The controls
The Howlerr keeps things simple with three knobs:
| Control | What it does |
|---|---|
| Gain | Affects how much distortion is present in the signal1 |
| Hi-Cut | A passive tone control affecting the amount of treble1 |
| Volume | Controls final output volume1 |
Pedal of the Day's Mike B described the same layout: "Gain, Hi-Cut and Volume knobs make up the simple control section for the Howlerr"2.
Circuit and clipping
The circuit is built around a solitary transistor amplifier feeding the clipping section, according to Delicious Audio1. The clipping itself is asymmetrical, using a trio of germanium diodes and a single silicon diode. Stoner described the resulting clipping character as "more like the kind found in tube amplifiers; 'natural' and 'smooth'"1.
The two published reviews describe the diode complement differently. Delicious Audio reports three germanium diodes plus one silicon diode1, while Pedal of the Day's review of the Howlerr Classic says it uses "3 Russian Germanium diodes"2. Both agree the pedal is a low-to-mid gain design.
"Utilizing 3 Russian Germanium diodes, the Howlerr is a great low-to-mid gain option for your pedalboard, and will stack fantastically with other drives as well"
That stacking note matters for players who already run a fuzz or another drive: the Howlerr is presented as a pedal that works well in front of or behind other overdrives2.
Power and switching
The Howlerr runs on standard 9V, negative tip power1, the same format as most pedalboard supplies. The pedal also includes power filtering for noise reduction and pop filtering to eliminate noise when turning the effect on and off1, so switching it in and out of the chain should not produce a pop through the amp. It is housed in what Delicious Audio called "a rock-solid enclosure"1.
Related pedals from SFG Music Supply
The Howlerr was the first release from SFG Music Supply, described as "their debut stompbox"1.
Videos
Pedal of the Day
Questions
What voltage does the SFG Music Supply Howlerr use?
The Howlerr runs on standard 9V, negative tip power, according to Delicious Audio's review. That is the same center-negative supply used by most pedalboard power supplies, so it fits a standard setup without special adapters.
Is the Howlerr the first pedal SFG Music Supply made?
Yes. Delicious Audio's 2015 review calls the Howlerr the maker's debut stompbox. SFG Music Supply went on to release other pedals, including the Privateer Overdrive and the Back Burner Vintage Delay, both later reviewed by Pedal of the Day.
What kind of diodes does the Howlerr use for clipping?
Delicious Audio describes a clipping section of three germanium diodes and a single silicon diode, arranged for asymmetrical clipping. Pedal of the Day's review of the Howlerr Classic describes it as using 3 Russian Germanium diodes. The two reviews describe the clipping differently.
Does the Howlerr pop when you switch it on and off?
The pedal includes pop filtering designed to eliminate noise when turning the effect on and off, along with power filtering for noise reduction, according to Delicious Audio's review.
Sources (2)
- New Pedals: SFG Music Supply's Howlerr, Delicious Audio, 2015-10-29
- SFG Music Supply Howlerr Classic Overdrive, Pedal of the Day, 2015-08-08
