Alec Breslow and the Devi Ever Bit: Legend of Fuzz
Jan 11, 2024
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Join pedal builder and fuzz aficionado Alec Breslow as he discusses the magic of the Devi Ever Bit: Legend of Fuzz, his creative process, and the joy of not quite understanding how things work. The episode is filled with insights into pedal building, collaborations, and the unique journey of coping with grief through crafting pedals.
The simplicity of Deviever circuits influenced the guest's experimental sounds approach.
Deviever pedals' efficient design comprises few components, showcasing intensity and versatility.
Building pedals became a therapeutic outlet, sparking an interest in electronics and sound design.
Deep dives
Deviever Pedal Creation and Influence on Playing Style
Using the Deviever Bit Legend of Fuzz Legend pedal as his first boutique pedal purchase at the age of 15, the guest's playing style shifted towards more intense and experimental sounds akin to the Nine Inch Nails vibe. The simplicity and efficiency of the Deviever circuits influenced his approach to pedal design, as the Deviever pedals were primarily transistor-based circuits with minimal components, leading to a collection inspired by their straightforward yet versatile sound.
Deviever Pedal Circuit Innovation and Breadth of Lineup
The Deviever pedals are based on a circuit snippet from Tim S. C. Bettos and consist of cascading boost stages which push components to their limits, resulting in a distinctive, intense sound. With only 20 parts, including 6 transistors, and 9 unique components, the Deviever pedals showcase a brutally efficient yet creatively innovative approach to pedal design, spawning a vast lineup of over a hundred unique pedals with subtle variations from their core circuit.
Connection Between Personal Challenges and Pedal Building
During a period of depression, the guest found solace in building pedal kits, leading to a deeper dive into pedal design and circuit modifications. The act of building pedals served as a therapeutic outlet and creative distraction, guiding the guest towards a path of exploring electronics and sound design, potentially echoing a theme of finding light in darkness through technical and artistic pursuits.
Fascination with Building Pedals and PCB Design
The speaker discusses the satisfaction derived from physically building pedals, soldering components, which they find meditative. Additionally, they share how their interest shifted to learning PCB design, finding it akin to a rewarding video game, specifically working with Eagle, a circuit board design program, and the process of designing a circuit board with components and exporting files.
Balancing Product Development and Creative Process
There is a conversation about the joy and challenges of product development, focusing on the balance between the process and the final product. The speaker delves into moments of discovery and excitement in the development process, noting the shift from broad useful learning to nuanced roadblocks. They explore the satisfaction in creating mini products during development and the importance of focusing on the end product for creative fulfillment.
Today we're joined by Alec Breslow of Mask Audio Electronics. As a pedal builder and whacky fuzz aficionado, Alec shares with us the magic of the Devi Ever Bit: Legend of Fuzz. It was his first boutique pedal, and still inspires his design approach to this day. We talk about creative process, the joy of not quite knowing how a thing works, and we hear from some past guests on the hogline.
