Electro Harmonix Nano Battalion

A "Nano" Format Designed for the Pedalboard, Inspired by Modern Bass Preamps

The Nano Battalion embraces the philosophy of a stage and studio bass preamp: a drive section capable of going from a light "edge" to true distortion, and an EQ smart enough to adapt your place in the mix. Its major asset is its EQ routing: instead of being fixed, the equalization can be placed at different points in the circuit, which radically changes the playing feel and saturation texture.

Who It's For and Which Styles the Nano Battalion Excels In

The Nano Battalion is aimed at bassists who want a single unit to manage grit, level, and tone shaping : perfect for rehearsals, live shows, or quickly recording a bass with character. It works equally well with active and passive basses and integrates easily into an already crowded pedalboard.

Regarding styles, it covers a wide range: funk and pop (light crunch that stands out in the mix), rock and punk (energetic and present drive), metal (denser distortion while retaining definition), as well as indie and alternative thanks to the BLEND control that preserves attack and low-end depth.

Controls, EQ Routing, and Connectivity: A Compact but Very Complete Preamp

The heart of the pedal is its MOSFET overdrive, designed to shift from light saturation to tighter distortion. The DRIVE knob adjusts intensity, while TONE shapes the highs of the saturated signal (ideal for taming a too-bright distortion without muffling the bass). VOL controls the overall output level, handy for balancing volumes between clean and driven sounds.

The EQ section offers true versatility: BASS and TREBLE boost or cut frequencies, and the MID switch allows boosting or cutting mids (or a neutral position). The big plus remains the EQ POSITION switch with three modes: Distortion (EQ after distortion, very effective for sculpting texture), Input (EQ before distortion, influencing how saturation reacts), and Dry (EQ applied to the clean signal while distortion keeps its character).

Finally, the single output is designed for real-world use: with a TS cable, you get an unbalanced output to amp/pedals; with a TRS cable, you get a balanced signal for direct connection to a console or interface, like a DI.

The Sound

The Nano Battalion has a clearly "bassist-oriented" personality: the saturation adds grit and density without collapsing the fundamentals. The BLEND helps keep the low end solid while adding just the right amount of aggression and presence. In Input mode, the EQ can "push" the drive and emphasize compression and bite; in Distortion mode, you shape the final tone like a true preamp channel.

Its compact format and recording-oriented connectivity make it an excellent choice for a simple and effective chain: bass > Nano Battalion > interface/console, or bass > Nano Battalion > amp. It is notably used in artist-referenced setups like John Bohlinger, proof of its practicality for versatile rigs.

Technical specifications

Effects	Distortion / Overdrive / Fuzz, Preamp, Overdrive	Type	sector
Technology	Analog	Use	electric guitar
Format	Pedal	Color	Multicolor
EQ	3 channels

Overdrive circuit	MOSFET	Output	6.35 mm jack (auto-selecting): unbalanced with a TS cable or balanced with a TRS cable
Audio	mono	Input impedance	1 Megaohm
Potentiometers	VOL, DRIVE, BLEND, TONE, TREBLE, BASS	Bypass type	buffered bypass
Switches	EQ POS. (Distortion / Input / Dry), MID (boost / neutral / cut)	Dimensions	approximately 70 x 115 x 54 mm
Footswitch	BYPASS + status LED	Included accessories	user documentation
Equalization	3-band with variable placement via EQ POS.	Required power supply	9.6 V DC, center-negative
Treble	boost/cut above 1 kHz	Power consumption	45 mA
Bass	boost/cut below 200 Hz	Power adapter included	9.6 V DC 200 mA
Mid switch	9 dB boost/cut around 500 Hz	Operation	no battery (external power supply only)
Input	6.35 mm jack (instrument)