• Compact analog overdrive pedal for guitar
• Regular/Fat switch with classic or fuller drive character
• Drive, Tone and Level controls for straightforward sound adjustment
• Dynamic response to picking attack and the guitar’s volume control
• True bypass

The Carl Martin DC Drive is a compact analog overdrive pedal for guitar, covering everything from almost-clean breakup to pronounced, saturated drive. It combines simple operation with a responsive character for use on a pedalboard.

The effect responds naturally to playing dynamics. A lighter picking attack produces a cleaner sound, while playing harder brings out more drive. The sound can therefore be shaped using both picking attack and the guitar’s volume control.

Regular and Fat voices

The Regular/Fat toggle switch provides two drive voices. Regular delivers a tight, clear and classic sound suited to old-school overdrive, crisp crunch and open rhythm tones.

Fat produces a thicker, more saturated overdrive with more gain and weight. This setting can be used for riffs, lead playing or a more modern drive sound. Drive, Tone and Level remain available in both settings for direct sound adjustment.

Drive, Tone and Level

The Drive control adjusts the amount of overdrive, from an almost-clean sound at lower settings to high gain at higher settings. Tone functions as a high-cut filter, adjusting the sound from darker to clearer. Level controls the overall output level and can be used to match the level of a clean sound or push the amplifier further.

The bypass footswitch activates and deactivates the effect, while the LED indicator shows when the pedal is active. With true bypass, the signal bypasses the pedal’s circuitry when the effect is switched off.

Using overdrive

An overdrive pedal adds a compressed, lively and lightly distorted sound that is often used for blues, rock and related styles. It can serve as the primary drive sound in front of a clean amplifier or be used to push an already overdriven amplifier. The DC Drive provides subtle breakup, classic crunch and a fuller, saturated drive character.

Power and connections

The pedal uses regulated 9 V DC power and does not support battery operation. Connect the guitar to INPUT, and connect OUTPUT to the next pedal or directly to the amplifier. Only a DC power supply should be used.

Technical specifications

• Pedal type: Analog overdrive
• Bypass: True bypass
• Controls: Drive, Tone and Level
• Voices: Regular and Fat
• Input: 1 x 6.35 mm jack
• Output: 1 x 6.35 mm jack
• Input impedance: 1 MO
• Output impedance: 560 O
• Signal-to-noise ratio: 54 dB
• Power supply: Regulated 9 V DC, minimum 40 mA, 2.1 mm plug with centre-negative polarity
• Power consumption: Max. 20 mA
• Battery operation: Not supported
• Dimensions: 60 x 115 x 50 mm
• Weight: 0.34 kg