Michael Klein Audio Design Hot Brown Rain

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Hot Brown Rain is an original design and employs two independent circuits: Fruzz and Broost. Fruzz is a fuzz pedal but is capable of more traditional overdriven and distortion tones too. Broost is a modern adaptation of a classic treble booster, and we’ve incorporated some fun bronus features.

Fruzz

Vongus – adjusts the output level of the fruzz circuit. It’s simple, clockwise increases the volume, ya doofus.

Brungle – adjusts the bias of the common-emitter amplifier, which is the second stage of the fuzz circuit. Think of this control as adjusting the texture of the clipping, from smooth and compressed, to somewhat tube-like, to raspy and gated. It is highly interactive with the Gangus control, and you’ll even find that some settings don’t even create sound! That’s totally normal, ya dingus! We decided to maintain the range of this control to ensure total flexibility with varying positions of the Gangus control. As a rule of thumb, settings of Brungle and Gangus somewhat go opposite one another, but you knew that since you’re a doctor too.

Gangus – adjusts the actual gain of the first stage of the Fruzz circuit. We employed vintage, new old stock, high-gain silicon transistors here, but this control varies their characteristic gain (hfe) into something more similar to an old germanium transistor. Clockwise increases the gain and therefore distortion. Unlike the “fuzz” or “sustain” control on most fuzz pedals, this is designed to sound great at any level while providing powerful control over clipping. Again, it is very interactive with the Gangus control. Set it wherever you want. Who cares!

Pringle – adjusts the high frequency content of the Fruzz, much like the presence control on an amplifier. Turning Pringle clockwise increases the high treble frequencies. To really make you dry, turning it counter-clockwise produces a bass increase. Extreme clockwise settings may induce oscillation, but don’t let Mobin know.

Mumbercycle – adjusts the midrange content of the Fruzz. It is an extremely powerful control and can generate lots of different character. It was originally incorporated to help get some of the brighter, scooped tones on “Master of Reality”, but do whatever you want with it. Clockwise flattens the midrange response, and counter-clockwise scoops the midrange out of the signal. Just remember, no girls allowed!

Broats – adjusts the low frequency content of the Fuzz. The low frequencies are added at the tail end of the circuit, to help ensure that the feel of the fruzz is consistent throughout this control’s taper. This control is subtler than one might expect, and may not even be very noticeable depending on amp and guitar. Clockwise increases the bass, you have five of broats.

Broost

Broost – adjusts the output volume of the Broost circuit. Clockwise increases output, Denny!

Gangus – adjusts the actual gain of the common-emitter amplifier of the broost circuit. We employed vintage, new old stock, high-gain silicon transistors in this circuit, but this control actually varies their characteristic gain (hfe) into something more similar to an old germanium transistor. Clockwise increases the voltage gain of the silicon transistor in this circuit. You’ll notice subtle differences in the attack and compression of this circuit. You’ll also notice higher settings allow for more extreme output levels. This control is more about feel and interaction with your amplifier, than dramatic differences in tone. We felt it to be an important addition to make sure dialing your tone would bree a beeze.

Rangus – adjusts the low frequency response of the broost circuit. We employed an unusual take on controlling the voice of a traditional treble booster. Far counter-clockwise is a traditional tone for a treble booster, and with adjustments in Broost and Gangus, you can get extremely close to the tone and feel of a good germanium treble booster. Turning Rangus clockwise increases low and low-mid frequencies. There is also interaction with the gain of the circuit, and if you carefully listen and adjust your picking, you’ll notice settings that aren’t at the extremes feel a little softer and more compressed like an old germanium transistor. Subtle, but there and certainly on purpose. Try not to get a hot slop in your belly.

Switches

Fruzz – press on the footswitch to engage the Fruzz circuit. LED indicator (violet) will illuminate when engaged.

Broost – press on the footswitch to engage the Broost circuit. LED indicator (red) will illuminate when engaged.