The DSM Noisemaker Sub Atomic X-Over CMOS Bass Drive is a bass drive and distortion pedal built around a crossover idea: instead of distorting the whole signal at once, it splits your bass into highs and lows and treats each one differently. The maker describes the result as "a dynamic and aggressive distortion on the mid-highs, and a clean, tight and warm low end"1. In a market full of bass pedals that blend a clean signal back in after the fact, the Sub Atomic keeps the two bands separate from the start.
How it works
The pedal's circuit uses CMOS inverters, the same digital-logic parts that give some overdrives their character when pushed into clipping. DSM Noisemaker credits them for "the tubey vibe from the CMOS inverters"1. Because the high and low bands are processed separately, the distortion happens on the mid-highs while the low frequencies pass through clean, which is how the pedal aims to hold a bass fundamental together under gain. The maker frames the design as "versatility with no compromises"1.
The controls
The Sub Atomic splits its controls between the two sides of the crossover1:
| Control | Side | What it does |
|---|---|---|
| High Drive | High side | Ranges from sparkly cleans to all out grind |
| Tone | High side | Sets the right amount of high end smoothness |
| Drive Voice | High side | Switch with High Boost, Mid Boost or flat response options |
| Blend | Overall | Balances the distorted highs and lows |
| Sub LPF | Sub (Lows) side | Switch with 100Hz, 1kHz or no cut options |
The Blend control is where the crossover design pays off: rather than mixing a fully clean signal with a fully distorted one, you balance distorted highs against the clean low band1.
Suggested settings
DSM Noisemaker offers two starting points on its product page1:
- Sub LPF at 100Hz with Drive Voice at Treble boost, which the maker calls "a scooped monster tone"
- The Sub side cutting at 1kHz, described as "a Motown vibe warmer than the sun"
Demo videos
The maker's product page carries two videos: a "DSM Noisemaker Sub Atomic X-Over Distortion Review / Demo" and a full-length demo titled "Sub Atomic demo Full length. Ft. Perpetual Among Us"1. Both are worth watching to hear how the Drive Voice and Sub LPF switches change the character before committing to settings of your own.
Videos
DSM NOISEMAKER
MrExcane
Rodney McG
Questions
What does the Sub LPF switch do on the Sub Atomic?
The Sub LPF switch shapes the clean Sub (Lows) side of the pedal. It offers three options: a low-pass cut at 100Hz, a cut at 1kHz, or no cut at all. With the Sub LPF at 100Hz and the Drive Voice at Treble boost, DSM Noisemaker describes the result as a scooped monster tone, while cutting at 1kHz on the Sub side gives what the maker calls a Motown vibe warmer than the sun.
How does a CMOS inverter create distortion?
CMOS inverters are digital-logic chips that, when pushed beyond their intended operating range, clip the signal in a way many players find pleasing. DSM Noisemaker credits these parts for what it calls the tubey vibe of the Sub Atomic, and uses a cascaded CMOS architecture in which the high and low portions of the bass signal are processed separately.
Can the Sub Atomic keep the low end clean?
Yes. The pedal processes the highs and lows separately, applying dynamic and aggressive distortion to the mid-highs while the Sub (Lows) side stays clean. The maker describes that low end as clean, tight and warm, and the Sub LPF switch lets you tailor how the clean low side is cut.
What does the Drive Voice switch change?
The Drive Voice switch sits on the High side of the pedal and offers three voicings: High Boost, Mid Boost or a flat response. Combined with the Sub LPF switch, it shapes the overall character of the distortion, from scooped and aggressive to warmer, more vintage-leaning settings.
Is there a demo video of the DSM Noisemaker Sub Atomic?
Yes. DSM Noisemaker's product page carries a video titled DSM Noisemaker Sub Atomic X-Over Distortion Review / Demo, along with a full-length demo called Sub Atomic demo Full length, featuring Perpetual Among Us.
Sources (1)
- Sub Atomic X-over CMOS Bass Drive, DSM Noisemaker