The Awestruck Amplification Metro Organic Overdrive is a mid-gain, op-amp based overdrive pedal built around one idea: a pedal you leave on all the time. Pedal of the Day describes it as designed with the intention of being the ultimate always-on overdrive, providing plenty of gain while bringing out all the richness and depth of your amp with little to no coloration1. It launched alongside the Highland Discrete Overdrive as one of two overdrives from the builder2.
Where it comes from
Pedal of the Day places the Metro in the "transparent" overdrive movement associated with Paul Cochrane, whose Timmy pedal is the touchstone for that approach1. Guitar Pedal X's Stefan Karlsson notes that while the Metro largely takes its inspiration from the Timmy, it does so with a very different topology, and points out that the current Timmy typically runs on a JRC 4559 op-amp2. He goes further on the pedal's prospects:
"There are so many great pedals inspired by and built on the Timmy circuit - of course including the Greer Lightspeed and" the Vemuram Jan Ray, and the Metro "could very well be another future classic" in that line.
Controls
| Control | What it does |
|---|---|
| Gain | Sets the amount of overdrive2 |
| Level | Sets the output level2 |
| Tone | Shapes the treble response2 |
| Diode switch | 2-way clipping toggle: Hard Clipping / Off2 |
| Mids switch | 2-way mid EQ contour: Boosted / Flat & Transparent2 |
The two toggles are what set the Metro apart from a straightforward Timmy-style pedal. Pedal of the Day describes the added clipping toggle and mid-eq contour as letting the Metro take on a personality of its own and shape how your amp responds, rather than simply passing your guitar's signal through untouched1. The Diode switch selects between hard diode clipping and no clipping at all, while the Mids switch offers a boosted midrange or a flat and transparent setting2.
What reviewers said
Pedal of the Day called the Metro "a bright and vibrant effect both in sonic tone and aesthetics, with a bunch of drive on tap overall"1. Guitar Pedal X, surveying the Timmy-inspired field that includes the Greer Lightspeed and Vemuram Jan Ray, suggested the Metro could very well be another future classic in that line2.
The Metro launched alongside the Highland Discrete Overdrive, a separate single-transistor overdrive from the same builder. The two pedals are distinct designs, and the 2-way switches on each are specific to that pedal2.
Videos
Awestruck Amplification
Pedal of the Day
Questions
What does the Mids switch do on the Metro Organic Overdrive?
The Metro has a 2-way Mids switch with Boosted and Flat & Transparent positions. Pedal of the Day describes it as a mid-eq contour toggle that lets the pedal take on a personality of its own and shape how your amp responds, on top of the pedal's otherwise transparent, low-coloration character.
What does the Diode toggle change on the Metro Organic?
The Diode control is a 2-way clipping switch with Hard Clipping and Off positions. Guitar Pedal X lists it among the pedal's controls alongside Gain, Level, Tone and the Mids switch. Pedal of the Day describes the added clipping toggle as giving the pedal added flavor and additional character.
Is the Metro Organic Overdrive analog?
Yes. Pedal of the Day describes the Metro as a mid-gain, op-amp based overdrive, meaning it works on an analog circuit rather than digital processing. Guitar Pedal X notes it takes its inspiration from the Timmy circuit, which typically runs on a JRC 4559 op-amp, though with a very different topology.
Is the Metro Organic Overdrive meant to be left on all the time?
Yes. Pedal of the Day says the Metro was designed with the intention of being the ultimate always-on overdrive pedal, providing plenty of gain while bringing out the richness and depth of your amp with little to no coloration.
Where can you buy the Awestruck Metro Organic Overdrive?
Guitar Pedal X reported in October 2026 that the Metro Organic Overdrive is available from the Awestruck Amplification webstore, where it launched alongside the Highland Discrete Overdrive.
Sources (2)
- Awestruck Amplification Metro Organic Overdrive, Pedal of the Day (www.pedal-of-the-day.com), 2025-08-31
- Guitar Pedal X, Guitar Pedal X, 2026-10-15
