The DFX-1 is a multi-effect processing unit designed in collaboration with Aaron Sterling to add musical character and punch to any acoustic drum or percussion source. Craft everything from subtle to in-yourface drum sounds with studio-grade VCA & FET compression, two flavors each of Delay and Reverb, plus Saturation, Gating, an FX loop with customizable routing, and a flexible EQ. Use the DFX-1 anywhere on your kit with any microphone, whether it’s a squashed, spacious room mic, a tight, gated snare, or even routed outboard for processing in post. With a high-performance microphone preamp with phantom power, an effects loop to connect external outboard equipment, MIDI connectivity, and presets, a whole new world of sonic creativity becomes available right at your drum set.
The DFX-1 is built around three main effect engines - Compression, Delay, and Reverb, each with two distinctive flavors so you can move smoothly between vintage character and modern clarity. Use the Saturation and Tilt-style EQ controls for further tone shaping. Additionally, the FX loop can incorporate pedals or outboard gear, and route effects in different orders for radically different results.
Compression (VCA / FET)
• VCA: Models the API 2500’s signature VCA compression for added punch and to smoothly “glue” the mix
together.
• FET: Emulates the classic 1176 FET compressor with fast attack and release for punchy, gritty dynamics.
Delay (Vintage / Modern)
• Vintage: Warm, analog/tape-inspired repeats with natural degradation.
• Modern: Provides a tasteful digital delay with clearer repeats.
Reverb (Spring / Plate)
• Spring: Captures the splashy character of classic spring tanks with lively, wobbly reflections.
• Plate (Modern): Emulates a plate reverb for smooth, diffused reflections for a polished studio sheen.
An integrated noise gate eliminates unwanted background noise from your signal. Set the threshold, hold
time, and release time via the OLED display.
The three pads make it quick and easy to operate the DFX-1 in a live setting by quickly tapping them with a stick or your finger.
• Pad A (Bypass): Toggle Bypass (LED Off = Bypassed, LED On = Enabled).
• Pad B (Preset Cycle): Cycles through presets in groups of 3, based on your selection in the preset menu.
Up to 128 presets can be accessed through the preset menu and via MIDI. Presets can also be copied/pasted into different slots through the preset menu.
• Pad C (Tap Tempo): Tap to set the Delay BPM. Tap divisions can be adjusted via the Delay menu to Quarter, Quarter Triplet, Eighth, Sixteenth, and Dotted Eighth notes.
“The DFX-1 is designed for drummers, percussionists, and beatmakers who want to take matters into their own hands when it comes to effects. It allows a microphone to go straight into a world filled with gain, compression, delay, reverb, saturation, and EQ —without an external mic pre, without a mic-to-line level converter, and without extra cables. A true one-stop shop!” -Aaron Sterling
