A week ago I watched a demo video of this pedal Ended up ordering the Revival Drive Custom that nighy. It is daunting looking wih there being so many options. But, the sounds one can get are insanely varied and awesome.
I like this pedal so much. not the easiest to dial in but boy oh boy what a sound. what responsiveness! and the build quality? stellar. actually I like everything Origin makes. they are an amazing company and need to be fully recognised as such. your statement "everyone is wrong" cracks me up and reminds me of the scene in The Big Short where Dr Burry walks into Wall Street and the banker goes "this is a foolish investment" and he replies " yes based on the prevailing sentiment it's a foolish investment but.... everyone is wrong" the only 2 things I would change, but it's nitpicking, is the nomenclature of some of the functions, which could be more immediate but hey... second thing being that to engage the mid boost to both channel you must use the external pedal: why didn't they have that option in the pedal and force you to choose side 1, side 2 or off?
It really rewards you for understanding it! Such an underrated brand for sure. I wanna get their M-Driver next. Looks really interesting. And I totally felt like Christian Bale at Bear Stearns when I played this pedal haha. I agree with your changes they could incorporate and I would add that I would love if they did an even lower gain version of this pedal so it could be a real pedal platform. Just wishful thinking at this point haha.
Amazing vid! Amazing pedal! Due to the variations of tones, I guess this pedal would be best in a studio for studio musicians, since typically guitarists have their own sound dialed in on their own equipment/pedal board/amp/speakers/direct in. OR perhaps a cover band with a guitarist suffering from OCPD going DI. :) 13:38, love it!
Hello from the UK. This is an incisive, intelligent and accessible product review. Stellar content, good sir. Thanks. Subbed. Edit: Man alive, you’ve got some tasty note choices under those fingertips! 🥳🥳🥳
@SuperdangerStudios Love your channel man, thanks for all of the great content! Quick question, when you are going through all of the demo settings from the manual do you still have the Iridium on? From the video it doesn't look like it is engaged but those demo settings sound so much better than they do when I dial them in and run the RD straight into an IR loader. I'm thinking I just need to get an amp sim in between the RD and my IRs to get the sound I want. I use the York IRs as well, for what it's worth, but I run the RD straight into my RME interface and use a plugin IR loader.
I am using only the RD in power amp mode. That is interesting bc mine sounds like this straight up. Hmm. What files are you using on York Audio? I am only using the pre mixed IRs. I do add a tiny bit of eq and compression in post but nothing that drastically changes the tones. I also am going direct into my interface.
Thanks for the video man, I love the in depth approach! Talking about not knowing what one is doing, I have a question - when you are sitting in your studio, where is the sound you hear coming from? Is it from the speaker in the back (Yamaha?) or are you plugging in this pedal into some other amp? (P.S. you really do love the iridium given that you list it twice under the gear you like to use, oh yeah!)
Thanks for watching! I am listening through the Yamaha monitors but am recording into Logic Pro x. I am going direct into the hi-z input on my audio interface (Audient id44)
If you are using the RD as a standalone preamp and not into the front of another amp then yes you will need an IR of some sort. It's pretty easy to use IRs if you have a good DAW setup or an IR loader pedal. There are a ton of great videos on it. If you have any questions let me know!
Thanks for another very helpful deep dive video, Alex. Your playing examples are especially fun and do a great job demonstrating the wide range of tones this classic pedal is capable of. The only “downside” of your video is that it makes me want to sell my RevivalDrive Compact and grab a full size RevivalDrive, or Custom. It’s so tempting to have all of those great additional controls and switches, and the double amp setup! But I must admit that I find the sheer number of controls and switches daunting. The fewer controls on the Compact version are mind-bogglingly flexible. Do you get option paralysis with the full size RD?
Ah, Slide! Great to hear from you. Thank you again for converting me on the BLEND knob. I have never used it until recently and I love it. All due to your encouragement. I don't run into analysis paralysis but I DO run into problems with having the wrong switches on or the wrong side engaged very often. Only bc there are so many switches I forget that I left a bright cap switch on, or the mid boost, or the EQ reamp. It has forced me to redo many tracks in the past. That is definitely due to me rushing, however, it is something to consider. That being said, it is a top 3 pedal for me and the compact probably would leave me wanting. Is there a way for you to check one out? Maybe order and test and free returns with one of your trusted retailers? Cheers!
I will find a way to demo a big box RD. BTW, I actually most often use the Blend knob when I am playing my RD Compact into an overdriven, cranked amp, usually the Iridium punch, sometimes my Plexi Bass style head. That way, the "dry" signal hits another flavor of crunchy breakup (the Iridium or amp), in addition to the overdrive from the RevivalDrive itself. Blend knob on the Compact version also slightly affects the gain level on the RD, reducing the actual gain setting as you dial in more dry. Blend on the big versions has no affect on the gain, since those have a separate control for dry gain, allowing you to fine tune the relative gain-dry levels. To simplify the layout on the Compact, Origin incorporated settings from the big version into fewer knobs that control multiple parameters. For example, the Compact has a Highs knob that is not on the bigger versions. In addition to controlling highs, it also controls mids, and simultaneously changes preamp voicings along its sweep (which, on the big version is done with separate switches). The Compact is not as simple or straightforward as it looks!
So, I saw your Dream 65' Vs Strymon iridium. Very curious to see this Vs Lion 68 Super Lead. I am about to buy the Lion but giving the revival drive a really good look just in case.
Great, another pedal I need to give serious consideration to. Ugh. ;) Seriously though, yet another one of the most informative videos out there, thanks!
Right? Lots of knobs and variables in finding your tone. If one has no exp w the innards of an amp and the downstream effect it can really be daunting.
@@SuperdangerStudios Daunting indeed. It’s hard for Origin Effects to explain all the the features and functionalities without overwhelming the average user. However, on UA-cam, there are a few sound examples to get you started and from there on it’s pure joy to find that tone you’re looking for.
Please hook us up with a video where you use the Revival drive with wet effects after then into the iridium in Cab Sim mode with some of those York Audio IRs. I think that could be amazing with something like a Ventris or Collider sitting between. You got me watching all the videos on this thing
The tone in the first few seconds are like a perfect example of the kind of tone I want. What would you call that? Is it like a gunned JTM45-sound? Great video :)
Pays to read up on this puppy as it has capabilities just turning knobs won't bring out, nor will you understand the many options. For example if you use the preamp mode out you will want to turn up the Bright Cut to take out some of the high end in that mode. This is not your typical op amp, diode hollow box of the same old typical OD versions. This is all analog virtual amp topography in a genius design extremely hard to make and find top shelf components so they are out of production right now. You would do well to grab one of the Custom loaded versions as they are going to get rare. Tweaking around on this will yield some really great tones that sound and feel like an amp without digital modeling. Origin Effects are coming up with very new ideas and solutions instead of just another version of the same half century or more old tech.
If all you’re hearing is "only the brash overdrive thing" then that's probably all you’re going to hear. The pedal can do a huge range of tones and sounds, but if you can only hear "the brash overdrive thing" then that's probably all you're going to hear. 🙄
yeah, every demo of this pedal on any channel with any setting is almost TOO Hi-Fi / Crisp sounding… I think that’s just what the pedal is. Different strokes for different folks.
Really struggling to decide between this and the Ruby to use live as an ampless rig. In your video between the 2 the RevivalDrive sounded a lot more real for want of a better description. Would you agree with that or the is the Ruby just a realistic?
If you are going to use any kind of clean tones the Ruby is the way to go. There is not a lot of clean tone tweaking to be found on the RD. Also the built in speaker sims make that really handy if you don’t want to bring another pedal for IRs. That being said, I love the RD and would find a way to use it even though it’s not perfect for all situations haha.
@@SuperdangerStudios thanks for the reply! Unfortunately it's still not got me any closer to a choice haha. These aren't the easiest of pedal to just trying.
I don't know what you’re listening to the video on, but shrill or tinny certainly doesn’t describe what I'm hearing - both on MacBook Pro speakers and with Sony MDR 7506 headphones. There are sounds from the pedal - (or that you can dial in) - that have more high-end than others, but the range of tones available ranges from almost sub-low end to high top end and everything in between!
I literally bought this twice but used each time. Then the compact returned that one. Then the big hot rod and decided maybe just not for me. But being a pedal addict I had to conquer this pedal. So once again I bought an original big RD and I’ve learned to figure out it’s subtlety’s. It’s staying. FYI it goes great with crunchy amps and my quad which is the only modeler I love. Thanks for a great video. Enjoy your pedal. Oh and I didn’t need but got the halcyon. It’s never ending. It’s an addiction for real. I really actually missed the original big rd. The way it was built. The toggles I always love but it’s like a thing of beauty to me. I love gear. The way Simon made each part is really something else. It’s really a work of art visually as well. But if you spend time with it and figure out what Simon came up with it does sound exactly like it’s supposed to. FYI it’s not shrill in my opinion either. If it’s set right you can get a lot of different amp sounds out of it.
You're one of the few on UA-cam who can actually dial a tone, plus you're a great player !
Incredibly generous compliment. Thank you!
This is great stuff, you are in the zone with this box, great demonstration, thank you.
Glad you enjoyed it! It’s a wonderful pedal once you get used to the layout.
Dude.... WHAT A REVIEW!!! You sold me this pedal! Great playing, thank you so much. I've enjoyed a lot!!
Glad I could help! There’s nothing like this pedal on the market. You’re gonna love it
A week ago I watched a demo video of this pedal Ended up ordering the Revival Drive Custom that nighy. It is daunting looking wih there being so many options. But, the sounds one can get are insanely varied and awesome.
Right on! Yes it can be overwhelming at first but there are so many great tones to be had. Let me know how it sounds! Cheers!
Great video and great tones! I picked one of these up a few years ago, in my view Simon should be nominated for the Nobel Prize of Tone!
Origin Effects is one of my favorite brands. The gear they make is exactly what I am looking for,.
You deserve more subscribers! I really enjoy your content and the production of your videos. Thank you and Keep it up!
I appreciate that! The followers have been slow but steady. I’m happy that everyone seems to enjoy my videos!
I like this pedal so much. not the easiest to dial in but boy oh boy what a sound. what responsiveness! and the build quality? stellar. actually I like everything Origin makes. they are an amazing company and need to be fully recognised as such. your statement "everyone is wrong" cracks me up and reminds me of the scene in The Big Short where Dr Burry walks into Wall Street and the banker goes "this is a foolish investment" and he replies " yes based on the prevailing sentiment it's a foolish investment but.... everyone is wrong" the only 2 things I would change, but it's nitpicking, is the nomenclature of some of the functions, which could be more immediate but hey... second thing being that to engage the mid boost to both channel you must use the external pedal: why didn't they have that option in the pedal and force you to choose side 1, side 2 or off?
It really rewards you for understanding it! Such an underrated brand for sure. I wanna get their M-Driver next. Looks really interesting. And I totally felt like Christian Bale at Bear Stearns when I played this pedal haha.
I agree with your changes they could incorporate and I would add that I would love if they did an even lower gain version of this pedal so it could be a real pedal platform. Just wishful thinking at this point haha.
Amazing vid! Amazing pedal! Due to the variations of tones, I guess this pedal would be best in a studio for studio musicians, since typically guitarists have their own sound dialed in on their own equipment/pedal board/amp/speakers/direct in. OR perhaps a cover band with a guitarist suffering from OCPD going DI. :)
13:38, love it!
Clicked the video for the pedal but stayed for the playing. Fantastic!
Super kind my guy thank you.
Hello from the UK. This is an incisive, intelligent and accessible product review. Stellar content, good sir. Thanks. Subbed.
Edit: Man alive, you’ve got some tasty note choices under those fingertips! 🥳🥳🥳
Thanks so much! Thrilled you enjoyed the video! More to come!
Very straight forward tutorial. Great stuff dude. Thanks 🙌
Thanks so much for the kind words. The RD has a ton of knobs but they can start to make sense with the right approach. Cheers!
I have the compact version. By far the best sounding “overdrive”, with useful options that allow you to use it with any amp, backline, into PA….
One of the best pedals ever
@SuperdangerStudios Love your channel man, thanks for all of the great content!
Quick question, when you are going through all of the demo settings from the manual do you still have the Iridium on? From the video it doesn't look like it is engaged but those demo settings sound so much better than they do when I dial them in and run the RD straight into an IR loader. I'm thinking I just need to get an amp sim in between the RD and my IRs to get the sound I want. I use the York IRs as well, for what it's worth, but I run the RD straight into my RME interface and use a plugin IR loader.
I am using only the RD in power amp mode. That is interesting bc mine sounds like this straight up. Hmm. What files are you using on York Audio? I am only using the pre mixed IRs. I do add a tiny bit of eq and compression in post but nothing that drastically changes the tones. I also am going direct into my interface.
Lots of great tones in the RD, but I confirm that the high end is really tricky to dial in, many people will give up.
It is really tricky! But it definitely rewards the effort.
Thanks for the video man, I love the in depth approach! Talking about not knowing what one is doing, I have a question - when you are sitting in your studio, where is the sound you hear coming from? Is it from the speaker in the back (Yamaha?) or are you plugging in this pedal into some other amp? (P.S. you really do love the iridium given that you list it twice under the gear you like to use, oh yeah!)
Thanks for watching! I am listening through the Yamaha monitors but am recording into Logic Pro x. I am going direct into the hi-z input on my audio interface (Audient id44)
Thanks for this video! It's awesome!
Will the RD not sound good if not using IR's? I've never used them before.
If you are using the RD as a standalone preamp and not into the front of another amp then yes you will need an IR of some sort. It's pretty easy to use IRs if you have a good DAW setup or an IR loader pedal. There are a ton of great videos on it. If you have any questions let me know!
Great review! I just got the Hot Rod edition, because I like more power!
MOOOORE POWERRRRR! Right on dude. How do you like it?
@@SuperdangerStudios Love it!! Thanks for your videos, that's how I learned about this pedal! Great job pal!
@@1111undici1111 thrilled you dig it!
Thanks for another very helpful deep dive video, Alex. Your playing examples are especially fun and do a great job demonstrating the wide range of tones this classic pedal is capable of. The only “downside” of your video is that it makes me want to sell my RevivalDrive Compact and grab a full size RevivalDrive, or Custom. It’s so tempting to have all of those great additional controls and switches, and the double amp setup! But I must admit that I find the sheer number of controls and switches daunting. The fewer controls on the Compact version are mind-bogglingly flexible. Do you get option paralysis with the full size RD?
Ah, Slide! Great to hear from you. Thank you again for converting me on the BLEND knob. I have never used it until recently and I love it. All due to your encouragement.
I don't run into analysis paralysis but I DO run into problems with having the wrong switches on or the wrong side engaged very often. Only bc there are so many switches I forget that I left a bright cap switch on, or the mid boost, or the EQ reamp. It has forced me to redo many tracks in the past.
That is definitely due to me rushing, however, it is something to consider. That being said, it is a top 3 pedal for me and the compact probably would leave me wanting. Is there a way for you to check one out? Maybe order and test and free returns with one of your trusted retailers?
Cheers!
I will find a way to demo a big box RD. BTW, I actually most often use the Blend knob when I am playing my RD Compact into an overdriven, cranked amp, usually the Iridium punch, sometimes my Plexi Bass style head. That way, the "dry" signal hits another flavor of crunchy breakup (the Iridium or amp), in addition to the overdrive from the RevivalDrive itself. Blend knob on the Compact version also slightly affects the gain level on the RD, reducing the actual gain setting as you dial in more dry. Blend on the big versions has no affect on the gain, since those have a separate control for dry gain, allowing you to fine tune the relative gain-dry levels. To simplify the layout on the Compact, Origin incorporated settings from the big version into fewer knobs that control multiple parameters. For example, the Compact has a Highs knob that is not on the bigger versions. In addition to controlling highs, it also controls mids, and simultaneously changes preamp voicings along its sweep (which, on the big version is done with separate switches). The Compact is not as simple or straightforward as it looks!
So, I saw your Dream 65' Vs Strymon iridium. Very curious to see this Vs Lion 68 Super Lead. I am about to buy the Lion but giving the revival drive a really good look just in case.
I am gonna try to get my hands on the lion.
Great, another pedal I need to give serious consideration to. Ugh. ;) Seriously though, yet another one of the most informative videos out there, thanks!
Thanks again for watching my dude! It’s a great pedal and the compact revival drive is just as good!
As an amp geek I had no problems understanding all the functions but I can fully understand why the pedal seems intimidating at first glance.
Right? Lots of knobs and variables in finding your tone. If one has no exp w the innards of an amp and the downstream effect it can really be daunting.
@@SuperdangerStudios Daunting indeed. It’s hard for Origin Effects to explain all the the features and functionalities without overwhelming the average user. However, on UA-cam, there are a few sound examples to get you started and from there on it’s pure joy to find that tone you’re looking for.
Please hook us up with a video where you use the Revival drive with wet effects after then into the iridium in Cab Sim mode with some of those York Audio IRs. I think that could be amazing with something like a Ventris or Collider sitting between. You got me watching all the videos on this thing
I wish i had more interesting modulation pedals. I will try with the ones I have!
@@SuperdangerStudios no worries! You already sold me! Arriving today
The tone in the first few seconds are like a perfect example of the kind of tone I want.
What would you call that? Is it like a gunned JTM45-sound?
Great video :)
Thanks, Simon! Yeah that’s def a cranked JTM and is one of my favorite tones as well. The Revival Drive has that for days! Cheers!
@@SuperdangerStudios Thanks!
Pays to read up on this puppy as it has capabilities just turning knobs won't bring out, nor will you understand the many options. For example if you use the preamp mode out you will want to turn up the Bright Cut to take out some of the high end in that mode. This is not your typical op amp, diode hollow box of the same old typical OD versions. This is all analog virtual amp topography in a genius design extremely hard to make and find top shelf components so they are out of production right now. You would do well to grab one of the Custom loaded versions as they are going to get rare. Tweaking around on this will yield some really great tones that sound and feel like an amp without digital modeling. Origin Effects are coming up with very new ideas and solutions instead of just another version of the same half century or more old tech.
Does it do dark full tones? Or only the brash overdrive thing?
It totally. Can do dark tones. Just gotta tinker a bit
If all you’re hearing is "only the brash overdrive thing" then that's probably all you’re going to hear. The pedal can do a huge range of tones and sounds, but if you can only hear "the brash overdrive thing" then that's probably all you're going to hear. 🙄
yeah, every demo of this pedal on any channel with any setting is almost TOO Hi-Fi / Crisp sounding… I think that’s just what the pedal is. Different strokes for different folks.
Really struggling to decide between this and the Ruby to use live as an ampless rig.
In your video between the 2 the RevivalDrive sounded a lot more real for want of a better description. Would you agree with that or the is the Ruby just a realistic?
If you are going to use any kind of clean tones the Ruby is the way to go. There is not a lot of clean tone tweaking to be found on the RD. Also the built in speaker sims make that really handy if you don’t want to bring another pedal for IRs. That being said, I love the RD and would find a way to use it even though it’s not perfect for all situations haha.
@@SuperdangerStudios thanks for the reply! Unfortunately it's still not got me any closer to a choice haha. These aren't the easiest of pedal to just trying.
I’ve had three of these and never been able to dial out the brittle top end, it’s just too tinny for me. But a great concept.
For sure. It's a tricky pedal to use!
I’ve always wondered could I use a revival drive as the amp in my HX Stomp? Could it replace that block? Just through an IR or cab after it?
Yup! In Power Amp mode it is literally an AMP sim!
Savage pedal
So many tonal options!
It’s basically every amp, so I would want to be able to memorise settings as presets with a footswitch.
Agreed! I wish there was a digital way to control the presets.
Yeah! This one scares me. I get knob, button, and word paralysis 😵💫
It is really intimidating looking but once you figure out the steps it’s super a very straightforward process!
@@SuperdangerStudios I’ll opt for the simpler compact version. Which I’m going to order soon.
And do you think you sacrifice a lot when going with a Revival Drive Compact? I like simple things :D.
I think you can still get 85% of the tones on the compact version!
@@SuperdangerStudios Thanks a lot! Now I know where to put any future cash to spend :D.
all it needs is a way to save presets.....
Wouldn’t that be great. A digital way to control analog components.
looks like a high quality piece of gear, but every setting sounds kind of shrill / tinny to my unprofessional ears
I hear ya. It is a very specific sound like all the origin effects pedals and not everyone digs it which is totally fine.
I don't know what you’re listening to the video on, but shrill or tinny certainly doesn’t describe what I'm hearing - both on MacBook Pro speakers and with Sony MDR 7506 headphones. There are sounds from the pedal - (or that you can dial in) - that have more high-end than others, but the range of tones available ranges from almost sub-low end to high top end and everything in between!
I literally bought this twice but used each time. Then the compact returned that one. Then the big hot rod and decided maybe just not for me. But being a pedal addict I had to conquer this pedal. So once again I bought an original big RD and I’ve learned to figure out it’s subtlety’s. It’s staying. FYI it goes great with crunchy amps and my quad which is the only modeler I love. Thanks for a great video. Enjoy your pedal. Oh and I didn’t need but got the halcyon. It’s never ending. It’s an addiction for real. I really actually missed the original big rd. The way it was built. The toggles I always love but it’s like a thing of beauty to me. I love gear. The way Simon made each part is really something else. It’s really a work of art visually as well. But if you spend time with it and figure out what Simon came up with it does sound exactly like it’s supposed to. FYI it’s not shrill in my opinion either. If it’s set right you can get a lot of different amp sounds out of it.
I know what you mean, doesn't sound that way on my guitar and amp, sounds ace.