Opaque Drive
Innovative dual-channel overdrive featuring independent Silver and Gold circuits with unique mid-frequency controls, MOSFET clipping, and internal 18V headroom for amp-like dynamics and versatility.
The Substation Onyx Opaque Drive emerged from designer Aric Fowler's extensive search for the perfect overdrive that could deliver multiple sonic personalities without requiring constant knob adjustments. Released in August 2023 as the company's debut hardware pedal, the Opaque Drive houses two independent yet complementary overdrive circuits: Silver and Gold. Both circuits originated from modifications to a hard-clipping overdrive design from 2004, but evolved into distinct sonic tools.
The Silver circuit breaks from tradition by replacing the typical tone control with a unique mid-frequency control, offering two separate modifications to either preserve or attenuate low-end frequencies. This allows players to achieve everything from transparent boost to thick, saturated rhythm tones. The clipping section features three MOSFETs arranged around a resistor - a very unusual configuration that produces a single, amp-like distortion flavor emphasizing transient preservation over compression, making it exceptionally dynamic and responsive to playing dynamics.
The Gold circuit provides a more traditional tone control but distinguishes itself with three very distinct distortion flavors accessible via a toggle switch, essentially offering three different overdrive personalities within one circuit. This sampler approach lets players match their tone to different guitars, amps, or musical contexts without carrying multiple pedals. The Opaque Drive runs on 9V external power but generates 18V internally via charge pump, providing exceptional headroom and preventing the squashed, compressed feel common in 9V-only overdrives. This internal voltage doubling is crucial for the pedal's amp-like feel and clarity under heavy gain.
Built in a Hammond 1590BB enclosure, the pedal features a professionally-machined PCB for optimal signal integrity, premium Neutrik jacks, Keeley soft-click footswitches, and a powder-coated enclosure crafted by Keeley Electronics in the USA. The Opaque Drive's philosophy is simple: provide two highly versatile channels that, together, eliminate the need for tone-chasing mid-performance. Whether you need pristine clean boost, edge-of-breakup crunch, thick rhythm saturation, or singing lead tones, the Opaque Drive delivers without menu-diving or external switching systems.
Reverb
Amazon
