Harmony Central run a pedalboard contest. Here’s a photo of Dennis Kayzer’s winning entry from 2011!

Dr Freakenstein at top right…

Here’s a review of the DrFF-3 translated from The Effector Book, a totally brilliant pedal mag from Japan…

WEIRD LOOKING FUZZ FILLED WITH FUNCTIONS FULL OF ORIGINALITY

First of all, as exactly you would imagine from its model name ‘Dr Freakenstein Fuzz,’ as if it is created by the mad professor Doc from the film ‘Back to the Future’, it is very impressive with its appearance which is very antique and grandiose.  Its ON/OFF switch and level meter with needle system sit right in the middle as if a deity.  As such a unique appearances, its sound also far too fabulous and its effect which is tricky and freaky would not be resistable for people who is fond of the ‘gun-like’ effectors.  To explain simply, by the conjucture of fuzz and oscillator of vibration connection, original ‘swing’ is added not like choir or flanger, and the fuzz itself also is set for quite powerful bend.  Also for variation ‘HI/LO’ switch is added and when it is set for ‘HI’ the high notes of the oscillator are emphasised, and it gives the sound such as guitar synthesizer.  Additional foot switch ‘IGOR’ can control between the setting and the swing of the oscillator. By connecting the additional miniature foot pedal, it is possible to create more impacting sound.  It is said that John Frusciante uses this often, and its system is just as he might love.

Here is shocking/unbelievable fuzz from London!
This has control only it can manage, sound only it can produce.

Son Of Freakensteins gone out to Japan and London’s Charing Cross Road today. Jeez it’s refreshing to be making a new pedal! Now I can get on with other new stuff.

Meanwhile here’s a picture of a Compactotron in an eclectic setting, thanks to Will Alger.

Finally the Son Of Freakenstein pcbs have arrived. With only a small amount of filing and drilling I was able to put the components on one and check it out… Not only does it fit into the new enclosure, but I can also get it out! This is fantastic stuff. Then to top it off… it actually works!!!
So the filing and drilling was to correct some small errors in the layout by me, but I’ve got one finished, working. It’s deceptively simple and sounds amazing. It’s a beautiful thing.

I’ll force myself to stop playing through it, and start making a bunch today; with luck, audioclips, photos and webpage up by the end of the weekend.

Having said how much I’m not into custom finishes, I finally did one…!!! See the
ilovefuzz Rainger FX forum

Rainger FX is now on Twitter – follow at @raingerfx
(Will keep posting here too)

Very pleased to feature in xtimehascomex’s ‘Best Guitar Pedals of 2011′ video, with the DrFreakenstein Fuzz DrFF-3 at number three.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GWgtcK8PT_w.

I’m currently waiting for the pcbs to be delivered for the Son Of Freakenstein. Driving me up the wall.

Walking through M&S this evening the whole place was full of the most amazing minor chord. I really don’t think it was just inside my head; it was coming from the cooling equipment in the refrigerators – seemingly from everywhere, with a whispery machine hum. Everyone just moved around normally, buying chicken kievs.
How does it feel to work there in that atmosphere – like you’re in an action film just before the action?
In the queue I started to hum quietly the root note – and got a half glance from the guy in front of me. I wondered if he might start gently beatboxing a breakbeat or two…

Meanwhile my front doorbell plays a jolly major triad.
I’m always happy to see visitors.

Just got a subforum at http://ilovefuzz.com/viewforum.php?f=181. There’s a thread that includes news of the Son Of Freakenstein which is leaping ahead. Here’s a mock-up picture

My electronics course going well – I’m enjoying it, and it’s getting harder. I just found out that degree courses in the UK (not what I’m doing) are usually mainly theory, and with ‘practicals’ that are all on computer, running simulation software.

Why does that depress me hugely?

Part of the course I am doing is on microprocessors – good! – where one third of it is to program an intel chip to make a ‘point of sale’ computer… you know, a computer that does only one thing – like a credit card machine.                            That’s just sooo dull.

Meanwhile – for another part – I’m trying to pin down what you can do with a PIC chip; it counts, can switch several outputs on and off, has an oscillator in it, is cheap… can do analogue-to-digital coversion (now we’re talking!).

So what do I want to do with it? Don’t have to conquer the world with it straight off.

Euphonics make a mixing desk that’s analogue, but digitally controlled, which is interesting.