The Double-Amp Distorter is a distortion pedal from MidValleyFX, announced in December 2018 as part of the company's line of fuzz effects pedals. MidValleyFx describes it as an all-original design built to push the limits with the highest gain out of two op-amps, covering everything from hard-hitting distortion and fuzz to thick overdrive tones1. It sits in the wider field of distortion pedals as a medium- to high-gain stompbox, in Premier Guitar reviewer's words2.
The controls
The pedal carries three knobs and one switch. The Volume, Gain and Tone knobs do what their names suggest, and the diode selector switch chooses between two different silicon diodes1.
| Control | What it does |
|---|---|
| Volume | Controls volume1 |
| Gain | Controls gain1 |
| Tone | Controls tone1 |
| Clip switch (2-way) | Up position: swift attack and extra clarity. Down position: a spongier, more compressed feel2 |
The clip switch works on the pedal's clipping stage: there is a 2-way switch to alter how the silicon 1n4001 clipping diodes do their work, as Premier Guitar's reviewer put it2.
Circuit and character
The pedal gets its gain from twin LM741 op-amps2, the same op-amp chip family that powered many classic drive boxes. Premier Guitar's reviewer placed it in that lineage:
"while it's often reminiscent of '70s and '80s drive pedals like the MXR Distortion+ and Pro Co RAT, it's still very much" its own thing.
So if you are comparing it to a RAT-style pedal, the answer is that it shares the op-amp-and-silicon-clipping approach rather than copying the circuit. MidValleyFx describes the design as all original1.
How it sounds
MidValleyFx's own description of the gain range: "Max gain lets the fuzz rip, while lower gain regions produce classic hard rock tones. Working very well with your guitar" volume control1. Premier Guitar's reviewer came to a similar conclusion, finding the pedal "Can move from aggressive to surprisingly great low-gain tones"2. In practice that means the Gain knob sweeps from thick overdrive through hard rock distortion into fuzz territory, and rolling back the guitar's volume cleans it up.
Power and availability
The pedal is powered via a traditional 9V center-negative barrel jack2, the standard supply type for pedals, so a normal pedalboard power output will run it.
There is no provision for an internal battery2. Plan on a 9V center-negative supply.
At launch, MidValleyFx said the pedal could be purchased directly from the Mid Valley Fx online store1, and Guitar World reported in December 2018 that it was available at MidValleyFx.com3.
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Everyday Guitarist
Questions
Is the MidValleyFX Double-Amp Distorter true bypass?
Yes. The pedal has a true bypass on/off switch, according to the press release announcing it, so when it is off your guitar's signal passes through without the circuit loading it. That matters on a pedalboard where the pedal stays off much of the time.
Can the Double-Amp Distorter run on a battery?
No. Premier Guitar's review notes there is no provision for an internal battery. The pedal is powered through a traditional 9V center-negative barrel jack, so you will need a power supply or isolated output from a pedalboard power brick.
Is the Double-Amp Distorter a Pro Co RAT clone?
No. Premier Guitar's reviewer found it reminiscent of 1970s and 1980s drive pedals like the MXR Distortion+ and the Pro Co RAT, but described it as still very much its own thing. MidValleyFx describes it as an all-original design built to get high gain from two op-amps.
What does the diode selector switch do?
The pedal clips with a pair of silicon 1n4001 diodes, and a 2-way switch changes how they work. In the up position Premier Guitar's reviewer found swift attack and extra clarity; in the down position a spongier, more compressed feel.
What power supply does the Double-Amp Distorter use?
A standard 9V center-negative barrel jack supply, the same type most pedals use, so a regular pedalboard power output will run it. There is no battery option inside the pedal.
Does the Double-Amp Distorter work at low gain settings?
Premier Guitar's reviewer found it can move from aggressive to surprisingly great low-gain tones. MidValleyFx says lower gain regions produce classic hard rock tones while max gain lets the fuzz rip, and that it works well with your guitar's volume knob.
Sources (3)
- MidValleyFX Releases the Double-Amp Distorter, Premier Guitar, 2018-12-04
- MidValleyFx Double-Amp Distorter Review, Premier Guitar, 2019-09-18
- MidValleyFx Unveils the Double-Amp Distorter, Guitar World, 2018-12-05
