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VERSION OF THIS PAGE -- PLEASE GO here I am not
interested in the typical "sounds the same but
better" type modifications. I can do tonal tweaks,
but my main interest is conversions to a substantially
different effect. I am also most interested in modifying
pedals which are common but not particularly liked in
their original configuration ....
OVERDRIVE-FUZZ
...
"Zombified" Modification for DOD Supra
Distortion FX55C DOD's FX-55C distortion
features a clear but bright sound and a greatly
improved enclusure compared to their older style.
They also switched to JRC4560D op-amps. If that
is for you, I suggest you buy one instead of
this, which features modes of overdrive,
"Zombie" fuzz, and a thicker
distortion.
This mod adds a
Mix control. At the off position, the sound is a
pure overdrive sound, but without the bass loss
and smoothed-off top that makes a tubescreamer
midrangey. As Mix is brought up, first there is transition into a different
overdrive with a gated fuzz decay and reduced
noise. Higher settings produce a stronger fuzz
including metallic and turbulent, dynamically
responsive synth-like tones. At maximum the sound
approaches standard distortion.
The Supra uses two
stages of distortion and the first becomes the
overdrive, always active. In overdrive circuit
style, there is a clean signal component at all
times mixing inphase with the distortion. The
fuzz sounds are created by adding in a second
stage of distortion in reverse polarity
(antiphase), subtracting from the
overdrive stage's signal, so that the differences
between the distortions can be emphasized and the
common signal can be eliminated.
Another
modification increases the input impedance,
producing a better quality buffered bypass with
quiet, almost seamless switching. Since bass is
improved, the original
tone control circuit becomes truly effective. The
gain range is increased on both ends -- the gain
goes down enough to use as a dirty boost.
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The actual red is much more vivid.
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SOUND SAMPLES
NEW Forest_Babies_sample by Eric Morris ... this is
on top of full-out metal distortion. BC Rich NJ Beast, Guitar Research
mini-stack (371 KB, 128 kbps stereo, 0:23).
suprazomb_edit1.mp3 (by Bill) -- starts
with sweep through Zombie Mix control, etc. Ibanez RG-550 guitar w/bridge
humbucker, prototype Spencer 15 tube amp, Cele V30s
(2x12), EV N/DYM 257A, boost pedal as preamp (flat),
soundcard (886 KB, 1:53) .
MIX YOUR OWN
DISTORTION
For all their controls, most distortion units provide no
substantial control over their actual distortion
response. There is pre-distortion control (gain,
sometimes EQ) and post-distortion control (volume, EQ)
but this should not be confused with changing the sound
of the distortion section itself -- the nonlinear
transfer function. There are exceptions, but so far
these tend to be limited ... Mostly, players get
different distortion responses by using different devices
such as fuzz and overdrive.
| Suprazombie's
method of distortion variation is to use mixing,
including antiphase mixing. Imagine being able to
control how distorted or fuzzy the sound is seperate
of gain and sustain. Some of the results
sound "blended" while other mixes
produce a new sound with little hint of its
constituent parts. The example to the right shows
graphically how this works. "A" is the
positive portion of a distorted wave.
"B" is more distorted (more gain) and
inverted (upside down). "C" shows how
these add together, forming a harsher, more
complex waveform. This still only hints at the
sonic possibilities. See also Intellectual Property
Statement.
As mentioned,
there is a low level clean signal also adding in
with the lower level distortion, in phase with it
and complexifying the result. This is normally
subtle, but can be brought up to the point the
clean signal is seperately identifyable by
boosting the input signal (at the highest
permissible levels, some additional distortion
may result).
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Availability/Mods
Premodified FX55C to Suprazombie $60, shipping US
Priority $8.
Stock: No. There are plans
to build more. (updated 6/24/07).
Modify your FX55C to Zombie $35. Lesser mods $20-35
(inquire).
FX55B and others, inquire.
Ordering
Information
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