overdrive
A warm, natural-sounding distortion effect that simulates a tube amplifier pushed to its limits.
In Depth
Overdrive produces soft clipping of the audio signal, retaining more of the guitar's natural dynamics and touch sensitivity than harder distortion. When a tube amplifier is cranked up, the valves naturally compress and distort the signal, creating the warm, singing sustain that defines classic rock tone. Overdrive pedals replicate this effect at lower volumes. The Ibanez Tube Screamer is the most iconic overdrive pedal ever made.
Stevie Ray Vaughan's legendary tone came from stacking a Tube Screamer overdrive pedal into an already cranked Fender amplifier, creating layers of warm saturation.