With the Solar Sound, Mattoverse may have just created a new pedal niche: stompboxes for outdoors guitarists.
The Solar Sound is a two-knob, one transistor-based gain circuit finely tuned to take full advantage of the low current and voltage provided by the solar panel. Admittedly, it can work when a bright artificial light is pointed at it, but it gives its best when it’s immersed in its natural element: the sun.
In the ideal lighting circumstances, it produces anything from starved and choked gain tones to light overdrive and smooth distortion.
Check out the first demo of the Mattoverse Solar Sound, below.
Mattoverse Solar Sound, Builder’s Notes
The Solar Sound is a beautiful and uniquely impractical solar powered effect pedal from Mattoverse Electronics. Consisting of a simple transistor based gain circuit that has been finely tuned to take full advantage of the low current and voltage provided by the solar panel, it provides everything from starved and choked gain tones, to light overdrive, and smooth distortion.
It was designed for and works best when powered from a natural light source, through a window or outdoors, but can also be powered in lower light environments with a bright light source directed at the solar panel.
A bare aluminum enclosure, with a wood faceplate and a clear acrylic protective shell for the solar panel.
Hardwire true bypass with controls for volume (top knob), gain (lower knob), and top mounted input and output jacks.
