The Interchange Noise Works Overdrive III is a distortion pedal, one of three related pedals the maker released as Overdrives I, II and III. All three take their elements from the Electra Distortion circuit, a design with a long history among players who build their own effects. Pedal of the Day describes the III as the one that "brings the thunder as a powerful distortion circuit" among the three1.
What it does
The Overdrive III is built for a specific tone rather than a range of tones. The three pedals in the series share the Electra Distortion circuit as their starting point, but the internal parts are different for each one. Interchange Noise Works swapped those parts out by ear as the builds went, shaping each pedal into one of three distinct sounds1.
Control is minimal by design. Each pedal in the series "is equipped with just one Volume control"1, so there is no gain knob, no tone knob and nothing to tweak once the pedal is on the board. The player sets the output level and the circuit does the rest, which makes the III a set-and-forget pedal rather than an adjustable one.
Using it with Overdrives I and II
The series is designed to work as a set as well as on its own. Pedal of the Day found that "They play well individually, and they play well together," and notes the three pedals can be stacked with each other for new sounds1. A player with two or three of the series can put them in different orders on the board and combine their fixed voices into something neither pedal gives alone.
"The internal parts are different for each, and were swapped out by ear, as the builds went, to create these 3 specific tones."
Where it sits on a board
As a distortion unit, the Overdrive III covers the heavier end of the drive family. Players comparing it with lighter options will find the Overdrive Pedals and Boost Pedals pages cover the gentler circuits, while Fuzz Pedals sit at the other extreme. Interchange Noise Works also makes the Element 119 Distortion, a separate and more heavily controlled distortion design from the same maker1.
Videos
Pedal of the Day
Questions
What is the Interchange Noise Works Overdrive III?
It is a distortion pedal from Interchange Noise Works, one of three pedals called Overdrives I, II and III. All three take their elements from the Electra Distortion circuit, but the internal parts differ for each one and were swapped out by ear during the builds to create three specific tones. Pedal of the Day describes the III as bringing the thunder as a powerful distortion circuit.
How is the Overdrive III controlled?
Each of the three Overdrive pedals, the III included, carries just one Volume control. There are no gain, tone or other knobs to set, so the pedal is meant to be dialed in once and left alone. The character of the distortion comes from the circuit itself rather than from front panel adjustments.
Can the Overdrive III be used with Overdrives I and II?
Yes. Pedal of the Day notes that the three pedals play well individually and play well together, and that they can be stacked with each other for new sounds. Players who own more than one of the series can combine them in different orders on a board to change the overall distortion character.
Sources (1)
- Interchange Noise Works Overdrives I, II & III, Pedal of the Day, 2021-08-14
