THE DRAGONFLY
With the encouragement of friends and family I’ve created this page to tell you about my most recent passion project, The Dragonfly.
What does is do? It’s an all analog effects pedal that changes the sound in interesting ways. It can be used with all kinds of instruments, such as synthesizers, computers, old video game systems, circuit bent devices and other music and recording gear.
I’ve designed and hand built The Dragonfly as a unique blend of tone and features, as well as demonstrating that recycling and reusing electronic components can provide a novel, crunchy sound for a truly neo-retro experience.
Made from as much as 80% recycled computers, it features a slim profile design, low power usage, low noise compatibility with guitar amps and mixers.
It also has a unique noise gating quality, which does an interesting job of cutting out interference and even some fret noise if you’d like - simply flip the “Sizzle” switch and adjust the “Steak” dial to about 3 o’clock.
For example, you could have phone outputs, or L-shaped connectors for use in a pedal board, or RCA outputs to a stereo system or mixer, or even a headphone jack, so you've got an effects pedal and a practice headphone amp all-in-one!
The Dragonfly is environmentally savvy! Being made almost completely out of recycled components, and it’s tiny power requirements, it also contains a rechargeable battery. Using the Flytrap Connex interface, an external charger
allows the internal battery to be recharged between gigs or
sessions, without having to
unscrew or open the unit.
However, if needed, it’s
easy to open the case
and replace the 9-volt
battery if needed.
Flytrap Connex - an original break-out connector design which allows the unit to have any kind of connectors or external features added simply.
Some people think it sounds like a phaser. Others hear distortion. Some still hear bit crunching. If you were to try and re-create all the sounds, you’d need an overdrive, distortion, phaser, noise gate, a bit cruncher, and perhaps more to come close. Between the simple pedal controls, and the tone you can dial in the guitar, there’s quite a world of possibilities!
