Constructional difficulty: Our easiest 5U module.
This is a simple but very effective waveform modifier module. It has two basic modes selected by a switch. Hard clipping is a hard edged distortion type effect useful for grunging up your signal. Soft clipping is a more subtle effect and produces a clean sounding overdriven amp sound.
Three front panel pots control the sound. Gain controls the overall gain of the 'pre-amplifier' stage and essentially determines the level of overdrive or distortion. The Tone control is an effective EQ control that affects the frequency response of the effected output. The Balance pot is essentially a wet/dry mix control that allows you to add only as much of the effect as you want.
Voltage control is determined not within this unit, but as part of the signal chain placed before this module. Using a VCA to control the signal level that is fed into this unit will determine the strength of the overdrive or distortion. Using a VCF to alter the timbre of the signal fed to this module will control the overall harmonic level far more than using a filter alone. In fact, hard sync type sounds can be easily obtained by simply sweeping the filter's cut-off frequency.
The view from the rear showing the small PCB and simple interconnection wiring. Note the four mounting holes should you decide not to use pot brackets to hold your board to the front panel.
Sound Samples
All the following samples recorded with a small modular set up comprising of one VCO, one COTA filter, one Overdrive, two ADSR/VCA and a midiDAC to control them all. The Oakley Overdrive module is connected to the -24dB/octave output of the COTA VCF module and its output is fed to the ADSR/VCA module for final volume shaping.
over-solo.mp3 0.554Mb 23s. A lightly overdriven solo sound using the COTA VCF to shape the harmonics heard
over-sync.mp3 0.583Mb 25s. More overdrive with the COTA set to highish resonance and swept with an ADSR, firstly on slow attack, then quicker.
Prices
Overdrive ready made 5U module...................
95GBP
Overdrive Pre Populated PCB......................... 65GBP
Overdrive issue 1 PCB
................................... 15GBP
Overdrive issue 1 pot kit .................................. 9GBP
Overdrive issue 1 pot bracket kit
.................... 3GBP
The Pot Kit contains the correct type and quantity of Spectrol 248 or BI TT potentiometers to complete one module.
The Pot Bracket Kit contains the correct type and quantity of Oakley-Spectrol pot brackets and extra Spectrol nuts required to complete 1 module.
Click here for full price list and ordering details. All prices include VAT at UK rates. Shipping and postage is additional to these prices.
Project Downloads
Overdrive Builder's Guide
Construction Guide Our handy guide to building Oakley DIY projects
Parts Guide Our handy guide to buying parts for Oakley DIY projects
Links to schematics are available to purchasers of the PCB or module and will be sent via e-mail when the board(s) are shipped.
Front Panel database
A Schaeffer front panel can be made for the 1U wide 5U high Overdrive module in traditional black or in natural aluminium finish. The databases can be found by downloading the following links:
Overdrive in traditional black
To read these files you will need a copy of 'Frontplatten designer' from Schaeffer. The program also features on-line ordering, so its now even easier to buy your panels from Scheaffer.
The company are based in Berlin in Germany and will send out panels to anywhere in the world. Delivery to the UK normally takes around ten days. For North American users you can also order your Schaeffer panels from Front Panel Express.
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