The Devi Ever FX Big Distortion Sound Machine is a parallel distortion pedal: one input is split and sent to a pair of fuzz circuits, The Ruiner and the Torn's Peaker, whose outputs are then mixed back together. It was announced in October 2014 as the first parallel distortion in the Devi Ever : FX lineup, and the first release under the company's new owners, Ben and Louise Hinz. Premier Guitar's press release said the pedal "was designed for ultimate bass guitar domination, but also the perfect addition to any guitar or keyboard rig."1
Two fuzz circuits in parallel
The core idea is that your instrument's signal hits one input, and from there it is sent to two fuzz circuits running side by side. Pedal of the Day's reviewer, Mike B, explained the topology: "This pedal actually runs 2 circuits in parallel…what? Basically, there's 1 Input, from which your instrument's signal is" split between them, with the two circuits mixed down to OUT 2.2
The two circuits are familiar Devi designs:
- The Ruiner Dark Boost Fuzz on one side2
- Torn's Peaker Fuzz on the other, and in this pedal it is the Deluxe version, with a few more add-ons than the standard circuit2
Controls and outputs
The Torn's Peaker side carries the Volume control, which Mike B described plainly: "The Volume knob sets the mood and controls the fuzz."2 The Torn's Peaker Deluxe circuit also has the Worse toggle, which selects the clipping inside, "making for 2 completely different sonic realms to explore."2
Where the pedal differs from most fuzzes is its output arrangement. It has OUT 1 and OUT 2, "which means you can run 2 separate signals out to different amps, or to more pedals if you want."2 Premier Guitar's announcement put it the same way: "Using both outputs will send each circuit to it's own output jack for stereo destruction."1
Running both outputs is what gives you stereo: each fuzz circuit goes to its own output jack. With a single output, the two circuits are mixed down to OUT 2.12
What reviewers said
Pedal of the Day's verdict leaned on the pedal's character rather than any one control: "the Big Distortion Sound Machine makes noises that no other pedal does, which really is the brilliance of the company."2
For players weighing it against other dirt boxes, it sits in the fuzz camp rather than the smoother end of Distortion Pedals or Overdrive Pedals, and its dual-circuit, dual-output design sets it apart from single-circuit Fuzz Pedals. Bass players will find it filed among Bass Pedals by intent, even though the makers pitched it at guitar and keyboard rigs too.1
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Questions
Is the Devi Ever Big Distortion Sound Machine made for bass?
Premier Guitar's 2014 press release says the pedal was designed for ultimate bass guitar domination, but also describes it as a perfect addition to any guitar or keyboard rig. So while bass was the design target, the makers and press present it as a pedal that works across bass, guitar and keyboards.
Can the Big Distortion Sound Machine run in stereo?
Yes. Using both outputs sends each circuit to its own output jack, which Premier Guitar described as stereo destruction. The pedal has OUT 1 and OUT 2, so the two fuzz circuits can be kept separate rather than mixed together.
What does the Worse toggle do?
The Worse toggle sits on the Torn's Peaker Deluxe side of the pedal and selects the clipping inside the circuit. Pedal of the Day's reviewer said it makes for 2 completely different sonic realms to explore, giving two distinct clipping characters from the same fuzz.
What is the list price of the Devi Ever Big Distortion Sound Machine?
Premier Guitar's October 2014 press release listed an MSRP of $200.
What are The Ruiner and Torn's Peaker?
They are the two fuzz circuits inside the Big Distortion Sound Machine. One is Devi's The Ruiner Dark Boost Fuzz and the other is their Torn's Peaker Fuzz. The Torn's Peaker side in this pedal is actually the Deluxe version, with a few more add-ons than the standard circuit.
Can I send each fuzz to a different amp?
Yes. The pedal has two outputs, OUT 1 and OUT 2, which allow 2 separate signals to go to different amps or pedals. With both outputs used, each fuzz circuit goes to its own output jack.
Sources (2)
- Devi Ever FX Releases the Big Distortion Sound Machine, Premier Guitar, 2014-10-24
- Devi Ever FX Big Distortion Sound Machine, Pedal of the Day (www.pedal-of-the-day.com), 2015-01-24
