Tone Tweq

Guitar PCB Tone Tweq - a three-band (bass-middle-treble) tone adjustment/equalization pedal suitable for any instrument-to-amp signal chain, or to modify the tonal character of another pedal's output.

Thermionic Studios has one(1) GuitarPCB Tone Tweq PCB. When we finish assembling it, the pedal will be available for rental.

Controls

• Knob 1 - "Treble": Adjusts the level of cut of the treble frequencies. Fully clockwise is maximum treble, turning counter-clockwise reduces treble signal content.
• Knob 2 - "Middle": Adjusts the level of cut of the midrange frequencies. Knob works the same as treble, except for midrange frequencies.
• Knob 3 - "Bass": Adjusts the level of cut of the bass frequencies. Bass control works the same as treble, except for bass frequencies.
• Knob 4 - "Master Volume": Adjusts the total volume level out of the pedal.
• Footswitch 1 - "On/Off": Switch toggles between "On" (active) and "Off" (bypassed) modes for the pedal.

Bypass: True

The Tone Tweq is true bypass.

General Information

Not everyone appreciates (or needs) another tone stack in between their instrument and their amp. But admittedly if this is something you do want, there are several paths to getting there - most notably with other pedals. Most pedals aren't limited to simply a tone stack. Many of the sounds that have been recorded come from someone using an effect, but not necessarily liking the effect, but liking the tone coloration that the effect puts on the signal despite the effect not being engaged. The most immediate effect that comes to mind is the Echoplex EP3. The most coveted version of the EchoPlex, Version 3, has a solid-state preamp that can be engaged without the echo effect itself being activated. Many like the sound of this preamp, believing it "sweetens" the output signal. Many companies have made pedals simply to capture this "sweetening effect".

There are examples of the use of such effects for tone coloration instead of the actual effect itself (a tube screamer, for example) all over electric music. While it lacks these specific circuit architectures, the Tone Tweq can fill a similar role. The following are some examples of how it might be used.

Standard Usage

The Tone Tweq isn't necessarily any different from a standard "boost" pedal. The Master Volume will increase output like any other boost pedal, but the other knobs - the tone control knobs on the Tone Tweq will then cut: Treble, Middle, or Bass frequencies. In order to use the pedal in the way that was primarily conceived is to use the tone controls to get the frequency response you want without gaining or losing total volume. So here's how you do that:

1. Set the tone that you want with the frequency knobs.
2. THEN adjust the master volume to get unity volume. "Unity volume" is when the volume level is perceived to be the same whether the pedal is active, or bypassed.

Boost

Simple... Crank every knob! Adjust tone controls or boosted volume to taste.

Clean Channel

It's quite possible to use the Tone Tweq to give yourself a secondary "clean channel". Set the knobs to what would be the desired "clean" frequency response and then turn the volume level DOWN. The goal is to use the pedal to tame an already-hot signal that would otherwise be hitting your overdrive or distortion pedals, or your amp. In doing so, lowering the total volume will clean up the signal and go into the amp with a frequency curve that sounds different to the original "pushed" and distorted signal - this can be especially effective if you have a single-channel amp that you naturally push or boost into distortion or overdrive.

Pedal Manual

https://guitarpcb.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/07/BD_Tone-TwEQ.pdf

Phase Inversion: No

Per our inspection of the schematic of the effect, the Tone Tweq does not appear to invert phase on the output.

Schematic ID	Electronic Part	Action	Phase State
IC1a	TL072	Inverts	Inverted
IC1b	TL072	Inverts	Reverted

Schematic

Currently the only available version of the Tone Tweq schematic comes from GuitarPCB. GuitarPCB has clearly stated on their content that none of said content is to be made available through any other site or publication without the explicit written consent of GuitarPCB. Until such time as we have redraws or are able to get permission, we cannot post their schematic.

Artists

We are currently unaware of any artists actively using the pedal now, or who have in the past.

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Additional Sources