures:

  1. Reorient or relocate the receiving antenna.
  2. Increase the separation between the equipment and receiver.
  3. Connect the equipment to an outlet on a circuit different from that to which the receiver is connected.
  4. Consult the dealer or a qualified technician for help.

Note: Changes or modifications not expressly approved by Orange Music Electronic Company, Ltd. could void the user’s authority to operate the equipment.

For customers in Canada: Where indicated or stated on the product/unit, this digital apparatus complies with Canadian Interference Regulations CAN ICES-3(B)/NMB-3(B).

All products are certified and tested to relevant safety standards. For further information, please contact us at orangeamps.com/contact.

THE BASS BUTLER BASS PRE AMP

The Bass Butler was conceived over many IPAs in a small bar on Santa Monica Boulevard called the Surly Goat by Orange technical director Adrian Emsley and Morgan Nicholls (who played bass in The Who at the London 2012 Olympics closing ceremony and also moonlights in Muse, Gorillaz and more). The idea was to have his epic bi-amp touring rig in a small, portable preamplifier pedal. We are confident that you will be delighted with your new purchase and that it will provide you with many years of enjoyment. 

Front Panel

Dirty Channel

The Dirty Channel is activated by the footswitch, indicated by a GREEN LED. These controls only apply when the Dirty Channel is active.

Volume

Controls the overall output level of the Dirty Channel. This controls the level from the Dirty Channel XLR output and the Amp line output.

Treble

Controls the high end/treble response of the Dirty Channel. Increasing the top produces brighter tones for ‘livening up’ darker sounding basses.

Middle

Controls the midrange response of the Dirty Channel. Increasing the mids creates a fatter sound, whilst reducing ‘scoops’ the tone.

Bass

Controls the low end/bass response of the Dirty Channel. Increasing the bass produces deeper sounds.

Gain

Controls the gain level on the Dirty Channel only. Higher levels will raise the output volume. When set to minimum, there will be some sound, voiced mainly for upper mids and treble.

Clean Channel

The Clean Channel is The Bass Butler’s main channel and is always on. The following controls only apply to the Clean Channel.

Volume

Controls the overall output level of the Clean Channel. This controls the level on the Clean Channel XLR output and the Amp output.

Treble

Controls the high end/treble response of the Clean Channel. Increase the treble for brighter tones or reduce for a warmer sound. ( +/- 18 dB )

Bass

Controls the low end/bass response of the Clean Channel. Increasing the bass produces deeper sounds. ( +/- 18 dB )

Compressor

The compressor on The Bass Butler is based on the compressor found in the Orange Kongressor and designed to emulate studio compressors. A RED LED shows the amount of compression. The more compression, the brighter the RED LED shines through the jewel.

Rear Panel Features

Power

The Bass Butler only runs on a 18V DC centre-positive polarity power supply (regulated) and the barrel plug should be a ‘standard 2.5mm pedal type’. Make sure your power supply meets these specifications.

Lift

The Ground Lift switch can solve ground loop issues caused by connecting The Bass Butler to more than one piece of grounded equipment. Lifting this ground connection can eliminate unwanted hum in this situation. This function should only be operated to cure this specific issue and never used when The Bass Butler is only connected to one piece of grounded equipment. Note: The XLR is lifted when the switch is up.

The Bass Butler Signal Path

1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
1

Bass Guitar Input
The signal is split at the input, feeding two completely independent parallel channels.

2

Footswitch
The footswitch on the Bass Butler will mute the Dirty Channel.

3

Optical Compressor
The level of compression is controlled by the compression dial. The LED will glow RED to indicate compression.

4

Expression Pedal (optional)
Use an external expression pedal to control the amount of signal going to the dirty channel.

5

Clean Bass Amp
With simple-but-versatile Bass, Treble and Volume controls.

6

High Gain Guitar Amp
With 4 stages of gain and a 3-band EQ.

7

Blended unbalanced 1/4” Line Out

8

Bass Cab Sim

Based on the OBC410

9

Guitar Cab Sim

Based on the PPC412

10

Balanced XLR Out

11

1/4″ Line Out

12

Balanced XLR Out

Applications

FX PEDAL STRAIGHT INTO YOUR AMP
Run the ‘AMP’ output of The Bass Butler into the front end of your amplifier.

THROUGH THE FX RETURN
Run the ‘AMP’ output of The Bass Butler into the FX return of your amplifier to bypass the pre-amp section of the amp.

DIRECT TO MIXING CONSOLE
Run the XLR outputs from The Bass Butler and plug these directly into the input of a mixer/recorder.

EXPRESSION PEDAL
Connect an expression pedal to The Bass Butler to control
the level of gain into the Dirty Channel. Any standard TRS expression pedal will work with The Bass Butler.

Note: The Gain control on the Dirty Channel will dictate the maximum amount of gain that the expression pedal can control.

FeaturesBass Guitar (Clean) XLR balanced output with bass guitar cabinet simulator. | Guitar (Dirty) XLR balanced output with lead guitar cabinet simulator. | Blended 1/4″ jack socket output with no cabinet simulator |Expression 1/4″ jack socket. | Input 1/4″ jack socket. | Ground lift switch.
Power18V
Unboxed Dimensions (W x H x D)17 x 8.5 x 16.5 CM (6.6 x 3.3 x 6.50″)
Unboxed Weight1.29 KG (2.84 lb)