The IdiotBox Black Fortress Bass Distortion is a bass distortion pedal from IdiotBox Effects. The maker says it "started out as an HM-2 inspired bass distortion" and "has evolved into it's own unique BEAST set for maximum beef and grind!"1. In practice that means the classic HM-2 style tone stack plus two extras bass players usually want: a clean blend and a parallel analog octave. It sits alongside IdiotBox's other bass-oriented dirt pedals, the Blower Box Bass Distortion and Blower Box Deluxe.
The controls
The pedal carries seven knobs, described by IdiotBox as follows1:
| Control | What it does |
|---|---|
| MASTER | Main "HM-2" section output volume control |
| DRIVE | Controls -MASTER distortion and -OCT fuzz intensities |
| LOW | Classic HM-2 tone control |
| MID | Classic HM-2 tone control |
| HIGH | Classic HM-2 tone control |
| OCT | Parallel mixed analog octave volume control |
| -DIR / -PASS | Clean blend with separate low pass filter |
The clean blend is the feature most bass players will look at first. IdiotBox describes -DIR and -PASS as "the same killer clean blend with separate low pass filter to help round out the huge sound"1. The low pass filter on the clean side lets you shape how much top end stays in the untouched signal, which is a common tool for keeping a bass part defined under heavy distortion. The OCT knob sets the volume of the analog octave mixed in parallel, and DRIVE pushes both the main distortion and the octave fuzz intensity together1.
Power and practical details
The Black Fortress runs on a common 9 to 18vdc center negative supply through a 2.1mm BOSS style power input only1. That is the standard plug size used by most pedalboard power supplies, so it fits ordinary setups. IdiotBox lists the current draw as "?mA" on the product page, so no current draw figure is published1.
A power supply is not included with the Black Fortress1. The pedal accepts 9 to 18vdc center negative through a 2.1mm BOSS style input only1.
The enclosure measures 7.38" x 4.70" x 1.30"1, larger than a standard compact pedal, and carries what IdiotBox calls "amazing Krull inspired artwork by Diablo Macabre"1.
Videos
The Distortion Principle
The Distortion Principle
Questions
Is the IdiotBox Black Fortress true bypass?
Yes. IdiotBox Effects lists the Black Fortress with true bypass switching, so the pedal passes your signal untouched when it is switched off. Note that it has no battery option mentioned on the product page and uses a 2.1mm BOSS style center negative power input, and a power supply is not included with the pedal.
What power supply does the IdiotBox Black Fortress need?
The Black Fortress takes a common 9 to 18vdc center negative supply through a 2.1mm BOSS style power input only. That is the standard connector used by most pedal power supplies and daisy chains. IdiotBox does not publish a current draw figure for the pedal, so check your supply's headroom against other pedals on your board.
Does the Black Fortress come with a power supply?
No. IdiotBox Effects states on the product page that a power supply is not included, so you will need your own 9 to 18vdc center negative supply with a 2.1mm BOSS style plug.
Can I blend clean bass with the distortion?
Yes. The Black Fortress has a clean blend built in: the -DIR and -PASS controls form what IdiotBox calls the same killer clean blend, with a separate low pass filter to help round out the huge sound. That lets you keep low end clarity under the distorted signal.
What does the OCT knob do on the Black Fortress?
The OCT knob is the parallel mixed analog octave volume control. It sets how much of the pedal's analog octave signal is blended in alongside the distortion, and the DRIVE knob controls the OCT fuzz intensity along with the main distortion intensity.
Sources (1)
- Black Fortress Bass Distortion, IdiotBox Effects
