“ transparent and natural ”; players are demanding something that sounds and feels like a natural extension of their current amp and guitar . While the Earth Drive ’ s name suggest is has a holistic and dainty approach to your tone , this little green box is anything but .
Being a purveyor of pedal reviews ( and otherwise ) for this fine publication , I see a lot of Hammond 1590Bs , or colloquially known as the standard guitar pedal enclosure . The Earth Drive is built into a thick custom steel enclosure , which gives if both heft and strength . It ’ s a nonstandard design by being a little longer lengthwise than most standard pedals by an inch or two , but not so off-thebeaten path that it messes with your pedalboard vibe . It ’ s got the three classic controls of Volume , Tone , and Drive , which are fairly straightforward and easy to get your head around . The tone is a standard filter control that rolls off the highs when you turn it counter clockwise , and re- introduces them when you turn it the other way .
The sound of the Earth Drive is like the marriage of the best parts of a couple of classic pedals . It ’ s got the natural compression and smoothness of a RAT , the high end crispiness of an MXR Distortion +, the midrange gusto and teeth of a Pete Cornish SS-2 , and the clear , responsive dynamics of a BK Butler Tube Driver . I ’ m aware that ’ s talking quite a big game , and before you go sharpening your pitchforks on me , hear me out . This is not the drive pedal to end all drive pedals , and it does not embody everything about the pedals in the above examples . Rather , it takes nods from each to create its own sound , which feels familiar yet fresh . It ’ s got sharp and defined highs , and a clangy and rotund midrange ; voiced a bit like the Fender circuits that Mr . Sarno seems to be influenced by the most , albeit with a noticeable Tweed flavor .
I know I have been talking up the Earth Drive like it ’ s the greatest thing since electricity , but it is not without fault , and it has one ; namely , the lack of lows in the circuit . Yes , it cuts through the mix better as it is , but the tone control doesn ’ t really show any lows even at the far end of the spectrum ; this is just not a bass heavy circuit . In my opinion , adding a healthy dose of bass to the Earth Drive will make it a force to be reckoned with , a serious tone machine that could dethrone the greats without breaking a sweat .
Clear and defined drive . Excellent dynamics that react , sound , and feel like a good old cranked tube amp . Cuts through a mix with ease .
Lack of low end keeps the Earth Drive from being the absolute king of transparent overdrives .
“ transparent and natural ”; players are demanding something that sounds and feels like a natural extension of their current amp and guitar . While the Earth Drive ’ s name suggest is has a holistic and dainty approach to your tone , this little green box is anything but .
Being a purveyor of pedal reviews ( and otherwise ) for this fine publication , I see a lot of Hammond 1590Bs , or colloquially known as the standard guitar pedal enclosure . The Earth Drive is built into a thick custom steel enclosure , which gives if both heft and strength . It ’ s a nonstandard design by being a little longer lengthwise than most standard pedals by an inch or two , but not so off-thebeaten path that it messes with your pedalboard vibe . It ’ s got the three classic controls of Volume , Tone , and Drive , which are fairly straightforward and easy to get your head around . The tone is a standard filter control that rolls off the highs when you turn it counter clockwise , and re- introduces them when you turn it the other way .
The sound of the Earth Drive is like the marriage of the best parts of a couple of classic pedals . It ’ s got the natural compression and smoothness of a RAT , the high end crispiness of an MXR Distortion +, the midrange gusto and teeth of a Pete Cornish SS-2 , and the clear , responsive dynamics of a BK Butler Tube Driver . I ’ m aware that ’ s talking quite a big game , and before you go sharpening your pitchforks on me , hear me out . This is not the drive pedal to end all drive pedals , and it does not embody everything about the pedals in the above examples . Rather , it takes nods from each to create its own sound , which feels familiar yet fresh . It ’ s got sharp and defined highs , and a clangy and rotund midrange ; voiced a bit like the Fender circuits that Mr . Sarno seems to be influenced by the most , albeit with a noticeable Tweed flavor .
I know I have been talking up the Earth Drive like it ’ s the greatest thing since electricity , but it is not without fault , and it has one ; namely , the lack of lows in the circuit . Yes , it cuts through the mix better as it is , but the tone control doesn ’ t really show any lows even at the far end of the spectrum ; this is just not a bass heavy circuit . In my opinion , adding a healthy dose of bass to the Earth Drive will make it a force to be reckoned with , a serious tone machine that could dethrone the greats without breaking a sweat .
WHAT WE LIKE
Clear and defined drive . Excellent dynamics that react , sound , and feel like a good old cranked tube amp . Cuts through a mix with ease .
CONCERNS
Lack of low end keeps the Earth Drive from being the absolute king of transparent overdrives .