The Cole Music Co. Paradrive Parametric Overdrive is an overdrive pedal with a parametric EQ built in. Instead of a fixed tone knob, the EQ section lets you choose a frequency and then cut or boost it to taste, which Premier Guitar's reviewer said allows for quite a variety of tones1.
The controls
The Paradrive keeps its drive side simple and puts the flexibility in the EQ. The Drive and Level controls work as on any overdrive, while the parametric section adds two more knobs and a toggle1.
| Control | What it does |
|---|---|
| Drive | Sets the amount of drive1 |
| Level | Sets the output level1 |
| Freq | Selects the frequency to cut or boost1 |
| EQ Gain | Cuts or boosts the chosen frequency1 |
| Toggle | Selects between the two diode modes, N914 on the left and BAT41 on the right1 |
The idea behind the parametric section, as Premier Guitar put it, is "that you chose a frequency and then either cut or boost it to taste"1. That makes it a different animal from a standard overdrive or distortion pedal, where tone shaping is fixed; players who want more surgical EQ may also want to look at dedicated equalization pedals.
Two diode modes: N914 and BAT41
Below the EQ controls sits a single toggle switch that changes the clipping, the part of the circuit that shapes how the drive distorts. The two positions use different diodes and sound different1.
- N914 (toggle left): four N914 diodes, which the reviewer connected with old Pro Co RAT pedals1
- BAT41 (toggle right): a pair of BAT41 diodes, "a bit more compressed and fuzzy, but with less gain"1
The N914 mode's lineage is worth noting for players who know the RAT: the reviewer's reference to old Pro Co RAT pedals gives a rough idea of its character1.
What reviewers said
Premier Guitar's review was positive on the pedal's range. Among the pros the reviewer listed were "Plenty of gain. Incredible range of frequencies available."1. The combination of the parametric EQ and the two clipping options is what gives the pedal its spread of tones, from low-gain Americana grit to scooped modern hard rock1.
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Questions
What does the toggle switch on the Paradrive do?
It selects between two diode clipping modes. Flipped left, the pedal uses four N914 diodes, which Premier Guitar's reviewer connected with old Pro Co RAT pedals. Flipped right, it uses a pair of BAT41 diodes, described as a bit more compressed and fuzzy but with less gain. That gives two distinct drive characters from one pedal.
Which diodes does the Paradrive use?
The Paradrive carries two sets: four N914 diodes in the left toggle position and a pair of BAT41 diodes in the right position. The N914 mode recalls the clipping of old Pro Co RAT pedals, while the BAT41 mode is more compressed and fuzzy with less gain on tap.
What is a parametric EQ on an overdrive pedal?
A parametric EQ lets you choose a specific frequency and then cut or boost it, rather than working with fixed tone bands. On the Paradrive, the Freq control selects the frequency and the EQ Gain control sets how much it is cut or boosted, so the drive tone can be shaped well beyond a standard tone knob.
How much does the Cole Music Co. Paradrive cost?
Premier Guitar's 2023 review listed the Paradrive at a street price of $189.
Sources (1)
- This Overdrive Has an Identity Crisis-In a Good Way, Premier Guitar, 2020-03-27