The 1981 Inventions DRV - Stranger Things is an analog overdrive and distortion pedal, and the first official release from 1981 Inventions. Inside the steel enclosure there are two circuits, one distortion and one preamp boost, running at 18V via an internal voltage regulator, so a single 9V supply feeds both stages. The pedal's development became the catalyst to starting 1981 Inventions itself1.
Circuit and design
The DRV is a collaboration: Matthew Hoopes of 1981 Inventions worked on the project for the better part of three years, with engineering by Jon Ashley of Bondi Effects1. RockBoard's PedalPedia describes a uniquely designed steel enclosure made with quality components throughout, including Switchcraft 11 open frame jacks1.
On the sound, Matthew Hoopes of 1981 Inventions has described the pedal as unique in design and sonically unlike anything he had heard, especially in the lower gain and boost settings, with a subtlety that feels more like a vintage pedal than a modification of a classic1.
Power and switching
The pedal runs on 9V DC, center negative, and draws 53mA1. Switching is not a mechanical stomp switch: RockBoard's PedalPedia describes "a super quiet soft touch switching system via an internal relay," which handles bypassing quietly and without the clunk of a hardwired switch1.
The DRV family
The Stranger Things edition is one of several finishes of the same design. Others listed include the DRV - White, DRV - Silver and DRV - Greyscale1. For the standard release, see the 1981 Inventions DRV, and for related drives see Overdrive Pedals and Distortion Pedals.
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Questions
Is the 1981 Inventions DRV analog or digital?
The DRV is an analog pedal. Its circuit type is listed as analog, and inside the enclosure there are two circuits, one distortion and one preamp boost, running at 18V via an internal voltage regulator. That internal regulation is what lets the pedal run from a standard 9V DC supply while the circuits themselves see a higher internal voltage.
What power supply does the 1981 Inventions DRV need?
The DRV runs on 9V DC, center negative, and draws 53mA. A standard pedal power supply or isolated output rated for at least that current will run it. Because it draws more than a typical low-current drive pedal, it is worth giving it its own output on a pedalboard power supply rather than sharing with other pedals.
Does the 1981 Inventions DRV use true bypass?
The DRV does not use a mechanical true bypass switch. Instead it uses what the maker describes as a super quiet soft touch switching system via an internal relay, which handles the bypassing electronically and quietly.
Who designed the 1981 Inventions DRV?
The DRV was a collaboration, with engineering by Jon Ashley of Bondi Effects. Matthew Hoopes of 1981 Inventions has said he worked on the project for the better part of three years, and that when the development turned into something new and unique, it became the catalyst to starting 1981 Inventions.
What other versions of the DRV exist?
Alongside the Stranger Things edition, the DRV family includes the DRV - White, DRV - Silver and DRV - Greyscale, each a different finish of the same overdrive and distortion design. Other DRV variants have also appeared as separate releases.
Sources (1)
- DRV - Stranger Things by 1981 Inventions | RockBoard | PedalPedia, RockBoard PedalPedia, 2026
