As seen in this post by it's creator Tavo.

I've just received the pedal pictured below a couple days ago. It was a replacement for my old DynoBrain that I've been using for the last 3 years or so with my Jazzmaster (and now my new Strat). It's the only pedal I know (admittedly I'm not a big gearhead, but I've asked around) that allows me to adjust the amount of overdrive in a very tight range from "barely any" to "a little". I find this is ideal for surf music as it gives our guitar tone much needed character that is often absent when plugged straight into an amp, especially the big Fender ones. I think it gets one close to the tone of a cranked amp without having to actually crank it, which is especially nice for us Showman owners That perfect zone of clean, but not clean.

The pedal doesn't create any overdrive itself, it's a replica of the preamp section to a Roland Space Echo, and it drives the amp a little harder, but also colors it in a way that really sounds natural and pleasing. As opposed to the Tubescreamer that I used to use (turned all the way down), which has a very pronounced midrange coloration.

The difference between the Atomic vs Dyno is there's a second footswitch that gives you an extra boost. It sounds like a clean boost to me, perhaps there's a little extra there - Tavo can fill in more info I'm sure. But that boost is just the right amount if you're playing 2nd guitar and have to bump up to lead or counter-melody for part of the song. Or conversely, left on for playing lead and clicked off for quieter sections.

Highly recommended!

Danny Snyder

"With great reverb comes great responsibility" - Uncle Leo

I am now playing trumpet with Prince Buster tribute band 'Balzac'

Playing keys and guitar with Combo Tezeta

Formerly a guitarist in The TomorrowMen and Meshugga Beach Party

Latest surf project - Now That's What I Call SURF

Thanks Danny for the review. Probably pretty timely; I think there was someone hereabouts recently that was trying to decide Dyno v. Atomic so hopefully they'll see this & it will help that decision. I like your description of the "clean but not" use of it, as I also found that using even a good OD with the drive turned down simply doesn't cut it; it's not the same thing.

Wes
SoCal ex-pat with a snow shovel

DISCLAIMER: The above is opinion/suggestion only & should not be used for mission planning/navigation, tweaking of instruments, beverage selection, or wardrobe choices.

Danny can we get some home made sound clips please?

Here's some sound samples I posted to soundcloud. Let me know if you need further explanations of what I've done.

https://soundcloud.com/tomorrowmen/atomic-brain-comparison

Danny Snyder

"With great reverb comes great responsibility" - Uncle Leo

I am now playing trumpet with Prince Buster tribute band 'Balzac'

Playing keys and guitar with Combo Tezeta

Formerly a guitarist in The TomorrowMen and Meshugga Beach Party

Latest surf project - Now That's What I Call SURF

You're welcome. I had to do that at relatively low volume. At full volume you really hear the difference. Though best to hear it in person of course.

Danny Snyder

"With great reverb comes great responsibility" - Uncle Leo

I am now playing trumpet with Prince Buster tribute band 'Balzac'

Playing keys and guitar with Combo Tezeta

Formerly a guitarist in The TomorrowMen and Meshugga Beach Party

Latest surf project - Now That's What I Call SURF

I've got the Atomic, which I find WAAAAAY useful for bass as well as guitar.Construction is EXCELLENT and Tavo backs his stuff up. I've found the second boost switch to very handy for finger picking or muted sections. As stated above, this pedal allows you to dial in and fine tune just he right amount of grit vs clean and best of all.... it makes your strings COME ALIVE! (not kidding). Cheers.

mj

mj
bent playing for benter results
Do not attempt to adjust your TV set.
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I've always said that these pedals were subtle at first when you turn it on, but play it a while then turn it off and suddenly your tone sucks!

In a live setting, I used the Dyno Brain for volume spikes throughout some songs when needed.

Now I have an Atomic Brain, so I keep the one side on all the time (which makes it sound awesome!) and then use the second button as a volume/slight-grit boost when needed.

SanchoPansen wrote:

I really dig the whole concept and design of your pedals, Tavo and had the opportunity to check one out (Atomic Brain) about two years ago and I was a little bit disappointed by the noise the pedal generated. Played it with a Gretsch into a (modded) Vibrolux RI and got a huge amount of hissing. I am aware that the Vibrolux RIs are not silent amps, but this one had been modified to get rid of the hiss and hum.
Do you guys also have the same experience? Was it a lemon? An issue with the power supply? I'd love to hear some responses, as I am a sucker for pedals and this one 'reads and looks' like it is exactly what I want in general. Not sure about the sound though, that's something you can only find out when you play it through your own stuff. Like someone on here said: you will never find the right sound by reading on the internet. But I definitely don't want to add more noise to the signal.

@SanchoPansen
I had a Dyno Brain and it also added hiss/noise to my amp. I tried diff power cords, before delay, after delay, etc but the noise was still there. Not bad but certainly there. The other thing it did at least for me was it pushed my delays to where they clipped. They just didn't work for me. I do think the Dyno Brain adds some compression/sparkly in addition to the boost. I'm not a Gretsch player so maybe that's the reason

Last edited: Nov 07, 2015 09:21:00