The Bardic Audio Devices Rival is an amp-in-a-box inspired by the Mark V (Mesa Boogie) line of amps. It’s based on a circuit as complex as the one found in the original, modeling each vacuum tube stage through the use of JFET op-amps, and doesn’t fail to feature the graphic equalizer that made those old amps stand out.
The 5-band graphic equalizer, with its +/-15dB range, opens up a vast array of tonal possibilities beyond the standard bass-mid-treble EQ commonly found in amplifiers, and the presence control allows for easy adjustment of the pedal’s brightness.
Check out the launch video.
Bardic Audio Devices Rival Distortion, Builder’s Notes
The Rival is a mark V style amp emulator (possibly the only mark V in a pedal). Through the use of JFET op-amp technology, each vacuum tube stage in the original amp was modeled, thus enabling an authentic modern tube amp tone. The 5-band graphic equalizer, with a +/-15dB range, opens up a world of possibilities and is not limited by the standard bass-mid-treble eq found on most amplifiers. The handy presence control helps set the brightness of the pedal and can create a base tone to start playing with. The amp of the Rival is much more complex in reality, and that is one of the issues the Rival tackles. You are able to find the tone they want with a straightforward control scheme of 3 knobs and 6 sliders. Like any finely engineered pedal, all controls can be set at 50% and you have a solid tone to play with. Time to get rockin!
Controls
Gain: Distortion gain control
Solo: Solo channel volume
Presence: High end roll off
Vol: Normal channel volume
EQ: +/-15dB at 80, 240, 750, 2.2K, and 6.6KHz
Bypass FTSW: Activates/Bypasses effect
Solo FTSW: Enables Solo channelSpecifications:
– Power: 9-15V center-negative power supply
– Input Impedance: 1M?
– Output Impedance: 1K?
– Soft-touch True Bypass Switching
– Top mounted jacks
– Handmade in Niles Illinois
