STONE DEAF FX
PDF-2
REVIEW BY SAM HILL
STREET PRICE $179.00
The term “PDF” is probably
most recognizable in a
soul-crushing office setting,
where documents must
inexplicably be available
to view in all formats. I’m
here to tell you about a
different kind of PDF—the
Parametric Distortion Filter.
Enhanced from its original
form, this latest version
features a reduced noise
floor, adjustable Gain knob,
and a two-footswitch design
that allows players to select
between Clean and Dirty
channels on the fly. Housed
in a robust metal box with
graphics straight out of a
punk-rock eighth-grader’s
notebook, the PDF-2
screams rock ‘n’ roll.
62
GEAR REVIEW
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There is a learning curve
required to get the most
out of this box, as it
deviates from the standard
tone-level-gain setup.
The PDF-2’s controls are
Height, Gain, Frequency,
and Bandwidth. All of
the knobs are extremely
interactive, and there are
a lot of sounds to be had
depending on where you
have everything set.
Straight out of the box, with
minimal tweaking, the PDF2 delivers killer distortion
sounds. Depending on
where I set the Gain, I
was hearing some Rat
and Marshall ShredMaster
tones. But this pedal isn’t
a copy of anything; rather,
Stone Deaf FX PDF-2
when combined with your
imagination, it covers a lot
of tonal ground.
The great thing about the
expansive Bandwidth and
Frequency controls is the
ability to match the PDF-2
with any guitar or amplifier.
We’ve all been there: a new
pedal comes in the mail, and
you’re super stoked about it
because the demo sounded
so good online. However,
when you plug it into your
rig, it sounds like a wet fart.
You don’t have to worry
about that with the PDF-2,
unless, of course, that’s the
sound you’re going for. The
tone shaping options on
board allow you to match
this pedal with anything in