Royalbreaker Distortion

OVERVIEW

• Gain ranging from defined distortions to fuzzy textures;

• "Rising" control adjusts compression level, from saturated tones to open, dynamic sounds;

• Active EQ with Bass/Treble to shape your sound, from mid-hump to mid-scoop;

• Voice Switch: offers dense, aggressive distortion for powerful leads and riffs, or a dry, focused response for punchy, defined rhythms;

• Perfect for guitarists seeking iconic tones with modern flexibility.

CONCEPT

The Royalbreaker is a distortion pedal built to dethrone any would-be monarch from your pedalboard. Combining an intense distortion range that spans from thick, aggressive tones to a powerful, punchy response, it offers the flexibility and impact guitarists need to stand out in any setting.

Inspired by themes of revolution, the Royalbreaker isn’t just a pedal—it’s the spark of a new era of distortion on your pedalboard, pushing your creativity to break barriers and defy norms!

HOW DOES A DISTORTION PEDAL WORK?

The fundamental processes of a distortion pedal involve three main stages: gain, clipping, and frequency filtering. First, the instrument signal is amplified to increase its amplitude. In the gain stage, amplification is adjusted, and specific frequencies can be filtered to shape the sound and prepare it for clipping, creating a more targeted distortion.

Clipping occurs when the amplified signal exceeds the circuit’s capacity, "cutting off" the signal peaks, which generates additional harmonics and distorts the sound. In most distortion pedals, clipping is achieved through a pair of silicon or LED diodes.

Figure 1 - Amplification and Clipping.

TONESTACK

The Royalbreaker features an Active Baxandall two-band tonestack, providing precise control over bass and treble frequencies. The Bass and Treble controls can be adjusted individually or together, offering flexible tonal shaping from Mid-Hump to Mid-Scoop. Here’s how the tonestack behaves in different settings:

Figure 2 - Baxandall Tonestack Functionality of the Royalbreaker Distortion.

• Bass & Treble clockwise: Creates a "Mid-Scoop" with a central frequency around 700Hz, perfect for brighter, cutting tones;

• Bass & Treble at noon: In this "flat" setting, only passive filters from other stages shape the sound, creating a balanced tone (effects of passive filters are not displayed in the graph);

• Bass & Treble counter-clockwise: Creates a "Mid-Hump," boosting mid frequencies around 700Hz, adding fullness and body to your sound;

When used individually, the Bass and Treble controls allow you to fine-tune either low or high frequencies, respectively, for more precise tonal adjustments.

CONTROLS

• Level: Controls the pedal’s output volume. Use this to balance any gain or volume changes from the “Rising,” “Bass,” or “Treble” knobs.

• Gain: Adjusts the pedal’s gain level. Turning clockwise increases gain, making the tone more "fuzzy" when the Voice Switch is in the upward position.

• Rising: Controls the clipping level, allowing a transition between silicon diodes for more compression and higher distortion (counterclockwise) and LEDs for more punch and less compression (clockwise). Intermediate positions blend the two clipping types.

• Bass & Treble: Adjusts low and high frequencies, respectively. For more details, see the "Tonestack" section above.

• Voice Switch: Selects the tonal contour for low frequencies. In the up position, you’ll get a fuller sound with rich lows and an open distortion that can achieve “fuzzy” tones at higher gain settings. In the down position, lows are tighter, giving more punch.

FOOTSWITCH

• Bypass: On/Off (True Bypass).

SPECIFICATIONS

• Input Impedance: 500kΩ
• Output Impedance: <1kΩ
• Current Draw: 15mA
• Power Supply: 9-18V DC (center-negative)
• Dimensions: 4.7" (L) x 3.1" (W) x 2.8" (H)
• Weight: 1.1 lbs

MEDIA