Oddbird Audio

Welcome

I build guitar amplifiers and effects pedals. Recently, I've recruited a graphic designer. We're currently launching an updated version of the Butter Booster, a modern take on the classic treble booster.

There's more in the works! Follow along on Instagram @oddbirdaudio, or head over to Reverb for current listings.

Intoducing the Butter Booster

Your Overdrive Bread and Butter

Add unmistakable clarity and sustain to your tone with an updated classic, combining modern features with vintage treble booster vibes.

There's a lot of boost pedals out there. I just wanted to build my own. In the process, I found some additional tone presets that I really liked. I also discovered that the tone of germanium was fairly easy to capture with the right silicon transistor and some careful tone shaping. This actually changes the bandwidth of the pedal, which also affects the shape of the transient. Not many amps, effects, or EQ pedals let you do this, although it's fairly simple in practice. The result was a surprisingly versatile effect, and has become a fundamental part of my tone.

After numerous revisions, recruiting a graphic designer, and a lot of work figuring out how to make things manufacturable, we're getting ready to share this new, updated version with the world. We're asking for your help because we need to purchase parts in bulk to achieve the economies of scale to make this truly practical. They're still going to be handmade, by us, in limited runs. They just will be easier to build, have more options (like a battery), and certainly look much nicer than anything before.

About this pedal

Tech Specs

Mechanically switched true bypass
All tone switching is designed to be pop-free
Standard center-negative DC 9V power supply
Simple voltage regulation to ensure consistent bias and tone regardless of supply voltage
Internal 9V battery snap
Unplugging input jack or plugging in external power disconnects internal battery

Comprehensive Demo

For those that wish to hear every permutation of the tone switch combinations, I've put together a comprehensive demonstration. This is the exact same circuit, just in a different (less pretty) enclosure. Finally, if there are any questions about my setup itself, see my rig rundown below.

Why build another boost pedal?

I started by building modded Bassman / JTM45 clones, but the distortion tone wasn't great.

I took the combo amp design to a friend who plays more high-gain, and he was not impressed. I was devastated! This began a deep dive into distortion tones in order to really understand how overdrive and boost pedals work, and why a treble booster in particular is an essential part of overdrive tone. This research eventually led to the development of the Butter Booster.

Testamonials

I've been building various versions of these for a while. You can read more about them here. They're all the same circuit, just in a different enclosure. Here's some feedback that my early supporters were kind enough to leave on Reverb.

We're in the planning phases of a Kickstarter for these, so check back soon or indicate your interest on our Contact Form below and we will keep you in the loop!

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