The Impossible Colors II is a transformer-coupled fuzz pedal from BSRI Audio. The maker describes it as a combination of "deeply unique and flexible fuzz and drive textures that can be fine tuned for everything from saggy tube amp overdrive to amp-on-fire distortion to somehow the guitar is a brass instrument playing suboctaves"1. The II version builds on the original platform with a new active EQ, a switchable preamp boost, and a wider range of fuzz textures1.
The transformer input stage
The defining feature is a transformer-coupled input stage. BSRI Audio says it "simulates the inductance and electrical qualities of an electric guitar pickup so the circuit reacts as if plugged directly into your guitar even when used after buffers"1. That matters for a fuzz: these circuits are famously sensitive to what feeds them, and a buffer pedal earlier in the chain can change how a conventional fuzz responds. The transformer input is designed to keep the pedal reacting to the guitar itself regardless of what sits before it.
Controls
| Control | What it does |
|---|---|
| Attack | Sets the input gain of the circuit from light boost to heavy clipping1 |
| Texture | Adjusts the voltage fed to a portion of the circuit to change both the dynamic range of the clipping amp and the character of the clipping1 |
| Boost | Preamp boost feeding the transformer stage, for additional fuzz, flexibility in gain staging, or pseudo preset functionality1 |
| Bass | Boosts or cuts frequencies below 100Hz by 12dB1 |
| Treble | Boosts or cuts frequencies above 4K Hz by 12dB1 |
| Volume | Sets the output volume, with ample boost above unity available1 |
The Attack knob covers a wide sweep, from what the maker calls light boost to heavy clipping, so the pedal can sit closer to overdrive or push into full distortion territory1. Texture works alongside it by changing how the clipping stage behaves, affecting both its dynamic range and the character of the clipping1.
The Boost control is switchable, and because it feeds the transformer stage it can be used to add fuzz on top of the base setting, to rework gain staging, or as a pseudo preset: set it where you want a heavier sound and switch it in as needed1.
The Bass and Treble controls are active EQ, each with 12dB of cut or boost around 100Hz and 4K Hz respectively1. Because they cut as well as boost, they can shape the fuzz's low end and top end either way.
II compared with the original
BSRI Audio positions the II as a development of the original Impossible Colors platform, adding three things: "a powerful new active EQ, a switchable preamp boost, and a wider range of fuzz textures"1. The maker's sound description for the platform, spanning saggy tube amp overdrive through to suboctave brass-like textures, applies to the design as a whole1.
BSRI Audio also builds other fuzz designs, including the TFZ Fuzz and the Hydrazine, a Harmonic Percolator-inspired fuzz.
Videos
BSRI Audio
Questions
What does the transformer do in the Impossible Colors II?
The pedal's input stage is transformer coupled, and BSRI Audio says it simulates the inductance and electrical qualities of an electric guitar pickup. The idea is that the circuit reacts as if it were plugged directly into your guitar, even when the pedal is used after buffers, which would otherwise change how a fuzz interacts with the pickups.
What does the Texture knob do on the Impossible Colors II?
Texture adjusts the voltage fed to a portion of the circuit, which changes both the dynamic range of the clipping amp and the character of the clipping. In practice it shapes how the fuzz responds to your playing and the overall flavor of the distortion.
What does the Boost knob do on the Impossible Colors II?
Boost is a preamp boost feeding the transformer stage. BSRI Audio describes it as a way to get additional fuzz, add flexibility in gain staging, or use it as pseudo preset functionality, so you can set it once and switch it in for a heavier sound.
How much do the Bass and Treble knobs cut or boost?
The Bass knob boosts or cuts frequencies below 100Hz by 12dB, and the Treble knob boosts or cuts frequencies above 4K Hz by 12dB. Both are active controls, so they cut as well as boost.
What is new in the Impossible Colors II compared with the original?
BSRI Audio says Impossible Colors II builds on the original platform with a powerful new active EQ, a switchable preamp boost, and a wider range of fuzz textures.
Sources (1)
- Impossible Colors II, BSRI Audio
