The Fjord Fuzz FREIA is a Preamp/Fuzz pedal from the Norwegian builder, announced in 2022 alongside the company's Uni-Vibe release. Its single bias-style resistance control spans fully clean, real preamp tones at one end to an overblown, slightly gated fuzz at the other, and everything in between, all very loud1.
From clean preamp to gated fuzz
The FREIA's one control is a bias-style resistance control that makes scratchy sounds as you turn it, moving across the pedal's whole range of textures. At the low end it behaves as a clean preamp; pushed further it becomes a fuzz with a slightly gated character. Because the control works like a bias knob, the scratchiness while turning it is expected behavior rather than a fault1.
How it relates to the FREI Uni-Vibe
The FREIA is a variant of the FREI Uni-Vibe. The builder's note is that it was "Created by simply tuning a resistor in the FREI Uni-Vibe", and that "It only takes a single resistance adjustment to turn the Uni-Vibe preamp into an absolutely glorious fuzz pedal"1.
"It only takes a single resistance adjustment to turn the Uni-Vibe preamp into an absolutely glorious fuzz pedal"
Fjord Fuzz has since built on the FREI circuit elsewhere in its range: the SOL Fuzz-Vibe pairs a Silicon Fuzz Face-style fuzz with a Frei-based Uni-Vibe, and the Midnattssol combines multiple fuzz modes with Uni-Vibe and Resly-Tone vibe sections2.
Power and switching
Power the FREIA with 9VDC, center tip negative, the same polarity as Boss pedals1.
Fjord Fuzz gives current draw figures for the FREIA, and the draw changes between idle and engaged. When sizing a supply or planning a daisy chain, work from the higher of the maker's stated figures rather than the idle draw.
For switching, the builder states "I'm using logic based relay switching", meaning a relay under logic control handles the pedal's on and off switching rather than the footswitch carrying the signal directly1.
Videos
Fjord Fuzz AS
R.J. Ronquillo
GUITARS & GIZMOS
Questions
What power supply does the Fjord Fuzz FREIA need?
The FREIA runs on a 9VDC supply with centre tip negative polarity, the same arrangement Boss pedals use. It draws roughly 10mA at idle, so a standard 9V pedal supply output will run it, though the engaged draw is higher, at about 70mA.
Is the FREIA a fuzz or a preamp?
It is both. Fjord Fuzz lists it as a Preamp/Fuzz, and its single bias-style resistance control spans fully clean preamp tones at one end to an overblown, slightly gated fuzz at the other. Turning the control makes scratchy sounds as it moves between those textures.
What is logic-based relay switching?
The FREIA uses logic-based relay switching for its bypass, a design the builder describes in the pedal's notes. A relay physically switches the signal path under electronic logic control rather than a simple mechanical footswitch arrangement.
How much current does the FREIA draw?
Fjord Fuzz lists about 10mA at idle and about 70mA engaged. When sizing a power supply or daisy chain, plan around the higher figure so the pedal has headroom when switched on.
How is the FREIA related to the FREI Uni-Vibe?
The FREIA is a variant of the FREI Uni-Vibe, created by tuning a single resistor in that circuit. The builder says it only takes one resistance adjustment to turn the Uni-Vibe preamp into a fuzz pedal, which is essentially what the FREIA is.
Sources (2)
- Fjord Fuzz FREIA Preamp/Fuzz, Delicious Audio, 2022-06-28
- Guitar Pedal X, Guitar Pedal X
