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OD 1
The OPTIMIST OD1 is based on the most expensive, hard to find, legendary overdrive ever created! Despite all its hype, this magical pedal is still one of the most natural overdrives ever created and has cemented its reputation in guitar history.
We've reproduced this circuit in great detail to provide the basic sound people want from this legendary pedal. We've updated it with an active (bypassable) EQ to take this classic circuit into uncharted territory!
Just like the original circuit, OD1 features impossible-to-find (unless you know how to use eBay) germanium diodes that have been carefully washed in unicorn tears to deliver the best sound possible! For what? Because you deserve the best. You deserve diodes that have been washed in unicorn tears.
OD 2
The OD2 of the OPTIMIST contrasts sharply with the middle tone of the OD1. Designed to be perfectly flat across the entire range of the guitar, OD2 is perfect for rhythm work and is a perfect harmonic enhancer for OD1 when you want to boost OD1 even more!
3-BAND EQUALIZER OVERVIEW
The EQ circuit includes a studio-quality EQ that gives enormous tonal flexibility to the Optimist. Based on the legendary Baxandall EQ that is featured in countless studio EQs, The Optimist EQ takes this circuit and adapts it for guitarists! We spent tons of time on this EQ dialing it in so it hits all the frequencies guitarists need to adjust, then softened it by removing the ear-fatiguing highs and lows that can appear at higher settings. extremes.
To activate the equalizer, press and release the OD1 and OD2 footswitches.
The equalizer is post-OD and can also be used as a standalone function. The equalizer controls light up to indicate that the equalizer is activated.
EQUALIZER CIRCUIT FEATURES:
Studio-quality EQ with high bandwidth and flat response at 12:00
+/- 12dB Boost/Cut per control
Center Detents on the pots which make it easier to return to a neutral or flat response.
MIDI FEATURES
The Optimist has MIDI control over all functions! OD1, OD2 and EQ can all be controlled via MIDI for unlimited selection of tones.
We always want to make sure our pedals are as easy to integrate into complex rigs as they are into simple rigs and MIDI makes that possible!
C BLE INFORMATION: To use MIDI, you will need a cable that converts a MIDI connector (DIN-5) to a TRS cable. This is the cable we have used with great success and cannot recommend highly enough.
https://www.disasterareadesigns.com/shop/p/mj-5p-midi-cable
For those who build their own cables, the Optimist receives MIDI information via the RING connection on a TRS (Tip, Ring, and Sleeve) connector.
See this link for detailed wiring: https://www.midi.org/articles-old/trs-specification-adopted-and-released
MIDI CHANNEL
By default, the Optimist comes with MIDI channel 1 as the selected channel. This can be changed by pressing and holding the OD 1 footswitch while powering up. Press the OD 2 footswitch to increment the MIDI channel number.
You will notice that as long as you hold down the OD1 footswitch, the OD 2 LED will flash to indicate the MIDI channel you have selected. IE - 7 flashes = MIDI Channel 7. After the LED flashes, we have inserted a 2 second pause so you can know when the LED has finished flashing. The LED will continue to flash as long as you hold down the OD 1 footswitch. Once you have selected the MIDI channel you want and verified it by counting the flashes, simply release the OD 1 footswitch and the pedal will save this MIDI channel to the microprocessor's internal EEPROM and restart.
MIDI DETAILS
Access to new MIDI features is via Control Changes. Below is a list of features accessible via MIDI and how to access them.
CC #1 – OD 1 ON/OFF (value of 127 = ON / value of 0 = OFF)
CC #2 – OD 2 ON/OFF (value of 127 = ON / value of 0 = OFF)
CC #3 – EQ ON/OFF (value of 127 = ON / value of 0 = OFF)
TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS
Input impedance: 1M
Output impedance: 100k Power supply: DC
Input voltage: 9V max. Polarity: negative center
Minimum current required: 150 mA
Dimensions: 2.7" x 4.875″