{"product_id":"strymon-fairfax-class-a-output-stage-drive-amplifier-pedal","title":"Strymon FAIRFAX Class A Output Stage Drive Amplifier Pedal","description":"\u003cp\u003eMeet the Strymon Fairfax, a 100% analog miniature amplifier disguised as a drive pedal - complete with a miniaturized tube preamp, Class A power amp, and output‑transformer emulation for unbelievably tube‑like feel.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eMiniature Marvel\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eFairfax isn't really a distortion pedal. Instead, it's a complete miniature amplifier in 100% analog form, based upon a little-known device from the 60's that powered a number of classic rock anthems.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe sound and feel is extremely tube-like, with added harmonics and saturation coming from a clever circuit that emulates the critical behavior of a tube amp's output transformer. It's a drive pedal that feels completely natural to play, retains the natural sound of your guitar, and glues notes together in a truly organic way.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eMore Than A Drive Pedal\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eFairfax began as an engineering experiment, initially inspired by the original Garnet Amplifiers Herzog® tube drive unit designed for Randy Bachman in 1965. Our analog guys decided to try and recreate all of the critical elements of a custom Champ-like tube amp circuit fully in the analog domain, but small enough to fit into a pedal enclosure (so it couldn't use real tubes or an output transformer).\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe final design features a cleverly miniaturized tube preamp, Class A power amp and an ingenious custom circuit that emulates the saturation characteristics of the output transformer (which is absolutely vital to get the sound right).\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThere's even a variable Sag circuit that behaves just like a real tube amp does. At low Sag values the behavior is mild and only slightly compressed, and at max values the JFETs can go crazy and unbias - which gates the signal - leading to spitting and chortling sounds more commonly associated with fuzzes.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIn order for Fairfax to behave like a real amplifier it needed a massive amount of operating voltage, so a transformer-based power supply converts the 9VDC input voltage to 40V internally. This gives Fairfax the power that it needs for high headroom and amp-like feel, allowing for a wide range of tones.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAt lower Gain settings Fairfax can be sweet, gently pushing the input to your amp with additional harmonic richness, a touch of saturation and a flat frequency response. At higher Gain levels the sound becomes fully saturated, and that large range of gain on tap allows Fairfax to be used in nearly any setup imaginable.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSeries A\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eKiller code only sounds killer when it's hosted inside of an ideal analog environment, and even though we're primarily known for our DSP prowess, our stuff wouldn't sound the way that it does without our strong analog team.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe analog guys are always coming up with interesting designs, so we've launched the 'Series A' line of pure analog pedals to give them an outlet, with Fairfax being the first in the line.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe designs you'll be seeing in 'Series A' are intended to offer something different from traditional Strymon offerings, with no MIDI, USB, firmware or digital processing. These will be pedals that are unabashedly analog, which means it could get really interesting! Keep an eye out for more 'Series A' pedals as we go forward.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSound Design\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eBecause it's based upon a tube amp design, Fairfax plays well with all different types of amplifiers and amp modelers. The creamy sustain brings something new to both clean and naturally dirty amplifiers.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWe've even included an internal jumper that determines the power up state, so if you plan on using Fairfax with a pedal loop switcher or rack drawer system you can choose to have it turn on automatically when powered up, which is a lifesaver on a dark stage or with a complex setup.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eLevel\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eThe Level Control sets the output level for the pedal. Lower settings send less total output signal to your amplifier, no matter where the other two knobs are set.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDrive\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eThe Drive Control determines the amount of drive and saturation. Working in tandem with the Level control, you can determine precisely how you'd like to drive your amplifier - with a bunch of crunch and saturation dialed in, as a clean boost, or anything in between.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSag\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eThe variable Sag control allows you to fine-tune the behavior of the Sag circuit, where the amount of Sag is dependent on both the level being sent to the power amp section and on your playing style. At max, the sound can chortle and sputter, and the effect is more or less apparent depending on the Drive and Level settings.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eBright\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eThe Bright switch determines the high frequency contour. With the switch set to 'Off' high frequencies are attenuated somewhat, smoothing out the frequency response. Set to 'On', the high frequencies are left untouched, giving you a brighter response with more treble.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eFeatures\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eComplete tube amp circuit fully recreated in 100% analog.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eCustom analog circuits recreate multiple tube stages and the critical output transformer.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eInput voltage converted to 40V internally via galvanically isolated power supply.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eControls for Drive, Level and a variable Sag control.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eBright switch allows fine-tuning of the high frequency response.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eWide range of natural sounding and tube amp-like gain for maximum versatility.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eSag circuit allows mild Sag effects at lower settings and spitting and gated sounds at max.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eAll Strymon products are Designed and Built in the USA.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSpecifications\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eFully analog circuit.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eTrue Bypass.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eMono in\/out.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eDimensions: 4.53″ deep x 2.83″ wide x 2.33″ tall (11.51 cm x 7.19 cm x 5.92 cm)\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003ePower requirements - maximum 9 volts DC center-negative, with a minimum of 500mA (power supply NOT included.)\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e","brand":"Strymon","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":44924016984143,"sku":"Z120-FRFX","price":285.0,"currency_code":"CAD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0054\/9466\/9382\/files\/Fairfax_Site_TopDown_Trans.png?v=1773930198","url":"https:\/\/shop.musicredone.com\/products\/strymon-fairfax-class-a-output-stage-drive-amplifier-pedal","provider":"RedOne Music Canada","version":"1.0","type":"link"}