Electronic Audio Experiments Surveyor Preamp Pedal

The Surveyor is a compact re-interpretation of the legendary Instrument Voicing Preamp (IVP), a cult-classic rackmount unit known for its clangy, cutting tone and aggressive attack at high treble settings. Electronic Audio Experiments has distilled that unique solid-state voice into a pedal format, adding modern reliability and expanded versatility.

At the heart of the Surveyor is a transformer-loaded “Tube Voice” distortion generator that responds to the frequency content of your input signal. A two-band shelving EQ sits before the gain stage, allowing you to selectively apply distortion to specific frequency ranges. Boost the treble for the signature IVP clang or push the bass for fuzz-like overload. This unconventional topology opens up a wide palette of saturated textures for guitar, bass, synthesizers, drum machines, and even vocals.

⚙️ Features and Specifications

• Type: Preamp and overdrive pedal

• Circuit: Solid-state gain stage with transformer-loaded “Tube Voice” distortion

• Controls:

  • Level – Overall output volume, capable of line-level signals or driving the next stage in your chain

  • Gain – Amount of overdrive applied to all frequencies, interactive with Bass and Treble

  • Bass – Pre-clipping low shelf boost/cut, ±12 dB at 100 Hz

  • Treble – Pre-clipping high shelf boost/cut, ±12 dB at 3 kHz

  • Hi/Lo Switch – Sets gain range, 0 dB in Lo position and +14 dB in Hi position

• Bypass: Relay switching with true bypass

• Input Impedance: 1 MΩ at 1 kHz

• Output Impedance: <1 kΩ at 1 kHz

• Power: 9V DC center-negative, 70 mA current draw, regulated and isolated supply recommended (no battery operation)

• Dimensions: 121 mm x 66 mm x 40 mm

• Weight: 0.4 kg

• Version: V2.5 (Spring 2024) with simplified bypass circuitry and minor electrical refinements