DOD Looking Glass Overdrive

Overview

The Looking Glass Overdrive is a collaboration between DOD and the boutique pedal company SHOE Pedals. Christopher Venter of SHOE Pedals is known for his unique circuits, colorful take on classic effects, and minimalist design aesthetic. The collaboration between DOD and SHOE retains all of Christopher's strengths while adding mainstream tonal appeal at an accessible price. This meticulously designed overdrive creates a sweet, musical drive with a character that works for any task: Lead, rhythm, low-gain, high-gain, or even as a tone-shaping boost.

Designer's Note

"Years ago, when I lived in Brooklyn, I began a quest to find the overdrive that worked for me. Most of these were slight variations on some classic op-amp designs that simply didn't convince me. I tried a ridiculous number of pedals and found myself completely unsatisfied with any of them. So, having initially decided to make only strange experimental fuzz pedals, I decided to break that rule and create a really beautiful overdrive that I actually wanted to play. After starting with a theory and refining it through extensive playtesting, I came up with the Savior Machine and named it after one of my favorite David Bowie songs. When DOD contacted me about collaborating on a new pedal, I was given carte blanche to do anything I wanted (within reason). So, I went back to my roots and designed a wild high-gain fuzz. It sounded great, but I thought to myself that it would only be useful for a few people. I wanted to create 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 musicians the satisfaction of hearing their overdrive reward their unique playing style. It's great for blues, sure, but it's also great for hard rock, indie, experimental music, psychedelic music, shoegaze, alternative, punk, bass, etc., etc., etc. The Looking Glass is like a funhouse mirror that allows you to modify and tweak your sound in any way possible, while still sounding like your ideal self."
-C.J.M. Venter

Product Image Description

A white DOD Looking Glass Overdrive pedal with silver knobs and black lettering. It features controls for LEVEL, GAIN, BASS CUT/TREBLE, and INPUT FILTER. A blue LED indicates effect status, and a footswitch is located at the bottom. The pedal is labeled "LOOKING GLASS OVERDRIVE" and "DESIGNED BY SHOE".

Controls

1. LEVEL

Sets the output level of the effect. It is recommended to lower this when switching to high gain mode to avoid large volume jumps.

2. GAIN

Controls how easily the pedal is pushed into overdrive. As the Looking Glass rewards dynamic playing, most settings can produce a clean sound when played lightly. The maximum overdrive level increases as this knob is turned up.

3. BASS CUT / TREBLE

The BASS CUT knob controls the amount of low-end content in the signal path (before overdrive). It is recommended to start with this control set at noon and adjust it up or down to thicken or thin out the overdrive to your liking. Tip: set to maximum, this control produces a very raw sound.

4. TREBLE

The TREBLE knob controls the brightness of the pedal's overdrive sound. Tip: you may want to sweep this control to roughly align with the Bass Cut control for a balanced sound. The concentric control design makes this easy to do on the fly. Or, for less neutral sounds, set the two indicators differently from each other to create the drive sound that best suits you.

5. INPUT FILTER

This is a variable filter that adjusts the tone of the input signal. To help match brighter guitars and reduce the prominence of sharp pick attacks, turn this control further to the left. For a brighter sound with a more prominent attack, turn this control all the way up. This control will also adjust the midrange content of the signal so that the midrange becomes more apparent as the knob is turned further to the left.

6. HIGH/LOW Mode

The Looking Glass offers two different overdrive modes. The Low mode is used to shape clean tone, light compression, and lower gain overdrive. The High mode picks up where the Low mode leaves off, pushing the pedal and allowing you to dial in Low to High gain overdrive sounds that remain highly touch-sensitive across the range. Note: it is recommended to lower the level when changing modes to avoid loud volume jumps and re-polarization noise as the pedal adapts to the new gain setting.

7. INPUT

Connect your instrument here.

8. FOOTSWITCH

Engages and disengages the effect.

9. LED

Illuminates when the effect is engaged.

10. OUTPUT

Connect to the input of your next pedal or your amplifier.

Internal DIP Switch

The input filter control is passive and interacts well with your guitar's electronics when you are not using a buffer in front of the Looking Glass. When using buffered pedals before the Looking Glass, you may want to adjust the left DIP switch (1) which slightly increases the pedal's input impedance.

Using the Looking Glass

Most guitarists/bassists will prefer to place the Looking Glass at the beginning of their effects chain, so start with that position. A typical effects signal chain will be composed of Overdrive effects first, then Modulation effects (Chorus, Flanger, Phaser, Tremolo, etc.), and finally Tempo-based effects (Delay and Reverb). Placing the Looking Glass towards the front of the chain or effects will preserve the atmosphere regardless of the pedal combination that follows. That said, you are always free to experiment with different effect positions.

Specifications

Safety and Compliance Instructions

The following is indicative of low-altitude use; do not use this product above 2000 m.

⚠️ [Altitude Limit: 2000m]

The symbols shown above are internationally accepted symbols warning of potential hazards with electrical products. The lightning bolt with an arrowhead in an equilateral triangle indicates that dangerous voltages are present within the unit. The exclamation mark in an equilateral triangle indicates that the user needs to refer to the owner's manual. These symbols warn that there are no user-serviceable parts inside the unit. Do not open the unit. Do not attempt to repair the unit yourself. Refer all servicing to qualified personnel. Opening the chassis for any reason will void the manufacturer's warranty. Do not get the unit wet. If liquid is spilled on the unit, turn it off immediately and take it to a dealer for servicing. Unplug the unit during thunderstorms to avoid damage.

UK Mains Plug Warning

A molded mains plug that has been cut off from the cord is unsafe. Dispose of the mains plug in a suitable disposal center. DO NOT UNDER ANY CIRCUMSTANCES INSERT A DAMAGED OR CUT-OFF MAINS PLUG INTO A 13 AMP SOCKET. Do not use the mains plug without the fuse cover in position. Replacement fuse covers can be obtained from your local dealer. Replacement fuses are 13 amp and MUST be ASTA approved to BS1362.

Disposal Information

If you wish to dispose of this product, do not mix it with general household waste. There is a separate collection system for used electronic products in accordance with legislation requiring proper treatment, recovery, and recycling. Private households in the 25 EU member states, in Switzerland, and Norway can return their used electronic equipment free of charge to designated collection points or to a retailer (if you are purchasing a similar new product). For countries not mentioned above, please contact your local authorities for the correct disposal method. This will ensure that the disposed product undergoes the necessary treatment, recovery, and recycling, thereby preventing potential negative effects on the environment and human health.

General Safety Warnings

• READ THESE INSTRUCTIONS.
• 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 ACCORDING TO THE MANUFACTURER'S INSTRUCTIONS. ?️
• DO NOT INSTALL NEAR ANY HEAT SOURCES SUCH AS RADIATORS, HEAT REGISTERS, STOVES, OR OTHER APPARATUS (INCLUDING AMPLIFIERS) THAT PRODUCE HEAT. ?❌

Power Cord and Wiring Safety

USE ONLY ACCESSORIES/ATTACHMENTS SPECIFIED BY THE MANUFACTURER.

UNPLUG THIS APPARATUS DURING LIGHTNING STORMS OR WHEN UNUSED FOR LONG PERIODS OF TIME. 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 for replacement of 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.

POWER SWITCH: The power switch used in this equipment DOES NOT interrupt the connection to the mains supply.

AC POWER DISCONNECTION: The plug must remain readily operable. For rack mounting or installations where the plug is not accessible, a mains switch with a minimum contact separation of 3 mm in each pole must be incorporated into the rack or building's electrical installation.

If connected to a 240 V supply, a CSA/UL certified power cord suitable for this supply must be used.

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

The cores of the power cord are colored according to the following code:

• Green and Yellow - Earth / Blue - Neutral / Brown - Phase

SINCE THE COLORS OF THE WIRES IN THE POWER CORD OF THIS APPARATUS MAY NOT CORRESPOND TO THE COLORED MARKINGS IDENTIFYING THE TERMINALS IN YOUR PLUG, PROCEED AS FOLLOWS:

• ! THE GREEN AND YELLOW COLORED WIRE MUST BE CONNECTED TO THE PLUG TERMINAL MARKED WITH THE LETTER E, OR WITH THE EARTH SYMBOL, OR COLORED GREEN, OR GREEN AND YELLOW.
• ! THE BLUE COLORED WIRE MUST BE CONNECTED TO THE TERMINAL MARKED WITH N OR COLORED BLACK.
• ! THE BROWN COLORED WIRE MUST BE CONNECTED TO THE TERMINAL MARKED WITH L OR COLORED RED.

THIS APPARATUS MAY REQUIRE THE USE OF A POWER SUPPLY CORD, A POWER PLUG OR BOTH DIFFERENT, DEPENDING ON THE POWER SOURCE AVAILABLE AT THE TIME OF INSTALLATION. IF THE ATTACHMENT PLUG HAS TO BE CHANGED, IT MUST BE DONE BY QUALIFIED SERVICE PERSONNEL WHO WILL REFER TO THE TABLE BELOW. THE GREEN/YELLOW WIRE MUST BE CONNECTED DIRECTLY TO THE CHASSIS OF THE UNIT.

ATTENTION: IF THE EARTH IS INCORRECTLY CONNECTED, CERTAIN FAULT CONDITIONS IN THE UNIT OR IN THE SYSTEM TO WHICH IT IS CONNECTED MAY RESULT IN A FULL LINE VOLTAGE BETWEEN THE CHASSIS AND EARTH. IF THE CHASSIS AND EARTH ARE TOUCHED SIMULTANEOUSLY, SEVERE OR FATAL INJURIES CAN OCCUR.