Origin Effects unveils its 3rd pedal in the Halcyon Adaptive Series - the Blue Overdrive - a warmer, higher gain and more dynamic take on Marshall's BluesBreaker

So following on from the well-trodden path of the Halcyon Green (Screamer), and Halcyon Gold (Klone), it’s now the turn of Marshall’s mighty BluesBreaker to get the Origin Effects Adaptive treatment.

The Adaptive function here in effect restores Bass and Treble frequencies back into the signal when ’Adapt’ is engaged along with clever manipulation of your guitar volume knob - which result in the Midrange Hump being faded out, and the signal being cleaned up and brightened at the same time.

As before you have 2 degrees of Adaptive functionality to impart - II in Full, and I in Part, and the Level, Drive, Dry (Clean Blend) and Tone controls are pretty much as per the previous models - obviously with a very different circuit.

And while Origin Effects don’t mention the KOT-ness of their MOD alternative voicing, several other demos have done. Where it’s essentially a more vibrant and higher gain voicing than the stock Marshall BluesBreaker one.

Controls - Level, Adapt : 0 / II (full) / I [part), Drive, Dry (Clean Blend), Voice - BB (Stock) / MOD (KOT-ish).

I would seem to be a fairly low priority for Origin Effects, as I received the notification less than 30 minutes before the launch. I know I can be pretty fast, but I do have other prior commitments to handle which I’m already involved in - and so I try to get these out as expediently as is possible - but the timing here doesn’t really allow me to fully work my magic!

I typically need at least a few days to do my best work - as I always like to sleep on it and get overnight inspiration. While with a short deadline you can’t really deliver too much nuance. It all has to be off the cuff - and you cannot always instantly recall those most useful factoids and anecdotes that make the narrative more satisfying.

I already have around 25 BluesBreakers in my collection - with the Beetronics FX Wannabee, Coriolis Hail to the King, and Keeley Blues Disorder the 3 most recent ones added within that category.

Unless some sort of deal can be made, I’m not sure I would be adding the Halcyon Blue Overdrive to the Reference Collection. I’ve reached out a few times with the aim to strike up some sort of collaboration - while Origin Effects still seems to be the one UK brand of note that manages to evade me. It’s really up to them if they ever want to collaborate, and it’s always in the brands’ best interests for me to get hands-on with their pedals - as that’s where I do my best work - just check out my recent piece on the Cornerstone Antique V3!

In any car the Halcyon Blues Overdrive is open for orders right now on the Origin Effects Webstore and at leading international dealers - where it goes for RRP £249 GBP | $299 USD (ex. Tax) | €249 (ex. Tax).