Origin Effects RD Compact Hot Rod Overdrive Pedal

Retailing in the region of £339.00

On the menu for January 2026 are the Origin Effects Guitar Pedals, freshly added and carefully selected. These New units are available to order online with fast, secure delivery from trusted UK retailers. Read on for full details, specifications, demos, videos, reviews, and the best places to buy the Origin Effects Guitar Pedals today.


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Description

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On the menu for January 2026 are the Origin Effects Guitar Pedals, freshly added and carefully selected. These New units are available to order online with fast, secure delivery from trusted UK retailers. Read on for full details, specifications, demos, videos, reviews, and the best places to buy the Origin Effects Guitar Pedals today.

Origin Effects are the masters of studio quality preamps, drive and compression. Their RD Compact Hot Rod is the RevivalDRIVE format in its most ferocious form, capturing the fiery tone of the '70s and '80s modded amp era.

Where the top class RD Compact Hot Rod has a one-up on other high-gain overdrives is through its unique set of control parameters. Adjust your tone the using the powerful post-EQ drive and tone-defining presence setting. All this comes in a more streamlined layout than the original RevivalDRIVE double pedal.

Here's what Origin Effects say about the Revival Drive Compact Hot Rod:

The RD Compact Hot Rod is the latest in the RevivalDRIVE lineage and it packs huge, hot-rodded amp tones into a compact enclosure. Taking inspiration from the legendary amp techs of the ‘70s and ‘80s, we have taken our RevivalDRIVE Compact pedal and pushed it to its limits – more gain, more sustain and more aggression.

The RD Compact Hot Rod recreates the entire signal path of a classic, modified valve amp using all analogue transistor circuitry, right down to the push-pull output stage and specially designed power supply which introduces just the right amount of “sag”. This super-realistic pedal not only replicates the sounds but also the dynamics and feel of coveted hot-rodded amps.

KEY FEATURES

  • Unabridged valve amp-style signal path recreated in all-analogue electronics
  • Class-A preamp stage with realistic, “hot-rodded” amp gain-staging
  • Full control of tone, dynamic response and distortion characteristics
  • Wide gain range, from clean to full-on saturation
  • Powerful Post-Drive EQ tailors the pedal’s voicing to suit any amp
  • Premium components throughout
  • Designed and built in England

Controls

GAIN: Like the Volume knob on a non-master volume amp – increasing the GAIN will gradually increase overdrive in the emulated amp circuit.

OUTPUT: Simply an output level control – this will not affect the tone or overdrive of the pedal.

MORE/PRES: Alters negative feedback in the emulated amp circuit, affecting not only the presence and brightness but also the transition into overdrive.

HIGHS: Adjusts the Treble and Mids in the emulated amp circuit. This will affect the tone and the character of the overdrive. Fully counterclockwise, this control emulates the sound of a Marshall with its tone controls set flat. Sweeping to 12 o’clock gives you a cranked, hot-rodded Plexi, through to a cranked Fender-style tone with the HIGHS knob fully clockwise.

LOWS: Adjusts the Bass in the emulated amp circuit. This will affect the tone and character of the overdrive. High settings will result in a thick, raspy overdrive tone with a more vintage character. Low settings will be tight and defined, like a classic hot-rodded Plexi.

BLEND: Turning the control counter-clockwise from maximum will begin to introduce some of your clean guitar signal. As highly overdriven sounds don’t blend too well with clean tones, the BLEND control also reduces gain in the pedal as the clean signal is blended in.

POST-DRIVE EQ: This innovative output filter tailors the sound of the RD Compact Hot Rod to suit any amp. Choose from three filter settings, then fine tune to exactly match your rig with the Adjust control.

Additional information

Weight 1 kg

Brand

Origin Effects

Origin Effects is a UK-based company renowned for its high-quality, boutique guitar pedals, particularly focusing on overdrive, compression, and other tonal-shaping effects. Established in the 2000s, the company has gained a strong reputation for creating pedals that combine vintage tone with modern precision, often using premium components and meticulous craftsmanship. Origin Effects pedals are especially favoured by musicians who seek transparent, dynamic, and responsive sound that retains the character of their instrument.

The company’s signature products include the Halcyon and Cali76 series, which are both compressor pedals designed to offer smooth, musical compression without sacrificing tone clarity or dynamics. The RevivalDrive is another standout, known for its ability to recreate classic tube amp overdrive tones with exceptional accuracy. Origin Effects pedals are designed to deliver high-end, professional-grade performance, making them a popular choice for musicians in various genres, from rock and blues to jazz and country. With a focus on tone quality, durability, and innovation, Origin Effects continues to be a top choice for musicians seeking refined, transparent sound shaping.

Category

Guitar Pedals

Tags

Compressor

Distortion

Distortion pedals take your clean guitar signal and transform it into something bigger, bolder, and full of attitude. By clipping the waveform, they add sustain, bite, and aggression, creating that thick, compressed tone that’s powered rock music for decades. From the growling crunch of classic hard rock to the tight, saturated roar of modern metal, distortion is all about energy and presence. It gives every note weight and authority, pushing your amp to its limits and beyond.

There are countless flavours of distortion, each with its own texture and edge. Some sound smooth and creamy, others raw and gnarly like tearing fabric. It’s the sonic equivalent of turning up the heat until the sound cooks — rich, sizzling, and perfectly seasoned to taste. Whether used for rhythm muscle or soaring leads, a good distortion pedal doesn’t just add volume; it adds personality, grit, and that unmistakable sense of power under your fingers.

EQ

While Ed Sheeran primarily relies on the natural sound of his acoustic guitar and vocals, he occasionally uses EQ (Equalization) to shape and enhance his tone during live performances or in the studio. EQ pedals or onboard preamps can allow him to adjust the frequency response of his guitar signal to suit the acoustics of different venues or to achieve specific tonal characteristics. Here’s how EQ might be utilized in Ed Sheeran’s setup:

1. **Tonal Shaping**: EQ can be used to adjust the balance of frequencies in the guitar signal, allowing Ed Sheeran to shape his tone to his liking. For example, he might boost the midrange frequencies to bring out the warmth and presence of his acoustic guitar, or cut certain frequencies to reduce any harshness or mud in the sound.

2. **Feedback Control**: In a live setting, EQ can help control feedback by notching out problematic frequencies that might cause the guitar signal to feed back through the amplification system. This can be particularly useful when performing in venues with challenging acoustics or high volume levels.

3. **Room Correction**: In situations where the venue’s acoustics are less than ideal, EQ can be used to compensate for any deficiencies in the sound. By adjusting the EQ settings, Ed Sheeran can tailor the guitar tone to sound more balanced and natural, regardless of the room’s acoustic properties.

4. **Matching Gear**: EQ can also be used to match the tone of Ed Sheeran’s guitar to the sound of other instruments or equipment in his setup. For example, he might adjust the EQ to complement the tonal characteristics of his vocal microphone or to blend seamlessly with backing tracks or other instruments.

Overall, while EQ may not be a central component of Ed Sheeran’s guitar effects setup, it can still play a valuable role in shaping his tone and ensuring that he achieves the desired sound in different performance environments. Whether used subtly for tonal shaping or more aggressively for feedback control, EQ allows Ed Sheeran to tailor his guitar tone to suit his musical vision and performance needs.

Filter

New

This is brand new, fresh in, and a UK warranty is included. New Gear always comes from trusted UK music retailers.

Overdrive

Like a golden layer of melted cheese — warm, gooey, and just put it all over. It adds just the right amount of richness and grit, turning a clean signal into something smooth and savoury. Designed to mimic the natural breakup of a tube amp pushed to its sweet spot, overdrive delivers the flavour of classic rock and blues in every bite. From creamy mid-gain warmth to crisp edge-of-breakup sparkle, it’s the comfort food of guitar tone — simple, satisfying, and endlessly versatile. Whether it’s a mild crunch or a full-bodied roar, overdrive is where good taste begins.

Preamp

A preamp pedal shapes and boosts your guitar’s signal before it reaches your amp or recording interface, giving you control over tone, gain, and headroom. It acts as the first stage of amplification, adding warmth, clarity, and character while preparing your signal for the next part of the chain. Some preamps emulate the response of classic valve circuits, while others offer clean, transparent tone shaping ideal for acoustic instruments or direct recording setups.

Used on its own, a preamp pedal can serve as the foundation of your tone, providing a consistent core sound wherever you play. When combined with other effects, it enhances dynamics and helps each pedal sound more defined and natural. Whether you’re looking to push your amp harder, bring life to a dull signal, or refine your sound for the studio, a good preamp pedal adds presence, punch, and musicality to any rig.

Volume

Volume pedals control the output level of a guitar signal using a foot-operated treadle. They allow smooth volume swells, dynamic control during playing, and easy muting between songs. Volume pedals can be placed at different points in the signal chain to either control overall loudness or adjust gain and drive behaviour when positioned before distortion or overdrive pedals.