Torino Audio is a new pedal company based in Italy. It commissioned a couple of videos of their new “Organic” line of pedals (EytschPi42 published a video for each, you can find them here).
The term “Organic” intends to convey that these pedals have no integrated circuits, no buffers nor digital processing.
Since in this blog cover one pedal at a time, we’ll focus on their overdrive CREAM, an amp-in-a-box mostly emulating a Marshall JTM amp. Featuring a 3 gain stage MOSFET-based circuit, the CREAM offers tones ranging from a cranked Bluesbraker to a modded Plexi.
Here are a few key details:
- Input section is designed as a “JTM In a Box”
- The switch in the center position acts as the “normal” input of the JTM.
- The Bright position acts as the “bright” input of the JTM: treble boost fades away at max gain.
- The Boost position adds extra gain, like modded Plexis with the two inputs cascaded.
- Over 20 dB of boost available. Great to push an amp into natural overdrive for solos.
Check out the vidz!
Why Cream ? Is that referring to Clapton’s early days, or to the creaminess of tone? Well, kind of both.
The idea here, is to nail the typical output stage overdrive of a cranked Bluesbreaker, plus the possibility to get beyond that, such as a higher gain modded Plexi.
The circuit is based on MosFets, with 3 gain stages. The mids are full, but without cutting any bass, like in the typical “screamers”. Highs are crispy and present, but never piercing.
The three-way switch lets you span from the typical Bluesbreaker “Normal” and “Bright” inputs, to a higher gain bridged Plexi sound, in the “boost” position.
Thanks to its high output, this is also a great Boost pedal. With a low gain setting, you can use it to drive the input of a high gain amp, as it’s normally done with a screamer, but with a much more flexible tone control.
Another great combination is after the Organic Meat: Using the Meat as a hi-gain preamp and the Cream to do the power amp overdrive. Put the CabSim at the end, and you’ll get the best “Amp-In-a-Box” tone for recording.
CREAM Bullet Points
Designed to give the typical overdrive of a cranked vintage amp.
No buffers, only 3 active elements on the signal path.
Input section is designed as a “JTM In a Box”
The switch in the center position acts as the “normal” input of the JTM.
The Bright position acts as the “bright” input of the JTM: treble boost fades away at max gain.
The Boost position adds extra gain, like modded Plexis with the two inputs cascaded.
Over 20 dB of boost available. Great to push an amp into natural overdrive for solos.
