The Sonicake A Factory is a preamp pedal for acoustic instruments from Sonicake. It combines an analog preamp section with digital reverb, and it is built to take a piezo or under-saddle pickup straight into a PA or recording input: the pedal has a high impedance input and an XLR balanced output1. Sonicake names acoustic guitar, violin and mandolin among the instruments it is meant for2. The model number is QDS-043.
What it does for an acoustic player
Sonicake describes the A Factory as "a powerful acoustic instruments preamp with high impedance input and XLR balanced output"1. The high impedance input matters for players with piezo or under-saddle pickups, which sound thin and harsh when they meet a low impedance input; a 10M Ohm input gives those pickups the load they expect3. From there the analog preamp shapes the signal and the digital reverb adds space, and the balanced XLR output carries it to a mixer without needing a separate DI box.
The XLR output is specified at 100 Ohms, a low enough impedance to drive a long balanced cable to a mixing desk or audio interface3. That makes the pedal a practical front end for a gigging acoustic player: the instrument plugs in at the pedal, and the house or recording engineer receives a balanced line.
The pedal can also stand in for a DI box on its own. Sonicake states that it "still works as a di even when those modules are off," so a player can leave it on a board as a permanent output stage and switch the preamp and reverb in only when wanted3.
Bypass and signal path
The A Factory does not use true bypass. Sonicake specifies a "Special Design Buffer Bypass Circuit Keeps the Sound Pristine"1. A buffer bypass leaves an active circuit in the signal path when the pedal is off, which keeps the signal strong over long cable runs; players who prefer the signal to pass completely untouched when the pedal is off will want to know the difference before adding it to a board. Because the pedal is built around an always-available DI function, the buffered path is consistent with how Sonicake intends it to be used: as a stage the signal passes through whether or not the preamp and reverb are engaged3.
Power, size and weight
No power supply is included. Sonicake specifies a regular 9V center negative pedal power supply, and the pedal draws 60mA, so a supply rated for that current is needed3.
- Power: DC 9V, 5.5x2.1mm center negative connector, 60mA current draw3
- Dimensions: 124mm (D) x 90mm (W) x 54.8mm (H)3
- Weight: 392g3
At 124mm deep, 90mm wide and 54.8mm high, and weighing 392g, the A Factory is sized like a compact stompbox rather than a rack unit, and it runs from the same 9V center negative supply format as most pedalboard power supplies3. The 60mA draw is well within what a typical isolated output supplies, though a daisy-chain supply shared with other pedals should be rated to cover the combined draw3.
Who uses it
Sonicake's product page carries a comment from player Randy Bowling, who describes using the A Factory with a Martin fitted with an E1 under-saddle pickup, through a Fishman Loudbox Micro acoustic amp1. That setup is a typical use for this kind of pedal: an under-saddle piezo pickup fed into the high impedance input, with the pedal's output feeding an acoustic amp rather than a PA31.
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Questions
Does the Sonicake A Factory come with a power supply?
No. Sonicake states the A Factory works with a regular 9V center negative pedal power supply, and that supply is not included with the pedal. It draws 60mA at 9V through a 5.5x2.1mm center negative connector, so a standard pedal power supply that can supply that current is needed.
Is the Sonicake A Factory true bypass?
No. Sonicake describes the A Factory as using a specially designed buffer bypass circuit rather than true bypass, which the maker says keeps the sound pristine. A buffered bypass can be useful on longer cable runs, though it differs from pedals that pass the signal untouched when off.
Can the Sonicake A Factory be used as a DI box?
Yes. According to Sonicake, the A Factory still works as a DI even when the preamp and reverb modules are switched off, so it can send a balanced XLR signal to a mixer or interface on its own.
What instruments is the Sonicake A Factory made for?
Sonicake positions the A Factory as a preamp for acoustic instruments, naming acoustic guitar, violin and mandolin among others. It has a high impedance input suited to piezo pickups and an XLR balanced output for plugging straight into a PA or recording input.
What is the Sonicake A Factory model number?
The model number of the Sonicake A Factory is QDS-04, as listed on the maker's product page.
Sources (4)
- SONICAKE A Factory: Acoustic Instruments Preamp with Digital Reverb, Sonicake
- SONICAKE A Factory: Acoustic Instruments Preamp with Digital Reverb, Sonicake
- SONICAKE A Factory: Acoustic Instruments Preamp with Digital Reverb, Sonicake
- Sonicake BBD Wonder Delay & Modulation Guitar Bass Effects Pedal, Sonicake
