Jackson Audio BROKEN ARROW Black Overdrive Pedal
Features
- Tube Screamer style Overdrive and Boost pedal
- Active 3-band EQ - for optimal tone shaping
- MIDI control over Boost and Gain modes (and ON/OFF for each effect)
- 4 Clipping-Diode Styles with drastically different sound characteristics
- 4 differently EQ’d Boost Styles
- GAIN CYCLE circuit - for instant gain adjustment in 4 steps
- Small footprint and top-mounted jacks - for ease of pedalboard mounting
Specifications
- Input Impedance: 1M
- Output Impedance: 100k
- Power Supply: DC
- Voltage Input: 9V MAX
- Polarity: Center Negative
- Min. Current Required: 150mA
- Dimensions: 2.7” x 4.875?
The Broken Arrow is based on a Tube Screamer circuit which uses soft-clipping for a smooth and warm overdrive that doesn’t dramatically colour your tone when all controls are at 12 o’clock. If you want that signature Tube Screamer mid-boost then, of course, you can shape the tone using the 3-band active EQ. The Broken Arrow isn’t limited to this style of overdrive, however. With four clipping diode presets you can switch between different styles of overdrive, each with their own distinct character.
The first preset is the Classic Screamer which, as the name suggests, has that familiar overdriven and compressed sound that Tube Screamers are known for. Second is the Asymmetric Clipping mode which clips the highs and lows of your waveform by different amounts for a more complex sound. Preset 3 is symmetrical clipping which evenly clips the waveform’s highs and lows for a focused and direct overdriven sound. Finally there’s the Vintage Marshall mode which is also a symmetrical clipping mode but with much more headroom for a more open and uncompressed tone.
Gain Cycle
There’s also the inventive Gain Cycle feature which, when you press both footswitches at the same time, cycles the amount of gain in four equal increments up to the level set on the gain knob. For example, if you set it to 100% the gain will increase in steps of 25% until it hits the max. This is a great way to get an instant step up in gain.
Boost Modes
The Broken Arrow also features an independent boost circuit using MOSFET transistors for an amp-like tone. The boost circuit also has four presets each with a different EQ for a distinct sound. Presets include a Bright Boost for a more treble-y tone, a mid boost for a thicker sound, a “Tailored Boost” designed to complement the Broken Arrow’s overdrive sounds, and a Full Range Boost for a transparent boost that won’t colour your tone.
MOSFET transistors can suffer from an audible crackle when the boost control is turned. Jackson Audio have eliminated this at the expense of about 5% of gain at the highest level. The Broken Arrow is already powerful but if you want to hear it at its maximum then you can flip the internal boost switch. You’ll hear that crackle on the boost control but you’ll also get the full, unrestricted gain.
MIDI Controllable
The Broken Arrow is fully MIDI compatible allowing you to control all the parameters as well as activating/deactivating the Overdrive and Boost via MIDI. Using an external MIDI controller you switch up the characteristics of your overdrive and boost in an instant. No more crouching down to adjust the controls!