We took apart what is needed for great distortion and when we put all the parts back together we discovered that not only was Brian the king of dirt, but his new circuit was the king. The sovereign.
The distortion available on the Sovereign is so versatile you'll wonder how much can be available from a small box. Two gain stages, mid contour, bright switch, and tone control let you dial in virtually any sound, from modern distortion to classic OD tones.
With the pedigree of this pedal, we wanted to make sure it stood out from other dirt heroes. We think the Sovereign is the best in its class, and with a versatility you won't find on another pedal that sounds as organic as the Sovereign, you'll agree that this truly is the Sovereign of distortion.
Bypass Switch - A true bypass footswitch based on a software relay ensures circuit suppression when not wanted, meaning you don't lose any tone when the pedal is turned off.
Volume – This control adjusts the output level of the Sovereign. There's plenty of volume on tap, so whether you want to go higher than your input level or just make sure it can do unity volume (the same level of signal coming out as you feed it, when it is active), you are covered. The output volume, advanced gain structure controls, and tone adjustments all impact the total volume, so it's probably best to wait to adjust the volume until you've selected the other controls. Readjustment may be necessary if you get it to the level you want and still need to tweak the sound.
Gain – One of the Advanced Gain Structure controls, this knob adjusts the distortion level. It interacts with the Standard/Boost toggle switch and the Even/Bright toggle switch, and changing them will probably make you want to change the position of the Gain knob as well. As mentioned, it has a very capable tonal range, and with tuning (and attention to the other AGS controls) you can lay the foundation for a very powerful sound, regardless of the distortion involved.
Even/Bright Toggle Switch – In even mode, this switch gives a rock-solid foundation, with powerful mids and even treble and bass. Switched to Bright mode, the balance changes to favor more high frequencies. This can be invaluable when you need to add some treble to a naturally dark setup. In Even mode, the pedal can bring thunder; in Bright mode, you will trigger lightning. Be ready!
Standard/Boost Toggle – A great distortion pedal that only does high gain is worthy, but to be the ruler of distortion, flexibility is not optional, it is required. In Standard mode, you have a wide range of gain, from responsive crunch to powerful, voluminous distortion. Switch it to Boost to pick up where Standard leaves off, for more power and all the mellow, punchy distortion you could possibly desire.
Mid Behavior – The Mid Behavior knob has a profound impact on the fundamental voice of the pedal. The mids are where the fundamental frequencies of the guitar, the heartbeat of your notes, live and breathe. Midrange control is essential for dialing in the perfect sound to fit your desired role in the mix, and this control gives you plenty of adjustments to dial in the precise midrange relationship with other frequencies you need.
Tone – Of course, the fundamentals of guitar notes are only part of the equation. All this distortion lives in higher frequencies, harmonics generated by the powerful gain engine that roars deep inside the Sovereign distortion. The tone control is the key to nailing the highs exactly how you want them. Between the Tone control and the Bright/Even switch in the Advanced Gain Structure section, you have enormous control over the pedal's frequency emphasis.