The Decibel Eleven Dirt Clod is a fully analog overdrive and distortion pedal with 10 memory presets, two styles of clipping and full MIDI control1. Announced in August 2014, it was the first official guitar effects pedal from Decibel Eleven, and the company framed it around a simple priority: the presets were only worth having if the core overdrive and distortion sound held up2.
What it does and how it is controlled
The Dirt Clod covers a wide range of distortion sounds with two styles of clipping and variable mid and high controls1. The Dirt knob controls gain, and pressing it down toggles between the two clipping characters3:
| Control | What it does |
|---|---|
| Dirt knob | Controls gain; press it down to toggle clipping styles3 |
| Clipping style 1 | Thick, heavy distortion that can be pushed to fuzz-like grit3 |
| Clipping style 2 | Compressed, focused distortion, suited to smooth, singing solos3 |
| Mid and high controls | Variable tone shaping1 |
The preset system is the pedal's distinguishing feature. Two footswitches on the top panel let you toggle between two different presets in bank mode, or scroll through up to 10 presets in preset mode3. Decibel Eleven described the idea as letting players save presets and recall them as needed, either by accessing two presets side by side or by using bank mode to scroll and select1.
MIDI
Full MIDI capabilities allow the Dirt Clod to be used with even the simplest MIDI controller for automatically recalling presets and bypassing the pedal1. MIDI expression pedal data can control any parameter in real time, so a remote expression pedal can sweep gain or tone settings while you play1. For players building a MIDI-controlled board, that puts preset switching and parameter control in one pedal.
Where it came from
Decibel Eleven introduced the Dirt Clod in August 2014 as its first official guitar effects pedal21. The company said that beyond the memory presets, "the sound quality of the overdrive distortion had to be exceptional"2. The pedal launched with a $189 street price1.
What reviewers said
Guitar World reviewed the Dirt Clod in April 2015 and was positive about its sound:
"the Dirt Clod covers a wide range of distortion sounds with two styles of clipping and variable mid and high controls."1
Guitar World review, April 20153
That range lines up with the two clipping styles: the thick setting reaching toward fuzz-like grit, and the compressed setting aimed at solo tones3.
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Questions
Is the Decibel Eleven Dirt Clod analog or digital?
The Dirt Clod is a fully analog overdrive distortion pedal. Its presets and MIDI control handle switching and recall, but the audio path itself is analog, which was a central part of Decibel Eleven's pitch for the pedal when it was announced in 2014.
How many presets does the Dirt Clod store?
It stores 10 memory presets. Two footswitches on the top panel let you toggle between two presets side by side in bank mode, or scroll through up to 10 presets in preset mode, so you can move between saved sounds without bending down.
Does the Dirt Clod have MIDI?
Yes. It has full MIDI capabilities for preset recall and bypassing, and it accepts MIDI expression pedal data to control any parameter in real time. That means even a simple MIDI controller can recall presets and sweep controls remotely.
How much did the Dirt Clod cost at launch?
At its August 2014 announcement, the Dirt Clod carried a $189 street price. A 2015 Guitar World review listed its price as $269, so the two published figures differ.
How many clipping styles does the Dirt Clod have?
It has two styles of clipping, selected by pressing the Dirt knob, which controls gain. One setting is a thick, heavy distortion that can be pushed toward fuzz-like grit; the other is a compressed, focused distortion suited to smooth, singing solos.
Sources (3)
- Decibel Eleven Announces the Dirt Clod Overdrive Pedal, Guitar Interactive Magazine, 2014-08-15
- Decibel Eleven Introduces Dirt Clod Analog Overdrive Distortion Pedal, Guitar World, 2014-08-12
- Review: Decibel Eleven Dirt Clod Distortion Pedal, Guitar World, 2015-04-07