ANDROMEDA NATURAL OVERDRIVE
2
TABLE OF CONTENTS
1
Project Overview
8
Drill Template
2
Introduction & Usage
9
Enclosure Layout
3-5
Parts List
10
Wiring Diagram
6
Build Notes
11
Licensing
7
Schematic
11
Document Revisions
INTRODUCTION
The Andromeda Natural Overdrive is a recreation of the Nobels ODR-1, a somewhat obscure pedal
from Germany that nonetheless is considered a “secret weapon” among Nashville studio musicians.
The primary complaint of the ODR-1 is that it has way too much bass with no way to dial it out. To that
end, this project incorporates a variable bass control inspired by the Timmy and Zendrive. The stock
tones are still there with the knob all the way up, but now you have the option to dial it back.
Looking at the schematic, you can see a stark difference with Japanese-designed pedals (i.e. most Ibanez
& Boss circuits). This is German engineering at its finest—tons of odd-value resistors and capacitors
forming very precise filters and signal shaping. This is not a particularly simple build, but it’s very
rewarding and well worth the effort.
The new 125B version of the Andromeda has a new layout but is otherwise identical to the earlier
1590B version. No features were added or removed.
USAGE
The Andromeda has four controls:
•
Gain
controls the amount of gain from the op amp that is fed through the feedback clipping diodes.
•
Spectrum
is a very non-standard tone control of sorts. You can pan between a 700 Hz lowpass filter
and a 5 KHz high-pass filter, which is mixed with a fixed 2.1 KHz frequency boost (upper mids). This
control is much more complex than your standard high-cut or Tube Screamer style tone control.
•
Bass
allows you to adjust the bass response of the circuit. The stock ODR-1 circuit is the equivalent
of having the Bass knob turned all the way up.
•
Level
sets the overall output of the effect.
