The October Audio NVMBR Gain is a compact overdrive and boost pedal built around a single dial that sweeps from a clean boost into a soft-clipping overdrive. Premier Guitar's news report describes it as "a nonlinear amp that transitions gracefully from clean boost to overdriven tones"1. It comes in two versions: a switchable footswitch version and an always-on device with no bypass of the effect, both using the same NVMBR Gain circuit1.
One knob from clean boost to soft clipping
The whole pedal is one dial. Turning it raises the volume from just over unity to about 10 dB before soft-clipping drive appears, which adds another 5 dB of boost on top1. The knob controls gain and clipping simultaneously1.
What that means in practice, according to Premier Guitar's reviewer:
- Knob all the way left: a 5 dB line boost, good for keeping your amp or downstream effects louder but clear2
- Left side of the dial: the company describes it as a clean boost2
- Around 12 o'clock: "At 12 o'clock, where the pedal's character really starts to change, I got hair and airy sparkle"2
- Noon to floored: a soft-clipping-style overdrive, from gritty controlled blues upward2
- All the way right: the reviewer points to a tone like Syd's "Interstellar Overdrive"2
"But after, say, 3 o'clock the clipping accelerates exponentially, so abandon hope of much subtlety if you venture there."
The two versions
| Switchable version | Always-on version | |
|---|---|---|
| Bypass | Footswitchable | No bypass of the effect |
| Circuit | NVMBR Gain | Same NVMBR Gain circuit |
| Street price | $1091 | $891 |
| Knob | Authentic Davies knobs, including the "fingernail"1 | Witch Finger graphic and Davies knob1 |
The always-on version has no bypass of the effect, so it is always in the signal path1.
What reviewers said
Premier Guitar's reviewer, writing in October 2023, found a lot in a small box: "With just one dial and a graphic of a witch's severed digit on top, the NVMBR Gain does a lot"2. On the lower half of the dial, he heard "subtle compression and a mid-forward attitude that TS fans should dig as much as I did"2. On price, his verdict was that "at $109, it offers a lot of functionality at a bargain tag"2.
For where the NVMBR Gain sits among its neighbors, see Boost Pedals and Overdrive Pedals.
Videos
Buddy Blues
Mark Hopkins
Michael P.
Questions
Is the October Audio NVMBR Gain a boost or an overdrive?
Both, depending on where the knob sits. Premier Guitar's news report describes it as a pedal that transitions gracefully from clean boost to overdriven tones. The company says the left side of the dial is a clean boost, and the volume rises from just over unity to about 10 dB before soft-clipping drive appears, adding another 5 dB of boost. From noon upward it behaves as a soft-clipping overdrive.
How big is the October Audio NVMBR Gain?
Premier Guitar's reviewer measured it at 3.63 x 1.5 x 1.88 inches, which puts it among the small single-knob pedals that fit easily on a crowded board.
How much does the NVMBR Gain cost?
Premier Guitar lists a street price of $109 for the NVMBR Gain footswitch versions and $89 for the always-on device, as reported in December 2022. The reviewer in October 2023 also cited $109, calling it a bargain for the functionality.
How much boost does the NVMBR Gain give at minimum?
With the knob all the way left, Premier Guitar's reviewer found it works as a 5 dB line boost, enough to keep your amp or downstream effects louder but clear.
Is the NVMBR Gain similar to a Tube Screamer?
On the left side of the dial, Premier Guitar's reviewer heard subtle compression and a mid-forward attitude, and wrote that Tube Screamer fans should dig it as much as he did. It is not a TS clone, but players who like that mid-forward character may find familiar ground on the lower half of the dial.
Sources (2)
- October Audio Unveils New Mini Guitar Pedals, Premier Guitar, 2022-12-08
- October Audio NVMBR Gain Review, Premier Guitar, 2023-10-14