Mean Machine

Rage within the machine! This is our first distortion unit specifically designed for synth sounds. With a dual-stage distortion design and unique tone-shaping features, it’s meant to push things to the extreme. The Fury and Rage controls turn the sweetest sound into humanity’s biggest threat!

• MINI-SLIDER
  Controls the balance of the dry signal and the processed (distorted) signal. The percentage indicates the amount of the signal that is distorted.
  Range: 0 ~ 100%

• DRIVE
  Controls the first stage of overdrive.
  Range: –30 dB to +30 dB

• BOOST
  Controls the second stage of overdrive.
  Range: –30 dB to +30 dB

NOTE: DRIVE and BOOST work independently, but are also interdependent.

• GAIN

  Selectable menu to control the overall output level.
  Range: –24 dB to +10 dB

• FURY
  Controls the mix/blend amount of the input with the 1st distortion stage (DRIVE).
  Range: 0.00% ~ 100.00%

• RAGE
  A tone control placed between the 1st and 2nd distortion stages (DRIVE and BOOST) for further sculpting.
  Range: 0.00% ~ 100.00%

• LO CUT
  A Lo Cut control placed after the 2nd distortion stage and before the final output. Controls the bass response with a highpass filter.
  Range: 5.0 Hz ~ 500 Hz

*Because of the inner-workings of this elaborate and intricate FX unit (and although it was not originally intended for this), Mean Machine can also be used for removing unwanted frequencies from input signals—such as a de-esser for vocals or a de-bleeder for removing drum mic spill. If you are feeling adventurous enough to try it, here’s how: Bring all the controls down, then bring up the DRIVE until you start hearing phase cancellation/comb filtering of the frequencies you don’t want. If that is not enough, experiment with the Mix Mini-slider. You can go even further by placing the rack out of phase using the Utility / Imager and keep adjusting the Mini-slider.