Coming from such a compression-based pedal lineup for so many years, we were excited when the folks at Origin Effects announced they were releasing an overdrive pedal. After all, their studio-quality gear is second to none, and we knew they would put that expertise and high-quality craftsmanship into their new effect as well. With a $650 price tag, however, the first RevivalDRIVE was just a bit out of our range, so we were once again excited when they announced today’s pedal, the RevivalDRIVE Compact. With a smaller footprint and a much smaller budget, this squished-down version still delivers all the goods, creating warm tube amp tone for any rig.
Replicating the way a real tube amp behaves at circuit level, the RevivalDRIVE Compact gives you realistic tone, feel and dynamic response. From a super clean boost to a dirty and warm overdrive, the multitude of options allow you to dial in any sound you’re craving. The all-analog components are crucial in the discrete transistor-based circuity, letting you adjust preamp voicing, break-up characteristics and more.
Let’s check out the controls, shall we? Output sets your output level, while Gain controls sustain, drive and distortion, like a volume knob on a non-master-volume valve amp. Blend is an excellent feature, making it easy to find the sweet spot between your clean tone and the overdriven effect, for full, round and natural tones. Use the Highs and Lows controls for perfect EQ control, while More/Pres combines two parameters, both related to the effects of negative feedback in the power amp stage. Release higher frequencies by turning this knob clockwise (Presence), or reduce negative feedback, increase gain and modify the break-up characteristics on the More side of this knob.
There’s a Post-Drive EQ switch, which lets you choose from P/Amp (for use with a power amp, mixer or recording interface), EQ1 (applies a low-pass filter for brighter amps) or EQ2 (use with fuller-sounding, mid-heavy amps) modes, depending on what you’re using the RevivalDRIVE Compact for. There’s even an Adjust control, which works with EQ1 and EQ2 to fine tune the output to suit the response of your amp, getting that perfect sound you’ve always been chasing.
Boasting a slimmed-down single channel with newly-designed rectifier circuitry, the RevivalDRIVE Compact is an unparalleled overdrive machine. The quality comes shining through, as you’d expect nothing less from the Origin Effects crew, and instantly makes your amp sparkle and shine in the best of ways, creating gorgeous tone and allowing you to set the drive to exactly where you need it to be. Check out our demo below to hear how it sounds with our Mesa/Boogie Mark 5:25 and an old vintage Marshall 1965A 4×10, and see if it might be something that could benefit your rig as well.
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