The Jackson Audio Asabi modular gain pedal is all-encompassing and includes overdrive and distortion channels. It captures the essence of Marshall’s JCM800 and Plexi amplifiers.
The Jackson Audio Asabi pedal was created by Mateus Asato (Brazilian-born musician). Each channel is carefully tuned to make it sound magical. Modern features include a 3-band activeEQ and the ability of changing clipping styles to add tone-sculpting indulgence.
Jackson Audio also developed replacement distortion modules for Asasbi. These analogue circuit boards can be easily swapped out to change the tone of the pedal. There will be a variety of them, but the pre-installed “Modern High Gain” module allows you to play a wide range of sounds, from classic rock to crushing metal.
Asa to Distortion Pedal Review
The Mateus Asato Signature pedal, the ASABI is a distortion/overdrive pedal with a huge range of tones. It is also the first pedal to include analog distortion plug-ins.
We invented the technology to make replaceable distortion plugs to keep your pedalboard interesting. This allows you to swap out the distortion circuit in the ASBI without needing to purchase a new pedal. These plug-ins are affordable and allow you to purchase a pedal once, then update it with new plugs every time.
Mateus chose the name “ASABI”, which means “of unusual birth”, because it represents the uniqueness of this pedal and his family’s heritage. Continue reading to find out how the ASABI can help you bring your tone to life.
Stock Distortion Overview
MODERN HIGH GAAIN is the stock distortion plug-in for the ASABI. It is a high-gain circuit with hard-clipping that is based upon the Marshall JCM800. The result is very clear, crisp, and addictively fun! The ASABI can play everything from 80’s hardrock to modern high-gain tones.
True Analog Plug-Ins
The most innovative feature of the ASABI is the ability to create analog distortion plug-ins. Plug-ins let you completely alter the distortion circuit of the ASABI, without the need to purchase a new pedal. These plug-ins are not software updates to load a new preset. They are fully analog circuit boards that contain all of the opamps.
The MODERN HIGH GAIN plug in is preloaded on the ASABI. The MODERN HIGH GAIN plug-in takes the power and gain from the JCM800 amplifier and turns it into pedal form. The MODERN HIGH GAIN plug in can do anything from classic rock to heavy rock, depending on the position of the GAIN knob.
These plug-ins are affordable and allow you to purchase a pedal once, then update it with new modules every time.
Distortion Presets
The ASABI offers 4 presets for clipping diodes, which can dramatically alter the tone and feel the distortion clips have.
Select a clipping preset by pressing and holding the DIST footswitch more than 1 second. The clipping program mode will then become active. The DIST led will light up to indicate that you’re in programming mode when you’re in this mode.
You can cycle the clipping presets by tapping the DIST footswitch. This will allow you to hear the presets changing as you go, provided that the drive circuit was active at the time the clipping program mode was started. After you have found the distortion preset you like, hold down the DIST footswitch and the clipping program mode will end.
- Preset 1 – AMBER: Guv’nor Style. Two LED’s will be used to evenly clip the top and bottom sections of your guitar’s waveform. The LED’s have a much higher headroom, so your tone will be more open and less compressed than if you were playing a vintage Marshall.
- Preset 2 – GREEN: 808 Style. Two symmetrical silicon diodes provide the classic drive-and-compression that the 808 is famous for.
- Preset 3 – BLUE: ASYMMETRIC HIGH GAIN. Three asymmetric diodes, two silicon and one LED, will clip the top and lower portions of your guitar’s waveform differently. This creates a richer and more interesting tone. This is great for laying down aggressive rhythm pieces!
- Preset 4 – MAGENTA: SYMMETRICAL HIGH GAIN. Four symmetric silicon diodes clip the top and bottom of your guitar’s waveform equally, giving you a more direct and focused tone.
Clipping diodes can be used to drastically alter the sound and feel of a distortion pedal. However, often the change you hear is more about a change in volume than a change in tone until now!
We knew that the ASABI would allow for distortion to have a wide range of tonal options. This flexibility was also important on stage. We designed circuitry to match the output of each clipping diode, so that we can change presets. You can now choose from all four clipping options and your volume level will not change. You will notice a difference in the sound of the clipping diodes and not an increase in volume as with other designs.
Gain Cycle
GAIN CYCLE uses the GAIN knob setting to determine your maximum gain and then divides it into four equal parts. For example, let’s say you have your GAIN knob set to the highest setting. This would give you 100% gain. The gain of your pedal will increase 25% every time you press both feet simultaneously. After reaching 100%, press the next footswitch to restart the gain cycle at 25%.
TIP: Turn the GAIN control up to 3:00+ for 4 distortion settings. This will allow you to cycle through the gain.
GAIN CYCLE allows guitarists to increase their gain without having to adjust it manually or bend down to change it. This is a great use case!
Let’s say that GAIN is set at 100%.
- Verse 1: Gain cycle set to 25% – Lightly distorted tone.
- Press GAIN CYCLE
- Chorus – Gain Cycle set at 50% – Distinctive distorted tone.
- Press GAIN CYCLE
- Bridge – Gain set at 75% – Heavy distortion tone
- Press GAIN CYCLE
- Solo – Gain Cycle set at 100% – Heavily saturated, distorted tone!
TIP: Use the DRIVE to increase the overdrive’s power for unending sustain! Remember that setting #4 of the GAIN CYCLE (100%) will give you as much gain as your GAIN knob is set for. Consider the GAIN knob on your ASABI as the maximum gain. Each GAIN CYCLE setting is a percentage of that maximum value.
You will see the percentage gain selected by changing the brightness of your DIST led. The brighter the DIST lead, the higher the percentage. Take this example:
- GAIN CYCLE 1 – DIMLED – 25% of the GAIN knob value
- GAIN CYCLE 2 – BRIGHTERLED – 50% off GAIN knob value
- GAIN CYCLE 3 – BRIGHTLED – 75% of the GAIN knob value
- GAIN CYCLE 4 – VERY BRIGHTLED – 100% of the GAIN knob value
3-Band Active QE
The ASABI’s distortion circuit features a 3-band active EQ. The ASABI EQ circuit has a studio-grade EQ which gives the circuit incredible tonal flexibility. The ASABI EQ is based on the Baxandall EQ, which has been featured in many studio EQ’s.
Midi Features
It’s 2022, and we can expect even more from analog pedals. The BROKEN ARROW was released in 2019. Our more advanced overdrive pedals now have MIDI control of clipping presets, gain cycles options, and ON/OFF of the drive circuits.
We want our pedals to be as easy to fit into complicated rigs as possible. MIDI helps us do that!
CABLE INFORMATION: To use MIDI on an ASABI, a cable must convert a DIN-5 connector to a TRS. This cable is what we use with great success. We can’t praise it enough.
For cable builders, the ASABI can receive MIDI information through the RING connection on a TRS connector.
Midi Channel
The default ASABI ship with MIDI Channel 1 selected as the channel. You can change this by pressing the DIST footswitch and applying power to the ASABI. To increase the MIDI channel number, press the DRIVE footswitch.
As you hold the DIST footswitch, you’ll notice the DRIVE LED flashes to indicate which MIDI channel has been selected. IE – 7 flashes = MIDI Channel 7. We added a 2-second pause after the LED flashes to let you know when it was done flashing.
As long as the DIST footswitch is held down, the LED will keep flashing. After you have chosen the MIDI channel that you wish to use and verified it by counting the flashes you can release the DIST footswitch. The pedal will save the MIDI Channel to an internal EEPROM and then reboot.
Midi Details
Control Changes is responsible for accessing the ASABI’s MIDI features. Here is a list of ASABI features that can be accessed through MIDI. Also, how to access them.
- CC #1 – DIST ON/OFF (value of 127 = ON value of 0 = OFF).
- CC #2 – DRIVE ON/OFF (value of 127 = ON value of 0 = OFF).
- CC #3 – DISTORTION CLIPPING Presets (value 1 = Guv’nor Style), (value 2 = 808 Type) (value 3 = Asymmetrical High Gain) and (value 4 = Symmetrical High Gain).
- CC #4 – GAIN CYCLE (value 1 = 25% GAIN), (value 2 = 50% GAIN), (value 3 = 75% GAAIN) and (value 4 = 100% GAIN).
- CC #5 – OVERDRIVE CLIPING PRESETS (value of 1, Vintage Marshall Style), (value of 2, Tube Screamer Style), (value of 3, Timmy Style) and (value of 4, King of Tone Style).
Volume
Serves as the master volume for distortion circuit.
This can be used to control the overall tone of the distortion circuit. This can be used to adjust the pedal’s brightness or darkness. Higher gain settings will result in a brighter tone and a higher gain.
This setting determines the distortion circuit’s maximum gain.
The 12:00 position is completely flat with +/-20dB drive/cut to either side.
Middle and Trible
The 12:00 position is completely flat with +/-20dB drive/cut to either side. The mid frequency is approximately 660hz.
The 12:00 position is completely flat with +/-20dB drive/cut to either side.
Interchangeable Distortion Modules
Other distortion modules are available separately for the Jackson Audio Asabi. They completely alter its tonal characteristics. The ‘Large Mouse’ is a fully analog circuit that captures the legendary ProCo Rat sound. This concept transforms Asabi into a gain-pedal Chameleon, with many more modules still in development.
FAQ for Asabi Distortion Pedal
What is the Asa to Distortion Pedal?
The Asa is a distortion pedal. It has two modes: “clean” and “dirty”. The clean mode is more like a light overdrive, while the dirty mode is more like a gritty distortion.
This pedal is perfect for those who are looking for a high-quality distortion sound without the high price tag. The Asa to Distortion Pedal is made by Asa Amoeba and was released in 2017.
What are the features of the Asa to Distortion Pedal?
The Asa to Distortion Pedal is a distortion pedal that gives you the ability to control the amount of distortion and saturation. It has an analog circuitry with a three-band EQ that lets you adjust the tone as well.
The pedal also features a true bypass switching system, which means that when it is not in use, it does not affect your signal chain.
How is Asa to Distortion Pedal used?
The distortion pedal can be used in different ways, and it can be used to create different sounds. It has three knobs labeled “Volume”, “Tone” and “Distortion”. The volume control controls the volume of the output signal, while the tone control controls the tone of the output signal. The distortion control controls how much distortion is applied to the output signal.
How works the Asa to Distortion Pedal?
The pedal works by boosting the signal coming from the amplifier and then distorting it with a built-in circuit. The resulting sound is similar to that of a tube amplifier.
What makes the Asa to Distortion Pedal powered?
The Asa to Distortion Pedal is powered by a 9 volt battery.
How do I connect the Asa to Distortion Pedal to the guitar?
The Asa to distortion pedal is a very popular way to get the sound of a guitar amplifier into a recording. The pedal has two inputs and one output, which makes it possible for the user to plug in the guitar amplifier into one input and then either plug in an electric guitar or an acoustic guitar into the other input.
The pedal is typically hooked up like this:
- Plug your amp’s speaker cable into Input 1 of the Asa to distortion pedal.
- Plug your electric or acoustic guitar’s cable into Input 2 of the Asa to distortion pedal.
- Plug Output 1 of the Asa to distortion pedal into your audio interface or mixer.
- Plug Output 2 of the Asa to distortion pedal into your headphones, amplifier, or PA system.
What is a good song to play with Asa to Distortion Pedal?
The best song to play with Asa to Distortion Pedal is a song that has a lot of distortion and heavy guitar.
How does Asa to Distortion Pedal compare to other distortion pedals?
Asa Pedal has many features and can do many things like other pedals but they have an edge over others because they can create more aggressive sounds than most other pedals out there.
What should I pay attention to when buying a distortion pedal?
An important factor to consider before buying a distortion pedal is what kind of music you want to play with it. For example, if you are fond of punk rock and heavy metal, then it would be better for you to buy a pedal with more aggressive settings. However, if you’re into blues or jazz music, you’d be better off buying one with finer settings.
How much does Asa to Distortion Pedal cost?
The cost of the Asato Distortion Pedal on the official website of the manufacturer is $349.