Nordland ODR-CS Custom Special Overdrive

Owner's Manual

Introduction

Thank you for purchasing this effect device! Nordland values good components and builds devices mainly by hand, measuring them personally several times to ensure they meet quality requirements before delivery.

More detailed information on the development of the ODR-S and the Nordland ODR-CS can be found on the Nordland website. This guide provides detailed information with technical background to explain the functions.

Development

The ODR-CS (Overdrive Custom Special) is the successor to the ODR-S, developed in 1993. It features two consecutive distortion stages: the first is a classic overdrive circuit with two silicon diodes in the feedback path of an operational amplifier (soft clipping). The second stage adds two germanium diodes as limiters (hard clipping).

Unfortunately, these special germanium diodes have not been manufactured for decades. After a long search, Nordland managed to acquire a stock of good-sounding germanium diodes as NOS.

NOS: New Old Stock – meaning new goods that have been stored for a very long time!

Based on current experience, Nordland has significantly improved the quality compared to the original ODR-S. The sound control has been revised, and to manage the inherent scatter in germanium semiconductors, each diode is measured and selected based on its forward voltage, with an internal bias control used for fine-tuning the effect.

Improvements

9 V to 18 V Operation: The built-in components handle 18 volts without issue. The sound of the ODR-CS changes with operating voltage between 9 V and 18 V.
Protection against Polarity Reversal: The device blocks in the event of polarity reversal, protecting the electronics.
True Bypass Footswitch: Ensures no loss of sound when the effect is bypassed (off). Features a soft footswitch click for comfort.
High-Quality Materials: Includes a stable Hammond MFG (England) 1590N1 aluminum housing, gold-plated Cliff jack sockets, gold-plated board connectors, boards with ENIG gold-plated pads, 1% tolerance metal film resistors, and max. 5% film capacitors in the audio signal path for optimal sound quality.
Soft-LED: A gentle on/off transition for the LED brightness helps suppress switching clicks. An LED brightness knob-potentiometer is located inside the ODR-CS.
Selected Germanium Diodes: Features internal bias knob for sound adjustment.
G.D.C. Knob: A small knob that can reduce the effect of the germanium diodes (hard clipping).
Optimized Tone Control: For bass and treble frequencies.
Extended Mid Control: The mid knob can now not only add mids but also remove them.

Operation

Velcro or Rubber Feet?

A set of Velcro pads and rubber feet are included. Attach the Velcro or rubber feet depending on your use; Velcro tape is recommended for pedalboards.

Note: Please leave the screws free so that access to the inside (e.g., battery) is retained!

Connection to a DC Power Supply

Connect the DC-socket [3] to a standard power-supply (hum-free, electronically stabilized!). The voltage must be between 9 V and 18 V. The device requires between 15 mA and 25 mA, so the power-supply should deliver at least 50 mA. The inner pole of the socket (5.5 mm / 2.1 mm) is ground, and the outer ring must be on plus (+). While built-in reverse polarity protection offers some protection, it should be avoided. Using other devices on the same power supply where the positive contact is applied to the housing (ground) could cause a short circuit and damage the power supply unit.

Connection to a 9 V Battery

After removing the bottom plate [4] (secured by 4x Phillips screws), a 9 V block battery (alkaline-manganese recommended) can be connected to the clip and placed behind the foot switch. Battery life varies, but for environmental reasons, Nordland strongly advises against using batteries.

Input/Output Connection

The output signal from your instrument or another effects device connects to the input socket using a mono jack cable (1/4" or 6.3 mm plug). A cable to the next device (amplifier, pedal, etc.) connects to the output socket.

Note: When using a stereo cable, the device will not turn on unless the ring contact is grounded (GND).

LED Brightness

A brightness knob [13] for the LED is located inside the ODR-CS. The base plate must be removed to access it. The knob allows for easy adjustment of the LED brightness with a finger or thumb.

Effect On/Off

The true bypass-switch [6] turns the effect on or off. The LED [5] illuminates when the effect is active. The signal path is from the input jack, through the footswitch, directly to the output jack. A 2 MΩ resistor across this signal path diverts DC offset-voltages, and capacitors discharge to reduce switching noise.

Attention: Before switching on, ensure the volume [7] is set very low to prevent any impairment or damage (to hearing, loudspeakers, or amplifiers).

Controls and Operation

Note: Clicking noises when switching cannot be prevented 100%. After connecting to a DC power supply, switching may be louder initially until operating values stabilize. If crackling persists, it might be caused by DC voltage (DC-offset) from connected devices.

Level

This knob [7] adjusts the output volume of the ODR-CS.

Drive

This knob [8] sets the degree of overdrive, adjustable from "almost clean" to "heavily overdriven". Volume changes with this knob; readjust the Level control [7] if necessary.

G.D.C. (Germanium Drive Control)

This knob [9] adjusts the effect of the germanium diodes.

With the Drive knob [8] set slightly higher, the G.D.C. knob [9] influences the distortion sound (Germanium distortion).
When the Drive knob [8] is turned up and the G.D.C. knob [9] is in the right area, the sound primarily comes from the silicon diodes (overdrive).
For a good low gain drive sound, set the Drive control [8] to approximately 9 o'clock and the G.D.C. Knob [9] between 9 o'clock and 12 o'clock.

The germanium diodes reduce output volume. At the left stop, volume is significantly lower (maximum distortion or limitation) compared to turning the G.D.C. [9] knob clockwise. To achieve sounds similar to the original ODR-S (from 1993), the G.D.C. knob must be set to the left stop.

Tone Control: Bass | Mid | Treble

Bass

This knob [10] controls the low frequencies.

Bass Knob Positions:

Red: right stop
Blue: middle position
Orange: left stop

Note: Guitars with humbuckers often require less bass, while single coils may benefit from more bass.

[Description of Bass Frequency Graph: This graph illustrates the frequency response for different Bass knob settings. The horizontal axis represents frequency in Hertz (Hz), ranging from 20 Hz to 20 kHz. The vertical axis represents gain in decibels (dB), from -18 dB to +18 dB. The red curve shows maximum bass boost, the blue curve represents a neutral setting, and the orange curve indicates bass cut.]

Mid

With this knob [11], the center frequencies can be raised or lowered.

Mid Knob Positions:

Cyan: right stop
Blue: middle position
Violet: left stop

Note: Compared to the ODR-S (from 1993), the mids can also be turned down on the ODR-CS.

[Description of Mid Frequency Graph: This graph illustrates the frequency response for different Mid knob settings. The horizontal axis represents frequency in Hertz (Hz), ranging from 20 Hz to 20 kHz. The vertical axis represents gain in decibels (dB), from -18 dB to +18 dB. The cyan curve shows a mid-boost, the blue curve represents a neutral setting, and the violet curve indicates mid-cut.]

Treble

With this knob [12], the high frequencies can be raised or lowered.

Treble Knob Positions:

Gray: right stop
Blue: middle position
Green: left stop

Note: The knob positions on the ODR-CS cannot be directly compared 1:1 with the ODR-S (from 1993) due to improvements, such as the extended mid control, which shifts knob positions relative to each other.

[Description of Treble Frequency Graph: This graph illustrates the frequency response for different Treble knob settings. The horizontal axis represents frequency in Hertz (Hz), ranging from 20 Hz to 20 kHz. The vertical axis represents gain in decibels (dB), from -18 dB to +18 dB. The gray curve shows treble boost, the blue curve represents a neutral setting, and the green curve indicates treble cut.]

Sound Examples

The following Drive, G.D.C., and Level settings are examples and may vary depending on your guitar, amplifier, and other gear.

(Note: Bass, Mid, and Treble settings are not specified in these examples; please adjust them as desired.)

Low Gain Germanium Drive I:

Set Drive to the 8 o'clock position. Depending on your pickups (Single coil or Humbucker), you will achieve a very low overdrive sound with maximum Germanium effect.

[Diagram Description: Pedal front panel showing Drive control set to approximately 8 o'clock. G.D.C. and Level controls are not specified.]
Low Gain Germanium Drive II:

Increase G.D.C. to around 10 o'clock, and decrease the Level control, as less G.D.C. results in a higher output level.

[Diagram Description: Pedal front panel showing G.D.C. control set to approximately 10 o'clock, and the Level control adjusted lower.]
Booster / Low Gain Drive:

Set G.D.C. to its right stop to minimize the effect of the Germanium diodes. Increase the Level for your desired boost output level.

[Diagram Description: Pedal front panel showing G.D.C. control set to the right stop, and the Level control increased.]
Lead Sound / Silicon Overdrive:

Use a higher Drive setting for a nice overdriven sound suitable for lead guitar. Adjust the Level for your desired output volume.

[Diagram Description: Pedal front panel showing the Drive control set higher for lead guitar tones, with the Level control adjusted for output volume.]
Mixed Silicon / Germanium Overdrive:

These settings provide a mixture of silicon and germanium character. Adjust the G.D.C. knob to your preference.

[Diagram Description: Pedal front panel showing settings that blend silicon and germanium characteristics, with the G.D.C. knob used for fine-tuning.]
ODR-S Overdrive

Similar to example #5, but with maximum Germanium hard-clipping (G.D.C. set to the left stop). This produces a sound typical of the original ODR-S.

[Diagram Description: Pedal front panel showing G.D.C. control set to the left stop for maximum Germanium hard-clipping.]

Technical Data

Input impedance: ~1 MΩ
Output impedance: ~1 kΩ
DC-Power supply: 9 V to 18 V (electronically stabilized)
Consumption: approx. 14 mA at 9 V, approx. 18 mA at 18 V
Powered by battery DC 9 V:
- Dry battery 6F22 (9 V)-Type (Carbon): Lifetime approx. 21 hours @ 300mAh
- Dry battery 6LR61 (9 V)-Type (alkaline manganese): Lifetime approx. 35 hours @ 500mAh
Dimensions: 125 (l) x 66 (w) x 58 (h) mm
Weight: ~ 360 g (without battery, not included!)

Important Notes / Safety Instructions

DC voltages over 20 volts can damage the ODR-CS!
Do not use the ODR-CS in a humid, dusty, dirty, or hot environment.
Liquids of any kind can damage the device. (Keep your cat away!)
Do not use harsh cleaning agents. If necessary, clean the ODR-CS with a soft cloth.

Batteries

Delivery WITHOUT batteries.
If batteries are mishandled, they may explode or leak. Always observe all safety instructions for batteries.
When changing the battery, disconnect the cables at the connections (input, DC, output) first to prevent possible malfunction or damage.
Batteries can leak! Escaping liquid is corrosive and attacks materials. If the ODR-CS is not used for a longer period, please remove the battery!
The device is switched on by inserting a mono jack plug into the input socket. Please note this when using batteries and pull out the jack plug to switch off.

Subject to technical and written changes!

This manual describes the technical data and details of the device at the time of publication.

A current version of these instructions can be found on the Nordland website: https://nordland-electronics.de/en/products/download-en.html

Compliance

WEEE-Reg.-No.: DE59471800

Nordland is a registered trademark!

Website: https://nordland-electronics.de

[CE marking, RoHS compliance, Pb-free symbol]