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12 Degrees of Saturation 2023 Compact Edition

12 Degrees of SaturationAll-PedalAudiostormBardic Audio DevicesBig Muff Style FuzzBispell AudioBixonicBlackhawk AmplifiersBogner AmplificationBoostBoost and OverdriveBossBrown Sound DistortionChase Bliss AudioCKK ElectronicsCustom TonesDemon PedalsDistortionDr ScientistDriveDrive WorkstationDrunk BeaverDryBell EffectsDual-DriveEmpress EffectsFeaturedFoxpedalFriedman EffectsFuzzFuzz Face Style FuzzFuzz-Drive and FuzzstortionGermanium FuzzGreer AmpsHamstead SoundworksJ RockettJackson AudioJHS PedalsJRADKMA AudioMarshall Style DistortionMenatoneMessiah GuitarsMetal DistortionMI EffectsMidValleyFXMulti-DriveNordland ElectronicsOhmless PedalsOpAmp FuzzOrigin EffectsOverdrivePettyjohn ElectronicsRedbeard EffectsREVV AmplificationSilicon FuzzSinvertekSnouse Electric CompanySpaceman EffectsSuhrThorpyFXTone Bender Style FuzzTone InkTsakalis Audio WorksVictory Amps+-
2023-12-Degrees-Compact-Edition-700.jpg

This article has been a long time coming - where I originally started this ahead of the Mini Edition - which went live on January 24th. I was waiting for a couple of new pedals to be released - while the article has been iterated around 20 times now with a number of recent additions.

 

And the pedal I was waiting to launch still hasn’t quite happened, while the builder has authorised me to tease it in advance of its official release. And if I were to do the same exercise tomorrow - no doubt ...

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Catalinbread unleash the Deluxe edition of their Dirty Little Secret Plexi Drive - to go head-to-head with the Tsakalis AudioWorks Room #40

BoostBoost and OverdriveCatalinbreadDistortionDriveMarshall Style DistortionOverdriveTsakalis Audio Works+-
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I’ve long been saying that Catalinbread should be externalising the SB / SL switch of its DLS - which for such a long time has been an awkward-to-reach internal dip-switch. They finally decide to do it in this Deluxe edition which comes with additional Presence and Boost controls / functions too.

 

I’ve owned a compact DLS for quite some while - and it’s a decent Plexi type for sure - supposedly Andy Martin’s favourite, but has never quite been one of my own absolute favourites - unlike the ...

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32 of the Best Compact Overdrive Pedals - 2022 Ultimate Selection

Barber ElectronicsBest in ClassBJFEBlues Breaker Style OverdriveBlues Driver Style OverdriveBoostBoost and OverdriveBossCKK ElectronicsCrowther AudioCustom TonesDemon PedalsDumble Style OverdriveFairfield CircuitryFeaturedFoxpedalFulltone EffectsGreer AmpsGreuter AudioHamstead SoundworksHot Cake Style OverdriveJ RockettJHS PedalsJRADKlone and Transparent OverdriveKuro Custom AudioMenatoneMissing Link AudioNeunaberNordland ElectronicsOCD Style OverdriveODR Style OverdriveOverdrivePaul CochranePettyjohn ElectronicsRedbeard EffectsSnouse Electric CompanySpaceman EffectsThorpyFXTimmyTrue North PedalsTsakalis Audio WorksTubescreamer Style OverdriveTweed Style OverdriveWampler+-
2022GPX32CompactOverdrives700V2.jpg

So I last did one of these back in 2020 - meaning that these ’Best of Overdrive’ run-downs seem to be a circa biennial affair. We’ve upped the numbers to 32 this year, while they represent barely a quarter of the overdrives I have in my reference collection - so there are obviously a lot of honourable mentions listed below - before the Final Thoughts section.

 

These types of exercises are incredibly tricky to strike the right balance of generally considered classic overdrive pedals and ...

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2022 February Pedal-Chain Update - Episode II - Mercurial Suspense

All-PedalBig Muff Style FuzzBlues Driver Style OverdriveBoostBoost and OverdriveBossBrown Sound DistortionChase Bliss AudioChorus and VibratoDemon PedalsDriveDrive WorkstationDSM & HumboldtDual-DriveDumble Style OverdriveEnvelope Filter and Auto WahEQFrost Giant ElectronicsFuzzFuzz-Drive and FuzzstortionKMA AudioMarshall Style DistortionMetal DistortionMulti-DriveOverdrivePastFXPedal ChainPreAmpSilicon FuzzSinvertekTampco PedalsTone Bender Style FuzzTsakalis Audio WorksUtility+-
2022GPXSKPedalChainUpdateFebruaryl700.jpg

February has been a somewhat slow moving and frustrating month - where most of the pedals that were acquired are either embargoed or not due to land until March at the earliest. There’s no shortage of intriguing pedals out there while a lot of those also still haven’t made it into UK distribution. Interestingly a lot of pedals featured in January don’t seem to have made it to the UK yet either - obviously symptomatic of the slowdown in global logistics.

 

Nevertheless there were some ...

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End of Year Pedal-Chain Update - Final Formation - Class of 2021

Ambient EffectsAmp and Cab IR SimAmpliTubeBest in ClassBig Muff Style FuzzBlackhawk AmplifiersBoostBoost and OverdriveBossBrown Sound DistortionChorus and VibratoCoppersoundDecibelicsDemedash EffectsDigital ReverbDistortionDriveDrunk BeaverDryBell EffectsDual-DriveEarthQuaker DevicesEnvelope Filter and Auto WahFjord FuzzFlangerFlower PedalsFoxpedalFuzzFuzz-Drive and FuzzstortionGuitar Synth and SequencerIK MultimediaKlirrton ManufakturKlone and Transparent OverdriveKuro Custom AudioMarshall Style DistortionMetal DistortionModulationModulation WorkstationMulti-DriveMulti-FXOCD Style OverdriveOctaverOpAmp FuzzOverdrivePedal ChainPete CornishPettyjohn ElectronicsPhaserPitchPitch-ShiftingPlate ReverbPreAmpRack Style ReverbRat Style FuzzRedbeard EffectsReverbReverb WorkstationReverse ReverbRotary SpeakerShimmer ReverbSilicon FuzzSinvertekSpaceman EffectsSpacey ReverbSpiral Electric FXSpring ReverbStrymonTimmyTremoloTsakalis Audio WorksTubescreamer Style OverdriveUni-Vibe and VibeUtilityVox Style DistortionWah and Fixed Wah+-
2021GPXSKPedalChainUpdateDecemberFinal700V2.jpg

2021 was another very significant year for me - and one that signals that I probably need to slow down now - as I picked up well over 200 new pedals during the year - which really is excessive. Storage is starting to become an issue - and I will need to be a lot more prudent and strategic in my acquisitions next year!

 

So more than 200 new ones, and in fact 25 slots were switches up during the year - where only 12 were totally untouched and unchanged. A slew of new gain pedals as always - ...

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2021 Best of the Best New Pedals for the Year

All-PedalAmbient EffectsAmp and Cab IR SimAmpliTubeAnalog DelayBeat MachineBecos FXBest in ClassBig Muff Style FuzzBitcrushing and Lo-FiBlack Arts ToneworksBlackhawk AmplifiersBoostBoost and OverdriveBossChorus and VibratoCompressorCooper FXDecibelicsDelayDemedash EffectsDigital ReverbDistortionDrunk BeaverDryBell EffectsDual-DriveEnvelope Filter and Auto WahFjord FuzzFlangerFuzzFuzz Face Style FuzzFuzz-Drive and FuzzstortionGermanium FuzzGreuter AudioGuitar Synth and SequencerIK MultimediaJHS PedalsKlone and Transparent OverdriveKuro Custom AudioMaestro Style FuzzMarshall Style DistortionMetal DistortionModulationNeunaberOctave FuzzOld Blood Noise EndeavorsOpAmp FuzzOverdrivePete CornishPhaserRainger FXRat Style FuzzRedbeard EffectsReverbReverb WorkstationSilicon FuzzSinvertekSpaceman EffectsSpun Loud EffectsStrymonSuhrThermionThorpyFXTone Bender Style FuzzTsakalis Audio WorksTubescreamer Style OverdriveUni-Vibe and VibeUtilityWah and Fixed WahWalrus AudioWamplerWay Huge EffectsZander Circuitry+-
2021GPXBestOfTheBestPedals700V5.jpg

This Grand Finale has been through several iterations and some very advanced Tetris-style re-arrangements. Last year I had 25 finalists, while this year I’ve upped that quotient to 40! I still would have liked to have included a few more - including the EQD Hizumitas, but in the end felt this was about right on balance. 

 

As I’ve already covered all of these in the very recent end of year category rundowns - this article will just be listed mentions - bar the 3 sort of specially singled out ...

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2021 Best of New Boost, Overdrive and Distortion Pedals for the Year

Ananashead EffectsBardic Audio DevicesBecos FXBenson AmpsBest in ClassBlackhawk AmplifiersBlues Breaker Style OverdriveBoostBoost and OverdriveBossBrown Sound DistortionCatalinbreadCornerstone Music GearCustom Audio ArtDecibelicsDemedash EffectsDemiurge InstrumentsDistortionDriveDrive WorkstationDrunk BeaverDual-DriveDumble Style OverdriveElectronic Audio ExperimentsFoxpedalFunny Little BoxesFuzzrociousGreuter AudioKlirrton ManufakturKlone and Transparent OverdriveKMA AudioKuro Custom AudioMarshall Style DistortionMatthews EffectsMetal DistortionMulti-DriveMXROverdrivePete CornishPettyjohn ElectronicsPigtronixPolarbear EffectsRedbeard EffectsSinvertekSpun Loud EffectsTsakalis Audio WorksTubescreamer Style OverdriveTweed Style OverdriveWalrus AudioZander Circuitry+-
2021GPXBestNewBoostODDistforYeat700.jpg

The Boost, Overdrive and Distortion category is the most heavily contested, and indeed the most heavily congested category this year. I started with a Longlist of more than 70 and whittled down to the 39 featured here. Note that for balance I have included Rat pedals in the Fuzz Category already listed. This list features some of the more subtle fuzz-edged / fuzzy-drive varieties - although there will of course be some slight degree of overlap.

 

Featured above and listed here are 39 ...

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2021 June Pedal-Chain Update - Episode VI - Particle Acceleration

Alexander PedalsBeetronics FXBig Muff Style FuzzBitcrushing and Lo-FiBoostBoost and OverdriveBossCatalinbreadChorus and VibratoCornerstone Music GearDelayDigital DelayDigital ReverbDistortionDriveDrunk BeaverDryBell EffectsDumble Style OverdriveEl GaratgeEnvelope Filter and Auto WahFlower PedalsFuzzFuzz-Drive and FuzzstortionGermanium FuzzHarmonizerJoe GoreLo-Fi DelayMarshall Style DistortionModulationOctaverOverdrivePedal ChainPitchPitch-ShiftingPLBR EffectsPolarbear EffectsRedbeard EffectsReverbRotary SpeakerShimmer ReverbSilicon FuzzTone Bender Style FuzzTsakalis Audio WorksTubescreamer Style OverdriveWah and Fixed Wah+-
2021GPXSKPedalChainUpdateJune700V5.jpg

June has been another incredibly busy month - with editorials going out on almost a daily basis - which kind of leaves me a little exhausted, but still warmly satisfied with proceedings. There has been something of a plethora of releases in June - a number of which were delayed from previous months because of parts sourcing issues and other production challenges.

 

A very respectable 23 pedals were added to the collection in June - and most have been featured on the site already, with just a ...

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2021GPXTsakalisRoom40700.jpg

Readers will know that I’m a huge fan of Marshall-voiced pedals and have quite the number of those in the collection - particularly in compact enclosure editions. I have a real fondness for dual-footswitches and extended feature topologies - and love that this pedal has no less than 8 external controls including 4-Band EQ, alongside a single internal trim-pot to set the Boost Level.

 

I’m not sure of the exact reasoning behind the Room #40 moniker except for the fact that it ...

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12 Degrees of Saturation : 2020 Key Overdrive Categories Edition

12 Degrees of SaturationAion ElectronicsAnalog.ManBarber ElectronicsBearfoot FXBJFEBlues Breaker Style OverdriveBlues Driver Style OverdriveBO EffectsBogner AmplificationBoost and OverdriveBosscmatmodsCrowther AudioCustom TonesDanDrive PedalDecibelicsDemon PedalsDumble Style OverdriveFeaturedFoxpedalF-PedalsFree The ToneFulltone EffectsFunction F(X)Greer AmpsHamstead SoundworksHot Cake Style OverdriveJ RockettJackson AudioJetter GearJHS PedalsJoyo EffectsKeeley EngineeringKlone and Transparent OverdriveKuro Custom AudioLovepedalMad Professor EffectsMenatoneMI EffectsMontreal AssemblyMooerMXRMythos PedalsNobelsNordland ElectronicsOCD Style OverdriveODR Style OverdriveOverdrivePaul CochranePedal DiggersPickdropperSarno Music SolutionsSnouse Electric CompanySpaceman EffectsThorpyFXTimmyTrue North PedalsTsakalis Audio WorksTubescreamer Style OverdriveTweed Style OverdriveVemuramVFE PedalsVick AudioWamplerWay Huge Effects+-
2020GPX12DegreesOverdriveEdition700V2.jpg

So this is one of most significant works in a while, and carries on the legacy of two of my most popular all-time articles on the 12 Degrees of Saturation - the Original that evolved in the early months of 2017, and the follow-up which materialised in September of 2018.

 

I obviously deal with a lot of reader inquiries pretty much on a daily basis, and one of the more popular lines of inquiry has been about overdrives. And while Josh Scott attests to the fact that there are only 5 core ...

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