Beavis Audio Research Four Knob Rat (aka The FKR)

[nad]

Rather than explaining the layout of this pedal on my own, I'll just quote this straight from the horse's mouth:

Originally Posted by Beavis Audio Research

The FKR started out as a clone of the Rat, but I deleted the input buffer stage and added true-bypass switching. From there, I’ve moved the stock 2-diode clipping components off to a separate circuit stage that allows switching between:

-Stock: 2 x 1N914 diodes

-Stock/Asymmetric Clipping: 1 x 1N914 + 2 1N34 Germanium diodes

-LED: 2x red LEDs for much more intense clipping (incidentally, this is the difference between the Rat and the Turbo Rat)

-MOSFET: 2xIRF520 MOSFETS + 1N34A Germanium diodes for boutique clipping as found in various pedals including the Fulltone OCD and Hermida Mosferatu.

Additionally, I implemented the Ruetz Mod whereby you swap one if the fixed resistors in the feedback loop with a pot. This allows you to mellow out the Rat—you can go from slightly dirty boost, to mild overdrive to full out face-shredding tone pownage.

Finally, I added an additional clipping section to the feedback loop of the LM308 opamp. This clipping section allows the choice between no loop clipping, red LED, or MOSFET clipping. So in essence you have a new section that is more like a Tube Screamer overdrive. And you can have it turned on at the same time as you have any of the other clipping mods turned out. Outrageous!

http://www.beavisaudio.com/Projects/FKR/






(click for close up)

This pedal is extremely versatile. Let me repeat that. This pedal is extremely versatile. It can go everywhere betwixt rabid grind and subdued warmth with a few flicks, clicks, spins, and tweaks. Thankfully it can be pretty set and forget, but this FKR contains a bountiful harvest of useful settings with seemingly limitless possibilities. Having only owned it a week and using it at just one gig so far, I know I have a long way to go before I truly get to know this diminutive beast, but I am already quite pleased. I started off making a list of settings to use for a plethora of clips, but after getting to the 16th one and realizing I would have about 400 more to do, I gave up and just recorded a variety of randomized knob and switch twiddlings. So, the following samples are merely scratching the surface, but they should provide a decent summary of the myriad sounds the FKR offers.

FKR 01
FKR 02
FKR 03
FKR 04
FKR 05
FKR 06
FKR 07
FKR 08
FKR 09

Passive j-bass with both pickups and tone on full, recorded direct. I will hopefully have some live band recordings up next weekend, and shall edit/bump this thread as appropriate.

[OptimusPrime]

Awesome.

[whoatherechunk]

price?

[poor_gear_whore]

Originally Posted by whoatherechunk

price?

Trading me one trogotronic 665. But I paid a little over $200 shipped. The next run Dano is making I believe will be a little more, but I am not sure. To Nad, sorry to butt in on your thread. I am just really curious as to what you think of it. Your clips are great. I have a feeling I will own one again.

[emjazz]

Whoa....I really want one....thanks for the sound clips.

[whoatherechunk]

beavis audio rules!

[nad]

Aye, 'tis true.

Recordings exist of this pedal in a live situation, but they are laced throughout various 20+ minute improvisation jams at random occasion, so I cannot directly exhibit such examples in quick, easy, readily accessible form. However, it does work quite well in a mix, even with a loud guitarist and second bassist amongst the fold. Very nice pedal.

[katri]

I have to know, why 5 LEDs???

[fightthepower]

Awesome, thanks for sharing.

[whoatherechunk]

according to beavis audio.....they might be up for sale again soon.

[OhThePeacock]

Can't wait to hear the clips when I get home.

[ZombiCrow]

Buh-ump! Anyone know if Beavis's Four Knob mods for the BYOC Mouse make an identical beast, or is it slightly less flexible? Seems like it'd have to be at least a little less malable with only one rotary switch, while Beavis's NEW FKR purportedly has two rotaries for clipping stage goodness. Anyhow, just a bump for more info , if yet available!

[whoatherechunk]

supposedly they were gonna be available now! i want to know too!!!!!

[JimmyM]

I don't want to know a thing! I love the Rat, and I already have a Keeley Rat, which is a deluxe Rat. A super deluxe Rat would just be too much goodness!

[whoatherechunk]

succumb to the force Jimmy!!!!

[JimmyM]

Originally Posted by whoatherechunk

succumb to the force Jimmy!!!!

I will when it costs $100

[Joe Gress]

Bump. Nad, do you still have this guy? Thoughts?

[jumbo_steelie]

Pick yourself up a used RAT and see if ryan will do it up for ya.....sooooooo worth it!!!!

[Joe Gress]

Actually, that's kinda why I'm bumping this. I want to know which mods are the best.

[rratajski]

http://www.beavisaudio.com/projects/...htierMouse.gif

Just do them all haha.