{"title":"Knight School Built Pedals","description":"","products":[{"product_id":"knight-school-synth-1","title":"Knight School Synth (Built Pedal)","description":"\u003ch3 class=\"p1\" data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003e\n\u003cmeta charset=\"utf-8\"\u003e \u003cem\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eNOT A DIY KIT. THIS IS A FULLY BUILT PEDAL. \u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/em\u003e\n\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p1\"\u003eHere’s a tale from the annals of my personal DIY history: I learned how to breadboard and read schematics right before college, and I breadboarded many designs posted on ampage.org. Shortly after that, I found a new DIY website. This one was called Beavis Audio. If you’re familiar with this, it’s for a good reason; BA was one of the premier DIY sites out there, and it refreshingly wrote everything in plain English. One of the projects there was called the “Heterodyne Peyote Space Explorer”. This introduced me to the CD40106 chip and I played around with that device for what seemed like double-digit hours when I was taking EE classes.\u003cspan class=\"Apple-converted-space\"\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p1\"\u003eOne thing I stumbled across was when I combined a boost circuit I was working on with the 40106. It made an oddball noise, but one I thought could be cool with some refinement. It took a lot of tinkering, but it worked much better when I put a second boost circuit in front of it. I couldn’t really explain why, but it sounded cool, and I built a couple for my friends. Some time later, I stumbled across a webpage authored by one Tim Escobedo. There’s a ton of good info on his “Circuit Snippets” page, and it still exists today. As it turns out, Mr. Escobedo discovered a form of this circuit back in 2002, and comparing his circuit analysis with mine and the Space Explorer was a real “Eureka” moment for me.\u003cspan class=\"Apple-converted-space\"\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p1\"\u003eOur Knight School Synth is our most ambitious project to date. I’ve since leaned into Mr. Escobedo’s method for producing the pre-gain, as it’s simpler and uses far fewer parts than my original. Essentially, it turns your guitar signal into a square wave, and then uses the CD40106 to vary the pulse width of that square wave. There’s also a switchable LFO, which automatically varies the pulse width for you, along with a Depth control to change the intensity of the shaping. It’s a truly cool effect that emulates the monophonic synthesizers of yesteryear. Dare I say there’s not a lot on the market these days that sounds like this!\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Catalinbread Effects","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":50754908717188,"sku":"853710005267","price":134.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0370\/1873\/0628\/files\/Synth-Shopify-01-min.png?v=1707554169"},{"product_id":"knight-school-eq-1","title":"Knight School EQ (Built Pedal)","description":"\u003cdiv\u003e\n\u003cmeta charset=\"utf-8\"\u003e\n\u003ch3 class=\"p1\"\u003e\u003cem\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eNOT A DIY KIT. THIS IS A FULLY BUILT PEDAL. \u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv\u003eThe unsung hero of the guitar pedal world, the humble EQ is a powerful and indispensable part of any player's setup from the bedroom to the arena. Ours is a simple and easily customizable active three-band tone stack coupled with a whistle-clean hefty boost that can push any amp---even your ultralinear Twin---into gooey breakup. Use it as a standalone device to color your clean tone and push your amp, or stack it behind a dirt box that lacks a sufficient EQ section and watch it roar to life. This device can run at 18 volts, so try powering it that way and sticking it in your amp's FX loop to get some extra toneshaping results. \u003cbr\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Catalinbread Effects","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":50754926248068,"sku":"853710005830","price":134.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0370\/1873\/0628\/files\/KS_EQ_SHOP-01_2bef3c24-ef3a-492a-8c20-28c1a752a621.png?v=1746266147"},{"product_id":"knight-school-bit-crush-built-pedal","title":"Knight School Bit Crush (Built Pedal)","description":"\u003ch3 class=\"p1\"\u003e\u003cem\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eNOT A DIY KIT. THIS IS A FULLY BUILT PEDAL. \u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p1\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eLong a studio trick of the trade, sample rate reduction (commonly called “bitcrushing” though the two are different) is a relatively new effect that takes snapshots of your input signal and “approximates” them with less and less accuracy as the effect intensifies. While virtually unknown to most just a decade ago, many modern synthesizers and outboard processing devices now come equipped with this effect. In a nutshell, it makes your guitar or other instrument sound like old-school video games. We’ve leveled up this effect by offering one simple addition: the humble Mix control. With this, you can use our Bitcrusher kit to destroy your signal as much or as little as you want with a simple twist. You can use the Bitcrusher as a processor for your other effects, blending in just a little for some amazing unique textures, or a ton for complete annihilation.\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p1\"\u003eIn the epoch of guitar effects, “bitcrushing” and “sample rate reduction” are among the newest. Despite its funky and rare usage, even ring modulators were available in the ‘60s. However, bitcrushing and sample rate reduction are distinct byproducts of digital technology, more specifically they pertain to quantization errors with respect to different axes.\u003cspan class=\"Apple-converted-space\"\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p1\"\u003eBe that as it may, the two terms have been conflated for years, but neither of these names appeared organically in the first iterations of these effects. The DigiTech Space Station called their sample rate reduction program “Pixelator”. Another early example—the Alesis Bitrman—calls theirs “Decimator”.\u003cspan class=\"Apple-converted-space\"\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p1\"\u003eEven though bitcrushing involves lowering the bit depth of the signal, it is the sample rate reducer that evokes the sounds most associated with ‘80s video games, and so that term became entangled with the concept of bitcrushing, such that many gearheads use the terms interchangeably and call it a day. It’s like in Texas, “Coke” at a restaurant can mean any type of soda. I disagree with both of these but the public has won out.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p1\"\u003eSo, what does all this actually sound like? Well, sample rate reduction takes “snapshots” of the input signal at some high rate, and then drops the frequency at which these snapshots are taken into the audible range such that we can hear them. Each of these snapshots (Riemann sums for you math folks) becomes wider as sample rate is reduced, forming a “stepped approximation” of the input signal. The lower the sample frequency, the more “pixelated” with waveform looks, which is likely why DigiTech chose the program name in the Space Station. Either way, it reminds me of Atari games.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p1\"\u003eOur Bitcrusher kit is taken from the engine of one of our old-school pedals, the Heliotrope, which was itself an adaptation of an old DIY project, called (fittingly) “analog bit crusher.” If any effect begs for a mix control, it’s this. And surprisingly, many pedals that do this do not offer one. We do, and it makes for an absolutely killer effect. Run other pedals into it for some otherworldly flavor you just can’t find anywhere else.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Catalinbread Effects","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":50754955673732,"sku":"853710005458","price":134.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0370\/1873\/0628\/files\/KS_bc-shopify-01-min.png?v=1716330088"},{"product_id":"knight-school-overdrive-built-pedal","title":"Knight School Overdrive (Built Pedal)","description":"\u003ch3 class=\"p1\"\u003e\u003cem\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eNOT A DIY KIT. THIS IS A FULLY BUILT PEDAL. \u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eAll the way back in 1975, Craig Anderton, founder of Seamoon Effects, released what came to be known as the go-to reference book for aspiring pedal builders. That book is called \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cem\u003eElectronic Projects for Musicians\u003c\/em\u003e\u003cspan\u003e and it unknowingly jumpstarted the designs of many budding companies. Several of the circuits in this book use integrated circuits, or “chips” as most people call them, that weren’t commonly found in commercial products of that time. One such timeless circuit born from this book was the Tube Sound Fuzz, a gain device centered around an exotic part called a hex inverter. \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p1\"\u003eThe architecture of this hex inverter allows for some crisp and striking distortion using just a few parts, with some wild variation lurking within just by adjusting a few values. And companies did just that; with one of the earliest adopters of Anderton’s circuit being Electro-Harmonix. In the late ‘70s, EHX released the Hot Tubes, a modified version of this circuit, tweaked in such a way to deliver a smooth yet biting overdrive. Being a relatively unique circuit and previously unavailable commercially, the Hot Tubes had several notable users such as Stevie Ray Vaughan, Kim Gordon, Jeff Buckley and the Edge.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p1\"\u003eAnother person that ran with the TSF is Jeorge Tripps of Way Huge, who tweaked the values of that circuit in a different direction and produced the brand’s flagship circuit, the Red Llama. That pedal has been in production on and off for 30 years, and found its way into the hands of several influential players, such as Tom Petty, Paul Gilbert and John Mayer. \u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p1\"\u003eOur Knight School Overdrive has the DNA of Mr. Anderton’s Tube Sound Fuzz, the Hot Tubes and the Red Llama, reworked into a dirt device that covers all the gain bases, from sparkling clean boost to heavy grit with extreme touch sensitivity. We’ve included a knob for a mids scoop, which was actually featured first in old Gibson amplifiers, but we’ve implemented the version from the Matchless Chieftain amplifier, one of our shop amps and a favorite of ours. You’ll find it adds quite a lot to the character of the unit, and is especially helpful if you play British-style amps.\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Catalinbread Effects","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":50754966454404,"sku":"853710005212","price":134.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0370\/1873\/0628\/files\/KS-od-shopify-01.png?v=1713499432"},{"product_id":"knight-school-trem-built-pedal","title":"Knight School Trem (Built Pedal)","description":"\u003ch3 class=\"p1\"\u003e\u003cem\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eNOT A DIY KIT. THIS IS A FULLY BUILT PEDAL. \u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p1\"\u003eWhile most guitarists recognize the word “transistor” as the fundamental effects pedal amplification parts, they have several other functions depending on how they’re wired. One such function is that of a switch. When voltage is applied to the base pin of a transistor, it “opens” the switch, i.e. connects the other two pins together.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p1\"\u003eThis is how Boss and Ibanez’s bypass switching works, in a nutshell. But what if a pedal’s input signal was connected to a transistor’s collector, and the transistor emitter was connected to ground? When voltage is applied to the transistor base, the signal gets dumped to ground. When the voltage is cut, the signal passes through. Now, what if you could find a way to send a rhythmic positive voltage to that transistor base? It would rhythmically modulate the signal. Uh-oh, this sounds like tremolo!\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p1\"\u003eOf course, there are many ways to achieve this effect, but this is one best suited to DIY. The crudest form of this effect was first developed by Jordan Electronics with their Vico Vibe plug-in unit that definitely does the thing I just described but the LFO’s speed range isn’t so hot and only does one waveform. \u003ci\u003eBO-RING!\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p1\"\u003eOur Knight School Trem gives you SIX distinct waveforms, a huge speed range control, a depth control and an LED rate indicator that mimics the selected waveform, all in an easy-to-build fully-analog package. Let’s go!\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Catalinbread Effects","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":50754988114052,"sku":"853710005380","price":134.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0370\/1873\/0628\/files\/ks-trem-shop_f14f4ff8-a3cb-4bf9-aebb-2d3e2e099991.png?v=1751927927"},{"product_id":"knight-school-filter-built-pedal","title":"Knight School Filter (Built Pedal)","description":"\u003ch3 class=\"p1\"\u003e\u003cem\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eNOT A DIY KIT. THIS IS A FULLY BUILT PEDAL. \u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p1\"\u003eIf you’ve ever heard a synthesizer in action, chances are you’ve heard of a low-pass filter, a powerful tone-sculpting tool whose nuts and bolts increase exponentially as utility increases linearly. Found on even the earliest examples of analog synthesis, the low-pass filter establishes a cutoff frequency, and then rejects all frequencies above it at an intensity determined by the filter’s construction. We’ve taken that guesswork out of the picture, letting you define your own cutoff frequency with an aggressive filter design. A resonance control lets you dial in the amount of “synthiness” by feeding the output signal back into the front end. A gain control dials in some grit on the front end to drive the filter harder. This filter design absolutely excels when stacked behind your favorite dirt or mod pedal; a hotter signal gets completely swallowed by the filter for even more synth-like textures. Try a fuzz in front for some serious Zappa tones!\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p1\"\u003eOur Filter kit puts this synth-like control right at your feet, giving you a Resonance control (also known as “feedback”) for a more intense filtering experience, as well as an onboard Gain control to add some grit to the signal. This kit sounds absolutely dynamite when stacked with your favorite dirt box. You’re going to love this one.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c!----\u003e","brand":"Catalinbread Effects","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":50754996666500,"sku":"853710005533","price":134.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0370\/1873\/0628\/files\/ks-filter-shopify-01-min.png?v=1723885983"}],"url":"https:\/\/catalinbread.pro\/collections\/knight-school-built-pedals.oembed","provider":"Catalinbread Effects","version":"1.0","type":"link"}