Mardröm (Swedish "nightmare") is the first effect pedal opening new chapter in 378 existence. It is a high gain modern & old-school preamp/distortion pedal made from the ground up. Three-stage OP-amp circuit boosting specific parts of sound frequencies summed into one blasting signal. Circuit is not based on any pedal available on the market.
The goal was to breadboard well tailored, intentional sound coming out of this box. Each of three gain stages boost different spectrum of your guitar/bass input. Months of many versions and few prototypes lead to this final product. Additional feature for this pedal is it can be used as clean boost. Setting Gain, Saturation and Resonance to zero and using Volume as your boost amount. The circuit is designed to add string attack, percussive touch for your DI tracking or sparkly cleans. Mardröm preamp/distortion is the best used in a FX loop of your amp (return). Nicely drives any poweramp. It will do well going straight to your interface at home/studio with speaker simulation added on top. It can act as a distortion pedal for your clean amp changing it to modern hi-gain monster. Swedish chuggs, thall and 80s metal. Give it a try!
Mardröm distortion pedal is powered by 9V DC (-) supply.
Prototype test, v.0.8 - YouTube New test in few days!
378 mardröm distortion pedal
Gain - first gain stage, boosting and compressing the whole spectrum. Delicate low end cut for tighter feel. Precise low pass filter getting rid of fizz and unpleasant presence. Whole pedal was designed for 7-string baritone guitar so it goes well with your standard E single cut guitar too.
Saturation - second gain stage, clipping highs. Introducing more treble distortion and juice. From calm and old-school presence to modern string clang sound. This knob going clockwise brings more distorted treble and high-mids introducing pick attack and excellent palm muting response.
Resonance - third gain stage, brings back bass and rumble. From tight modern low-end to huge sludgy kick. This knob going clockwise allows more bass and low-mids into the circuit while distorting it more and more.
Volume - overall master volume of the pedal.
Soft-touch relay bypass (no click).
124 mm x 95 mm x 57mm
4.88 in x 3.72 in x 2.24 in
370 g / 0.81 lbs
0.17mA current draw