Electronic Audio Experiments Dude Incredible Ampex Blue LTD

The Dude Incredible is a pairing of two cult classics: the IVP “Tube Voice” preamp and a percolator-style fuzz. Together, these two circuits have produced some of the most iconic guitar sounds in noise rock: jangly rhythm tones, ear-piercing treble chords, and endless walls of howling feedback. Originally released in 2017, the Dude Incredible was the first adaptation of the IVP into a pedal format. Now, it returns with some extra features and modern reliability improvements.

The Tube Voice channel is our streamlined version of the Intersound IVP (aka Instrument Voicing Preamp), a nearly-forgotten rackmount preamp from the 1970s. The transformer-loaded overdrive circuit is driven by a pre-gain shelving EQ for a distinctive palette of frequency-selective distorted sounds. Far from just a clang machine, this channel is fantastic for medium gain tones or as an always-on base layer. (This channel can also be found as a standalone unit in our Surveyor pedal.)

The Percolate channel needs no introduction. Our take on this beloved two-transistor fuzz features a painstakingly selected germanium transistor based on measurements of an original unit. We also added a diode switch to select between our custom configuration found in the Dude Incredible V1 and a more traditional highly compressed mode. Combining the Percolate side with the Tube Voice side produces a devastatingly destroyed fuzz.

Even if you aren’t a metal-pick-wielding treble fiend, the Dude Incredible is a source of unique distortion sounds that can’t be found anywhere else.

Controls

• Harm: Input gain for the Percolate channel.

• Balance: Output level for the Percolate channel.

• Gain: Tube Voice gain control; highly interactive with the Bass and Treble settings.

• Level: Output level control, turn clockwise for more volume.   

• Treble: Tube Voice high shelf boost/cut, +/-12dB @ 3kHz located pre-Gain.

• Bass: Tube Voice low shelf boost/cut, +/-12dB @ 100Hz located pre-Gain.

• Diode (toggle): changes the clipping configuration of the Percolate channel. Up for less compression, down for more.

• Hi/Lo (toggle): changes the gain range of the Tube Voice channel. In the Lo setting the gain range is -15dB to +12dB, in the Hi setting the gain range is +9dB to +36dB.

• Right footswitch: Engages the Percolate circuit

• Left footswitch: Engages the Tube Voice circuit

Changelog

Version 2

• New mechanical form factor

• Added soft-touch relay bypass

• Component tweaks to the Percolate side for an overall “nastier” sound

• Added diode toggle and new clipping modes to the Percolate side

• Updated Tube Voice side with Hi/Lo toggle (to match Surveyor V2)

• Added over-voltage and ESD protection for the power supply