The Mythos Olympus Overdrive is an overdrive pedal from Mythos Pedals, a builder that placed it in a new, high-end series of stompboxes called the Spartan series1. The pedal carries Volume, Presence and Gain controls, which Mythos describes as three interactive knobs: Presence and Gain work together to cover anything from smooth lead tones to bright, chimey rhythm sounds2. It runs on a standard 9 volt DC power adapter and draws approximately 10 mA2.
Controls and how they work together
The Olympus has three knobs, and both Mythos and Delicious Audio stress that they interact rather than work alone21.
| Control | What it does |
|---|---|
| Volume | Sets the pedal's output level |
| Presence | Voices the high end to fit the rig |
| Gain | Sets the drive amount; the tonality changes with gain set low or high |
Mythos says the Presence and Gain controls work together to achieve anything from smooth lead tones to bright and chimey rhythm sounds2. Delicious Audio's report put it this way: "These three knobs are incredibly interactive"1.
What it sounds like
Both the maker and the press describe the voicing the same general way. Mythos says the overall tone has a very "tweed" like mid push, but that it is not overwhelming and does not mask the tone the guitar and amp have while the pedal is off2. Delicious Audio, writing at the pedal's announcement, said "The overall voicing is ever so slightly mid-pushed and is often compared to classic 'Tweed' amps of yesteryear," and described a range that goes from a very natural boost to a gnarly drive sound that nudges the rig to an angrier sound1. For context on how it sits among other drives, see the site's pages on Overdrive Pedals and the Boss SD-1 vs Ibanez TS9 Tube Screamer comparison.
Circuit and build
Delicious Audio's 2020 report gives the circuit details: the op-amp is a Texas Instruments TL072CP, "which has incredibly low noise," with responsive feel and nice clarity in overdrive circuits1. The build mixes construction styles deliberately:
- Through-hole style components in the audio path
- Surface-mount (SMT) designs handling power filtering, protection and utility features
- "None of the SMT components are in the audio path of the pedal."1
Power and size
The Olympus runs on standard 9 volt DC power adapters, like all Mythos Pedals, and is center negative only1. Current draw is approximately 10 mA2, light enough for most pedalboard power supplies. The enclosure measures 4.82" x 2.62" x 1.43" with top mount panel jacks, a compact footprint that keeps patch cables tidy on a board2.
The pedal is center negative only, so it needs a center-negative 9V DC adapter; a battery or center-positive supply is not an option1.
The new version
Mythos says that sonically, the only change in the new version is increased low end and a slight increase to overall gain, made to increase flexibility2. The three-knob layout carries over unchanged.
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Questions
What circuit is the Mythos Olympus Overdrive based on?
Mythos Pedals describes the Olympus as a tribute to the Gainster/Hoochie Mama circuit, two pedals sharing the same circuit topology. That circuit is known by many as a "Klon-Killer" and has been much sought after on the used market. The Olympus is Mythos' take on it, released in 2020 as part of the maker's high-end Spartan series of stompboxes.
Is the Mythos Olympus Overdrive true bypass?
Yes. Mythos Pedals lists the Olympus Overdrive with true bypass wiring on its product page, so the pedal takes itself out of the signal path when switched off.
What polarity does the Mythos Olympus Overdrive use?
The Olympus Overdrive uses center negative polarity only, and Mythos Pedals run on standard 9 volt DC power adapters. At roughly 10 mA of current draw it is light on a power supply, but the center-negative-only requirement means a battery or a center-positive adapter is not an option.
What changed in the new version of the Olympus Overdrive?
According to Mythos Pedals, the only sonic change in the new version is increased low end and a slight increase to overall gain, made to increase flexibility. The three-knob control layout of Volume, Presence and Gain carries over.
What op-amp does the Mythos Olympus Overdrive use?
Delicious Audio reported that the op-amp in the circuit is a Texas Instruments TL072CP, described as having incredibly low noise with responsive feel and nice clarity in overdrive circuits. The pedal also uses through-hole style components in the audio path, with surface-mount parts handling only power filtering, protection and utility features.
How big is the Mythos Olympus Overdrive?
The enclosure measures 4.82" x 2.62" x 1.43", with top mount panel jacks, so it sits compactly on a pedalboard with cabling running from the top edge.
Sources (2)
- New Pedal: Mythos Pedals Olympus Overdrive, Delicious Audio, 2020-07-13
- Olympus Overdrive, Mythos Pedals
