The Electronic Audio Experiments Longsword is yet another contender in the endless void of op-amp based drive pedals, but it is one that takes the topology in a novel direction. Cascaded gain stages allow for the full range from clean boost to massive distortion, all without sacrificing tonal flexibility. The equalizer combines bass and treble shelving filters with an active, frequency-selectable midrange boost/cut control. This lets the user sculpt a diverse array of tones and carve out a niche in even the most dense of mixes. The Longsword has a broad frequency response which makes it work equally well with guitar, baritone, and bass. Controls: Level: output volume Drive: go from light grit to heavy overdrive Low/High: James/Baxandall tone stack (shelving filters) Mid: active midrange boost/cut Shift: selects frequency controlled by Mid pot Diode: selects between clipping diodes, to alter dynamics and headroom Up: MOSFET clipping, medium compression Center: no diodes, minimal compression Down: Silicon diode clipping, maximum compression Boost (Footswitch): engages a front end mid boost Boost (Knob): adds up to 20dB of gain when the Boost is engaged
