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.
Electrical Specifications
Bypass Switching: Independent fuzz and preamp circuits with relay-based true bypass switching which defaults to bypass in the event of power loss.
Input impedance @ 1kHz: 100kΩ (perc) / 500kΩ (tube voice)
Output impedance @ 1kHz: <25kΩ (perc), <5kΩ (tube voice)
Power: 9VDC, 2.1mm center negative barrel. The current draw is 90mA with both channels engaged.
We recommend a regulated, isolated power supply rated for 100mA. Dude Incredible does not accept a battery. The power input is protected from reverse polarity and over-voltage conditions up to 24V.
Controls
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Harm: Input gain for the Percolate channel.
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Balance: Output level for the Percolate channel.
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Gain: Tube Voice gain control; highly interactive with the Bass and Treble settings.
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Level: Output level control, turn clockwise for more volume.
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Treble: Tube Voice high shelf boost/cut, +/-12dB @ 3kHz located pre-Gain.
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Bass: Tube Voice low shelf boost/cut, +/-12dB @ 100Hz located pre-Gain.
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Diode (toggle): changes the clipping configuration of the Percolate channel. Up for less compression, down for more.
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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.
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Right footswitch: Engages the Percolate circuit
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Left footswitch: Engages the Tube Voice circuit
Changelog
Version 2
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New mechanical form factor
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Added soft-touch relay bypass
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Component tweaks to the Percolate side for an overall “nastier” sound
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Added diode toggle and new clipping modes to the Percolate side
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Updated Tube Voice side with Hi/Lo toggle (to match Surveyor V2)
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Added over-voltage and ESD protection for the power supply
Version 1
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Original release