The Drive-Bi is a dual gain distortion pedal from Daredevil Pedals, a maker based in Chicago. It is built around a dual channel, op-amp gain circuit and gives you two channels of distortion, Low and Hi, selected with a single switch. Daredevil describes it as delivering a natural amp sound with rich harmonics, and it doubles as a solo boost when you need to push a part forward.1
Controls
The pedal keeps its face simple: two knobs and one switch.
| Control | What it does |
|---|---|
| VOLUME | Controls effect output1 |
| GAIN | Amount of circuit drive1 |
| HI / LOW switch | Selects between both channels of gain1 |
The two channels
The Low and Hi channels are voiced for different jobs. Daredevil describes the Low channel as adding grit, sustain, and overdrive to your amp while still pushing output, which puts it in territory shared with overdrive pedals. The Hi gain mode expands low end, saturation, and output compression, which the maker describes as producing huge warm tones.1
Because the HI/LOW switch selects between the two channels rather than stacking them, the pedal works as a two-voice drive: one setting for rhythm, one for lead, changed with a single stomp. Daredevil also notes it is "Great for solo boosts as well," so with the Gain backed off and the Volume up it can act as a clean-ish push into an amp.1
Power and bypass
The Drive-Bi runs on a 9V battery or a DC supply and is true bypass, so it passes your signal untouched when off.1
The maker's product page does not give a current draw figure or a polarity specification for the DC supply, so check the supply requirements against your own power setup before adding it to a daisy chain.
Related Daredevil distortion pedals
Daredevil's range includes several other drive and distortion circuits, among them the Daredevil Red Light District, the Daredevil Chicago Rat, the Daredevil Deep Dish-tortion, and the Daredevil Necros Fuzz / Distortion Limited Edition. For a wider look at the category, see Distortion Pedals.
The Drive-Bi circuit has also traveled beyond Daredevil's own enclosure: Jim Dunlop's manual for the Jail Guitar Doors Drive describes how that pedal was built to "fuse his Drive-Bi Dual Gain Distortion with the MXR Micro Amp," combining Daredevil's dual gain circuit with a boost stage in one box.2
Videos
Daredevil Pedals
Daredevil Pedals
R.J. Ronquillo
Questions
Does the Daredevil Drive-Bi run on a battery?
Yes. According to Daredevil Pedals, the Drive-Bi runs on a 9V battery or a DC supply, so it can be powered either way on a pedalboard or on its own.
Is the Daredevil Drive-Bi true bypass?
Yes. Daredevil Pedals lists the Drive-Bi as true bypass, meaning the pedal takes itself out of the signal path entirely when switched off.
Can the Daredevil Drive-Bi be used as a solo boost?
Yes. The maker describes the Drive-Bi as great for solo boosts as well, so with the Gain set low and the Volume turned up it can push an amp or a solo to the front of a mix.
What does the Hi/Low switch do on the Drive-Bi?
The HI/LOW switch selects between the pedal's two channels of gain. The Low channel adds grit, sustain, and overdrive while still pushing output, and the Hi gain mode expands low end, saturation, and output compression.
