The Black Arts Toneworks Raw Heart is a dual-channel distortion combining two Black Arts circuits, the Witch Burner and the Quantum Mystic, in one pedal. it was developed in collaboration with Mike Scheidt of YOB, and built around his own touring rig.
Key Features
- Two channels in one enclosure: Witch Burner and Quantum Mystic circuits
- Witch Burner low-gain modified Tube Screamer-style circuit.
- Quantum Mystic heavy, op-amp distortion circuit based on a modified Ross Distortion.
- Circuits can be stacked either way, using the toggle switch
- Developed with Mike Scheidt of YOB to sort out shortcomings he found in his previous distortion
- Three-band active EQ (low/mid/treble) sits between the gain stages, shaping the distortion itself rather than just the tone after it
- Single power source and single patch cable needed for both circuits
- Works equally well as a standalone distortion into a clean amp, or as a boost into an already-driven amp
Built Around a Working Musician’s Needs
Black Arts worked directly with Mike Scheidt to design this pedal, starting from a low-gain modified version of the Witch Burner that Scheidt uses himself.
The active EQ, placed between the gain stages rather than after them, is the key detail. This is because it sits mid-circuit, adjusting the low, mid, or treble bands actually reshapes how much distortion those frequencies produce, rather than just filtering the output afterward.
That’s what gives the Raw Heart its upper-mid focus and better dynamic control than a standard post-gain EQ would offer.
Combining both circuits into one dual-channel pedal also means one power supply and one less patch cable on your board.
Controls
Quantum Mystic side (left-hand controls):
- Vol (Volume): sets the final master output level of the distortion side.
- Gain: sets the amount of raw, heavy distortion and fuzz clipping.
- 3-Band Active EQ (centre knobs, Bass/Mids/Treble) placed in the middle of the Quantum gain stages
Witch Burner side (right-hand controls):
- Vol (Volume): sets the output level of the overdrive side.
- Gain: sets the drive and grit of the overdrive side.
- Treble: shapes the high-end frequency response of this overdrive channel specifically, adding upper-mid focus or smoothing out harshness.
Power
Runs on a standard 9V DC centre negative supply. Current draw isn’t published, but as a dual analogue distortion circuit it’s modest.
Who Is This For
Worth a look if you want serious doom or sludge distortion with real EQ control over how the gain itself sounds, not just the tone after it — and if you want two distinct distortion voices without needing two separate pedals and power cables on your board.
Watch The Black Arts Toneworks Raw Heart In Action
FAQs
It’s a dual-channel distortion combining the Witch Burner and Quantum Mystic circuits, developed with Mike Scheidt of YOB, with a three-band active EQ sitting between the gain stages.
A standard 9V DC supply. Current draw isn’t published, but as a dual analogue circuit it’s modest
True bypass.
It sits between the gain stages rather than after them, so adjusting the low, mid, or treble bands reshapes how much distortion those frequencies produce, not just the tone of the output.
Yes. It works equally well as a standalone distortion into a clean amp, or as a boost into an already-driven amp.
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