The Nordland Electronics ODR-C H/L is an overdrive pedal built on Kai Tachibana's original Nobels ODR-1 circuit, the design behind one of the most respected natural overdrives. It is the general-release version of the limited 2022 30th Anniversary ODR-C, put on sale in January 2025 after what Guitar Pedal X describes as two years of pressure from players who missed out on the original run1.
What it does
The ODR-C H/L takes the ODR-1 platform and extends it. Where the original ODR-1 is a classic overdrive with a flexible Spectrum control2, the H/L adds a fuller control set aimed at shaping gain and compression as well as tone. Nordland also says the pedal is made with superior wiring and premium components, built to a slightly higher quality standard than the Nobels ODR-11.
"Nordland says it uses superior wiring and premium components, refining Kai Tachibana's original Nobels ODR-1 circuit."
Controls
| Control | What it does |
|---|---|
| Drive | Sets the amount of overdrive |
| Level | Sets the output level |
| ODC | Overdrive De-Compress control |
| Spectrum EQ | Tone shaping, in place of the ODR-1's single Spectrum control |
| Hi/Low Gain switch | Switches between two gain ranges |
| Mid | Midrange control |
| Lo-Cut | Cuts low frequencies |
The Hi/Low Gain switch is where the H/L name comes from, giving the pedal two operating ranges rather than the single gain range of the ODR-11. The Spectrum EQ reflects a direction Nordland had already taken with the platform: the ODR-1's Spectrum control has been replaced by a fuller EQ approach in later variants of the circuit3.
Where it came from
Kai Tachibana's connection to the ODR-1 goes back to the original Nobels design, and his Nordland brand has revisited the circuit several times, including the ODR-C Custom Overdrive and the ODR-CS Custom Special released for the ODR-S 30th anniversary31. The ODR-C H/L follows the same path: a reissue of the limited 2022 30th Anniversary ODR-C, distinguished from that pedal by its Ruby Red finish and gold knobs1.
The ODR-C H/L is a general-release reissue of a limited edition pedal. It was available for orders from the Nordland Electronics webstore as of 23 January 20251.
Videos
Steve Sterlacci
PEDALBOARD ORG
Chicken Creek Productions
Questions
How is the ODR-C H/L different from the Nobels ODR-1?
The ODR-C H/L is built on Kai Tachikawa's original Nobels ODR-1 circuit, but Nordland says it uses superior wiring and more premium components, refining the original design. It also adds controls the ODR-1 does not have, including an ODC (Overdrive De-Compress) control, a Spectrum EQ, a Hi/Low Gain switch, a Mid control and a Lo-Cut, alongside the Drive and Level controls.
What is the difference between the ODR-C H/L and the ODR-C 30A?
The ODR-C H/L is a reissue of the 2022 30th Anniversary ODR-C, which was a limited edition many players missed out on. The general-release H/L is distinguished by a Ruby Red finish with gold knobs, and it became available for orders from the Nordland Electronics webstore in January 2025.
Sources (3)
- Guitar Pedal X, Guitar Pedal X, 2025-01-23
- Guitar FX Layouts: Nobels ODR-1, Guitar FX Layouts (tagboardeffects.blogspot.com), 2014-03-20
- Arcturus Natural Overdrive / Nobels ODR-S, Aion FX, 2023-09-08
