Poly Effects Josh Smith Flat V Signature Overdrive Pedal

The Poly Effects Flat V is a super-flexible and sophisticated 2-channel gain pedal, designed in collaboration with modern blues maestro Josh Smith. Channel A is transistor-based with selectable diodes (Schottky, Germanium, Silicon and LED), while Channel B is an amp-style gain circuit with cascaded JFETs replacing valves. Synth-inspired resonant filters shape the tone of channel B, for unparalleled levels of tweakability.

All presets have two sides that allow you to blend between two values of each slider. You can blend with the waveshapes, MIDI, or an envelope that reacts to your playing. Blending allows for very complex tremolo, envelope filter and auto-wah effects, so in short, the Flat V does a lot more than your bog-standard gain pedal and can be labelled as something that goes far beyond just 'overdrive'! A 100% analog signal path keeps your tones punchy, organic and clear — all controlled via an intuitive digital interface.

Synth-Like Control

The Flat V provides a very diverse range of gain options by allowing you to choose the stacking order of the channels, diode types and gain. Most pedals give you a traditional EQ, but you've already got one of those on your amp. So instead, the Flat V includes two 24dB 4-pole resonant synth-style analogue filters. This type of filter was featured on synths like those by Oberheim, and possess a lot of character. It can self-oscillate as well, in which case the pedal essentially becomes a synth!

Sides & Unique Effects

Every preset has 2 sides (this only relates to channel B). To switch between the two sides of each preset, press the signature button. The colour of the sliders will then change to the secondary colour when side 2 is active. Otherwise, the sliders will be the colour of the current preset.

The two sides allow you to blend between any of the slider controls. This means that you can do tremolo (harmonic, amplitude and bias), swells, envelope filter and auto-wah. So, all the sliders exist in both side 1 and side 2. If you set the volume a little lower in side 2, and turn on a wave shape, it'll tremolo by varying the volume. Think of it like setting a heel up and down position. The spread/depth control (called SENS for the envelope attack/sens) controls how close to each side the resulting blend gets.

LED Sliders

Each slider has a secondary function. You can access the secondary slider functions by pressing any of the slider title buttons and all of the sliders will go to their secondary settings.

For example, the 'HPF' (high-pass filter cutoff frequency) slider has a HIGH Q (high-pass filter resonance level) secondary function, the VOL (volume) slider has a SENSE (sensitivity) secondary function that affects the envelope attack time of shape spread, the GAIN slider's secondary SPEED function lets you influence the LFO speed or envelope decay time, and the LPF (low-pass filter cutoff frequency) has a secondary LOW Q (low-pass filter resonance level) function.

Intuitive Interface

The LEDs will light up for the controls that are currently active. So when you've got A channel active, you only see the diode selector as A is very simple and has no other controls. The LEDs light up in the colour of the preset so it's easy to see at a glance on stage if you're on the right preset. The touch interface will go to sleep if you haven't touched it in a while, to avoid accidently bumping it and to conserve power. Just tap any control to wake it up again.

Presets

There are 6 banks of 6 presets. In essence, presets are represented by the signature button colour being that of the bank and the preset number colour, that of the preset. To change preset, press the preset number you want, or hold the footswitches to go up or down. The colour of the sliders reflects which preset you're on so it's easy to see at a glance on stage.

To change banks hold the number down for the bank you want. The colour of the signature will change to the same colour as the bank you are in. For example preset 3 is yellow, when you hold 3 you’ll change to bank 3 and the signature will be yellow to show that. To save a preset, hold the signature, then, with the signature still touched, press the bank you want to save into for example, 2. The preset numbers will then all light up. Press the number you would like to save the preset into.

Additional Features

• A & B footswitches allow you to switch each channel on/off. Hold to go back a preset.
• MIDI input and output mini jacks (TRS Type A), for changing presets and parameters with an external MIDI controller/pedal switcher.
• 'Battery Mode' reduces how much power is used by only showing values when your finger is in contact with the pedal. To enable or disable battery mode, tap the envelope button 3 times quickly (Please note: Flat V cannot use an internal battery).
• 'VU Mode' swaps showing the current value of each control on the sliders for showing the input level across the sliders. It might be handy, but it is also pretty. Access this mode by double-tapping the signature.
• Requires 9V DC negative centre power and consumes 120mA. Do not use more than 9V DC.