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OOHLALA EFFECTOR 13 TRULY BEAUTIFUL DISASTER.
The Truly Beautiful Disaster consists of two effects in one pedal.
First, there is the feed back loop (with photo sensitive eye), which
enhances effects placed in the SEND and RETURN loop of the TBD. Second,
there is the oscillating fuzz, which adds an amazing amount of texture
(and if needed, chaos) to the effect in the feedback loop. The feed
back loop runs before the oscillating fuzz, and they are both seperate,
which means you can have one on at a time, or both.
IN DEPTH: The Feedback Loop
The feedback loop of the TBD is where some amazing stuff happens. To
insert an effect into the loop, simply connect a cable from the Send of
the TBD to the Input of an effect, then connect a cable from Output of
the effect to the Return of the TBD. Now, turn the Feedback switch on
to engage the self-oscillation.
After much experimentation, I've found there to be three categories of effects that tend to be effected consistently.
1) Distortion / Fuzz / Overdrive - For the most part, these
effects will generate a feedback tone that adds both depth and slight
fluctuations to your guitar's signal depending on how, and where on the
neck, you play riffs and chords. The feedback knob tends to alter the
pitch and intensity of the feedback tone.
2) Delay / Reverb - Self oscillation and delay go hand in
hand. Have you ever heard of a delay, that as you increase the feedback
knob on the effect, the delay keep going and going, louder and louder,
until all you hear is a wall of pulsating noise? Well, not all delays
can achieve this, but with the help of the TBD, many can. For the most
part, the feedback loop will make delay effects feedback into
aforementioned wall-of-noise.
3) Chorus / Phase / Flange - Many modulation effects have a
knob labeled "Resonation" or sometimes even "Feedback". The feedback
loop of the TBD has been known to act in the same way as this control,
adding a bit more resonance and sharpness to modulation effects.
IN DEPTH: The Photo-Sensitive Eye
Next to the foot switch, is a small clear covering that houses the
photo-sensitive Eye. Make sure the Feedback switch is in the on
position. Now turn on the Eye switch. There will most likely be an
alteration in the sound of the feedback loop when the photo-sensitive
Eye is on.
The photo-sensitive Eye effects the intensity of the feedback
loop just like the Feedback knob. Being a photo-sensitive device, the
Eye can vary the intensity of the feedback loop depending on many
factors involving the lighting condition of the room you are in. It is
generally suggested that it be used in a setting with a decent amount
of ambient light, but with a direct light source positioned over the
photo-sensitive Eye.
With the above set-up in place, you will find that by moving
your hand or foot over the eye, you can alter the sound of the feedback
loop in a very manual and organic way.
Though the above set-up is recommended for maximum control
over the feedback intensity, it has also been suggested to try
alternate setups such as a dark room with a single spot light over the
TBD, or complete darkness and a strobe light or other flashing light
source angled towards the photo-sensitive Eye.
IN DEPTH: Hints and Tips
- Though, for the most part, pedals tend to self-oscillate fairly well
with the TBD, not all pedals will. This might seem counter-intuitive in
some cases, but electronics can often be mean and tricky things.
- With the feedback loop on, pedals become different kinds of
devices, which means you may have to re-learn their controls. For
instance, the Tone knob of a distortion device might act more as a
feedback pitch control, or the Volume knob will actually help increase
the amount of feedback. In many cases, you will find yourself with
"sweet-spots" where certain very specific knob positions will create
just the sound you are looking for.
- Don't be afraid to put more than one effect in the feedback
loop of the TBD, but realize when you do, it becomes a whole other
world of complexity and experimentation. For instance, you may find
that your favorite delay self-oscillates beautifully by itself in the
feedback loop, but when you team it up with your favorite fuzz pedal,
nothing happens! On the other hand, there are some INSANE combinations
of effects that can creates sounds as diverse and complicated as the
best analog synth machines out there. An example of this madness is a
special combination we once spent hours with in amazement here at the
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