Input: This is where you plug in your instrument cable from your guitar or bass. The input impedance is switchable between 1MÎ and 10MÎ using the Vari-Z switch.
Output: This is where you plug in your instrument cable to your next pedal or amp. The output impedance is 150Î, which is low enough to drive long cables without tone loss.
Direct Out: This is a balanced XLR output that can be used to send your signal directly to a mixer, interface, or PA system. The direct out has a ground lift switch to eliminate any hum or noise caused by ground loops.
Buffered Tuner Out: This is an unbalanced 1/4" output that can be used to connect a tuner pedal or any other device that needs a buffered signal. The buffered tuner out is always active, even when the pedal is bypassed.
Preamp Footswitch: This footswitch engages or bypasses the preamp section of the pedal. When the preamp is engaged, the blue LED will light up.
Boost Footswitch: This footswitch engages or bypasses the boost section of the pedal. When the boost is engaged, the red LED will light up.
Output Knob: This knob controls the overall output volume of the pedal. It can be used to match the level of your bypassed signal or to increase it for more volume or headroom.
Drive Mix Knob: This knob controls the blend of clean and driven signals in the preamp section. It can be used to dial in anything from a subtle enhancement to a full-on overdrive.
Input Knob: This knob controls the input gain of the preamp section. It can be used to adjust the amount of drive and saturation in the signal.
Boost Knob: This knob controls the amount of clean boost in the boost section. It can provide up to 11dB of transparent boost for more volume or headroom.
Low Cut Knob: This knob controls the frequency of a variable low cut filter in the preamp section. It can be used to remove unwanted low frequencies or to tighten up the low end of your tone.
High Cut Knob: This knob controls the frequency of a variable high cut filter in the preamp section. It can be used to remove unwanted high frequencies or to smooth out the high end of your tone.
Vari-Z Switch: This switch changes the input impedance of the pedal between 1MÎ and 10MÎ. The input impedance affects how your guitar interacts with the pedal, especially if you use passive pickups. The 1MÎ setting is more common and provides a brighter and more open tone. The 10MÎ setting is more rare and provides a darker and more compressed tone.
Harmonic Drive Switch: This switch activates a harmonic drive circuit in the preamp section that adds more warmth and harmonics to your signal. The harmonic drive circuit is based on a discrete opamp design that emulates the sound of vintage tube amps.
Tips and Examples
The PettyJohn Predrive is a very flexible pedal that can be used for different purposes and styles. Here are some tips and examples for using it:
If you want to use the Predrive as an always-on tone enhancer, set the drive mix knob to a low or medium level, and adjust the output knob to match or slightly increase your bypassed level. Use the input knob, low cut knob, high cut knob, vari-z switch, and harmonic drive switch to fine-tune your tone to your liking.
If you want to use the Predrive as a boost pedal, set the drive mix knob to zero, and adjust the output knob and boost knob to increase your volume or headroom. Use the low cut knob and high cut knob to shape your frequency response if needed.
If you want to use the Predrive as an overdrive pedal, set the drive mix knob to a high level, and adjust the input knob and output knob to achieve your desired amount of drive and volume. Use the low cut knob and high cut knob to sculpt your distortion character if needed.
If you want to use the Predrive as a preamp for direct recording or live performance, connect the direct out to your mixer, interface, or PA system. Use the ground lift switch to eliminate any hum or noise if needed. Use the preamp and boost sections as described above to shape your tone and level.
If you want to use the Predrive with other pedals, place it at the beginning of your signal chain. The Predrive can buffer and condition your signal for optimal performance of your other pedals. You can also use the preamp and boost sections as described above to enhance or drive your other pedals.
For more information and sound samples, please visit [PettyJohn Electronics].
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