Akai Professional Deluxe Distortion

This pedal is part of the Akai Analog Custom Shop line. I took a chance on it due to an insanely low price and I am happy that I did. It is an analog distortion unit with many unique and useful tools available. The six rotary knobs control level, low, mid frequency, mid, high, and distortion. In addition to these controlls the unit also has four switches that control Direct recording, EQ mode, High cut, and a Drive 3 switch. The Direct record switch toggles a cabinet simulator. The EQ mode afects the overall characteristic of the tone knobs and has choices for Classic, Normal, and Modern. The High cut offers a reduction in treble over 3khz. The Drive 3 controll however is one of the coolest varients on this unit. The pedal is actually about the size of two pedals and rightly so as this switch controls the signal path. There are two discrete clipping sections available, diode and LED, that this switch allows the users to select or use simultaneously. It has a true bypass switch, a qurter inch input and a quarter inch output jack as well as an option to run the system on nine volt or with an AC adapter.

UTILIZATION

The manual is about as spartan as can be but is to the point. There are a slew of options available on this unit and it is capable of many diferent distortion types. If you have used any amp in the past then this pedal should not pose a usage problem other than the fact that there are an extreme amount of tones capable of being produced. While the unit is not generally hard to make sound good there is a bit of a learning curve you will need to get through to fully apreciate the value of this piece.

SOUND QUALITY

I have only used this unit with my guitars and it seems to compliment the variety very well. My different guitars seem to retain there characteristics very well and even though the effect of distortion can be extremely coloring I can still feel the general nature of each instruments unique character. I have found this unit to be versitle in front of an amp also. By using the clean channel or the return of the effects loop in tandem with the direct recording feature the overall nature of the pedal changes drastically, in a good way. I find that the sound has a high level of clarity and definition but can seem abrasive under certain extreme settings. The Akai Deluxe Distorion covers an extreme range of tones and is suitable for practically any musical situation requiring distortion. I always highly appreciate any unit that can cover a large area of tones and the more I use it the more I am enjoying it. The only thing I can think that I would have wanted to add would be to replace the Drive 3 switch with three stomp switches for better live useabilities. This to me is not an issue but I can see how that would be a bonus.

OVERALL OPINION

This unit originally listed for $300 so to get it for almost 90% off is to extreme a value to pass up. I have no idea why this line did not catch on but good for my budget and setup. I see this unit to be well constructed and versitle, something any musician can appriciate. The overall sound that it produces is very high quality as well. I always like to add pedals and preamps into my set up to offer variations but this was definitaly a spur of the moment purchace I am glad I made. I do not know if I would have paid full price for it because it is a bit out of the toy price range but I would not want anything to happen to it and if it is being discontinued I do not know how I would replace it. I would always like to see this pedal around for me to enjoy.

This pedal is very cheap, is an analog distortion pedal.

The connections are simple, put a jack on one side, the other a jack and the pedal can be powered via a power supply socket located at the rear of the housing (ditto the 9v power supplies BOSS), the power supply can also be done via a battery in a square cage cleverly placed below (access via a small screw system, nickel!)

UTILIZATION

The configuration is ne can complete the knobs and switches everywhere, we feast.

From left to right; handle knobs: volume (although boosted by the pedal, attention to the ears!) Bass adjustment (classical), mid frequency (in fact the true middle), a middle (actually a boost of mid frequency), a high (classical) and gain / distortion level.

Then there are a few switches. The first very interesting amp enables a (super, I repeat being connected directly to a mixing desk, very good record!), The second manages the type of memory distortion wanted (from classic to modern) the third is a high cut (cutting treble, like sometimes my ears) and the third set the EQ type (of 3 available).

SOUND QUALITY

The sound is crazy, equivalent to the distortion of my lamp Marshall, may be more defined, more versatile for sure, the power is just huge (no, my opinion is neutral). This pedal is big enough (yes still ...) fits perfectly into a rack rocker, of hardu of metalheads ... 'What end is punchy. Just after Triwah (sounds are crazy Morello makes me more shade!) With a Gibson LP Stud 'and a Marshall Valvestate 8080. Combinations are huge, everything is done. This completes the distortion pedal amp, can also be used with Preamp [is] on the amp, it sounds pretty dirty Offspring and cavernous.

OVERALL OPINION

I use this pedal for 4 or 5 months, no worries notorious.

I tested TONS of distortion pedals (beards forces), the DS-1 crappy pedals that are gorgeous hm-2 Japan 1980s or Ibanez pedals.

The sound is the obvious advantage of this monster. The pedal has a relatively class is very well finished.

A little less ... well no. For what I do it for me, it is very versatile but has perhaps not a grain pedal lamp (that I did not want). Orf and then if: switch activation still seems a little cheap compared to my Big Muff, I have not had any problems with it, but I'll let you know if I do.

The value for money is terrible, do not hesitate. I remake this choice will be beautiful when broken, lost or stolen.

6 knobs and some selectors
polished stainless steel finish
9v classic
2 jack
MId equalizer with adjustable (frequency is selected to boost, then the boost)
because it is full metal heavy, wide and stable
is the DISTORTION

UTILIZATION

config simple manual one page
edition of sounds there, must find his way, so there is possibility of adjustment
one amp modeling is possible, in fact, only serious experience in

3 modes equalizer, the position remains subtle MODERN
a high pass filter, for odd distortion, but avoid a feedback or the sound fraquasse eardrums
3 DRIVE mode, including one reminiscent of a low-pass filter

SOUND QUALITY

now, we are seduced by the look

the distortion knob attack very quickly, like an exponential curve,
the equalizer is flexible in use, responds immediately
high cut filter does not serve me much, you really get to act very high
the DRIVE "FAT" you back in the 70s

it is a fast hook mode BOOST

I put 8

OVERALL OPINION

I tried BEHRINGER boff, except metal extrem
I have a fender, the old blue, I guard his life for his round and sizzling overdrive limit

this one, and finally it serves well for black METAL, the HEAVY, or solo that require fine tuning between the MID and HIGH
the knobs are not serrated, so it must be registered with tape to capture settings, AC is well on metal stainless steel

BUT it is also in effect on output GROOVEBOX to regain his ACID, TB 303 type
I had the pot, -50% for the purchase,