Dave Jordan, founder of Non-Human Audio, discusses the history and nuances of the Green Russian Tall Font Big Muff pedal, explores vintage and modern pedal variances, and introduces the innovative sound effects of the Slow Loris pedal prototype.
The Tall Font Green Russian Big Muff pedal offers a unique and captivating sound due to component tolerances and drift.
Dave Jordan prioritizes crafting pedal designs that resonate with his personal style and preferences, focusing on originality and distinctiveness.
Embracing mistakes and unconventional approaches in pedal design can lead to unexpected and innovative sound profiles, as seen in the creation of the Dweller pedal.
Deep dives
The Magic of the Green Tall Font Big Muff
The Tall Font Green Russian Big Muff in Dave's possession holds a unique and captivating sound that stands out from typical big muff pedals. Its distinctive weight, thickness, and openness in sound set it apart from other versions due to component tolerances and drift. Dave's personal journey in tweaking and fine-tuning the pedal to match its sonic excellence showcases a personal connection and preference for this specific pedal.
Exploring Pedal Design Philosophy
Dave's approach to pedal design revolves around creating unique and personal sounds rather than making variations of existing popular pedals. He values the individuality and voice that a pedal can offer, leading him to focus on crafting designs that resonate with his personal style and preferences. This ethos drives him to seek originality and distinctiveness in his pedal creations.
Embracing Personalization Over Replication
While considering the possibility of creating a version of well-known pedals like the HM-2, Dave leans towards celebrating the authenticity of iconic designs rather than attempting to modify or recreate them. His commitment to personal expression and sonic individuality directs him to explore new concepts and designs that reflect his artistic vision, seeking to offer pedals that embody his unique creative perspective.
Striving for Sonic Uniqueness and Creative Expression
Dave's reluctance to produce pedals that merely replicate existing designs stems from his desire to cultivate originality and innovation in his work. By prioritizing personalization and inventiveness, he aims to deliver pedals that not only sound exceptional but also serve as vehicles for artistic self-expression and musical creativity. This dedication to sonic uniqueness and creative exploration underscores his commitment to crafting pedals that offer a distinct and personal experience.
The Unconventional Creation Process of the Slow Loris Pedal
The podcast episode delves into the unique journey of creating the Slow Loris pedal. The discussion highlights the accidental nature of innovation, where initial intentions shifted as the creator, inspired by the Mockingblur, experimented with the PT2399 delay chip. Through a series of trial and error, including unintentional mistakes like undervolting components, the Slow Loris emerged as a lo-fi, dynamically driven modulated slapback pedal. The creator's openness to stumbling upon new sounds and willingness to challenge conventional methods resulted in a pedal that filled a unique space in the market.
Embracing Mistakes and Encouraging Exploration in Pedal Design
The podcast also explores the theme of embracing mistakes and encouraging exploration in pedal design, drawing parallels to the creation of the Dweller pedal. The conversation reveals how intentional mistakes in code led to the unexpected sound profile of the phase repeater pedal. Encouraging experimentation, the creator intentionally allocated extra memory to filters, resulting in a unique and unconventional sound. This approach, akin to randomly swapping components on a breadboard, led to a distinct sound that traditional design methods might not have achieved, emphasizing the value of creative freedom and unconventional approaches in pedal design.
Today we're joined by Dave Jordan of Non-Human Audio to talk the nuance of big noise. He's brought a very particular example of a pedal with a decades-long history, and takes us through his journey from using that pedal to creating his own designs like the Slow Loris. Heck, we even talk about parts tolerances!
