The story behind the FreezeZone fuzz pedal.
After years working in electronics, I started focusing on effects pedals, when I came across Michael Westbrook's video on how temperature affects germanium transistors. In his video, he shows an Analog-Man Sunface pedal that he put in the freezer for 20 minutes and then demonstrates its sound through three temperature ranges. I was amazed how much better the pedal sounded after being in the freezer for 20 minutes—a warmer, fuller sound with longer sustain.
After seeing Michael's video, I just had to find a way to cool down germanium transistors internally. After a year of R&D, I came up with the FreezeZone Pedal, using germanium transistors, a heat pump, and a temperature controller, which I was able to fit into a 1590BBS enclosure. What began as a quest to cool down the germanium fuzz pedal for stability also ended up being a method of increasing the overall tonal range.
Michael Westbrook demonstrates the sound of Germanium transistors through three different temperatures ranges.
The video
Owner, CoolPedal
My view on Germanium transistors in fuzz pedals.
The FreezeZone pedal “is for Cork sniffing fuzz aficionados.” That is how one critic commented about our FreezeZone pedal in a post, and that person's views are up for debate. As technology developed in the music world, there has always been a question of which sounds better: Vinyl vs Digital…., Tubes vs Transistors…., or Germanium vs Silicone. This debate may never be over, but personally, I'm certainly for using Germanium transistors in fuzz pedals, or any effects pedal for that matter.
At the FreezeZone we only use vintage-style germanium transistors in our pedals.
The FreezeZone Pedal is a Germanium fuzz pedal engineered to do what no other fuzz pedal has ever done: eliminate the sensitivity of the Germanium transistor to heat.
The Germanium transistor is affected by temperature change so much, that just touching the transistor can change its gain and current leakage. You may have seen Youtubers put their fuzz pedals in the refrigerator or freezer, producing better tonal qualities and with more sustain. We did tests with Germanium transistors and found that by cooling down the transistor, the current leakage came down to near zero, putting it in competition with silicon transistors, but having the great warm sound of germanium. Check out Seeing is Believing.
Maintaining a low noise floor is imperative for delivering high-quality recordings and mixes. The FreezeZone Fuzz pedal has a low noise floor, which is helpful for studio recordings. Read more.
The FreezeZone Fuzz pedal has an external bias control that allows you to explore different fuzz textures. Instantly switch between smooth, vintage fuzz and harsh, gated velcro effects without needing to open up the pedal.
Each FreezeZone pedal is hand-built, with hand-picked Germanium transistors, bias tested for gain and leakage at a colder temperature, and meticulously crafted to perform consistently, musically, and joyfully.
We only use germanium transistors in our pedals.