The Gamma Bacchus Dynamic Drive is an overdrive pedal, one of two overdrives on Gamma's roster and, in the words of Delicious Audio's Paolo De Gregorio, "the heavier and more versatile one, thanks to a wider gain range and two selectable voices for Normal and Fat." It was shown as new at NAMM 2023, part of a series of affordable, bread-and-butter pedals from a company established enough to be sold through Guitar Center1. If you are weighing it against other drives, our pages on Overdrive Pedals, Distortion Pedals and Fuzz Pedals cover the wider field.
Controls and voices
The Bacchus keeps things simple: Level, Tone and Drive controls, plus a Fat switch that provides additional low frequency heft to your tone when needed1. The Fat switch is the pedal's distinguishing feature, giving it a second voice alongside Normal and a wider gain range than its stablemate1.
| Control | What it does |
|---|---|
| Level | Output level |
| Tone | Tone shaping |
| Drive | Amount of overdrive |
| Fat switch | Adds low frequency heft when engaged1 |
Power and connections
The pedal runs from a 9-volt battery or a 9V DC adapter, with neither included in the box, and the adapter must be 9V DC center negative1. Current draw is 55mA, and battery life is rated at a 40-hour runtime1. Connections are a 1/4" instrument level input and a 1/4" instrument level output, mono, with buffered bypass for consistent tone in any setup1. Input impedance is 650 kohms and output impedance is 1 kohm1.
The Bacchus uses buffered bypass rather than true bypass, and it takes a battery as well as a 9V DC center negative adapter1.
Build and size
The chassis and knobs are all metal, in what Delicious Audio called a road-ready design1. The pedal measures 4.59" deep by 2.75" wide by 2.19" high and weighs .55 lb, or 8.8 oz1, so it sits comfortably on a crowded board.
Videos
Guitar Center
Steve Sterlacci
Demos In The Dark
Questions
What does the Fat switch do on the Gamma Bacchus?
The Fat switch provides additional low frequency heft to your tone when needed. Together with the wider gain range, it gives the Bacchus two selectable voices, Normal and Fat, which Delicious Audio describes as making it the heavier and more versatile of Gamma's two overdrives.
Does the Gamma Bacchus take a battery?
Yes. It operates from a 9-volt battery or a 9V DC adapter, though neither the battery nor the DC supply is included. On battery, the pedal is rated for a 40-hour runtime. If you use an adapter, it must be 9V DC with a center negative plug.
Is the Gamma Bacchus true bypass?
No. The Bacchus uses buffered bypass, which Gamma says delivers consistent tone in any setup. It has a mono audio input and output.
How much current does the Gamma Bacchus draw?
The pedal draws 55mA, according to the product information published by Delicious Audio. That is modest by the standards of modern pedals, and a 9V DC center negative adapter handles it easily.
What size is the Gamma Bacchus Dynamic Drive?
It measures 4.59 inches deep by 2.75 inches wide by 2.19 inches high, and weighs .55 lb, or 8.8 oz. The chassis and knobs are all metal, in what the press called a road-ready design.
Sources (1)
- New At NAMM 2023: Gamma Bacchus Dynamic Drive, Delicious Audio, 2023-04-24