#sl drive

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[thetonecontrol]

Xotic Effects SL Drive | Review

The Xotic SL Drive is another amp-in-a-box type of pedal. As you might expect the "SL" stands for Super Lead and is based on the Marshall amp of the same name. It's super tiny, really heavy duty, and all around an awesome pedal. If I was still shopping for a distortion pedal I would definitely consider this. It's true bypass and runs 9-18V

The SL Drive has a few different modes that you can access via internal dip switches. Factory default has it set to Super Lead mode but you can really easily access a Super Bass mode; another of Marshall's famous vintage models. You also have Super Lead high/mid cut, and Super Lead +6db boost available. Pretty neat.

I played around with the other settings a little bit and I have to say, the real money setting is the factory default (for my ears anyway). The Super Bass is a much lower gain setting and is seriously...seriously bass heavy. Not in a bad way...but it's very thick. The 6db boost is just that. The SL mode only more of it. Louder. Bigger. Almost sounds like 18V operation. And then the high/mid cut is cool if you're into a flatter EQ sound, but this pedal really shines with that midrange spike. You lose a little bit of the richness of the tone with the cut engaged. Still sounds great, but for my set up I want that extra punch. 

Control-wise, this little guy is super simple. The Drive knob is really dynamic, the Tone knob is your one way ticket to crispy town, and the volume is... well, duh. 

So... that Tone knob. On the low side it gives you that really thunderous, full stack sound. Really tight and low. Bring it up past 12 o'clock a little bit and you start to get this really sharp, fizzly sound (in the best way of course). This is one of those pedals that you can dial in any setting, and have a really slamming tone. As you increase the Tone knob, the volume also increases a little bit, so keep that in mind. It's a really great way to even out different guitars. 

The distortion is really harmonically rich. Very complex. The note definition is really great - everything nice and clear. My only gripe with the SL Drive is that the Drive knob is pretty close to maxed out once you hit 3 o'clock. There's more range on the pot, but the sound difference is really less dramatic than other ranges on the pedal. In the end though, it wouldn't stop me from buying this pedal. 

I played it through my Fender Deville 4x10 and it definitely gave it that Marshall sound. Super cool pedal. 

This pedal and many of the pedals we’re reviewing here have been provided by Pedalgenie.com. All your pedal wishes, granted. 

[xoticguitars-blog]

Introducing the first ever distortion pedal from Xotic Effects. http://www.xotic.us/effects/sl_drive/