function f(x) Clusterfuzz / Third Rail [ongoing reviews]

[Chankgeez]

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wt8jgvcTrXY[/youtube]

Nice sounding demo, tuj, but why you using your outside voice?

[neonblack]

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wt8jgvcTrXY[/youtube]

Nice sounding demo, tuj, but why you using your Jwar voice?

[culturejam]

Nice demos guys! (chank and tuj)

We really appreciate it.

[culturejam]

David Torn posted another demo, and he found a way to coax some octave DOWN out of the Clusterfuzz. We totally did not design for this, and none of us noticed this during *months* of testing. So we're very surprised, but also kinda stoked.

[Chankgeez]

Yeah, that Torn octave down setting is crazy. I still haven't totally been able to recreate that. I'm gonna keep trying though. There's so many sounds in the Clusterfuzz.

[Mrkiammi]

David Torn posted another demo, and he found a way to coax some octave DOWN out of the Clusterfuzz. We totally did not design for this, and none of us noticed this during *months* of testing. So we're very surprised, but also kinda stoked.

I Think its Way cool, what This pedal Can do, i am currious what did you guys design for, what tone, style, artist
did you have in mind, when This pedal was on the work?

[culturejam]

Honestly, we didn't have any particular target for an artist sound or "classic" fuzz circuit. The goal simply: let's try our best to do something new. I know that sounds cliche and hokey, but it's really what we aimed for.

So the original goal for tone was "heavy, tight, focused fuzz with a responsive tone control and a buttload of output volume". After about 5 fails on that, we came up with a circuit that really hit the mark. I did the initial design work to get to the core sound, and then I realized I could do a little modification and make it sound like it's about to explode. And then the other guys in the company added some outstanding tweaks (including the clipper rotary switch, input filter switch, relay bypass system, reworked input amp stage). As challenging as it is to work as a committee sometimes, the Clusterfuzz is a fantastic example of a true group effort. Sorry to gush.

[Chankgeez]

I was just playing some lap steel with the Clusterfuzz. Messing around with volume and tone knobs on the steel. Sounded great.

Settings:
volume - noon
tone - cranked
fuzz - cranked
8-bit - cranked
filter - to the right
clipping - none

I'll try to record some clips tomorrow.

[culturejam]

Thanks for that, Chank. I don't have a lap steel, but I'll give it a shot with a Les Paul and a slide.

BTW, there is a Clusterfuzz giveaway on Reverb:
https://reverb.com/page/function-f-x-cl ... z-giveaway

[neonblack]

I entered and did everything I could to get the extra entries. Not getting my hopes up but I loved this pedal when I borrowed it. My favorite setting is the one Chank just posted. Awesome synthy squared fuzz that's still somehow responsive and dynamic.

[Chankgeez]

You're welcome, culturejam. Didn't know about the giveaway. That's awesome.

Also, with the steel I usually had the volume rolled a quarter of the way back and the tone rolled about half way off. The Clusterfuzz is pretty responsive to changes in the volume and tone knobs. Lots of fantastic sounds comin' outta that fuzz.

Yeah, neon, I tried it with the FET or LED clipping that I frequently prefer, but there's more presence with the no clipping option.

[Chankgeez]

OK, new setting for the lap steel. I was looking for a little more clarity and definition:

Settings:
volume - 3:00
tone - cranked
fuzz - all the way off
8-bit - cranked
filter - to the left
clipping - none

[Chankgeez]

Everyone's favorite demo dude, ladies & gentlemen, I present to you, Gearmanndude:

[youtube][/youtube]

[culturejam]

I really feel like nobody (except JustNick) has shown the low-gain capabilities. But still, nice demo.

[Chankgeez]

Yeah, no surprise that GMD's demo is just straight up rockin' out.

I wasn't holding my breath that he'd use any low gain settings, but I was hoping he would anyway.