The Regainer Hi-Gain Overdrive is a high-gain overdrive pedal from Humboldt Endemic Pedals, and it was the maker's first offering when Pedal of the Day covered it in July 20151. The reviewer described it as having "a fairly basic control layout, with one added bonus, and a sound that really ripps"1. What sets it apart from most pedals on a board is the box itself: Humboldt Endemic Pedals builds its pedals with recycled woods from Valparaiso and Santiago de Chile1.
Controls
The Regainer keeps its top panel simple, with three knobs, and adds a fourth control tucked out of sight1.
| Control | What it does |
|---|---|
| Volume | Boasts 30dB of gain, for a super-loud gain that will demolish anything in its way in the mix1 |
| Tone | Covers a large range, part of what makes the pedal's sonic possibilities vast and expansive1 |
| Distortion | Covers a large range, setting the amount of gain1 |
| Distortion Peak (side knob) | A hidden, sort of, knob on the side of the enclosure, sweeping from High to Low1 |
The side-mounted Distortion Peak is the "added bonus" in the layout: it is easy to miss unless you know it is there, and it shapes the character of the gain on top of the main Distortion knob1.
How it responds
Pedal of the Day's reviewer found the Regainer tracks a player's touch closely: "This pedal responds really well to your picking dynamics, with the distortion being clean and crisp, even at louder volumes"1. That combination of a wide-ranging Distortion control and a 30dB Volume stage means the pedal can be set as a loud, clean-ish boost or pushed into full hi-gain territory, depending on where the knobs sit1.
Where it sits
As a hi-gain overdrive, the Regainer overlaps with both overdrive and distortion pedals: it carries the overdrive name, but its gain range and Distortion control put it where many players would reach for a dedicated distortion box. Players weighing overdrive against distortion circuits may find the comparison between the Boss SD-1 and Ibanez TS9 Tube Screamer a useful reference point for the lower-gain end of the category.
Videos
Pedal of the Day
Questions
What does the Distortion Peak knob do on the Regainer?
The Regainer has a knob mounted on the side of the enclosure that acts as a Distortion Peak control, sweeping from High to Low. It is described as a sneaky, sort of hidden control, so players who do not know the pedal may miss it entirely. It sits alongside the standard Volume, Tone and Distortion knobs on the top panel.
How much gain does the Regainer have?
The Volume knob on the Regainer boasts 30dB of gain, which Pedal of the Day's reviewer described as a super-loud gain that will demolish anything in its way in the mix. The Distortion knob also covers a large range, giving the pedal a wide spread of gain settings to choose from.
What is the Regainer's enclosure made of?
The Regainer is made with recycled woods from Valparaiso and Santiago de Chile. Humboldt Endemic Pedals builds its pedals from these reclaimed materials, which sets the enclosure apart from the painted metal boxes used by most pedal makers.
Who makes the Humboldt Endemic Pedals Regainer?
The Regainer is made by Humboldt Endemic Pedals, and it was the line's first offering when Pedal of the Day reviewed it in July 2015.
Is the Regainer an overdrive or a distortion pedal?
It is billed as a hi-gain overdrive, sitting between the two camps: it is named an overdrive, but with 30dB of gain available and a Distortion knob as a main control, it reaches well into distortion territory. Players comparing it with dedicated distortion pedals should read it as a high-gain overdrive.
Sources (1)
- Humboldt Endemic Pedals Regainer Hi-Gain Overdrive, Pedal of the Day, 2015-07-18