DOD Looking Glass Overdrive

Introduction

The Looking Glass Overdrive is the result of a collaboration between DOD and the boutique pedal company SHOE Pedals. Christopher Venter of SHOE Pedals is known for his unique circuits, colorful perspective on classic effects, and minimalist design aesthetic. The collaboration between DOD and SHOE preserves all of Christopher's strengths while adding broad public tonal appeal at an affordable price. C.J.M. Venter first met Christopher during an online forum collaboration on an octave fuzz in 2012, and was impressed by the build quality, tone, and features. This attention to detail led to the meticulously designed Looking Glass Overdrive, crafted to provide a smooth, musical drive with character suitable for any task – lead, rhythm, low-gain, high-gain, or even as a tone-shaping boost.

A Note from the Designer: "Years ago, while living in Brooklyn, I embarked on a quest to find the overdrive that suited me. Most pedals were slight variations on classic op-amp designs that didn't work for me. I tried a ridiculous number of pedals and found none fully met my needs. Initially deciding to only build bizarre, experimental fuzz pedals, I decided to break that rule and create a really cool overdrive I truly wanted to play. After starting with a theory and refining it through extensive playing tests, I concocted the Savior Machine, named after one of my favorite David Bowie songs.

When DOD contacted me to collaborate on a new pedal, I had carte blanche to do what I wanted (within reason). So, I first returned to my roots and designed a wild high-gain fuzz. It sounded great, but I realized it would only be truly useful for a select few. I wanted to make something for EVERYONE. So, I decided to revisit my basic overdrive concept and redesign it with a completely different approach. The result is the Looking Glass. A super-responsive Class A FET design that I hope will give many players the satisfaction of feeling their overdrive reward their unique playing style. It's perfect for blues, of course, but it's also perfect for hard rock, indie, experimental music, psychedelic music, shoegaze, alternative, punk, bass, etc., etc., etc. The Looking Glass is like a funhouse mirror that lets you twist and shape your sound in all sorts of ways while remaining true to your ideal personality." - C.J.M. Venter

Controls and Features

The DOD Looking Glass Overdrive features a user-friendly layout with several controls:

Using the Looking Glass

Most guitarists and bassists prefer placing the Looking Glass at the beginning of their effects chain. A typical signal chain consists of Overdrive effects first, followed by modulation effects (Chorus, Flanger, Phaser, Tremolo, etc.), and finally time-based effects (Delay and Reverb). Placing the Looking Glass early in your chain preserves its character regardless of subsequent pedal combinations. Experimentation with placement is always encouraged.

Specifications

Safety and Compliance Instructions

The following indications apply to use at low altitudes; do not use this product above 2,000 meters (6,561 feet).

The symbols used are internationally accepted symbols warning of potential dangers associated with electrical products. A lightning bolt ⚡ in an equilateral triangle signifies dangerous voltages are present within the unit. An exclamation mark ❗ in an equilateral triangle indicates the user should refer to the owner's manual. These symbols also warn that there are no user-serviceable parts inside the unit. Do not open the unit. Do not attempt to repair the unit yourself; entrust all servicing to qualified personnel. Opening the chassis for any reason will void the manufacturer's warranty. Do not expose the unit to rain or moisture. If liquid is spilled on the unit, turn it off immediately and take it to a dealer for repair. Unplug the unit during thunderstorms to prevent damage.

UK Mains Plug Warning:

A molded mains plug that has been cut off from the cord is unsafe. Dispose of the plug in an appropriate disposal facility. NEVER, UNDER ANY CIRCUMSTANCES, insert a damaged or cut mains plug into a 13-amp socket. Do not use the mains plug without the fuse cover in place. Replacement fuse covers can be obtained from your local dealer. Replacement fuses are 13 amps and MUST be ASTA approved to BS1362.

Disposal: If you wish to dispose of this product, do not mix it with household waste. There is a separate collection system for used electronic products in accordance with legislation requiring proper treatment, recovery, and recycling. Households in EU member states, Switzerland, and Norway can return their used electronic products free of charge to designated collection points or to a retailer (if purchasing a similar new product). For countries not listed, please contact your local authorities for the appropriate disposal method. By doing so, you ensure that your discarded product undergoes the necessary treatment, recovery, and recycling, and you avoid potential negative effects on the environment and human health.

General Usage Warnings:

• Read and keep these instructions.
• Heed all warnings.
• Follow all instructions.
• Do not use this apparatus near water.
• Clean only with a dry cloth.
• For indoor use only.
• Do not block any ventilation openings. Install in accordance with the manufacturer's instructions.
• Do not install near heat sources such as radiators, heat registers, stoves, or other apparatus (including amplifiers) that produce heat.
• Use only accessories specified by the manufacturer.
• Unplug this apparatus during lightning storms or when unused for long periods.
• Do not defeat the safety purpose of the polarized or grounding-type plug. A polarized plug has two blades, one wider than the other. A grounding-type plug has two blades and a third grounding prong. The wide blade or the third prong are provided for your safety. If the provided plug does not fit your outlet, consult an electrician to replace the obsolete outlet.
• Protect the power cord from being walked on or pinched, particularly at plugs, convenience receptacles, and the point where they exit from the apparatus.
• Use only with the cart, stand, tripod, or table specified by the manufacturer or sold with the apparatus. When a cart is used, use caution when moving the cart/apparatus combination to avoid injury from tip-over.
• Refer all servicing to qualified service personnel. Servicing is required when the apparatus has been damaged in any way, such as power-supply cord or plug is damaged, liquid has been spilled or objects have fallen into the apparatus, the apparatus has been exposed to rain or moisture, does not operate normally, or has been dropped.
• The POWER switch on this unit does NOT disconnect the mains supply.
• The mains socket-outlet shall be installed near the equipment and shall be easily accessible. For rack-mounted or built-in installations where the socket-outlet is not accessible, an all-pole mains switch with a contact separation of at least 3 mm in each pole must be integrated into the electrical installation of the rack or building.
• For connection to a 240V supply, an appropriate CSA/UL certified power cord must be used for this supply.

Power Cord Safety:

WARNING: THIS APPARATUS MUST BE CONNECTED TO A MAINS SOCKET-OUTLET WITH A PROTECTIVE EARTH CONNECTION.

The cores of the mains cord are colored according to the following code: GREEN AND YELLOW - EARTH / BLUE - NEUTRAL / BROWN - LIVE.

As the colors of the cores in the mains cord of this apparatus may not correspond with the color markings identifying the terminals of your plug, proceed as follows:

• The GREEN AND YELLOW colored core MUST be connected to the terminal in the plug marked E, or by the earth symbol ?, or colored GREEN, or GREEN AND YELLOW.
• The BLUE colored core MUST be connected to the terminal marked N or colored BLACK.
• The BROWN colored core MUST be connected to the terminal marked L or colored RED.

This equipment may require a different power supply cord, attachment plug, or both, depending on the available power source at installation. If the attachment plug needs to be changed, have the servicing performed by qualified personnel, referring to the table below. The GREEN/YELLOW wire must be connected directly to the unit's chassis.

WARNING: IF THE EARTH IS DEFECTIVE, CERTAIN FAULT CONDITIONS IN THE UNIT OR IN THE SYSTEM TO WHICH IT IS CONNECTED MAY RESULT IN FULL MAINS VOLTAGE BEING PRESENT BETWEEN THE CHASSIS AND EARTH. SERIOUS INJURY OR DEATH MAY THEN OCCUR IF THE CHASSIS AND EARTH ARE TOUCHED SIMULTANEOUSLY.