The Keeley Red Dirt Mini is a mini-pedal format version of the Keeley Red Dirt Overdrive, an overdrive pedal from Keeley Electronics. MusicRadar's Trevor Curwen found it a classy take on a TS-style overdrive with practical added options1.
The circuit traces back to Robert Keeley's Tube Screamer modification work, which he has been doing since 20011. The full-size Red Dirt put all of those mods into a single pedal and added a JFET input buffer for a more dynamic sound1. The Mini carries that design into a smaller enclosure.
What It Does
On the surface the Red Dirt Mini follows the standard TS configuration: a large knob for drive, with smaller knobs for tone and level1. What sets it apart is hidden inside. Tucked away under the four-screw baseplate are two DIP switches that change the clipping diodes, giving four different modes1.
| Control | What it does |
|---|---|
| Drive (large knob) | Sets the gain amount, standard TS position1 |
| Tone (small knob) | Shapes the high end, standard TS position1 |
| Level (small knob) | Sets output volume, standard TS position1 |
| Two DIP switches (under baseplate) | Change the clipping diodes for four modes1 |
The four clipping modes are:
- Distortion
- Overdrive
- Crunch
- Amp
Curwen found each mode cleaner than the next, and all delivered with great string clarity1. He listed the practical tonal options as a reason to buy the pedal1.
Where the Circuit Came From
The Red Dirt line began when Keeley Electronics announced the Red Dirt overdrive in March 2013, with shipping to dealers worldwide that month3. The pedal was described in the launch press materials as delivering "a range of tones from classic subtle blues to contemporary high-gain crunch," with a Dirt control offering dynamic, touch-sensitive gain at both mild and heavier sustain settings3. Vintage Guitar reported the same dynamic gain character at mild and heavier sustain settings4.
The full-size Red Dirt's two modes, "lo" and "hi", give access to Keeley's "plus" and "baked" modes, popular mods to TS-808s. The "lo" mode corresponds to the "plus" mod, which beefs up the low end5. The Mini replaces those modes with its four DIP switch clipping settings.
Keeley described the original Red Dirt as 100% hand made in the USA, with its trademark blue LED and what the company called one of the best warranties currently available2.
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Questions
What is the Keeley Red Dirt Mini?
It is a mini-pedal version of the Keeley Red Dirt, a TS-style overdrive that consolidates Robert Keeley's Tube Screamer mods in one pedal and adds a JFET input buffer for a more dynamic sound. Controls follow the standard Tube Screamer layout: a large drive knob with smaller tone and level knobs.
How do you change the clipping modes on the Red Dirt Mini?
Two DIP switches sit under the four-screw baseplate. Flipping them changes the clipping diodes, giving four modes: distortion, overdrive, crunch and amp, each cleaner than the next. MusicRadar's reviewer found all four delivered great string clarity.
Where did the Red Dirt circuit come from?
Robert Keeley has been modifying Tube Screamers since 2001. The full-size Red Dirt, announced in March 2013, put those mods into a single pedal and added a JFET input buffer. The Mini is the same design in a smaller enclosure.
Sources (5)
- Keeley Red Dirt Mini review, MusicRadar, 2015-07-08
- NEW Red Dirt Overdrive Gets a 21st Century Fan!!, Keeley Electronics Guitar Effects Pedals, 2013-03-06
- Keeley Electronics Introduces Red Dirt Overdrive, Guitar Interactive Magazine, 2013-03-12
- Keeley Intros Red Dirt OD, Vintage Guitar magazine, 2013-03-07
- Keeley Red Dirt Overdrive review, MusicRadar, 2014-08-04
