aion FRACTAL PARAMETRIC OVERDRIVE Manual - Page 2

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aion FRACTAL PARAMETRIC OVERDRIVE Manual

TABLE OF CONTENTS

1 Project Overview
2 Introduction & Usage
INTRODUCTION
The Fractal Parametric Overdrive is based on the Pearl OD-05 Over Drive, a curiously obscure effect
from the early 80's when Pearl (yes, the drum company!) briefly dipped into the guitar effects pedal
business. The result was a line of very well-engineered pedals that unfortunately never got the attention
they deserved.
Even 40 years later, this pedal still is relatively unknown. There are no commercial clones and it's
relatively unexplored in the DIY scene. But those who have played through one universally praise it for
its tonal flexibility.
The OD-05 has a standard feedback-diode clipping stage like a Tube Screamer, but the magic is what
comes in front of it: a parametric equalizer that allows either a cut or boost of up to 15dB in a range from
100 Hz to 4 KHz.
With this flexible preclipping EQ, you can get some incredible sounds out of it. You can crank the mids
for a cocked-wah sound, or tune the circuit to enhance the resonant peak of your specific guitar and
amp. You can even get a scooped-mids sound if that's what you're after, something that's pretty rare in
an overdrive.
The updated version of the Fractal includes one new feature: the fixed post-clipping treble cut can be
dialed out for a slight treble boost. Since the parametric EQ only affects a single frequency band, this can
allow for control over a second frequency, albeit with reduced functionality. Turned to zero, it's identical
to the stock circuit.
USAGE
The Fractal has five controls:
• Drive controls the amount of gain from the op amp that is fed through the feedback clipping diodes.
• Frequency sweeps through the midrange from 100Hz to 4kHz, setting the frequency that is either
boosted or cut by the EQ Gain control.
• EQ Gain is the boost or cut of the frequency set with the Frequency knob. It provides up to +/-15dB
gain. At the center position, the response is flat and the Frequency knob has no effect.
• Tone adds back some of the treble via a passive filter. At zero, it's equivalent to a stock OD-05.
• Level is the output level of the effect.
FRACTAL PARAMETRIC OVERDRIVE
10 Licensing
2