FD.1,  SUB OCTAVE DRIVE DEVICE

Yeah, F that division stuff!!!  Wait, we actually have nothing against math.  Some of us have fond memories of multivariate calculus and differential equations... The "f" here is for frequency and we're chopping your signal not by 1, not by 2, but down to 3 octaves lower!  f division is a monophonic sub octave synthesizer with ridiculous rump-shaking bass content!  

[Also see our FD.2 for a high gain PWM fuzz version]

INSPIRATION:  You know those punchy, funky leads and bass lines that can carry an entire song, but you might not even be able to tell what instrument is responsible?  That's what we're going for here!  

CIRCUIT SCIENCE:  Input signals are amplified and introduced to a CMOS counter/divider that divides by 2 at each step, cutting the previous frequency in half.  There are 3 possible divisions, meaning 3 octaves down form the source.  Each toggle is a sub octave and can be on or off in any combination.  Two mixer knobs control the ratio and overall volume of the sub and drive sound.  The drive is split from the CMOS input and has a crunchy, somewhat synthy sound on its own. 

SOUND:  A destructive sub octave synth to shatter your routine sounds!

The sub octaves alone sound like square wave bass fuzz and track all over the fretboard, with increasing glitchy-ness below the 5th fret.  One octave down is like having a bass player with you, and adding more to that brings out an analog synth vibe.

A 3rd sub octave may seem like a ridiculous idea for guitar, and it is!  By itself, it's a sputtering engine, like a muscle car parked on your pedalboard.  In combination with the other octaves, the base tone will sing in contrast to that lowdown 3rd octave!

Note:  This can be a loud pedal; plenty of volume is on tap! 

Quick settings:  Here are some starter ideas!

• Implied upper octave:  Octaves 1 & 3 on, sub and drive equal
• Synthetic chemistry:  All octaves on, drive about half volume of sub
• Saucy leads: Octave 1 on, sub about half volume of drive
• Love dumpster: Octave 3 on, sub and drive equal

There's a nifty book by Nicolas Collins called Handmade Electronic Music that uses CMOS chips to create sonic subdivisions.  That book and numerous DIY resources have encouraged CMOS abuse over the years- we thank you for the inspiration!  

Austere design, esoteric nomenclature.