a giant thread about OD, Distortion and Fuzz!

this is the description i read from sweetwater

Want to know how it all works? Normally, tubes are used at high voltages and this restricts their use in battery-powered devices such as guitar effects pedals. Historically, attempts have been made to use tubes at low voltages in what has been dubbed "starvation" mode, but these circuits don't allow the tube to function in an acceptable manner. The tube simply cannot be biased to a satisfactory operating condition. Plus, the necessary heater (filament) current is too high to deliver acceptable battery life. Imagine how annoying it would be to have to change batteries every ten minutes during a gig! Here's what makes the COOLTRON system tick. The COOLTRON circuit basically operates by using two very special signal paths. The first is the "servo circuit," which provides the right conditions between the plate of the tube and the grid. This achieves controllable, stable parameters for the tube and provides the correct operating conditions for the tube to function as it would if run at a higher voltage. The second circuit is a patented power supply that provides a low voltage, low current supply to the heater elements in the tube. Since the tube is now running at such a reduced supply level, the anode current is much smaller than normal. This means that the amount of heat required at the cathode to achieve sufficient cathode current emission is much smaller - hence the ability to run the heaters at a lower level and for COOLTRON pedals to run for 20 hours on 4 x AA batteries! The COOLTRON system provides true tube sonic performance at very low voltage and at reduced heater current - ideal for inclusion into guitar effects pedals. COOLTRON guitar effects pedals offer valuable tube type sonic performance.

it runs a 12au7 tube in it

and you trust a retailer? when the guys at sweetwater get up in the morning are they thinkig about Blake's signal path or their quarterly bonus? A true tube device, even dual triode devices need 500 volt or higher power rails. do the math! all that indicia is BS.

I am not telling you not to like the pedal, just get real. Don't use marketing propaganda as tech data. The 'servo path' is doing the heavy lifting, its just an IC op amp like a tubescreamer or any dirt pedal.... the tube is still in starved plate mode providing clipping in place of diodes but its not operating like a tube in amp. The starved plate thing is the oldest trick in the book and this is just another variation of it... I admit it can sound quite good out front of your amp. All the marketing stuff in there is pitching an oddball bias point as semthing other than starved plate operation. Its just a refinement of the same old trick. Its actually pulled from prosumer recording gear. There's a reason matchless called their full voltage tube pedal the 'hotbox' though... its not about the gain, they mean it runs at properly 'hot' voltages like an amplifier.

Don't use marketing propaganda as tech data.

My dirt pedals are green.

Don't use marketing propaganda as tech data.

My dirt pedals are green.

So is the incredible hulk's dick! It just drives me nuts how people spew nonsense on forums without understanding how electronics work. Its cool to like what you like but don't try to pitch it as something its not.... or if you just don't know any better then don't speak up about how it works.

which is why I haven't opened my mouth to describe the inner workings of jack shit.

also, have I mentioned that if you use a ds-1 with a bass, it doesnt sound good?

My dirt pedals are made of Hulk dick! (and Russian tanks and SRV's urine... which is yellow but full of Blues!)

My dirt pedals are made of Hulk dick! (and Russian tanks and SRV's urine... which is yellow but full of Blues!)

I wish we had signatures on this site just so i could quote this.

share your dirt pedals here (no boosts unless the can produce their own dirt into a bone clean amp)....

I played controlled feedback solos through a Roland Jazz Chorus....

same

it's 2am... I am guessing that is not something I should be proud of...

SRV's urine... which is yellow but full of Blues!

good, if it were blue it would mean SRV suffered from porphyria

who's to say he doesn't?

well his urine would be blue for one... and being dead he doesn't have to suffer from anything anymore

excellent point