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Electro-Harmonix
Soul Food Transparent OD
Congratulations on your purchase of the Soul Food, an exquisite overdrive and clean boost from Electro-Harmonix, designed for the tone conscious player who needs to cut through a mix without altering the voice of his or her instrument. The Soul Food delivers a wide range of sounds from sweet clean boosts, for added volume, to just a touch of dirt, for livening up your sound, to full-on overdrive. Soul Food has plenty of volume on tap to push your amplifier into saturation, delivering distortion that is actually created by your amp! Whatever your style or rig, the Soul Food gives your tone a lift in all the right places without compromising it.
FEATURES
• Transparent overdrive
• Boosted power rails for extended headroom and definition
• Super responsive
• Compact, rugged design
• Selectable true bypass or buffered bypass modes
• 9.6DC-200 power supply included. Also runs on 9 Volt battery
CONTROLS
• DRIVE Knob Controls the amount of input gain. As you turn DRIVE clockwise, the overdrive ranges from clean boost, in the fully counter-clockwise position, to classic distortion, in the fully clockwise setting. There are many great sounds found within the full range of the DRIVE knob, we recommend experimenting with different positions in both halves of the DRIVE knob to find just the right amount of grit for your needs. In addition, turning DRIVE clockwise will bring out more mids in your tone.
• TREBLE Knob Acts as a tone control. When set to 12 oclock (50%), the tone is neutral. As you turn TREBLE clockwise from the 12 oclock setting, the treble gain increases making your overall sound brighter. As you turn TREBLE counter-clockwise from the 12 oclock setting, the high end is reduced giving you a bassier sound.
• VOL Knob Sets the output level of the Soul Food. As VOL is turned clockwise, the output volume increases.
• FOOTSWITCH and LED The Footswitch selects whether the Soul Food is engaged or in bypass mode. When the effect is engaged, the LED is lit. An internal Bypass Mode switch is included to select between True Bypass and Buffered Bypass. See below for more information on the internal switch.
• INPUT Jack This 1/4 jack is the audio input for the Soul Food. The input impedance is 1MOhm.
• AMP Jack This 1/4 jack is the audio output from the Soul Food. The output impedance ranges from 650Ohm to 3.3kOhm.
• Internal Bypass Mode Switch If you remove the Soul Foods bottom cover, you will see the bat of a small switch sticking out of the board that holds the footswitch, it is located in the bottom right area of the pedal, below the AMP jack.
When the switch is set to True, its upper position, bypass will be True Bypass. When the switch is set to Buffer, its lower position, bypass will be Buffered Bypass. The switch is normally set to True in the factory.
In True Bypass mode, when the Soul Food is set to bypass, the INPUT jack is connected directly to the AMP jack and nothing else. In Buffered Bypass mode, the bypass signal passes through a high quality buffer circuit before it is output from the AMP jack. The buffer circuit requires power to hear your instrument in bypass mode.
9V Power Jack Although the Soul Food accepts 9V Batteries, EHX supplies your Soul Food with an Electro-Harmonix 9.6DC-200BI power supply. Plug the output of the supplied AC adapter into the 9V power jack located at the top of the Soul Food. The Soul Food draws 22mA at 9VDC with a center negative plug. The Soul Food accepts Boss and Ibanez style AC Adapters.
FEATURES
• Transparent overdrive
• Boosted power rails for extended headroom and definition
• Super responsive
• Compact, rugged design
• Selectable true bypass or buffered bypass modes
• 9.6DC-200 power supply included. Also runs on 9 Volt battery
CONTROLS
• DRIVE Knob Controls the amount of input gain. As you turn DRIVE clockwise, the overdrive ranges from clean boost, in the fully counter-clockwise position, to classic distortion, in the fully clockwise setting. There are many great sounds found within the full range of the DRIVE knob, we recommend experimenting with different positions in both halves of the DRIVE knob to find just the right amount of grit for your needs. In addition, turning DRIVE clockwise will bring out more mids in your tone.
• TREBLE Knob Acts as a tone control. When set to 12 oclock (50%), the tone is neutral. As you turn TREBLE clockwise from the 12 oclock setting, the treble gain increases making your overall sound brighter. As you turn TREBLE counter-clockwise from the 12 oclock setting, the high end is reduced giving you a bassier sound.
• VOL Knob Sets the output level of the Soul Food. As VOL is turned clockwise, the output volume increases.
• FOOTSWITCH and LED The Footswitch selects whether the Soul Food is engaged or in bypass mode. When the effect is engaged, the LED is lit. An internal Bypass Mode switch is included to select between True Bypass and Buffered Bypass. See below for more information on the internal switch.
• INPUT Jack This 1/4 jack is the audio input for the Soul Food. The input impedance is 1MOhm.
• AMP Jack This 1/4 jack is the audio output from the Soul Food. The output impedance ranges from 650Ohm to 3.3kOhm.
• Internal Bypass Mode Switch If you remove the Soul Foods bottom cover, you will see the bat of a small switch sticking out of the board that holds the footswitch, it is located in the bottom right area of the pedal, below the AMP jack.
When the switch is set to True, its upper position, bypass will be True Bypass. When the switch is set to Buffer, its lower position, bypass will be Buffered Bypass. The switch is normally set to True in the factory.
In True Bypass mode, when the Soul Food is set to bypass, the INPUT jack is connected directly to the AMP jack and nothing else. In Buffered Bypass mode, the bypass signal passes through a high quality buffer circuit before it is output from the AMP jack. The buffer circuit requires power to hear your instrument in bypass mode.
9V Power Jack Although the Soul Food accepts 9V Batteries, EHX supplies your Soul Food with an Electro-Harmonix 9.6DC-200BI power supply. Plug the output of the supplied AC adapter into the 9V power jack located at the top of the Soul Food. The Soul Food draws 22mA at 9VDC with a center negative plug. The Soul Food accepts Boss and Ibanez style AC Adapters.
Q & A
There are currently no questions for this product.
Reviews
18.224.53.202
claudebot
I KEEP GOING BACK TO IT 3 of 3 customers found this review helpful
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Product Experience I own it
Closest Store Langley, British Columbia
I've had this pedal for 4 years, bought it used for $70. I Get bored of things easily so in that 4 years about 5 overdrive/distortion pedals have come and gone including the last one, a Wampler Pinnacle. In my opinion the SoulFood eclipses them all. I have smaller tube amps and run through a 4x12 cab and cannot get a better sound outta anything else but the soulfood. My amps are Laney Cub 12R, Fender Super Champ XD and a Fender Bassbreaker 007. With the S. F. I get edge of break up blues to Judas Priest and everything in between. Killer pedal, love it !!
Posted by Brent Watson on Sep 27, 2023
GREAT OVERDRIVE 2 of 2 customers found this review helpful
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Closest Store Cambridge, Ontario
Let me start with "you know how many overdrive/distortion pedals ive tried?" Anyway this is a great one to add to what you already have but just need that little bit more. Some pedals change your sound but this one brings it to life.No bumblebees in a can here just sweet overdriven sound.
Posted by anonymous on Feb 11, 2021
Great Fun - play it loud! 2 of 2 customers found this review helpful
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Closest Store Calgary Chinook, Alberta
Picked this up on L&M basement sale super cheap. But man it is so fun. Run this with my Epi JP hollow body into a ‘66 Bandmaster head and cab.
It seems to be more akin to its Klon heritage than people realize, play it loud with the buffer enabled and it is great. Lots of girth. Tried with the buffer disabled and yes, it was thin. Makes a great always pedal with the drive turned down to clean up cheap epi humbuckers.
Posted by FXO on Oct 25, 2020
Lead Tone of my Dreams 5 of 5 customers found this review helpful
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Product Experience I've tried it
Closest Store Brampton, Ontario
I’ve seen people say that this pedal is “too thin”, because they don’t know how to use it properly. It doesn’t work well as a dirtbox into a crystal clean amp; if you want good tone from it, you need to run it more like a clean boost into a dirty amp or another drive pedal.
A good way to use it is by setting up a low gain tone for your rhythm sound, then using the pedal as a boost. This is how I like to use it.
Many people have called this a “transparent overdrive”, however even though it preserves the tone of your guitar and amp, it boosts the high midrange. The way that the midrange is boosted preserves your tone and clarity while making your solo cut through the mix.
This will make an amazing addition to my rig. It’s the lead boost of my dreams. If you’re looking for a solo boost that sounds like you just turned up the gain knob on your amp, definitely check this out; you’ll probably love it.
Posted by Nate Rails on Sep 6, 2020
Tone sucker 2 of 4 customers found this review helpful
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Product Experience I own it
Closest Store St. John's, Newfoundland and Labrador
I love EHX pedals but not this one. It sucks out most of the bass in your sound. Tried it on 4 different tube amps it just sounds too thin.
Posted by Luc Fontaine on Aug 30, 2020
Get this pedal 3 of 3 customers found this review helpful
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Closest Store Waterloo, Ontario
I've had this pedal for a while now, and I've loved it the entire time. Any crunch and overdrive tones I could ask for, it does. It breaks up nice, and if you back off your volume it cleans up.
It's only $115, I don't know what you're waiting for.
Posted by Christian R. on Aug 26, 2020
Amazing Pedal 3 of 3 customers found this review helpful
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Closest Store Fredericton, New Brunswick
I put this juicy puppy in line with my American Stratocaster and Vox AC10 tube amp. Oh my is it a beautiful tone. Want a little bit of crunch on that classic strat tone? Soul Food has got it covered. Want a metric ton of crunch for banging solos? Frig ya the Soul Food has got it covered. The only pedal I need for amazing tone!
Posted by Nicholas on Oct 31, 2018
Too Bad 0 of 3 customers found this review helpful
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Product Experience I've tried it
Closest Store Calgary Chinook, Alberta
I tested 3 OD pedals the other day and this was the best sounding of them all until I hit the foot switch and the click rang through the room.
I tried it a few more times and just gave up. I read in few reviews that it did that but I found out that it was true.
Too Bad because when it is on it is amazing, if it wasn't for the switch I may have taken this one.
Posted by Scott Brown on Apr 11, 2018
Pedalboard essential 1 of 1 customers found this review helpful
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Closest Store Lethbridge, Alberta
This pedal might as well be called "Rig Brightener" as it will add articulation and richness to any amp. Sounds great in front of higher gain pedals to add attack. The price made it one of the quickest purchase decisions of my life.
Posted by Richard on Jan 3, 2018
get this over drive and dial it in 0 of 0 customers found this review helpful
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Closest Store Sudbury, Ontario
this gives me what I was looking for and then some.Nice bit of punch to the sound if you dial it in .
it is well worth the money also so don't be shy to try one and see for yourself.
Posted by steven michael fowler on Sep 20, 2017
great boost pedal 1 of 1 customers found this review helpful
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Closest Store Edmonton North, Alberta
decent on its own to boost an overdriven amp or to add gain and volume to another over drive or distortion pedal, its klon like doest have a lot of gain but that's not what this pedal is for
Posted by Bob on Mar 26, 2017
Hype perhaps? 3 of 6 customers found this review helpful
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Closest Store Belleville, Ontario
I really liked it at first. I have to say that I'm losing interest in EHX as they pump out pedals. The quality is not as great as some think. This pedal sounds great, but it adds some harmonics that I don't find very musical--that's just me. Tried it every which way--I know how to look up youtube! I have a great tube amp. Removed it from my board and now things sound good again. If you like the soulful tones that it promises, you should be able to get that out of your quality amp and guitar. If not, you need that, before any cheap cheap pedal solutions.
Posted by Donovan on May 26, 2016
Great Pedal!! 1 of 2 customers found this review helpful
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Closest Store Victoria, British Columbia
Just go try one out. I bet it goes home with you. Does not colour your tone at all. Just nice, clean overdrive. Perfect for pushing your clean channel into a silky smooth blues tone but what instantly sold me was how well it preforms in front of a gain stage. It basically gives you the ability to turn your amps gain up to 12 and then adds the option to tighten up the bottom end to get rid of the muddy sound.
Posted by anonymous on Mar 25, 2016
Soul Food 2 of 2 customers found this review helpful
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Closest Store Windsor, Ontario
Great sounding OD i use it on clean and crunch channel.Works well as a boost.Gets muddy if amp gain is set too high.Transparent sound very versatile pedal
Posted by Mike on Jan 10, 2016
Transparent boost and classic overdrive 1 of 1 customers found this review helpful
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Closest Store Vancouver, British Columbia
For the money, you can't beat this pedal. The distortion sucks but as a boost or overdrive - this thing is great. I wouldn't recommend this for a metal player but for adding bite or boost to a clean or slightly overdriven signal its great. If distortion is your thing, try using this with another drive pedal. I use it along with my Catalinbread RAH to get an amazing thick sustaining distortion lead sound. Also, This pedal will NOT color your sound!! Tone, tone, tone.......
Posted by anonymous on Dec 14, 2015
Simple great OD pedal 1 of 1 customers found this review helpful
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Closest Store Edmonton South, Alberta
Not much to add to the other reviews here or the dozens of others you'll find on the web. There's a good reason this has been the top pedal on Reverb. It works extremely well doing what an OD pedal should. I had my doubts the first time I plugged it in, but I'm a believer now!
Posted by anonymous on Nov 22, 2015
Food for thought! Soulful! 0 of 0 customers found this review helpful
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Closest Store Vancouver, British Columbia
I can say enough good about this pedal, I even had to replace switch after 8 months of use. Upgraded the switch and still an amazing overdrive. Transparent and dirty. Love this thing!
Posted by anonymous on Jun 16, 2015
STEAL 1 of 2 customers found this review helpful
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Closest Store Waterloo, Ontario
Incredibly good OD pedal. At $79.99 you cannot beat the price. I got mine from the Waterloo location and i have not regretted it. I originally wanted the OCD overdrive pedal which will run you $160.00 , and at $79.99 with the Soul Food i believe i came out with the better pedal imo. Sounds awesome as a clean boost and when you have the drive up it has just enough OD , not too much and not too little. Really encourage buying this pedal if you're looking at drive pedals.
Posted by anonymous on Apr 18, 2015
Don't get any other overdrive!! 0 of 0 customers found this review helpful
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Closest Store Regina, Saskatchewan
This, from a tone perspective, does everything you could ask for from an OD pedal. Wide tonal variations with the drive settings, super adept as a booster and loads of character. A really versatile pedal to leave on all the time! This thing als has amazing headroom for drawing the most out of the amp. Really, really worth it!
Posted by Tim on Mar 6, 2015
Completes my tone 2 of 2 customers found this review helpful
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Closest Store Saskatoon, Saskatchewan
This pedal just gives a nice little jump to my tone when drive is 1 o'clock. This pedal will be on constantly because it sounds that good.
Posted by Ken on Feb 8, 2015
Value Value Value ! 1 of 1 customers found this review helpful
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Closest Store Windsor, Ontario
This is my favorite OD pedal by far. The drive knob delivers a huge variety of variation. It's also a great clean boost with those boosted power rails. It stacks up well with other pedals and is as transparent as they come.
Posted by Jammin' Jack on Jan 10, 2015
Impressive 3 of 5 customers found this review helpful
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Closest Store Woodstock, Ontario
Great overdrive. Handles mild overdrive nicely, works well as a boost, great buffer and responsive tone controls. If your looking for a cheap, simple, great sounding overdrive this one is for you. Pay the extra 25$ bucks instead of getting a Boss SD1. Check out videos on youtube, you will be impressed. Only downside is that you lose a fair amount of bass the more you crank the gain.
Posted by anonymous on Jul 19, 2014
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Protect your investment with the Long & McQuade Performance Warranty
A warranty can be a very important factor when making a buying decision. Because repairs can be very expensive in terms of parts and labour costs, manufacturers usually only provide one year limited warranties that generally only cover items that malfunction due to a manufacturer’s defect. With an important purchase such as a musical
instrument or piece of studio gear, however, many people want to have the peace of mind in knowing that their investment will be protected should the product no longer be performing at 100%.
Because of this, Long & McQuade provides our customers with a FREE one-year Performance Warranty on most of our products. The Long & McQuade Performance Warranty supplements the manufacturer’s warranty to ensure that our customers receive complete “no hassle” warranty coverage within their first year.
How does the Long & McQuade Performance Warranty differ from most manufacturers' warranties?
- Performance Guarantee: Normal wear and tear is covered, so your product will be performing as well as the day you purchased it for the entire duration of the coverage. Band and Orchestral Performance Warranty does not include replacing pads or cleaning for woodwind instruments, unless deemed necessary by our repair staff. Ultrasonic cleaning for brass instruments will be provided if deemed necessary by our repair staff, but is not routinely offered under the Performance Warranty.
- Product Replacement: If your product cannot be fixed or costs too much to fix, we will replace it with the equivalent model for no additional charge. If this is not possible, a full refund will be provided.
- No Lemon Policy: Your product will be replaced should the same problem occur multiple times.
- Convenient: Easy drop off and pick up of the product at any Long & McQuade location.
- Guitar Setup: Guitars purchased at Long & McQuade come with 1 free setup, to be redeemed within 1 year for new guitars and 90 days for used guitars.
- Loaners Available: A loaner product may be given while the product is being repaired.
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- Accessory Coverage: Any peripheral devices or accessories that come with your product (i.e. foot pedal, case) are also covered.
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Long & McQuade reserves the right to restrict the purchase of additional years of Performance Warranty. Used products come with a 3-month Long & McQuade Performance Warranty. Some products (i.e. computers, software, cymbals and other items) are covered only by the manufacturer‘s warranty. Consumables (i.e. strings, reeds, drum sticks, batteries, tubes, cross faders) are excluded as they are designed to be replaced. Cosmetic Damage, Accidental Damage, or problems caused by Humidity or Temperature Issues are not covered. Speakers damaged by overpowering are generally not covered. Our coverage does not provide compensation for loss of use. As of June 2018 the Performance Warranty is no longer transferable. The warranty is only valid in Canada.
Purchasing additional years of coverage
Some manufacturers provide warranties for longer than 1 year; however, these are usually limited warranties that do not provide the same coverage as the Long & McQuade Performance Warranty. Customers interested in more complete and convenient (but not necessarily longer) coverage are still able to purchase additional years of the Performance Warranty.
If you are interested in receiving this coverage for longer than one year, you have the option of purchasing additional years of the Performance Warranty. The pricing is as follows:
- NEW products: 4% of the current new selling price to double the warranty from 1 year to 2 years. 4% for each additional year.
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Reserve in Store
| Product | SKU | Qty |
|---|---|---|
| Soul Food Transparent OD | 406985 |
