ratherdashing
Kablamminator
As I have posted before, I am discontinuing the FTL Drive. It's a great pedal, but I feel that it's too complex for me to build at quantity.
HOWEVER, I am not done with building pedals. Starting in March, I will begin taking orders for the FTL's little brother, the Raptor.
Here's the FTL Drive video for reference: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QqECIyBJU_Q
The Raptor is based on the FTL Drive design, but it will be much, much simpler. The main obvious difference is that it will be a one channel pedal. It will be smaller, it will have fewer controls, and not as many tone sculpting options. All of the FTL Drive tone will be there, and the same high quality components will be used.
Here's a quick run-down of the specs I've decided on:
Drive control: same as FTL Drive
Tone control: same as FTL Drive
Level control: same as FTL Drive
Classic/Modern switch: there will be a toggle switch to select Classic or Modern mode. In Classic mode, the gain is similar to the FTL Drive green channel. In Modern mode, it is similar to the FTL Drive red channel.
This switch also functions in the same way as the FTL Drive Clip Select switch. Each of the two positions will use a different clipping circuit - the same ones that are available in the FTL Drive. I will let the buyer choose which option they want in their pedal.
Classic mode clip options:
- FTL Drive position 1 (classic): two 1N914 diodes, same as TS-808
- FTL Drive position 2 (smooth): two 1N4001 diodes and one 1N34A diode, asymmetric clipping
Modern mode clip options:
- FTL Drive position 3 (angry): two red LED's, awesome Marshall-y crunch!
- FTL Drive position 4 (sweet): two MOSFET's and two 1N34A's (similar to a Fulldrive 2)
- FTL Drive position 5 (complex): Neils' 5 diode rectifier (my personal fave)
Colour control: the Raptor will not have an adjustable Colour control. It will be set to a fixed value that will be roughly equivalent to the knob being at 50%.
Presence control: the Raptor will not have an adjustable Presence control. It will be set to a fixed value that will be roughly equivalent to the knob being at 50%.
(Of course, adventurous Raptor owners will be able to mod these settings themselves if they wish. In either case, it will be a simple resistor swap).
Fat switch: the Raptor will not have a Fat switch, however I will let the buyer choose whether or not they want the "Fat mod" on their Raptor. This has the same effect as the FTL Drive's Fat switch being always on. If you like big, low end crunch, I highly recommend this mod.
Enclosure: I will be using the 125B enclosure as seen here. It's almost the same size as a small MXR pedal, but a bit taller. It will have the same bad-ass etched aluminum look as the production FTL Drives.
So, to summarize, the Raptor buyer will get to choose which clip circuits they want, and whether or not they want the Fat mod. In other words, you will get to custom order an overdrive pedal! How often do you get to do that?
Other features:
- True mechanical bypass switch; no pops or signal loss.
- Powered by 9V battery or DC power supply up to 18V.
- Rugged aluminum enclosure.
- Top quality audio grade components ensure touch-sensitive response and low noise.
- Build with pride in Canada's Olympic Wonderland
- RoHS compliant for EU residents (and the environment!)
- Satisfied customers all over the world!
The exact price will be announced when I open the ordering in March. Right now I'm estimating $100 shipped to continental USA and Canada, a bit more to EU and ANZ.
Since I only have a few PCB's left, the quantity available will be limited. I don't have an exact number right now, but it will be less than 10.
If you'd like to be notified when ordering starts, please say so here. I'd also be happy to answer any questions you might have about the Raptor.
I'm excited for this, guys! The FTL Drive's baby brother is coming!
HOWEVER, I am not done with building pedals. Starting in March, I will begin taking orders for the FTL's little brother, the Raptor.
Here's the FTL Drive video for reference: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QqECIyBJU_Q
The Raptor is based on the FTL Drive design, but it will be much, much simpler. The main obvious difference is that it will be a one channel pedal. It will be smaller, it will have fewer controls, and not as many tone sculpting options. All of the FTL Drive tone will be there, and the same high quality components will be used.
Here's a quick run-down of the specs I've decided on:
Drive control: same as FTL Drive
Tone control: same as FTL Drive
Level control: same as FTL Drive
Classic/Modern switch: there will be a toggle switch to select Classic or Modern mode. In Classic mode, the gain is similar to the FTL Drive green channel. In Modern mode, it is similar to the FTL Drive red channel.
This switch also functions in the same way as the FTL Drive Clip Select switch. Each of the two positions will use a different clipping circuit - the same ones that are available in the FTL Drive. I will let the buyer choose which option they want in their pedal.
Classic mode clip options:
- FTL Drive position 1 (classic): two 1N914 diodes, same as TS-808
- FTL Drive position 2 (smooth): two 1N4001 diodes and one 1N34A diode, asymmetric clipping
Modern mode clip options:
- FTL Drive position 3 (angry): two red LED's, awesome Marshall-y crunch!
- FTL Drive position 4 (sweet): two MOSFET's and two 1N34A's (similar to a Fulldrive 2)
- FTL Drive position 5 (complex): Neils' 5 diode rectifier (my personal fave)
Colour control: the Raptor will not have an adjustable Colour control. It will be set to a fixed value that will be roughly equivalent to the knob being at 50%.
Presence control: the Raptor will not have an adjustable Presence control. It will be set to a fixed value that will be roughly equivalent to the knob being at 50%.
(Of course, adventurous Raptor owners will be able to mod these settings themselves if they wish. In either case, it will be a simple resistor swap).
Fat switch: the Raptor will not have a Fat switch, however I will let the buyer choose whether or not they want the "Fat mod" on their Raptor. This has the same effect as the FTL Drive's Fat switch being always on. If you like big, low end crunch, I highly recommend this mod.
Enclosure: I will be using the 125B enclosure as seen here. It's almost the same size as a small MXR pedal, but a bit taller. It will have the same bad-ass etched aluminum look as the production FTL Drives.
So, to summarize, the Raptor buyer will get to choose which clip circuits they want, and whether or not they want the Fat mod. In other words, you will get to custom order an overdrive pedal! How often do you get to do that?
Other features:
- True mechanical bypass switch; no pops or signal loss.
- Powered by 9V battery or DC power supply up to 18V.
- Rugged aluminum enclosure.
- Top quality audio grade components ensure touch-sensitive response and low noise.
- Build with pride in Canada's Olympic Wonderland
- RoHS compliant for EU residents (and the environment!)
- Satisfied customers all over the world!
The exact price will be announced when I open the ordering in March. Right now I'm estimating $100 shipped to continental USA and Canada, a bit more to EU and ANZ.
Since I only have a few PCB's left, the quantity available will be limited. I don't have an exact number right now, but it will be less than 10.
If you'd like to be notified when ordering starts, please say so here. I'd also be happy to answer any questions you might have about the Raptor.
I'm excited for this, guys! The FTL Drive's baby brother is coming!
). It will be a twin OD/Dist pedal in the same vein as the Jemini or the Jeckyll and Hyde. One side will be similar to the Raptor/FTL Drive, and the other side will be a modded Rat. You will be able to run each separately or together.
