The Carl Martin Panama Plexi Drive is an analog overdrive pedal from the Danish pedal builder Carl Martin, aimed at Marshall-style drive tones. It is an updated version of the company's Panama Overdrive, adding a new Damping control to the familiar Gain, Level and Tone layout, and Delicious Audio describes it as "an amazing overdrive pedal that you can customize on the fly"1.
The controls: gain, tone, level and damping
The pedal keeps the three-knob layout of the original Panama and adds a fourth. Here is what each does1:
| Control | What it does |
|---|---|
| Gain | Sets the amount of overdrive1 |
| Level | Sets the output volume1 |
| Tone | Shapes the treble character of the drive1 |
| Damping | Tightens the low end, allowing, when necessary, the achievement of a less flabby, more focused tone1 |
The Damping knob is the pedal's distinguishing feature. Delicious Audio describes the two extremes this way: when "you crank the Gain, increase the damping and your distortion becomes even more aggressive, more cutting and clear," while decreasing the damping gives a sound that is "deeper, thicker with more bass dynamics"1. In practice, that makes Damping a low-end focus control: dial it up for tight, cutting rhythm sounds, back it off when you want the drive to carry more of the guitar's natural bottom.
Power and the DC/DC converter
The Panama Plexi Drive takes a 9V DC input and requires a regular 9V 100mA external power supply1. Inside, Carl Martin's DC/DC converter circuitry allows the pedal to run with plus and minus 12V internally, which Delicious Audio notes means better performance from the circuit1.
With a 100mA external power supply requirement, give the pedal its own supply output rather than sharing a daisy chain with several other pedals.
Where it sits in the Carl Martin range
Carl Martin "has a solid reputation for Marshall-style overdrives," and the Plexi Drive's Plexi-style character sits squarely in that lineage1. Players comparing it within the catalog may also look at the Carl Martin Panama, the two-channel Carl Martin PlexiTone, the newer Carl Martin PlexiRanger overdrive and boost, or the Carl Martin DC Drive Overdrive. For a wider view of the category, see Overdrive Pedals.
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Questions
What does the Damping knob do on the Carl Martin Panama Plexi Drive?
The Damping knob tightens the low end of the drive. According to Delicious Audio, cranking the Gain and increasing the damping makes the distortion more aggressive, more cutting and clear, while decreasing the damping gives a deeper, thicker sound with more bass dynamics. It is there so you can get a less flabby, more focused tone when the situation calls for it.
Is the Carl Martin Panama Plexi Drive analog?
Yes. Delicious Audio's write-up of the pedal states plainly that it is analog, and it also carries Carl Martin's DC/DC converter circuitry, which lets the pedal run at plus and minus 12V internally from a standard 9V supply.
Does the Panama Plexi Drive run on a battery?
The pedal takes a 9V DC input and requires a regular 9V 100mA external power supply. With a current requirement at that level, plan on a dedicated supply output rather than a battery or a shared daisy chain.
Why does the Panama Plexi Drive use a DC/DC converter?
Carl Martin's DC/DC converter circuitry allows the pedal to run with plus and minus 12V internally while taking a standard 9V DC input. Delicious Audio describes this as meaning better headroom for the circuit, which is a hallmark of the Danish builder's designs.
What is the difference between the Panama Overdrive and the Panama Plexi Drive?
The Panama Plexi Drive is an updated take on Carl Martin's Panama Overdrive. The main addition is the new Damping control, which tightens the low end for a more focused tone. The Plexi Drive also leans into the builder's reputation for Marshall-style overdrives, with a Plexi-style character.
Sources (1)
- Carl Martin Panama Plexi Drive, Delicious Audio, 2021-12-10
