JR Barnyard

The Nocturne Brain JR BARNYARD is a Class A discrete transistor preamp inspired by the preamp circuits of the late-1930s Gibson EH-150 and EH-185 octal tube amplifiers. It uses bipolar junction transistors (BJTs) with germanium and silicon diodes to reproduce the dynamic response, midrange character and natural saturation of early tube amplifiers. The pedal features two preamp channels based on the original amplifier's Normal and hotter Microphone inputs, with a Blend control to mix their characteristics. A Volume knob adjusts output level, while two switches provide Presence Cut and Bass/Guitar voicing options. The circuit ranges from relatively clean amplification to compressed, harmonically saturated overdrive. Available in standard SMD and handwired versions, the JR BARNYARD features true bypass and operates from a 9V DC power supply.