aion Gladiator Dual Drive, Manual

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GLADIATOR DUAL DRIVE 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 Wiring Diagram (no send/return loop)
7
Schematic
12
Licensing & Document Revisions
INTRODUCTION
The Gladiator Dual Overdrive is based on the King Tone Duellist, a highly prized dual pedal first released
in 2015 consisting of the “String Singer” for side A and the “Heavy Hand” for side B. The Duellist was
traced by Aion FX in 2022.
The String Singer is based on a stripped-down Tube Screamer with input & output buffers removed. The
circuit is highly modified, so the EQ and clipping will sound drastically different from the classic Ibanez
circuit, but that was the source at least. This half of the circuit was released in single-pedal format as the
Soloist, available from Aion FX as the
Gladius .
The Heavy Hand is based on the Marshall Bluesbreaker, but again it has been heavily modified from the
original circuit—so it may remind you of it, but it’s not going to sound quite the same. This half of the was
also released as a single pedal called the Heavyhand, available from Aion FX as the
Xiphos .
Each side also has an external “EQ” toggle switch to select between different EQ voicings, as well as two
internal DIP switches for fat EQ and asymmetrical clipping (side A) or and asymmetrical clipping and
hard clipping (side B).
The Gladiator simplifies the send/return functionality of the original unit by including 4 jacks by default.
The send & return now have their own jacks that automatically short together if nothing is plugged in.
Otherwise, the Gladiator is a direct clone of the Duellist based on our own trace. Details are available in
the
tracing journal on our website.
USAGE
The Gladiator has four external controls per channel:
•
Drive
controls the amount of gain going into the op-amp feedback diode clipping stage.
• Tone controls the treble response of the channel via a passive filter.
• Volume controls the overall output of the channel.
•
EQ
(toggle) selects between Fat (more bass), Stock (balanced), and Glass (more treble) modes.
In addition, each channel has two internal controls by way of DIP switches:
•
Asymmetric
(both channels) adds a clipping diode in series. Engaged when DIP switch is off.
•
Warmth
(side A only) adds an extra treble-cut capacitor. Engaged when DIP switch is on.
• Hard Clip (side B only) enables the hard clipping diodes. Engaged when DIP switch is off.