The King in Yellow is a parallel blending overdrive pedal from Lichtlaerm Audio. At its core it is a TS-style overdrive: the maker describes its saturation and frequency response as "clearly based on TS-style overdrives", built on "the classic green box that we all know and love". Around that circuit it adds a parallel loop that can act as a blender, a clean blend, or a splitter for stereo setups, plus a switchable clipping section and a 4-band EQ1.
The circuit and what it adds
A Tube Screamer-style overdrive is one of the most familiar drive circuits in the overdrive pedal world, known for a mid-focused frequency response that pushes an amp's front end. Lichtlaerm keeps that saturation and frequency response as the starting point and then departs from the formula in three ways1.
- Parallel blending loop. The side loop runs in parallel with the drive circuit, so it can be used as a blender, a clean blend, or as a splitter for stereo setups, with a polarity switch for that use2.
- Three-way clipping. Alongside the classic symmetrical clipping, Lichtlaerm added an asymmetrical setting and LED clipping "for more dynamic response", selected by a switch1.
- 4-band EQ. Four bands with up to 16dB of cut or boost each, non-interactive and constant-Q, so adjusting one band does not shift the others1.
The pedal's switching uses Lichtlaerm Audio Smart Relay technology1.
Where it came from
The King in Yellow began as a collaboration with the "Heave Metal Amps & Pedals" group on Facebook, which discussed with Lichtlaerm which pedal people would like to see the company take on. Asia Sansalone provided the artwork1. It arrived shortly after Lichtlaerm's initial line of pedals1, which includes the Lichtlaerm Audio Aquaria extended-range Klone.
Buying one
Lichtlaerm Audio states that all pedals are made to order and may take 14 to 20 days for production, so ordering means a build lead time rather than an off-the-shelf purchase1.
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Questions
Is The King in Yellow a Tube Screamer clone?
Not exactly. Lichtlaerm Audio describes its saturation and frequency response as clearly based on TS-style overdrives, the classic green box, but it builds on that foundation with a parallel blending loop, a three-way clipping switch and a 4-band EQ with up to 16dB of cut or boost per band. It is best thought of as a TS-derived circuit taken further rather than a straight copy.
What clipping options does The King in Yellow have?
Three, selected by a switch: the classic symmetrical clipping of a TS-style overdrive, an asymmetrical setting, and LED clipping, which Lichtlaerm says is there for more dynamic response. Changing the clipping type changes the character of the drive section without altering the rest of the circuit.
How long does it take to get a Lichtlaerm Audio King in Yellow?
Lichtlaerm Audio builds all of its pedals to order, and the maker states that production may take 14 to 20 days before a pedal ships. That lead time applies at the point of order rather than being a stock delay.
What is Smart Relay technology on the King in Yellow?
The King in Yellow uses Lichtlaerm Audio Smart Relay technology for its switching. The maker lists it as a feature of the pedal but does not describe on the product page how it behaves in use beyond the name.
Who did the artwork on The King in Yellow?
Asia Sansalone provided the artwork for the pedal, according to Lichtlaerm Audio's product page. The pedal itself began as a collaboration with the Heavy Metal Amps & Pedals group on Facebook.
Sources (2)
- The King in Yellow, Lichtlaerm Audio
- Lichtlaerm Audio, Lichtlaerm Audio
