 |
Maxon |
| Product |
Details |
| MAXAD999 |
Maxon Vintage Analog Delay Pedal |
 |
Just when you thought you'd have to go digital, Maxon unveils the new AD999 Analog Delay. The newest member of the highly touted Maxon Vintage Series, the AD999 is the most ambitious and practical analog delay pedal to come along in well, ever!
A few years back the hopes of analog lovers the world over were dashed when Panasonic/Matsushita closed their BBD production line for good. Immediately the price of all types of analog bucket brigade IC's went through the roof, and many larger companies started buying up existing stock and hoarding it for the future. But Maxon is a tough company to hold down, and instead of making the switch to digital as so many other small manufacturers were forced to do, they took a very different approach to solving this problem.
With their vast knowledge of analog technology and their extensive network of contacts in the electronics industry, Maxon was able to source a completely different manufacturer of analog BBD's. After critical examination and testing of this company's product offerings, it was finally determined that these components were worthy to carry the Maxon brand name, and thus the AD999 was born!
Not a company to rest on its laurels, the AD-999 Analog Delay was created after careful examination of other analog delay units (including the AD900) in an effort to improve upon them. Each AD999 comes loaded with 8 yes, 8 Maxon MC4107D BBD's for a total of 900 milliseconds of pure, rich, organic analog tone. Like past Maxon analogs, the AD999's controls have been kept to a minimum to free the unit from unwanted noise and complex operation. Standard Delay Time, Delay Level, and Feedback controls provide a simple user interface and a wide variety of delay effects. To improve the unit's versatility, Wet/Dry outputs were added to allow for panning of the delay effect between two amplifiers or channels.
The AD999's tone is pure analog heaven rich, round and three dimensional, the AD999 is much more akin to the tone of vintage tape echo units than either the AD900 or AD9. In comparison to other Maxon delay units, the AD999's fat, vintage tone is closest to the nowdefunct AD80, but with the added benefit of triple the delay time, yielding many medium to long delay effects that the AD80 simply cannot reproduce.
AD999 switching is handled by a Fujisoku 4PDT mechanical switch for transparent, noise-free true bypass operation. Lastly, the AD999 has been designed to run off 9 volts DC for easier integration into players' pedalboards. An internal, replaceable fuse protects the circuit from voltage spikes as well as the accidental use of incorrect adaptors.
When you're ready for the ultimate analog experience, the Maxon AD999 is the only serious choice in an otherwise digital world!
|
| MAXCP101 |
Maxon Reissue Series Compressor |
 |
The CP101 Compressor provides clean, smooth compression with ultra-low noise and incredible transparency. The CP101's 4:1 compression ratio is so subtle that it's easy to forget the unit is on until you turn it off, that is. While it is on you will notice note-to-note levels that are smoother and more consistent, chords and arpeggios that are tighter and more focused, and when used with an overdriven amp, sustain that will last for days. Best of all, you'll notice minimal coloration to your guitar signal and less of the note-attack alterations so common to other compressors.
At the heart of the CP101's circuit sits an HTV #P873 CdS (Cadmium Sulfur) Photocoupler. This light-sensitive component varies resistance based on the input signal to control the amp gain, increasing gain as the input signal weakens. Most other current-production compressors accomplish this task using a VCA (voltage controlled amplifier), but the multiple transistors packed into a VCA inevitably lead to high noise levels, which means lots of "hiss" from your rig. The CP101's optical circuit keeps the noise-floor low - so low that you can run the unit after a distortion and still retain near-silent operation.
With its ultra low-noise level, transparent operation and natural playing response the Maxon CP101 is the perfect compressor for players who hate using compressors.
|
| MAXGE601 |
Maxon Reissue Series Graphic Equalizer |
 |
The GE601 Graphic Equalizer covers six carefully selected frequency bands (100 Hz, 200 Hz, 400 Hz, 800 Hz, 1.6 KHz, and 3.2 KHz) over a five octave range with 12 dB of cut/boost per band. The GE601 also offers a master output Level control with 12 dB of cut/boost. With careful use of these controls, the GE601 can be used to fine tune your sound in a variety of extremely useful ways, a few of which are detailed below.
Pickup Simulator (humbucker to single coil) By cutting 200 Hz, 400 Hz, and 800 Hz and then boosting 100 Hz and 1.6 KHz, the GE601 allows a humbucker to simulate the sharp sound of a single coil.
<> Pickup Simulator (passive Bass to active Bass) By cutting 200 Hz and slightly boosting 100 Hz and 1.6 KHz, the GE601 can give a passive Bass the clarity and punch of an active instrument.
Pickup Simulator (single coil to piezo) By cutting 200 Hz, 400 Hz, and 800 Hz and boosting 100 Hz, 1.6 KHz and 3.2 KHz, the GE601 allows a single coil electric to simulate the bright, chiming sound of an acoustic guitar with piezo pickup.
Half-cocked Wah (audio demo) By creating a signal peak at 800 Hz, the GE601 can emulate the tone of a wah pedal with the treadle set half-way forward. This setting is also ideal for solo boosts.
Clean Booster - By leaving all frequency bands flat and boosting the Level control to taste, the GE601 can function as a clean booster for solos or to overdrive an amplifier's input.
With a little experimentation, the Maxon GE601 can become an essential tool to maximize the tonal options of your guitar rig.
|
| MAXOD-9 |
Maxon 9 Series Overdrive Pedal |
 |
The Maxon OD-9 may look just like your old favorite, but that's where the similarities end. With improved circuitry, the OD-9 stands at the forefront of the Nine Series effects evolution.
The OD-9 uses a signal-distorting diode (Panasonic #MA150) that is located in the amplifier stage's negative feedback loop (this stage also contains the JRC4558 IC chip). Therefore, the OD-9 distorts signal in the amplifier section itself which yields a smoother, milder, more natural sounding distortion than a separate clipping stage. This is also the reason that the IC type used in the circuit has such a large impact on the unit's tone. Maxon developed this unique design more than 20 years ago, an industry first that is commonplace today.
The OD-9's new circuit uses different output resistors than its predecessor. After the unit's initial release it was discovered to have a high susceptibility to noise due to static electricity buildup. To improve performance, the values of the output resistors on the OD-9 were increased, but their positions kept the same as the original. This circuit change has no audible affect on the sound of the unit, save for reducing unwanted noise levels. In addition, the OD-9 features True Bypass Switching for natural, uncompromised tone in bypass.
Like the OD808, the OD-9 provides the natural, mild overdrive of a tube amp without sacrificing the guitar's original tone.
It can also be used as a clean booster to provide increased gain from an amplifier.
|
| MAXOD808 |
Maxon Reissue Overdrive Pedal |
 |
Originally released in 1979, the OD808 was one of the first tube-amp overdrive simulators to hit the market. Its smooth, creamy crunch tone caught on quickly, and helped to launch a long line of predecessors as well as imitators. Today, the OD808 design is without a doubt the most used, most imitated and most lauded overdrive circuit of all time. The reason for this is simple tone. Simply put, the OD808 provides the natural, mild overdrive of a tube amp without sacrificing your guitar's original tone. In addition, it can be used as a clean booster to provide increased gain without compromising the sound of your amplifier.
The secret behind the legendary "808 tone" lies in the amplifier section of its circuit. Rather than having an amplifier stage followed by a clipping stage, the OD808 uses a signal-distorting diode (Panasonic #MA150) that is located in the amplifier stage's negative feedback loop (which also contains the JRC4558 IC chip). Therefore, the OD808 distorts signal in the amplifier circuit itself which yields a smoother, milder, more natural sounding distortion than a separate clipping stage. This is also the reason that the IC type used in the circuit has such a large impact on the unit's tone. Maxon developed this unique design more than 20 years ago, and while it is commonplace nowadays, back then it was an industry first.
It should be noted that the Reissue Series OD808 uses different output resistors than the original version. After the unit's initial release it was discovered to have a high susceptibility to noise due to static electricity buildup. To improve performance, the positions of the output resistors on the reissue OD808 were reversed and their values increased in order to reduce noise levels. This circuit change has no audible affect on the sound of the unit, save for reducing the noise levels.
Whether it's used as an overdrive or a booster, the Maxon OD808 is the closest you can get to the classic sounds of 1970's rock guitar in a compact effect pedal.
|
| MAXPT999 |
Maxon reissue Phase Tone Pedal |
 |
With its single knob and switch, the PT999 Phase Tone is deceptively simple. Yet packed into this tiny blue box are a host of the most authentic 70's era phasing effects available in a current production unit. Simply by adjusting the unit's Rate control a wide variety of expressive phasing nuances can be coaxed from the PT999, all of them whisper quiet and amazingly transparent. The PT999's minimalist circuit frees your guitar tone to be as smooth and responsive as it is when served up a la carte (or a la effect, as the case may be).
So what's the secret behind the PT999's timeless tone? Simple the circuit used today is exactly the same as it was when first introduced in 1974. While many "reissue" effects on the market today are far from true to the original designs, Maxon has taken pains to keep the PT999 circuit unchanged for close to 30 years. The PT999's four-stage phasing circuit offers 720 degrees of phasing sweep variable from .2 to 14 Hz (cycles per second). The PT999's FET's (Toshiba #2SK246) are carefully sorted and matched by hand to produce the smoothest phasing sweep possible with low noise. Unlike other phasers, the PT999 runs negative feedback of the signal to each phase-shifting FET for less distortion. Internal trimmers adjust center frequency and width of the phasing sweep (calibrated prior to market, we recommend adjustment of these trimmers be left to a qualified electronic technician).
If you demand classic phase shifting effects without compromising your guitar's signature tone, the PT999 Phase Tone has no equals.
|
| MAXSD-9 |
Maxon 9 Series Sonic Distortion Pedal |
 |
One of Maxon's most esoteric models, the SD-9 has gained a huge cult following since its initial release in the early 1980s. The SD-9 has long been prized for its ability to provide an immense range of distorted tones, from punchy overdrive to blistering fuzz, all with full-frequency response and minimal tonal coloration.
The secret to the SD-9's versatility lies in its minimal component configuration. The circuit itself is deceptively simple, but it's this simplicity that leads to the SD-9's transparent operation. With fewer components to load down your guitar's tone, more "sonic information" is passed to the output, yielding a more authentic reproduction of your guitar sound. But don't let its simplicity fool you Ð the SD-9 can provide a whopping 42 dB of gain, more than enough to provide a healthy solo boost or to slam the front end of your amp into submission.
Anther notable feature of the SD-9 is its tone control. While most other overdrives and distortions feature hi boost/hi cut tone circuits, the SD-9 tone control uses a low range boost/cut circuit for added bottom end. In addition, the SD-9's tone circuit features the JRC4558 IC chip, generally regarded as sonically superior to other op amp models. The combination of these two elements creates a pedal with more low-end punch than other distortions.
Versatile, powerful and responsive - the SD-9 is perfect for the player looking to get more than just distortion out of their distortion pedal.
|
|
