The DLS Effects Reckless Driver is a two-channel analog pedal from DLS Effects that covers overdrive and distortion in one box. DLS sums it up as "It's an Overdrive when you want it, and a Reckless Distortion when you need it!"1 Vintage Guitar's announcement, in February 2014, described it as "a two-channel overdrive/distortion effect with independent Volume, Gain, and Mix controls for each (Normal and Boost)"2. RockBoard's PedalPedia lists it more broadly as a distortion, overdrive, preamp, equalizer and booster1.
Two channels, clean to heavy distortion
The idea behind the pedal is that one enclosure carries two channels, Normal and Boost, each with its own Volume, Gain and Mix controls2. The Mix control is the unusual part: by using the clean Mix and Gain controls together, RockBoard's PedalPedia says you can set your tone clean with a full warm tube sound, or rich overdriven to heavy distortion1. Guitar Interactive Magazine's news item on the launch describes the Normal Channel as having "its own VOLUME, GAIN, and MIX pots to achieve clean to overdrive or distortion tones"3.
Because each channel keeps its own Mix, you can blend clean signal back into the driven sound on either side, which is how the pedal reaches from warm overdrive into heavier distortion without losing definition. For a player deciding between a dedicated overdrive pedal and a distortion pedal, the Reckless Driver is built to do both jobs21.
The controls
| Control | What it does |
|---|---|
| Volume, Gain, Mix (per channel) | Independent controls for the Normal and Boost channels2 |
| Bass | Master control; DLS calls it extra wide and dynamic12 |
| Treble | Master control; DLS calls it extra wide and dynamic12 |
| Attack switch | Adds brightness; DLS calls it a subtle control that changes the edge and brightness, and says it can even make solid state sound like a tube amp12 |
| On/Off | True bypass switching on a high quality 3P3T switch, no tone sucking when switched off3 |
The master Bass and Treble controls act as the pedal's EQ, shaping both channels, and RockBoard lists the pedal among other things as an equalizer1. The Attack switch sits on top of that as a tone-shaping option rather than a gain control.
Power, size and switching
The pedal runs on 9V DC, center negative, and draws 25mA1. Guitar Interactive Magazine adds that it takes a standard 2.1mm jack and notes "any polarity!"3. Switching is true bypass via a 3P3T switch, which Vintage Guitar also reported23.
Guitar Interactive Magazine states the power jack works with any polarity, while RockBoard lists 9V DC center negative. If your supply is wired the other way round, the two sources disagree on whether that is a problem.
Physically it is a compact die cast aluminum box with a powder coated finish, measuring 3.7"W x 4.7"L x 1.7"H and weighing 1.5 lbs3. The jacks are high quality standard 1/4" Amphenol connectors for IN and OUT23.
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Questions
Is the DLS Reckless Driver true bypass?
Yes. The pedal uses true bypass switching built around a high quality 3P3T switch, and DLS notes there is no tone sucking when the pedal is switched off. Vintage Guitar's announcement of the pedal also describes it as offering true-bypass switching with a 3P3T switch.
What does the Attack switch do?
DLS describes the Attack switch as a subtle control that changes the edge and brightness of the tone, and says it can even make a solid state amp sound like a tube amp. Vintage Guitar's announcement puts it more simply, calling it a switch that adds brightness.
What power does the Reckless Driver need?
It runs on 9V DC, center negative, drawing 25mA, according to RockBoard's PedalPedia listing. Guitar Interactive Magazine's announcement adds that it uses a standard 2.1mm jack and says any polarity works.
Is the Reckless Driver analog?
Yes. RockBoard's PedalPedia lists the circuit type as analog.
Does the Reckless Driver have an EQ?
Yes. RockBoard lists the pedal as a distortion, overdrive, preamp, equalizer and booster, and it carries master Bass and Treble controls that DLS describes as extra wide and dynamic, shaping both channels.
Sources (3)
- Reckless Driver by DLS Effects, RockBoard PedalPedia, 2026
- DLS Effects Intros Reckless Drive, Vintage Guitar magazine, 2014-02-27
- Dual Overdrive & Distortion by DLS Effects, Guitar Interactive Magazine, 2014-03-12
