Thorn The FreaQ Double Stage Booster User Manual

Brand: Thorn Soundlabs

Introduction

Thank you for purchasing The FreaQ Double Stage Booster. The Thorn The FreaQ - Double Stage Booster is a highly flexible booster pedal designed to provide an extra punch and tonal control for your guitar. With its intuitive controls – Damping, Gain, Boost, and Freq – this pedal allows you to dial in everything from subtle boosts to powerful, stage-ready tones. The Freq control lets you fine-tune a targeted frequency range of additional boost or cut, offering even more tonal versatility. The Thorn The FreaQ - Double Stage Booster is a must-have tool for guitarists who want to push their sound to new levels, whether boosting volume, adding tonal clarity, or fine-tuning the frequency response.

Pedal Layout Description

The front panel of the Thorn The FreaQ Double Stage Booster features several controls and indicators:

Top Row: Numbered labels 1 through 7 are positioned above corresponding controls.
Controls:
- DAMPING (4): A rotary knob located on the left, controlling low-frequency content. Markings include "OUT" and "9-18V+".
- GAIN (5): A rotary knob in the center-left, used in conjunction with the FREQ control for the second stage.
- BOOST (6): A rotary knob in the center-right, adjusting the signal level sent to the output.
- FREQ (7): A rotary knob on the right, determining the frequency to be boosted or cut when the second stage is engaged. Markings include "200Hz" and "3.4kHz".
Footswitches:
- BOOST Footswitch (8): Located on the bottom left, this activates the first boost stage. An LED above it indicates when the stage is active.
- FREQ Footswitch (9): Located on the bottom right, this activates the second boost stage. An LED above it indicates when the stage is active.
Pedal Name: "THE FREAQ DOUBLE STAGE BOOSTER" is prominently displayed in the center.
Brand Logo: The "Thorn SOUNDLABS" logo is at the top, with "NASHVILLE TN USA" below it.

Controls and Features

1. Output: ? 1/4" (6.35 mm) mono output jack. Use an instrument or patch cable to connect to your next pedal or the input of the amplifier.
2. Power Supply Jack: ⚡ 9-18 VDC power supply jack. Connect a regular pedal power supply unit with a 5.5 x 2.1 mm barrel plug, center negative. Battery operation is not possible. Do not connect more than 18 V!
3. Input: ? 1/4" (6.35 mm) mono input jack. Use an instrument cable to connect your guitar or the previous pedal in your effects chain.
4. DAMPING Control: This is a variable filter that reduces the low-frequency content before the signal enters the boost circuit. Reducing low frequency content at the input helps keep the bottom end tight and responsive. Higher DRIVE settings generally sound better with increased DAMPING, while lower DRIVE settings with less DAMPING provide a more open low end character. There is no damping at the lowest setting (7 o'clock).
- 7 o'clock position: minimum damping = maximum bass
- 5 o'clock position: maximum damping = tight bass
5. GAIN Control: This control works in conjunction with the FREQ control to determine the sound for the 2nd stage. Once the second stage is activated (FREQ footswitch), GAIN settings below 12 o'clock cut the selected frequency range, and GAIN settings above 12 o'clock boost it. This allows the 2nd stage to function as either a bass booster or a treble booster.
6. BOOST Control: This adjusts the signal level sent to the output jack. Higher BOOST settings can drive the preamp stage of a tube amplifier into overdrive. The lowest setting (7 o'clock) maintains the input signal level at unity gain, allowing manipulation of frequency content without boosting the signal level.
7. FREQ Control: This determines the frequency to be boosted or cut when the 2nd stage is engaged, working with the GAIN control. Select a frequency with the FREQ control and use the GAIN control to boost or cut that frequency range.
8. BOOST Footswitch & LED: This footswitch activates the 1st boost stage, where only the BOOST and DAMPING controls affect the sound. The stage is active when the LED above the switch is lit. The pedal is in True Bypass when the LED is off.
9. FREQ Footswitch & LED: This footswitch activates the 2nd boost stage, which utilizes the GAIN and FREQ controls in addition to others. The 2nd stage is active when its LED is lit. For the 2nd stage to be active, the 1st stage (BOOST footswitch) must first be activated. If the BOOST footswitch is off, the 2nd stage is also off, even if the FREQ LED is lit. Turning on the 1st stage will simultaneously activate the 2nd stage.

Specifications

Input: 1/4" (6.35 mm) mono (TS) jack, impedance = 470 kΩ
Output: 1/4" (6.35 mm) mono (TS) jack, impedance = 2.2 kΩ
Power Supply: 9-18 VDC, 5.5 x 2.1 mm barrel plug, center negative
Battery Operation: Not possible.
Maximum Voltage: Do not connect more than 18 V!
Current Draw: Max. 30 mA
Dimensions: 3.70" x 4.72" x 1.50" (94 x 120 x 38 mm)
Weight: 0.82 lbs (370 g)

Safety Precautions

Power Requirements

⚠️ Please only use a power supply adapter approved by the manufacturer (9-18 VDC and center negative polarity). Only use power supplies that have been approved by the relevant authorities and that meet UL, CSA, VDE or CCC standards. Unplug the power adapter when not in use or during thunderstorms. We recommend pedal-specific, transformer-isolated wallwart power supplies or multiple isolated-output supplies. Pedals will make extra noise if there is ripple or unclean power. Switching-type power supplies, daisy chains and non-pedal specific power supplies do not filter dirty power as well and will let unwanted noise through. DO NOT RUN AT HIGHER VOLTAGES!

Storage and Handling

Do not use excessive force to operate the control elements of the pedal.
Do not drop the pedal, and avoid placing it in locations subject to shock or vibrations.
Do not modify the pedal without authorization.
Do not place the pedal in locations exposed to direct sunlight or excessively high or low temperatures.
Do not place the pedal in wet locations or places with high humidity.
Do not place the pedal in excessively dusty or dirty locations.

Cleaning

? Clean only with a soft, dry cloth. If necessary, lightly moisten the cloth. Do not use abrasive cleaners, cleaning alcohol, paint thinners, wax, solvents, cleaning fluids, or chemical-impregnated wiping cloths.

Connections

? Always disconnect the power supply from the pedal and any other equipment before connecting or disconnecting signal cables. Also, make sure to disconnect all connection cables and the power supply before moving the pedal.

Warranty

This device has a limited warranty of 2 years to the original owner. Should you encounter any issues, please visit www.thorn-soundlabs.com/warranty.

Recycling

? This product carries the selective sorting symbol for Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment (WEEE). This means that this product must be treated in accordance with European Directive 2012/19/EU in order to be recycled or dismantled to minimize its impact on the environment. The user has the option of returning the product to a competent recycling organization or to the retailer when purchasing new electrical or electronic equipment.

The exclamation point within an equilateral triangle ⚠️ is intended to alert the user to the presence of important operating and maintenance (servicing) instructions in the literature accompanying the appliance.