Electronics Audio Experiments Citadel

The Electronic Audio Experiments Citadel is a preamp-style overdrive inspired by the everlasting sounds of British amplifiers from the ’60s and ’70s. Rather than emulating a specific model, it encompasses our favorite parts of a whole generation of amplifiers including warm piano-like cleans, bright clear overdrive, and sizzling lead tones.

The Citadel began as a series of experiments on our Model feT pedal. Like any tube amp, there are ample opportunities for modifications. After all, the original Model T was itself a modified take on the Super Bass sound, delivering a distinct variety of the plexi flavor with fuzzy breakup and a huge low frequency punch. So, what if we flavored it our own way? Once Brad completed his “Marsha” prototype, it was on. In a way, you can almost think of the Citadel as are-plexi-fiedModel T sound, trading low end sludge for a sparkly midrange focus. In another way, you can think of it as what wed do if the original Model T wasnt too sacrosanct to modify.

Finally, like our Model feT, the Citadel emulates both the preamp and power amp sections of a tube amp to provide a full-bodied overdrive that feels powerful and responds wonderfully to boosts, drives, and fuzzes in front. It can be used either a conventional drive pedal or as the workhorse of an ampless signal chain.

Controls

• Bright Gain: turn clockwise to add gain from the parallel Bright channel, which is voiced for chime and sparkle. Adds bite to the drive tone at higher settings. The bright channel is fully muted when this control is at zero.

• Normal Gain: turn clockwise to add gain from the parallel Normal channel, which has a dark, full-bodied voicing. Higher settings produce a thicker gain sound. The normal channel is fully muted when this control is at zero.

• Bass, Midrange, Treble: 3-band FMV (Fender/Marshall/Vox) style tone stack. Moderately mid scooped and relatively subtle in its operation, but decidedly authentic. Most effective at clean to medium gain settings. For a flatter, more traditional pedal voicing, try Midrange at max with the Bass and Treble at zero.

• Master: sets overall output volume. This control is capable of high volumes to guarantee loud operation at the cleanest settings. Use judiciously!