Origin Effects RevivalDRIVE Compact User manual

REVIVALDRIVE COMPACT
The RevivalDRIVE Compact takes the groundbreaking circuit design found in the
original RevivalDRIVE and condenses it into a smaller, more pedalboard-friendly
package.
Housing a complete valve amp-style signal path recreated in analogue
electronics, the RevivalDRIVE Compact accurately reproduces a wide
range of classic British and American non-master-volume valve amp tones.
A streamlined set of controls makes dialling in your ideal sound easier and more
intuitive than ever before, while the powerful Post-Drive EQ lets you adjust the
RevivalDRIVE Compact to suit your preferred amp and settings, not the other way
around.
With the ability to directly shape key amp properties like preamp voicing, break-up
characteristics and low-frequency distortion, plus a built-in Blend control to mix in
your dry signal, the RevivalDRIVE Compact allows you to quickly dial in a range of
legendary amp tones or mix and match different flavours to create your own unique
sound.

Unabridged valve amp-style signal path recreated in all-analogue
electronics, including:
• Class-A preamp stage with realistic amp gain-staging
• Phase inverter and push-pull power amp stages
• Variable negative feedback in the output stage
• Power section designed to emulate rectifier and mains transformer sag
• Reactive load to simulate interaction between amp and speaker
Flexible, intuitive controls:
• Wide gain range, from clean to fully cranked
• Full control of tone, dynamic response and distortion
characteristics
• Blend knob to mix in your dry signal
• Powerful tone-shaping Post-Drive EQ
Peerless build quality:
• High-current, low-noise electronics
• Ultra-high input impedance
• Silent switching
• High-quality buffered bypass
• Advanced power supply filtering and protection
• Premium components throughout
• Designed and built in England
ORIGIN EFFECTS...

ABOUT THE REVIVALDRIVE COMPACT
With the original RevivalDRIVE, our goal was to design the best-sounding, most flexible overdrive pedal we could. Because our
favourite guitar tones of all time come from plugging straight into a vintage, non-master-volume valve amp, turned up loud, we made
that our starting point.
By recreating every stage of a valve amp’s signal path using all-analogue components, with discrete transistor-based circuitry
standing in for the valves themselves, we succeeded in capturing the sound and circuit behaviour of a wide spectrum of classic amps.
That’s just one side of the RevivalDRIVE’s flexibility. While most overdrives tend to work well with one style of amp and less well
with others, we wanted our pedal to sound great into lots of different amps, so we added a number of controls that would tailor the
tone leaving the pedal to suit its eventual destination.
With the RevialDRIVE Compact, we wanted to take everything players loved about the RevivalDRIVE and distil it into a slimmed-
down pedal with a simpler set of controls, making it much easier to dial in a great sound. To this end, the RevivalDRIVE Compact
features exactly the same valve amp-style circuit topology but in single-channel format and with newly designed rectifier circuitry
voiced midway between a solid-state rectifier and a GZ34 rectifier valve.
Another unique feature is the Highs control, which takes the original pedal’s three distinct preamp voicing modes and maps them
onto a single, continuous knob that offers a wealth of new in-between settings. We also redesigned the Blend control to simultaneously
back off the gain as you mix in your clean tone, ensuring pleasing, musical results throughout the control’s travel.
Finally, we designed an ingenious new Post-Drive EQ filter that, together with a three-way mode switch, makes the process of
adjusting the pedal to suit your amp much more intuitive.

CONTROLS
OUTPUT: The output control sets the pedal’s overall output level. As it isn’t part of the RevivalDRIVE Compact’s simulated amp
circuitry, the OUTPUT control won’t alter the pedal’s overdrive character. It simply lets you make it louder or quieter.
GAIN: The gain control functions exactly like the volume knob on a non-master-volume valve amp. Turn it clockwise for more gain,
sustain, drive and distortion. Turn counter-clockwise to clean things up.
BLEND: This control lets you adjust the mix between the dry input signal (DRY) and the overdriven signal created by the
RevivalDRIVE Compact (O.D.). As mixing clean and very heavily overdriven signals tends to produce undesirable results, we’ve
designed the BLEND knob to gently back off the gain as you mix in more DRY signal.
Set the control fully clockwise (100% O.D.) then turn it counterclockwise to progressively mix your original clean signal back in,
delivering a rounder, fuller and more natural tone. With the BLEND control fully counterclockwise (100% DRY), turning up the
RevivalDRIVE Compact’s OUTPUT knob provides a clean level boost.
CONNECTING THE REVIVALDRIVE COMPACT
9VDC input: Connect a 9VDC 2.1mm centre-negative mains power adaptor (minimum 75mA).
INSTR input: Connect to your guitar, bass or other instrument.
AMP output: Connect to your amp, power amp, mixer or recording interface.
If you’re playing through something other than a guitar speaker (e.g. PA speakers, studio monitors, headphones or direct recording), we strongly
recommend using a speaker simulator after the RevivalDRIVE Compact.

HIGHS: The HIGHS knob progressively increases mids and highs as you turn it clockwise, delivering a brighter, more incisive tone
while keeping the low end tight and controlled so that high-gain settings don’t turn to mush.
Based on the original RevivalDRIVE’s Preamp mode switch, the HIGHs knob provides a continuous range of useful preamp voicings.
This ranges from a Marshall-style amp with its tone controls centred (fully counterclockwise, ’0’ mode) to a cranked Plexi Marshall
(12 o’clock, ‘GB’ mode) to a cranked Blackface Twin (fully clockwise, ‘US’ mode).
LOWS: The LOWS control allows you to adjust the amount of bass pushing the drive circuitry. Increasing the amount of low end (turn
clockwise) results in a thick and raspy distorted sound. Conversely, pulling the lows out of the drive path (turn counterclockwise) will
reduce the amount of low-frequency distortion, resulting in a tighter, more defined overdrive.
Fully clockwise, the LOWS control imitates the response of a Tweed-era Fender amp or a Marshall JTM45 with the bass turned up.
Fully counter-clockwise, it replicates the tight lows of a Marshall Super Lead or the Vox AC30’s “Brilliant” channel. In between these
two extremes, the LOWS knob produces the characteristic low-end response of a Blackface-era Fender amp.
MORE/PRES: This control combines two parameters, both related to the effects of negative feedback in the power amp stage.
Turned clockwise from the centre position (PRES), this control releases the higher frequencies from the effects of negative feedback,
progressively boosting highs just like the classic “Presence” knob on vintage Marshall and Brownface Fender amps.
Turned counterclockwise from the centre position (MORE), this control progressively reduces negative feedback in the pedal’s push-
pull output stage, increasing gain at all frequencies and also varying playing feel by modifying the break-up characteristics.
With the control centred at 12 o’clock, there is a definite threshold to this transition, with an abrupt switch from clean to overdriven
once you pick hard enough. Turned fully counterclockwise, there’s a smooth, gradual transition from clean to fully overdriven with
an earlier onset of distortion.
At 12 o’clock, the response is akin to a Marshall with the “Presence” knob at zero. Fully counterclockwise, the pedal behaves like a
Vox AC30, with no negative feedback whatsoever. In between, you’ll find Fender Blackface territory.

POST-DRIVE EQ CONTROLS
The POST-DRIVE EQ ensures compatibility with a wide range of amplifiers. Instead
of altering your amp or its tone controls to suit the RevivalDRIVE Compact, set your
amp for the desired clean sound then use the EQ controls to adjust the pedal’s output
accordingly (see tables on opposite page).
POST-DRIVE EQ switch: This switch offers a choice of three different output
filters.
• P/AMP: Use this setting when plugging into a flat-response power amp, mixer
or recording interface. Selecting the P/AMP setting disengages the ADJ variable
filter control (see below).
• EQ1: Designed to suit the response of a Blackface Fender-style amp, EQ1 applies
a low-pass filter to roll off excessive highs. Use this setting when plugging into a
bright-voiced guitar amp.
• EQ2: Voiced for connecting to a Marshall-style amp, EQ2 applies a high shelf cut
to gently rein in high frequencies. Use this setting when plugging into a fuller-
sounding, mid-rich amp.
ADJ: When EQ1 or EQ2 is selected, the ADJ knob lets you fine-tune the pedal’s
output to suit the individual response of your amp and the way its controls are set.
As you turn the ADJ knob counterclockwise, this proprietary filter design gradually
rolls off bass and adjusts the high shelf response. The end result is a very powerful
and intuitive control.
If your amp sounds too bright or thin with the RevivalDRIVE Compact engaged, turn
the ADJ control clockwise. If it sounds too dark and woolly, turn the ADJ control
counterclockwise.

HOW IS THE REVIVALDRIVE COMPACT’S TONE? TURN THE ADJ CONTROL...
TOO BRIGHT OR THIN CLOCKWISE
TOO DARK OR WOOLLY COUNTERCLOCKWISE
JUST RIGHT! LEAVE IN THIS POSITION AND ENJOY USING THE PEDAL!
AMPLIFIER OR CONNECTED DEVICE POST-DRIVE EQ SWITCH POSITION
POWER AMP & GUITAR SPEAKER
MIXING DESK & CABINET SIMULATION
RECORDING INTERFACE & CABINET SIMULATION
P/AMP
BRIGHT, MID-SCOOPED GUITAR AMPLIFIER EQ1
DARK OR MID-RICH GUITAR AMPLIFIER EQ2
*Please note: the ADJ control is not active when the POST-DRIVE EQ switch is in the P/AMP position.
Step 1: Set POST-DRIVE EQ switch for the connected amp or device
Step 2: Fine-tune the POST-DRIVE EQ with the ADJ control*
Use the tables below to help you set up the RevivalDRIVE Compact for the first time with a new guitar amplifier or flat-response
device. Working through Steps 1 and 2 allows you to “set-and-forget” the POST-DRIVE EQ controls and move on to having fun
dialling in your ideal drive tone with the main controls.

EXAMPLE SETTINGS
Pushed Plexi: The quintessential sound
of rock! Modelled on an original JMP
Super Lead, get ready for cutting attack
from the cranked presence control and a
characteristic tight low-end - perfect for
big riffs.
Try setting the MORE|PRES control to
noon for Hendrix-style dynamic chords.
Tweed Twin: Oozing with character,
Fender’s Tweed amps are known for their
raw, snarling drive with a satisfying low-
end growl.
Turn down the LOWS control to noon for
more of a Blackface Twin sound that can
deliver sparkly, edge-of-breakup tones by
rolling down the GAIN control.
Parallel Path: A great way to spice up
your amp’s tone without removing its
essence. Here we have a 50/50 mix of a
Vox-type sound and the user’s amp sound.
Want more of the amp’s sound? No
problem - just turn down the BLEND
control and the pedal’s gain will adjust
itself accordingly.

ABOUT ORIGIN EFFECTS
Origin Effects is the brainchild of Simon Keats, a guitarist, electronic engineer and analogue circuit designer who has worked for the
likes of Vox, Focusrite and Trident Audio. Having built bespoke effects for professional musicians and producers for many years, he
launched the Origin Effects brand in 2012 to bring his exceptional designs to a wider audience.
His first two pedals – the Cali76 compressor and the unique SlideRig dual-chained compressor – were soon followed by the Compact
Series of compressors for guitar and bass. Widely recognised as the best pedal compressors ever made, they have found favour with
guitarists and bass players like David Gilmour, Pino Palladino and Steve Lukather, as well as Grammy Award-winning producers
like Paul Epworth, Ross Hogarth and Terry Britten.
In 2018, Origin began a new chapter with the launch of the RevivalDRIVE, a groundbreaking overdrive pedal that recreates the
circuit topology, sound and response of a cranked non-master-volume valve amp.
Please note that Origin Effects Limited is in no way affiliated with Fender, Marshall or Vox amplifiers, Urei or Universal Audio.
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Origin Effects Limited, Unit 4, Top Angel, Buckingham, Buckinghamshire, MK18 1TH, UK.