The One Control Strawberry Red Overdrive 4K (SROD4K) is a compact overdrive pedal in One Control's "4K" four-knob mini enclosure. One Control calls it the latest edition of their founder's favorite overdrive pedal, and says it does not imitate the sound of existing pedals. Its single DRIVE control is described as taking you from a low-gain treble-booster style of effect up to low- and medium-gain overdrives before noon on the dial1.
The pedal is part of One Control's Strawberry Red family, a line of overdrive circuits developed with designer Björn Juhl. One Control describes the 4K's character plainly234:
"It's a muscle overdrive, but at the same time it can produce old sounds, and it's really versatile."1
The Strawberry Red Overdrive 4K is listed as sold out on One Control's product page, as of October 2026. The related Strawberry Red Overdrive RC is also sold out, but the circuit lives on in the Strawberry Red Overdrive DLX and its limited Japonism edition15.
What it does, from treble boost to medium gain
The 4K's DRIVE knob is the heart of the pedal. One Control says it takes you from a low-gain treble-booster style of effect up to low- and medium-gain overdrives before noon on the dial, so the lower half of the sweep covers boost and edge-of-breakup territory while the upper half pushes into heavier drive1.
That range matches how the wider Strawberry Red line has been received. Reviewing the original Strawberry Red Overdrive, MusicRadar and Total Guitar found it "delivers the sort of overdriven tones you'd get from a cooking valve amp, predominantly with a US boutique flavour," and noted it "can also work as a clean booster, with a useful 6dB on tap." Their overall verdict called it "a versatile performer"4.
The same family extends further up the gain range in the DLX version, where Delicious Audio reports the DRIVE control ranges from low bluesy tones to hard, powerful overdrive and heavier distortions at the far-right side of the dial, with DRIVE at minimum usable as a clean or treble booster3.
The controls
The 4K arrangement puts four knobs on the mini enclosure: DRIVE, VOLUME, TREBLE and LOW1.
| Knob | What it does |
|---|---|
| DRIVE | Adjusts the strength of distortion, from treble-booster style at low settings to medium-gain overdrive1 |
| VOLUME | Adjusts the volume1 |
| TREBLE | Active tone control in the mid to high range, from -3dB to +6dB1 |
| LOW | Cuts and boosts the low end to help adjust for the style of amplifier you are plugged into1 |
The two EQ controls are what set the 4K apart from a basic volume-and-tone overdrive. The TREBLE control is an active tone control working in the mid-to-high range from -3dB to +6dB, giving real cut or boost rather than a simple treble roll-off. The LOW knob cuts and boosts the low end so you can match the pedal to different amplifiers, which is useful if you move between amps with loose and tight low ends1.
MusicRadar's reviewer made the same point about the original pedal's treble control, describing "a treble knob that can deliver cut or boost in the crucial top-end frequencies to really complement your amp"4.
One Control says that if you adjust the DRIVE knob while the pedal is ON, it may make a rustling noise, but this depends on the circuit's specifications and is normal behavior, not a fault1.
Power: 9V to 18V, or a 9V battery
The 4K operates on a drive voltage of 9V to 18V1. Running at higher voltage is an option for players who want more headroom, though One Control's specific claims about that benefit apply to the RC version, which they say operates between 9V and 18V "for higher headroom operation and a bit more focused tone with wider dynamics"5.
Despite the small enclosure, One Control says you can still power the pedal with a 9V battery if you want1, so it is easy to run from a typical isolated power supply alongside other pedals.
The wider family shares this power scheme. The DLX version runs on 9V to 18V, and its DC input accepts a standard center-minus 9V or 18V adapter in addition to a 9V battery3. The DLX Japonism Edition is specified at 9V DC, center negative2.
Designed by Björn Juhl, and the Strawberry Red family
The Strawberry Red circuit comes from Björn Juhl, the Swedish designer behind the BJFE line. One Control says Juhl "has designed some of the world's most desirable tube amplifiers and he has done his best to include as many of those qualities as possible" in the pedal1. MusicRadar introduces him as the designer One Control tempted to create a range of pedals for the company4.
The 4K sits in the middle of a family of related One Control pedals123:
- Strawberry Red Overdrive RC: a modified version of the classic SROD, tweaked again by Björn Juhl, in the same four-knob arrangement, specially tuned for humbucker-equipped guitars and heavy tones while keeping what One Control calls the characteristics of a great high-end tube amplifier5
- Strawberry Red Overdrive DLX: a six-knob version with more control over tones, including a PRESENCE knob that adjusts the level of 4 to 7kHz3
- Strawberry Red Overdrive DLX Japonism Edition: the DLX with special limited art "Japonism" artwork, built on the classic original circuit developed by Björn Juhl and One Control2
One Control also notes that a special limited art "Japonism" edition exists of the 4K itself1. Delicious Audio describes the DLX as an upgrade to one of the Japanese company's most popular overdrive pedals, available with standard and limited edition "Japonism" artwork3.
The DLX Japonism Edition is described by RockBoard's PedalPedia as very popular with users for its high-quality tones and superb dynamic response, and as designed to interface with a wide variety of amplifiers and speakers2.
Build and specifications
One Control says they have always used the highest quality machined aluminum ultra-compact housings for their effects pedals, and the 4K follows that pattern in a mini enclosure1. The full specification set from the maker:
| Specification | Value |
|---|---|
| Drive voltage | 9V to 18V1 |
| S/N ratio | -90dB1 |
| Input impedance | 390K1 |
| Output impedance | 50K1 |
| Size | 39W x 100D x 31H mm (excluding protrusions); 47W x 100D x 48H mm (including protrusions)1 |
| Weight | approximately 160 grams (200 grams with battery)1 |
The 4K mini format is the point of the enclosure: four controls in a housing small enough to fit several side by side on a pedalboard15.
Videos
One Control Official and LEP INTERNATIONAL
Questions
Can the Strawberry Red Overdrive 4K run on a battery?
Yes. Despite the small enclosure, One Control says the 4K can be powered with a 9V battery if you want. It also runs on a standard 9V to 18V DC adapter, so it is easy to place on a small pedalboard with a typical power supply.
What is the difference between the Strawberry Red 4K and the RC version?
Both are four-knob versions of the classic Strawberry Red Overdrive circuit, but the RC is a modified version tuned by Björn Juhl specifically for humbucker-equipped guitars and heavy tones, while keeping what One Control describes as the characteristics of a great high-end tube amplifier. The 4K is the earlier four-knob edition of the same family.
Why does the Strawberry Red make noise when turning the Drive knob?
One Control says that adjusting the DRIVE knob while the pedal is on may produce a rustling noise, and that this is normal and depends on the circuit's specifications. It is a characteristic of the design rather than a fault, so a scratchy-sounding Drive sweep with the effect engaged is expected behavior.
Is the One Control Strawberry Red Overdrive 4K discontinued?
The 4K is listed as sold out on One Control's product page, as is the RC version. The Strawberry Red family continues in other editions, including the DLX six-knob model and its limited Japonism artwork version, so the circuit remains available in other forms.
Sources (5)
- STRAWBERRY RED OVERDRIVE 4K (OC-SROD4Kn), One Control USA
- STRAWBERRY RED OVERDRIVE DLX Japonism Edition by One Control, RockBoard PedalPedia, 2026
- One Control Strawberry Red Overdrive DLX, Delicious Audio, 2022-01-17
- One Control Strawberry Red Overdrive review, MusicRadar, 2015-09-18
- STRAWBERRY RED OVERDRIVE RC (OC-SRODRCn), One Control USA
