Origin Effects’ new RevivalDrive might just be the most versatile compact overdrive pedal ever made

The original Origin Effects RevivalDrive was a behemoth of an overdrive pedal that aimed to recreate the tones of just about any vintage British or American tube amp - and now the UK company has downsized the format with its new RevivalDrive Compact.

Naturally, the control set has been streamlined to accommodate the smaller enclosure, although that should make it more immediate to capture the tone you’re searching for, from Fender to Vox, Plexi and everything in between.

Origin Effects RevivalDrive Compact overdrive pedal — (Image credit: Origin Effects)

Those controls now comprise Gain, Output, Blend, Highs, Lows, More/Presence (which adjusts negative feedback to change the level of touch sensitivity), and a Post-Drive EQ, designed to tailor the pedal to your amp.

Just take a listen to the demo video above to hear just how much this box is capable of - the variation is really quite staggering.

The RevivalDrive Compact is available now for $385/£315 from Origin Effects.

Mike has been Editor-in-Chief of GuitarWorld.com since 2019, and an offset fiend and recovering pedal addict for far longer. He has a master's degree in journalism from Cardiff University, and 15 years' experience writing and editing for guitar publications including MusicRadar, Total Guitar and Guitarist, as well as 20 years of recording and live experience in original and function bands. During his career, he has interviewed the likes of John Frusciante, Chris Cornell, Tom Morello, Matt Bellamy, Kirk Hammett, Jerry Cantrell, Joe Satriani, Tom DeLonge, Radiohead's Ed O'Brien, Polyphia, Tosin Abasi, Yvette Young and many more. His writing also appears in the The Cambridge Companion to the Electric Guitar. In his free time, you'll find him making progressive instrumental rock as Maebe.