FX Engineering

Fat Sound's Take

Our most popular compressor pedal. Totally transparent with zero coloration and an awesome musical quality and feel. Permanently attached to the #1 Pedalboard of Fat Sound's owner.
Highly Recommended!!™

Features

• Transparency - There are no audible artificial sonic anomalies, imposed on the musical program. i.e., audible attack and release mechanics. You may ask yourself: “Is it on?”
• Musical – the tonality of the processed music is very natural and pleasing to the discerning ear.
• Compression visual indicator brightens dynamically as compression is sensed. Studio quality - in a simple-to-use pedal.
• Tough, Durable and “road ready”.
• True Bypass Switching

Performance Points

• Attack – The Mirage attack time is less than half a millisecond. That translates to one half cycle of the highest note on a 24 fret guitar. The attack begins clamping at the moment the pick makes contact with the string. Totally inaudible attack time! The compression control is so fast it will follow the contour of the envelope hunting for dynamic transients. This allows the natural harmonics to be drawn to the surface of the tone while limiting any transient spikes.
  
• Attack knee – The Mirage compression follows the natural envelope of the musical source. No soft knee is needed to compensate for poor attack time.
  
• Sustain/Release – The Mirage provides smooth sustain through the release without the artificial sounding aggressive gain compensation as many compressors use. As the musical note fades, the Mirage “reads” the envelope and contours the release smoothly.
  
• Coloration and Transparency – Is it on? The Mirage linearity is virtually flat <1db variation from 20 Hz to 8 kHz. There is no induced coloration, distortion, hair, fuzz, or EQ to the signal. The Mirage transparency is such that it will also work well with acoustic instruments guitars, mandolins etc. Acoustic sparkle is actually enhanced!
  

Keep it Simple! - All FX Engineering pedals have the KISS philosophy. Set the Mirage controls to 12:00 and Play! 

Fat Sound Award for Sonic Excellence!™

Fat Sound's Take

FX Engineering's Sidewinder Open Overdrive  offers an incredible range of two stage, blendable gain. Gain 1 adjusts the degree of Mosfet transistor derived overdrive while Gain 2 adjusts the degree of fat, thick Germanium transistor derived gain. 8 unique EQ curves are available via its Bass, Treble 1 and Treble 2, Cut/Boost toggle switches allowing for an amazing array of overall frequency/tone adjustments.

Depending on how the two gain controls are balanced, a more overdrive-centric tone or a more smooth, ultra-thick germanium fuzz tone can be achieved with a dramatic range of combinations.

Bringing the Gain 1 control up to the loevel of gain you're looking for and then adding enough of Gain 2 to get a taste of Germanium goodness is a great place to start with the Sidewinder.

Features and Specifications

• Gain 1 - Mosfet Transistor
• Gain 2 - Germanium Transistor
• Level - Output Level
• Bass Toggle - 2-way - Controls bass filter between the first and second gain stage. Set to Boost position (up) low end is fattened considerably
• Treble 1 & 2 Toggles - 2-way - Boosts or Cuts seperate treble frequencies post gain stage
• 8 Possible EQ Curves available via the Bass, Treble 1, Treble 2 switches
• On/Off LED Indicator in Bright Amber
• True Bypass Switching
• Internal bias trimmer for Germanium Transistor (primarily for use to compensate for thermal drift)
• 9 volt battery - 25 hours (aprox.) plugged in time
• Standard, Negative Tip, 9v Adapter Jack
• Limited Lifetime Warranty

"The Mother of all Boosts"

Fat Sound's Take

Probably the most true "clean boost" pedal on offer today. Extremely accurate throughout the tonal spectrum. Makes the sound you like.....louder. Quiet operation.

As with Montez' Mirage Compressor this pedal is a true winner and a stand-out among a market flooded with similar, but often lesser products
 

From FX Engineering's website

• Sparkling clean boost
• Musical – Plows your amp to fat, musically compressed tone
• Versatile – Use as a switched gain stage on input preamp, or in the post preamp amp effects loop. Use as a buffer for long pedal cables
• Genuine quality – Top quality components, carefully hand selected for best performance
• Audiophile clarity
• Tough, durable and road ready
• Very sensitive input. High input impedance (5 meg) works well with any pickup whether high or low output. The MoaB will render the delicate resonances of your guitar for optimal tone.
• Clean Boost – Virtually no distortion up to 8 volts peak to peak. The intended uses of the MoaB is to add a switchable gain stage. Use to compress input stages for the modern lead triode crunch or in the amp effects loop to fatten the power stage tone and move instrument forward on the sound stage.
• Gain – pure class A gain, 30db overall gain up to 8 volts peak to peak before clipping.
• Keep it Simple! - All FX Engineering pedals have the KISS philosophy. Set the MoaB controls to 12:00 and Play!
• Note: The BOOST control crackles when turned. This is normal as designed.

  Fat Sound Award for Sonic Excellence!™