The Akai Drive3 Fuzz is a fuzz pedal built around two separate fuzz circuits in a single chassis. Akai says the two circuits can be combined, and they clip differently: the first is based on modern LEDs, while the second uses regular diodes1. The result, as MusicRadar's reviewer Trevor Curwen described it, is a fuzz that "ranges from mild amp overdrive to full-on fuzzed-out sustain"1.
Controls and modes
The pedal's controls give it a wide working range before the fuzz even starts1:
- drive3 switch: three different flavors, boost, warm and muffy1
- level switch: plenty of gain to give your amp a kick before you even start adding in the fuzz1
- tone knob: where you can really focus the sound, from liquid honey to angry wasp1
Two circuits, two kinds of clipping
The two-circuit design is the pedal's defining feature. Akai says the first circuit is based on modern LEDs, and the second one uses regular diodes, and the two can be combined1. That gives a player two clipping characters in one box, usable separately or stacked.
What reviewers said
MusicRadar's review, by Trevor Curwen, was positive. Its reasons to buy were "Plenty of gain boost; useful range of fuzz tones on tap," and asked what reasons there were to avoid it, the answer was "Not much."1
The overall verdict put the Drive3 Fuzz alongside a well-known benchmark:
"With a versatile range of fuzz tones, this is not a million miles from a Big Muff and a viable alternative to one."
The Drive3 family
The Drive3 Fuzz is part of a Drive3 line from Akai. The Drive3 Overdrive from the same line is based on the circuitry of the venerable Tube Screamer, and acknowledges that heritage with a scream setting on its three-way switch, alongside warm and boost. Its chip can also be swapped out for a different one to change the sound2.
Videos
Akai Professional
Francesco Carpentieri
Questions
What do the three modes on the Akai Drive3 Fuzz do?
The drive3 switch offers three different flavours: boost, warm and muffy. Alongside the mode switch, the level switch provides plenty of gain to kick the amp before you even start adding in the fuzz, and the tone knob focuses the sound from what MusicRadar's reviewer described as liquid honey to angry wasp.
Can the two fuzz circuits in the Akai Drive3 Fuzz be used together?
Yes. Akai says there are two separate fuzz circuits squeezed into the chassis of the Drive3 Fuzz, and they can be combined. The first is based on modern LEDs and the second uses regular diodes for clipping.
How does the Akai Drive3 Fuzz compare with a Big Muff?
MusicRadar's reviewer Trevor Curwen concluded that with a versatile range of fuzz tones, the Drive3 is not a million miles from a Big Muff and a viable alternative to one. Its fuzz ranges from mild amp overdrive to full-on fuzzed-out sustain.
What kind of clipping does the Akai Drive3 Fuzz use?
The two circuits clip differently: the first fuzz circuit is based on modern LEDs, while the second one uses regular diodes. Because the two circuits can be combined, the two clipping approaches can be used together.
Sources (2)
- Akai Drive3 Fuzz review, MusicRadar, 2012-03-14
- Akai Drive3 Overdrive review, MusicRadar, 2012-03-14