Fulltone Obsessive Compulsive Drive

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Congratulations on your purchase of the

Obsessive Compulsive Drive

You have version 1.4 of the legendary Fulltone OCD!

The OCD is an extremely open sounding Overdrive/Distortion circuit is quite different from any overdrive you’ve

tried being that it uses Mosfets for clipping, and that clipping is tied to the circuit’s Voltage Reference (vref) instead

of to ground. The end-result is that picking soft or picking hard will actually yield a more interactive experience

compared to a traditional “diode-to-ground” clipped overdrive. The OCD offers touch-sensitivity, more nuance, and

creates complex overtones while keeping the inherent tone of whatever amp and guitar you’re playing through!

It’s like lifting off the blanket that traditional diode-clipped pedals put on your sound.

Because of its huge amount of available output, the OCD works great as an Overdrive in front of amps to goose

them into submission, as well as through Master-Volume amps to drive them much harder than most OD‘s, but it

also excels at creating its own distortion with all the chime of a Class A amp and its complex array of overtones.

The OCD gives you the feeling that your amp is Cranked at even living room volumes so Clean playing is more

dynamic and dirty sounds still have the ringing overtones. And the greatest thing is that you can access a slew of

other in-between sounds by simply turning down your guitar’s volume control.

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Do you have a question about the Fulltone Obsessive Compulsive Drive and is the answer not in the manual?

The Fulltone Obsessive Compulsive Drive (OCD) is an overdrive/distortion pedal designed to provide a versatile range of tones, from clean boost to rich, complex distortion. It stands out from traditional diode-clipped overdrives by using Mosfets for clipping, with the clipping tied to the circuit's Voltage Reference (vref) instead of to ground. This design choice results in a highly interactive and touch-sensitive experience, where the intensity of your picking directly influences the sound.

Function Description:

The OCD is engineered to be an "open sounding" overdrive/distortion circuit. Its unique clipping method allows for a more nuanced response compared to typical pedals, creating complex overtones while preserving the inherent tone of your guitar and amplifier. The pedal aims to remove the "blanket" effect often associated with traditional diode-clipped pedals, offering a clearer and more dynamic sound.

With its substantial output, the OCD can function effectively in several ways:

Overdrive: It can be used in front of amplifiers to push them into natural overdrive, or with Master-Volume amps to drive them much harder than most other overdrive pedals.
Stand-alone Distortion: The pedal is also capable of generating its own distinct distortion, characterized by the "chime of a Class A amp" and a complex array of overtones.
Amp Simulation: It provides the sensation of a cranked amplifier even at lower, "living room" volumes, ensuring that clean playing remains dynamic and dirty sounds retain ringing overtones.
Dynamic Control: A key feature is the ability to access a wide range of "in-between sounds" simply by adjusting your guitar's volume control, allowing for seamless transitions between clean and dirty tones.

Usage Features:

The OCD pedal incorporates several controls and switches to tailor its sound:

True Bypass Switching: The pedal utilizes a Fulltone-made 3PDT footswitch for true bypass, ensuring that your guitar's signal remains unaffected when the pedal is disengaged.
Drive Knob: This control adjusts the amount of distortion. Turning it clockwise (CW) increases distortion. For cleaner sounds or when overdriving your favorite amp, it's recommended to keep it below the 10 o'clock position.
Volume Knob: This knob regulates the output signal level. The OCD boasts approximately 30dB of available gain, which is significantly more than many other distortion or overdrive pedals. Users may find themselves setting the Volume control as low as 9 o'clock and still achieving a substantial volume boost.
HP/LP Switch: This two-position switch offers distinct tonal characteristics:
- HP (High Peak): Engages increased bottom-end, enhanced distortion across the entire Drive Knob range, more overall volume, and a slight boost in upper mids (around 3.5kHz). This setting is designed to impart a "British" vibe, reminiscent of Vox and Marshall amplifiers.
- LP (Low Peak): Provides exceptional accuracy to the original sound of your guitar and amplifier, with very minimal coloration. This setting is ideal for clean boosting, for use with cranked Blackface or Tweed-style amps, or when a "British" sound is not desired.
Tone Knob: This control specifically affects the high frequencies. The 12 o'clock position is considered neutral. Turning it counter-clockwise (CCW) to around 10 o'clock or less yields smoother high-gain lead sounds (especially when the Drive knob is set higher than 12 o'clock). Turning it clockwise provides more cut and a less compressed feel.

Technical Specifications:

Power Options: The OCD can be powered by a single 9-volt battery (supplied) or by an external DC power adapter.
- Voltage Range: It supports any DC voltage between 9 and 18 volts.
- Adapter Specifications: The adapter must have a standard 2.1mm barrel plug with a Center-Pin/Negative configuration.
- Sonic Differences with Voltage: Higher voltages (e.g., 18V) result in a cleaner, louder, and more dynamic sound, akin to the difference between a 50-watt and 100-watt Marshall amplifier. Fulltone recommends their FPS-1, a 9-volt regulated wall wart adapter.
Clipping Circuitry: Utilizes Mosfets for clipping, with clipping tied to the circuit's Voltage Reference (vref) for enhanced interactivity and touch-sensitivity.
Gain: Offers approximately 30dB of available gain.

Maintenance Features:

Battery Access and Replacement: To access the battery, remove all four thumbscrews from the sides of the pedal and separate the housing. After replacing the battery, reassemble the housing and re-tighten all four screws.
Battery Life: A typical battery life is around 20 hours of use.
Prolonging Battery Life:
- Always unplug the guitar cable from the INPUT jack when the pedal is not in use to conserve battery life.
- If an adapter is plugged into the DC outlet, there is no need to unplug the guitar cable from the INPUT. The DC outlet is true-bypass and automatically disconnects the battery supply line, keeping the battery fresh.

Warranty Information:

Fulltone products come with a 5-year warranty for the original owner, requiring proof of purchase. The warranty covers damage resulting from manufacturing errors only. It does not cover modifications or repairs performed by anyone other than Fulltone without prior written consent. Batteries are not covered under warranty. Customers are responsible for shipping costs for warranty work. All warranty work must be scheduled via a phone call and requires a Return Authorization Form (RA Form), available via email. Fulltone Musical Products Inc. is not liable for injuries or damages to other items related or unrelated to the use of their products.