FX57 Hard Rock Distortion
FX57 in original box
The FX57 Hard Rock Distortion was introduced in late 1987, allowing the user to "thicken" their distorted sound via an analog delay of up to 40 ms. The idea of distortion plus delay to thicken one's sound had been previously explored with the DigiTech PDS1550 twin pedal (up to 40 ms of analog delay; introduced in 1986) and the Boss MZ-2 Digital Metalizer (also introduced in 1987), with the FX57 no doubt intended to compete at a lower price point. As its name implies, the FX57 Hard Rock Distortion's maximum gain and output levels are not as extreme as the FX56 American Metal. The FX57's Presence circuit is described as "an equalization circuit that reduces or enhances the bass of the distortion sound", but overall the non-delay portion of its circuit was likely based on the FX56. The FX57 was produced until late 1993.
- Controls: Delay (0-40 ms), Level, Presence, Distortion
- From the manual: "The FX 57 is a very high gain preamplifier that is overdriven to produce a distorting effect of the input signal and help sustain the notes longer. These effects simulate the characteristic distortion of a guitar amplifier turned up so high that it 'clips' the signal, distorting it. The FX 57 offers a unique distortion circuit with a built-in delay of 7 to 40 milliseconds for a distinctive thickening of the distortion effect for use in rock distortion sounds. The FX 57 Hard Rock Distortion makes its distortion effect sound at any amplifier loudness setting and also sustains your guitar notes."
- Technical info:
- Specifications (1987): Input impedance = 500k Ohms, Output impedance = 1 k Ohms; Gain = 1,500 V/V; Maximum Output Level = 1.2 V P-P; Delay Time = 7-40 ms; Bandwidth = 40 Hz to 16 kHz
- Notable IC chips: MN3007 BBD chip (analog delay), plus two MC1458 op amps and one LF353N op-amp
- Internal trim pots: two; however, we do not recommend messing with trim pots
- Component-side circuitboard images: November 1987
September 1988 - Related circuit: FX56 (loosely based)
- DOD FX57 Hard Rock Distortion on Effects Database
- DOD FX57 Hard Rock Distortion on Noise Guide
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