DOD Carcosa Fuzz [DNK]
User Manual and Specifications
Introduction
The DOD Carcosa Fuzz is a versatile guitar effects pedal designed to deliver a wide range of fuzz tones, from classic, amp-like overdrive to aggressive, sputtering, and synth-like textures. It offers extensive control over fuzz character and output, making it suitable for various playing styles and amplifier setups.
The pedal is named after the fictional realm of the King in Yellow, evoking a sense of mystery and unique sonic exploration.
Product Image Description
The DOD Carcosa Fuzz pedal features a striking black enclosure adorned with yellow graphics. The top panel is equipped with four control knobs: BEFORE, OUTPUT, AFTER, and HI-CUT. Below these controls, a distinctive graphic depicts a stylized skull with horns and flame-like patterns. A blue LED indicator illuminates when the effect is active, situated near the footswitch. The pedal's name, "CARCOSA FUZZ," is prominently displayed in bold yellow lettering.
Controls
- 1. BEFORE: Adjusts the amount of fuzz.
- 2. OUTPUT: Controls the overall output level. This can be used as a boost due to its significant output potential.
- 3. AFTER (Bias Control): Modifies the fuzz texture. Turning counter-clockwise yields higher "woody" fuzz tones that clean up with the guitar's volume knob. Turning clockwise produces "broken" fuzz tones and "horn-like" vocal sounds with sustain. Mid-range settings offer classic to modern "wall-of-sound" fuzz tones.
- 4. HI-CUT: Reduces high-frequency detail. Start at the 9:00 position and adjust counter-clockwise for brighter pickups or clockwise for darker pickups. Extreme settings can alter the tone significantly, especially when combined with the AFTER bias control. Higher gain settings or stage volumes may require HI-CUT adjustments for clarity.
- 5. IN: Connect your instrument here.
- 6. DEMHE/HALI Toggle Switch:
- DEMHE (Up Toggle Position): Provides a bass and low-mid boost, excellent for clean amp channels.
- HALI (Down Toggle Position): Offers a bass cut, ideal for dirty amp channels.
- 7. Footswitch: Engages or disengages the effect.
- 8. LED: Indicates when the effect is active.
- 9. OUT: Connect to the next pedal in your chain or to your amplifier's input.
Using the Carcosa Fuzz
The DOD Carcosa Fuzz opens up an alternative fuzz universe, blending classic tones with abstract sonic elements. The versatile AFTER bias control, combined with the DEMHE/HALI toggle, allows for a wide spectrum of sounds, from thick and saturated to dry and broken. It pairs well with both dirty and clean amplifiers.
The pedal features a pronounced mid-range and treble character, helping it cut through a mix while maintaining note articulation. Extreme bias settings can produce wild and over-the-top sounds.
Amplifier Pairing:
- With Dirty Amplifiers: The HALI mode helps keep the low-end tight, and the HI-CUT control can add clarity or act as a treble booster, making it excellent for fuzzy lead boosts.
- With Clean Amplifiers: The DEMHE mode boosts the low-mids, complementing American twin combo amps (especially with their bright switches disengaged). It also works well with British amps on the edge of breakup, adding thickness and driving them into saturation.
Control Interaction:
- Lower AFTER (Bias) settings respond well to guitar volume and playing dynamics, cleaning up predictably like classic overdrive-fuzzes.
- Higher AFTER (Bias) settings make gain and attack less sensitive to volume changes, producing more aggressive fuzz tones, including sputtery, synth-like sounds.
- The HI-CUT control is typically used sparingly, often below the noon position. Its range is primarily for compensating for attack loss or extreme sag/gate caused by higher AFTER bias settings.
- Experiment with setting the BEFORE and AFTER controls in opposite directions (e.g., BEFORE at 3:00, AFTER at 9:00, or vice-versa) for a broad range of controllable tones.
Pedal Chain Placement:
Most guitarists and bassists prefer placing fuzz pedals at the beginning of their effects chain. A typical signal chain order is: distortion/fuzz, modulation (Chorus, Flanger, Phaser, Tremolo), and finally time-based effects (Delay, Reverb). Placing the Carcosa Fuzz early in the chain helps preserve its character regardless of subsequent effects.
Control Range Diagrams Description:
AFTER (Bias) Control Ranges: This diagram illustrates the tonal spectrum of the AFTER bias control. On the left, it shows a "Low Gain Range" with reduced treble content, leading into an "Extreme Range" for gated/sputtery, horn-like sounds. The center represents the "Normal Operating Range." On the right, it depicts a "High Gain Range" with increased treble content, extending to an "Extreme Range" to compensate for sag/gate effects at high bias settings.
HI-CUT Control Ranges: This diagram shows the HI-CUT control's function. The left side indicates a "Treble Make-Up Range" for low AFTER (Bias) settings. The right side shows an "Extreme Range" designed to compensate for extreme sag/gate effects that can occur with higher AFTER bias settings.
Specifications
- Input: 1/4" TS Unbalanced - 500 kΩ
- Output: 1/4" TS Unbalanced - 1 kΩ
- Current Draw: 4 mA
- Bypass: True Bypass
- Power: 9VDC alkaline battery (not included) or PS0913DC power adapter (optional)
- Warranty: 1 Year
Manufacturer Information
Brand: DOD
Address: 59 Hwagok-ro 61gil Ganseo-gu, Seoul 07590 Republic of Korea
Support: support@digitech.com
Safety and Compliance Information
This section provides important safety and compliance guidelines for the DOD Carcosa Fuzz pedal.
General Safety Warnings:
- Altitude: Recommended for use at low altitudes; do not use above 2000m (6561 ft).
- Symbols: The pedal may display international symbols indicating potential hazards. A lightning bolt in a triangle warns of dangerous voltages. An exclamation mark in a triangle indicates that the user should refer to the manual.
- No User Serviceable Parts: Do not open the unit or attempt to service it yourself. Refer all servicing to qualified personnel. Opening the chassis will void the manufacturer's warranty.
- Liquid and Moisture: Do not expose the unit to rain or moisture. If liquid is spilled on the unit, immediately turn it off and have it serviced by a dealer. Do not get the unit wet.
- Storms: Disconnect the unit during thunderstorms to prevent damage.
- Power Switch: The power ON/OFF switch does not disconnect the unit from the mains power supply.
- Mains Disconnection: The power plug must remain easily accessible. For rack mounting or installations where the plug is not accessible, an all-pole main switch with a contact separation of at least 3mm per pole must be incorporated into the electrical installation.
UK Plug Specifics:
- A cut-off mains plug is unsafe. Dispose of it properly.
- Never insert a damaged or cut plug into a 13 Amp socket.
- Ensure the fuse cover is in place. Replacement fuses must be 13 Amp and ASTA approved to BS1362.
Disposal of Product:
- Do not mix this product with general household waste. It must be disposed of through separate collection systems for electronic products, requiring proper treatment, recovery, and recycling.
- Private households in EU member states, Switzerland, and Norway can return used electronic products free of charge to designated collection points or to a retailer (if you are buying a similar new product). Contact local authorities for disposal methods in other regions. This ensures proper treatment and prevents negative environmental and health effects.
General Usage Precautions:
- 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, ovens, or other apparatus (including amplifiers) that produce heat.
- Use only accessories specified by the manufacturer.
- Unplug the unit during lightning storms or when unused for long periods.
Electrical Connection and Wiring:
- Ensure the apparatus is connected to a socket outlet with protective earthing.
- Power Cord Wiring: The cores in the power cord are colored according to the following code: Green and Yellow – Earth / Blue – Neutral / Brown – Live.
- Connection Guide:
- The Green/Yellow core (or Earth symbol) connects to the terminal marked E, or colored Green, or Green and Yellow.
- The Blue core connects to the terminal marked N or colored Black.
- The Brown core connects to the terminal marked L or colored Red.
- If the power cord needs replacement, service should be performed by qualified service personnel. The Green/Yellow wire must be connected directly to the unit's chassis.
- Grounding Warning: If the ground connection is faulty, certain malfunctions or system issues could result in full mains voltage between the chassis and ground. Touching the chassis and ground simultaneously in such a condition could cause severe injury or death.