The LoFi Mind Effects Chrystal Machine is an octave-up fuzz pedal, an original design by a young Spanish builder announced in May 2023. At its core are three rare NOS (new old stock) silicon transistors and two germanium diodes, and the pedal is housed in a large vintage-style, slanted case1.
Delicious Audio's Paolo De Gregorio, who reported the launch, described the circuit as "a totally original fuzz design with three rare NOS silicon transistors and two germanium diodes"1. He also noted the pedal's range: "this pedal can deliver a wide range of tones, from classic Germanium sounds to aggressive and raw punk rock tones reminiscent of artists like the Stooges, MC5, or Hendrix"1.
Controls
The Chrystal Machine has five knobs, and each does a distinct job:
| Control | What it does |
|---|---|
| Level | Adjusts the final volume of the effect1 |
| Frequency | Acts as a tone control that interacts with oscillation and depth, enabling different sounds when the pedal is oscillating1 |
| Warm | Introduces significant amounts of distortion by controlling the second gain stage1 |
| Voltage | Regulates the overall voltage of the circuit, influencing the stability and volume of the fuzz1 |
| Depth | Controls the input signal impedance, adding more distortion and octave to the effect1 |
| Oscillation | Adds self-oscillation or feedback, essentially turning the pedal into a tiny synth1 |
The Oscillation knob is the feature that sets this fuzz apart from most fuzz pedals. Pushed up, it makes the circuit feed back on itself, and the Frequency knob then shapes that oscillation, so the two controls work as a pair. Players who like sounds closer to synth pedals or experimental filter pedals will find familiar ground here, while the Warm and Depth knobs cover the more conventional gain and octave territory1.
How it responds and how it is powered
Delicious Audio describes the Chrystal Machine as a versatile tone-shaping tool that "interacts with the original signal and responds to changes made with the guitar's volume potentiometer"1. In practice that means cleaning up or digging in from the guitar itself, the way players expect from a touch-sensitive fuzz.
Power comes from either a 9V battery or a standard power supply. The jack uses 2.1mm boss-type barrels with negative center, the common center-negative standard, so it will work with typical pedalboard power bricks1.
Questions
What does the Oscillation knob do on the Chrystal Machine?
The Oscillation knob adds self-oscillation or feedback, which Delicious Audio describes as essentially turning the pedal into a tiny synth. It works together with the Frequency knob, a tone control that interacts with oscillation and depth, so different sounds can be created while the pedal is oscillating.
What transistors and diodes are inside the LoFi Mind Chrystal Machine?
The Chrystal Machine uses three rare NOS (new old stock) silicon transistors and two germanium diodes. Delicious Audio describes the circuit as a totally original fuzz design rather than a copy of an existing octave-up fuzz.
Does the Chrystal Machine respond to the guitar's volume knob?
Yes. Delicious Audio describes the pedal as a tone-shaping tool that interacts with the original signal and responds to changes made with the guitar's volume potentiometer, which makes it more versatile than a fuzz that only has one sound.
What polarity does the Chrystal Machine power jack use?
The Chrystal Machine uses 2.1mm boss-type barrel jacks with negative center, the same standard as most modern pedalboard power supplies. It can also run on a 9V battery.
What does the Voltage knob do on a fuzz pedal?
On the Chrystal Machine, the Voltage knob regulates the overall voltage of the circuit, which influences the stability and volume of the fuzz. Starving a fuzz circuit of voltage is a traditional way to change its character, and here it is controlled from the front panel.
Sources (1)
- New Pedal: LoFi Mind Effects Chrystal Machine, Delicious Audio, 2023-05-29