Project overview

Are you looking to add some classic Soviet rock flavor to your sound? Look no further than the Soviet Drive! This distortion stompbox is inspired by LEL` DD, the “The legend of soviet rock,” a pedal widely used among soviet musicians, and that will grant you that missing tone you were looking for.

Introduction

The original LEL` DD is as legendary as rare; made in Russia from 1985 to the 2000s, it was by far one of the most popular pedals in the Soviet Market, competing head to head with icons like the  Estradin Effekt-2 Phaser. Its popularity is justified; this stompbox distortion/overdrive allows you to release unique soviet flavor sounds that go from heavy metal dust to dirty garage overdrive.

With two circuits in one pedal and a mini-toggle that allows fast switching between them, get ready for a wide range of drive/distortion options that perfectly recreate that signature sound of Soviet rock. 

The distortion section is as heavy and noisy as it gets; by contrast, the sound of the overdrive is not brutal, and it applies a powerful EQ to the signal, cutting everything except for middles in a narrow 800-10kHz range.

Controls

Potentiometers

• Dist
• Drive
• Resonance
• Volume

Switches

• Dist-Drive

For further analysis on this circuit take a look at this thread on Free Stomp Boxes Forum.

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

Soviet Drive – Building Docs

Soviet Drive – Drilling template