Origin Effects Halcyon Green Overdrive review

The Tube Screamer is the starting point for this ultra-responsive evolution from Origin Effects

Origin Effects Halcyon Drive
(Image: © Future / Olly Curtis)

Guitar World Verdict

A player’s pedal, the Halcyon does everything a standard TS does but can go beyond that with some well-thought-out additional features that really extend versatility, not least a more nuanced dynamic response than your standard green clone that’s just waiting to be exploited.

Pros

  • +

    Origin’s usual high standard of build quality.

  • +

    Dynamic TS sound with no tonal compromises.

  • +

    Adjustable dry sound.

  • +

    Two voices.

Cons

  • -

    Nothing... but paying in excess of £200 for any TS won’t be agreeable to all players.

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It’s undoubtedly one of the most popular overdrives ever, but do we really need another pedal that’s based on the Ibanez Tube Screamer? The answer to that one is a very big yes from Origin Effects, who says that although its new Halcyon might be based on the ubiquitous green box, it goes way beyond what the average overdrive pedal has to offer. 

The basic idea here is to combine the magic of a vintage TS808 with the responsiveness of a good tube amplifier. Origin’s contention is that while the typical green pedal’s mid-pushed drive can be great for a thick solo tone, it can also become a touch thin and anaemic with reduced guitar volume or soft playing. The company’s solution is its proprietary Adaptive circuitry, which aims to adapt its voicing in response to pick attack and volume changes.

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