The drolo Lilac Cloud is a fuzzy overdrive pedal made in Belgium. Drolo describes it as a self-oscillating fuzz with octave overtones, and says it started off as a Harmonic Percolator but was tweaked, expanded and de-mojoed. The maker says its range runs from an almost clean boost to a thick compressed fuzz, and that the design also adds an EQ section, optional clipping, self-oscillation and Flab1.
Sound and circuit
Drolo's product page explains the design's range in the maker's own words:
"I just liked the grain and wide range of distortion that this configuration provided, allowing to go from an almost clean boost to a thick compressed fuzz."
The starting point is the Harmonic Percolator, a fuzz circuit with a following of its own, but the Lilac Cloud departs from it. Drolo says it was tweaked, expanded and de-mojoed, and the additions are what set it apart: an EQ section, optional clipping, self-oscillation and Flab1. Players looking for where this sits among fuzz, overdrive and distortion designs can compare it with the site's pages on Fuzz Pedals, Overdrive Pedals and Distortion Pedals.
Controls
| Control | What it does |
|---|---|
| Vol | Adjusts the overall volume of the pedal1 |
| Gain | Adjusts the amount of distortion1 |
| Treb | Simple low pass filter to adjust the amount of treble1 |
| Bass | Simple high pass filter to adjust the amount of bass1 |
| Clip | When flicked up it engages a pair of silicon diodes that clip and compress the signal1 |
| Flab | Adds mass to the sound. Can also cause low pitched self oscillation when the bass control is maxed. When Fdbk is turned down, Flab can also be used as a boost, especially when Gain is set low1 |
The EQ is built from two simple filters: Treb is a low pass filter for treble, Bass a high pass filter for bass, so the two overlap in the middle rather than acting as a conventional bass and treble pair1.
The Clip switch is optional clipping, not a mode you have to use. Flicked up it brings in a pair of silicon diodes that clip and compress the signal1, which firms up the fuzz; left down, the circuit runs without that stage.
Availability
The pedal is listed at €180.00 EUR on the maker's site, with VAT added at checkout for EU countries1.
Videos
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Ed Pettersen
Questions
What circuit is the drolo Lilac Cloud based on?
Drolo says the Lilac Cloud started off as a Harmonic Percolator but was tweaked, expanded and de-mojoed. The result is a fuzzy overdrive with a wide range of distortion, plus additions the original did not have: an EQ section, optional clipping, self-oscillation and the Flab control.
What does the Flab knob do?
Flab adds mass to the sound. With the bass control maxed it can cause low pitched self oscillation, and when the Fdbk control is turned down it can be used as a boost, especially with the Gain set low.
Where is the drolo Lilac Cloud made?
The Lilac Cloud is made in Belgium by drolo.
What does the Clip switch do on the Lilac Cloud?
When flicked up, the Clip switch engages a pair of silicon diodes that clip and compress the signal, adding a firmer, more compressed character to the fuzz.
Can the Lilac Cloud self-oscillate?
Yes. Drolo describes it as a self-oscillating fuzz with octave overtones. The Flab control can also cause low pitched self oscillation when the bass control is maxed.
Sources (2)
- LILAC CLOUD, drolofx.com
- Lilac Cloud, drolofx.com