Great Eastern FX have announced the launch of the latest pedal in their Obsolete Devices series. The Distortion Filter D312A is a hard-clipping distortion pedal that draws its inspiration from classic circuits like the MXR Distortion+ and DOD Overdrive Preamp 250, and interestingly, features a band-pass filter that can be used to shape its sound.
Limited to a run of just 165 units, the new pedal takes its name from the Soviet-era germanium diodes employed in its design. This type of circuit usually features an op-amp that is used to generate gain before passing the signal into, usually, a symmetrical pair of silicon diodes that clip the signal. With the Distortion Filter, Great Eastern FX have instead used three D312A germanium diodes set up for asymmetrical clipping, a move which the company say offers greater harmonic complexity and richness.
“The idea of the Obsolete Devices series is really to let these rare and unusual components lead the design process. Instead of starting with a particular sound or concept of what I want the pedal to do and then figuring out how to get there, it’s more a case of looking at a particular transistor or diode and asking, how can I make this really sing?“ - David Greeves, Founder, Great Eastern FX
The filter section is said to be capable of crafting everything from classic ‘cocked wah’ tones to producing the more unconventional, heavily filtered distortion sounds associated with bands like Queens of the Stone Age. It’s Frequency control is joined by a Depth parameter, meaning that there’s also the potential to use the filter in much more subtle ways or, with the Depth control turned right down, turn it off entirely.
Pricing & Availability
The Distortion Filter D312A is available now, priced at $319£249 including VAT / €299.
