Description
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"OVERDRIVELAND was born to be as lustrous and distinctive as the elusive DUMBLE amps that are now hard to come by, allowing players to express their unique personalities."
The unit features a solid die-cast case with laser engraving. Each unit has a unique, rugged surface finish for you to appreciate.Background of Development:FREE THE TONE's founder and designer, Yuki Hayashi, amassed over 20 years of experience in maintaining and repairing DUMBLE amplifiers and was a proud owner of multiple DUMBLE amps himself. DUMBLE amplifiers are known for their distinctive harmonics, which can make even clean sounds seem slightly distorted. Furthermore, the drive sound of a DUMBLE amp responds to a guitarist's playing as if the amplifier itself possesses intention. It was this desire to capture this unique feel and translate it into a pedal-sized overdrive pedal that sparked the development process.
Development Story:The DUMBLE amplifier has been a beloved choice for numerous renowned guitarists such as Larry Carlton, Robben Ford, Eric Johnson, Stevie Ray Vaughan, and John Mayer. They have been captivated by its exceptional sensitivity to the signal level from the guitar and the distinctive, thick, and rich harmonics that are unique to DUMBLE amplifiers. Through an American guitar tech intermediary, I've had several exchanges with Mr. DUMBLE himself. He inquired about my primary guitar and the type of music I mainly played when crafting an amp, emphasizing that he used the guitarist's main instrument to fine-tune each amp. It truly showcases the craftsmanship of DUMBLE.
When I increase the 'GAIN' on the NORMAL channel, the sound gradually starts to distort. However, even if I lower the 'GAIN' knob below the 12 o'clock position, I can still sense the presence of rich harmonic components within the clean sound. This is what allows OVERDRIVELAND's harmonics to be the secret to enjoying clean sounds while playing
After creating the basic normal channel circuit, I developed a dedicated drive circuit module to finely respond to the signal output from the guitar. It took me some time to complete this module, but it turned out to be a highly refined one. In the custom shop version and the standard version, different modules are used to bring out their respective sound characters.
For the custom shop version, custom modules are used with different components than the standard version in order to respond more sensitively to input signals.Next, I tackled the challenge of controlling the strength of the sound, akin to a DUMBLE amp... If the sound is too overpowering, it might not fit well with certain types of music. It would be ideal if I could adjust this strength and perceived volume.
I experimented with various methods, whether adding a different circuit before or after the normal channel circuit or inserting a circuit in between. I also took inspiration from the sound and equipment connections used by Brian May and Gary Moore.
Ultimately, I added a drive circuit that uses a dedicated module before the normal channel circuit and adopted a method to adjust how much signal is sent to the input stage of the normal channel. By adjusting this signal level, I can control the perceived volume level. This is the role of the "PUSH" knob.
To finely respond to the input level, I not only developed a dedicated drive circuit module but also designed a new power supply circuit. In order to use OVERDRIVELAND with a standard DC9V power source, I incorporated a power supply boost circuit that can increase the supply voltage to the analog circuit from DC9V to a maximum of DC19V. By adjusting the voltage of this boost power supply circuit, the dynamic range of OVERDERIVELAND and the clipping point of the signal can be altered. Lowering the voltage reduces the level of the clipping point, resulting in long sustain. Conversely, increasing the voltage raises the level before reaching the clipping point, giving a sound that really cuts through. This feature is highly effective and can produce different sounds as if there were entirely separate overdrive pedals available.
By adjusting the harmonic components of the input guitar signal, OVERDRIVELAND offers a unique sound that balances well across all strings, from the 1st to the 6th (or 7th) string. It becomes an instrument that can expand the possibilities of expression.
Please feel free to explore these possibilities with OVERDRIVELAND.FEATURES
- The unit features a solid die-cast case with laser engraving. Each unit has a unique, rugged surface finish for you to appreciate.
- For the custom shop version, custom modules are used with different components than the standard version in order to respond more sensitively to input signals.
- Equipped with a ROCK/JAZZ switch for toggling gain and frequency characteristics (Normal Channel).
- Features a "GLASS" switch to bypass the TONE circuit and achieve a glass-like sound (Normal Channel).
- Independent output level adjustments for Normal Channel and Drive Channel.
- Incorporates the HTS (Holistic Tonal Solution) circuit, which differs from traditional buffer circuits. It maximizes the sound characteristics of the guitar while performing impedance conversion, achieving a balance between "sound" and "low noise." The HTS circuit prevents sound quality degradation even when the effect is turned off. Additionally, the output signal is in phase with the input signal, eliminating concerns about phase inversion.
SPECIFICATIONSInput Impedance500kΩ or higherOutput Load Impedance10kΩ or higherControlsNOR LEVEL, DRV LEVEL, TONE, GAIN, PUSH, HI CUT, DRIVE, EQ ON/GLASS switch, ROCK/JAZZ switch, DC9V/VARIABLE switching switch, voltage adjustment trimConnectors1/4-inch standard phone jacks (input, output), DC9V input jack (AC adapter jack)Power SupplyDC9V battery (9V type 006P), AC adapterCurrent ConsumptionDC9V 95mA *When turning on the power, a significant current flows, so please use a power supply that can deliver a current of 200mA or more.Size97(D) × 120(W) × 51(H)mm (including protrusions like footswitches and jacks)WeightApproximately 420g (excluding battery)AccessoriesWarranty card, Website Access card, Safety precaution, 4 x Rubber feet.
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