MODES: FUZZ-OCTAVE-SWELL
FUZZ: The FUZZ switch must be on in order for the pedal to operate in any of the three modes. You can pre-set the OCTAVE & SWELL switches/modes to be on when the FUZZ is switched on.
OCTAVE: We recommend using low to moderate TONE settings for adding an upper octave character to your playing. Settings from 12 o’clock and below will also increase the intensity of SWELL mode.
SWELL MODE: Use the SWELL knob to adjust volume in this mode. WARNING! Adjusting all the control knob settings for optimal performance in SWELL mode should only be done in the SWELL mode, as the optimal VOLUME setting in SWELL mode is often too high for FUZZ & OCTAVE only use, & may cause damage to your amplifier speakers & hearing. To operate SWELL mode all three switches must be on. The SWELL effect takes some practice to master. The SWELL function typically works best using the nick pickup and playing above the 7th fret.
CONTROL KNOBS: The first three control knobs; FUZZ. TONE, VOLUME, function in all three modes. The Swell and Expand knobs function only in the Swell mode.
FUZZ CONTROL: Adjusting the “FUZZ” control will affect the overall saturation & sustain of the fuzz effect. Minimum and maximum settings of this control can produce a speaker distortion or overdriven type of dirt. Mid range settings of the FUZZ control produce a more common “fuzz” tone.
OCTAVE SWITCH: This switch must be on in order for the OCTAVE or SWELL modes to be in use.
TONE CONTROL: This control provides a frequency sweep for Bass, Middle, or Treble tone boost. For Bass boost set control at minimum (counter-clockwise). For Mid boost set control at mid point/12 o’clock. For treble boost set control at maximum (clockwise).
VOLUME CONTROL: By Adjusting the VOLUME control, the “FUZZ” effect volume can be boosted, cut, or matched to the normal/bypass instrument volume. NOTE: *Optimum VOLUME settings for using FUZZ effect only may be different than using FUZZ in conjunction with OCTAVE & SWELL functions.
SWELL CONTROL: Use this control to adjust the volume in the SWELL mode.
EXPAND CONTROL: Use this control to expand the note attack in SWELL mode, from violin-like at minimum (counter-clockwise), to more extreme backwards tape sounds reminiscent of 1960’s psychedelia at maximum.
POWER: Internal battery power is on when a 1/4” mono guitar cable is connected to the “INST” jack. This unit comes equipped with one 9V battery pre-installed. If only powering via external 9V power, the internal battery should be removed & 9V battery lead terminals be insulated with included terminal cover, or other means such as electrical tape.
The SWELL function needs a fresh 9V battery to work optimally & may not function properly with a weak battery.
DO NOT POWER AT VOLTAGES OVER 9V!
*NOTE: SWELL mode only operates as a swell effect when the pedal’s output is run directly to a tube amp, with no other buffered bypass pedals or activated true bypass pedals between MAD’s output and the amplifier input. The tube amp must also be a design where the input is direct coupled to the grid of the first pre-amp tube, with no input capacitor. Nearly all guitar tube amps are direct coupled at the input and should work fine, but there are exceptions.
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