Origin Effects releases Halcyon Green Overdrive, a TS808-based pedal
December 1, 2022 · 2 sources
Origin Effects revealed the Halcyon Green Overdrive on July 26, 2022, according to Guitar.com1. The pedal is a low-gain overdrive based on the classic Ibanez TS808 Tube Screamer21.
The four knobs adjust Level, Drive, Tone and the Dry level2. Setting Dry at 50% adds the same amount of dry signal as a classic Tube Screamer2. Two Voice settings are offered: 808 replicates the classic Screamer mid hump, while Mod adds a stronger presence peak2. An Adaptive toggle switch has Off plus two options, a semi-adaptive mode and a fully adaptive mode2. Origin says the adaptive circuitry responds to both volume changes and pick attack, keeping the tone from becoming thin and bass-light when the guitar volume is backed off21. A conventional footswitch engages the buffered bypass, and an LED indicates whether the pedal is active or bypassed2.
The casework is stainless steel, a few millimetres taller than a typical compact pedal, with the jacks at the top edge to allow close spacing on a pedalboard2. It is designed and built in England2. A standard 9V DC, center-negative power supply capable of at least 100mA is required, and internal circuitry boosts the supply voltage to increase headroom2.
The US list price is $2992.
"I found that the straight Screamer sound, whose settings I described above, matched up well against originals that I've used."
The reviewer wrote that the full Adapt setting retains more low end and adds clarity to the highs, and that the semi-adaptive position helps bolster lows and highs to a lesser extent2. He also found the Voice switch useful for helping thicker-sounding humbucker-equipped guitars cut through2.