Electronic Audio Experiments Dude Incredible User manual

Dude Incredible
Technical Manual (Rev 2)
Introduction
Thank you for your purchase of the Electronic Audio Experiments Dude Incredible! This
manual is an in-depth guide for properly using and enjoying your pedal.
The Dude Incredible is an homage to the guitar tones of Steve Albini, famous for his work in
Shellac, Big Black, and other bands as well as his studio Electrical Audio. It consists of two
independent circuits: a modified Interfax Harmonic Percolator, and a stripped-down Intersound
Instrument Voice Preamplifier (IVP). The IVP forms the basis of Albini’s rhythm tone in
conjunction with a Fender Bassman, while the HP is used for ripping, blown-out walls of fuzz
and feedback.
The percolator is a unique fuzz circuit, combining a silicon transistor and a germanium transistor
to emphasize even-order harmonics. Ours closely follows the design of the original, but features
a different set of clipping diodes in order to add more output volume.
The original IVP is a full-featured rackmount preamp with two inputs, an active Baxandall EQ for
highs and lows, a four-band parametric EQ, clean and “Tube Voice” channels, and multiple
effects loops for patching in external effects. Our version of it has been stripped down to just the
input stage, Baxandall stack, and Tube Voice drive circuit. While simplified, it easily captures the
spirit of the original.
Thanks again, and happy playing!
- John Snyder

Operation
Only use a standard reliable 9-volt center-negative DC power supply with this pedal! (e.g.
OneSpot,   Voodoo   Labs,   Pedaltrain,   Strymon,   etc.)   The Dude Incredible is daisy-chain friendly,
but it does not operate on batteries. Current draw is approximately 30mA. Reverse polarity, AC
voltage, or voltages above 9V may damage the pedal and doing so violates the warranty.
When dialing in the Dude Incredible for the first time, it is best to consider the Percolator and
IVP circuits separately. These circuits may be used individually or together, with a fixed order
(Percolator first). We describe them both below.
Part I: Harmonic Percolator
To activate the harmonic percolator, use the right footswitch. The controls labeled in italics
control this part of the circuit and are as follows:
●Harmonics   - controls the gain at the input. Lower settings produce a slightly fuzzy and
dynamic overdrive, higher settings become increasingly fuzzy with blocking distortion
and a “bloom” effect at maximum settings. Strongly interactive with the guitar’s volume
knob if there are no buffered pedals in between.
●Balance   - output level of the HP side. Can get pretty loud!
The HP is configured to boost the input of the IVP and is first in the signal chain. It has a very
low input impedance and will react differently when used first in your signal chain versus after a
tuner or other buffered pedal. A buffered pedal in front can sound excellent.
Note: the internal Bias   control sets the voltage on the germanium transistor. It is calibrated in
our shop, but you’re free to adjust by ear. There are no “forbidden” settings, just an optimal
range. Mark the original position before making adjustments.
Part II: IVP
In the IVP, the EQ is placed before the drive circuit, allowing for unique tone shaping. Rather
than boosting and cutting frequencies in the overall tone, the user can choose which
frequencies become distorted. Boosting highs brings forth not just treble content, but midrange
and presence as well. Boosting the lows can add heft at lower settings or overwhelm the drive
circuit in a musical fashion. The Tube Voice circuit uses discrete transistors and a small
transformer to generate clipping, which responds in a very smooth manner at lower gain
settings but becomes fuzzy and aggressive at higher settings. The controls are as follows:
●Gain  : sets the signal level going into the drive circuit
●Treble  : boosts mid and high frequencies. Very useful for adding crunch, presence, and
clangy harmonics. Even at higher settings, the harshness is tamed by the transformer
which has a natural high frequency rolloff at around 2-3KHz.

●Bass  : boosts low frequencies. Cut to reduce mud, or boost to add some thickness.
Higher bass settings can produce a fuzz with a pronounced sag when hit hard.
●Level  : self explanatory. The circuit has an enormous amount of volume on tap. Be
warned - if turned up too high you may get some feedback/oscillation, especially if Gain
and Treble are also turned up.
You’ll quickly find that the IVP side does way more than clang and screech. It’s a respectable
drive in its own right, with a clear sound and lots of dynamic range.
In conclusion…
The Dude Incredible is capable of emulating a cult classic sound, but is also capable of a wide
variety of tones and textures.
Changelog
Version 2 (November 2017)
● Minor revisions for clarity
● Formatting changes
Version 1 (March 2017)
●Original release
www.electronicaudioexperiments.com