Lo-filter 7

Project overview

The Lofilter 7 puts the Ibanez LF7 Tone Lok Lo-Fi Filter Pedal in your hands.

This classic from 2001 features voltage controlled high and low pass filters that work together to create dreamy sounds reminiscent of transistor radios and megaphones, so get ready for amazing retro waves!

Introduction

In 2001, the Ibanez LF7 was released as part of the Tone-Lok series and almost immediately got early adopters like Dino Cazares of Fear Factory and Head and Munkey of Korn.

To create this new sensation, Ibanez paired two EQ filters with drive and volume controls on push-push knobs that could be pressed in and recessed inside the pedal. This unique “Tone-Lok” design was implemented to stop players from moving the controls with their feet mid-gig.

The LF-7 wasn’t only designed for guitar use; Ibanez itself describes it as useful in “any mix-down context.” It shines the best at the end of a signal chain in combination with other pedals and creates vast, wild soundscapes of far-out tones that used to require a rack of vintage analog gear. It also performs well with vocals, drum machines, or in any mix-down context.

We had our fair share of fun testing it, and so far, the mic setting is one of my favorite type of distortion. The pick attack is relatively clean but has a unique buzz in choir territory. So you don’t lose your pick attack or response but still get lots of gain, similar to a treble booster.

Controls

Potentiometers

• DRIVE
• HI
• LEVEL
• LO

For any technical questions regarding this build don’t forget to check out our Facebook Group and our forum at Free Stomp Boxes.

Lofilter 7 1v1 – Building Docs

Lofilter 7 1v0 – Building Docs

Lofilter 7 – Drilling template