The One Control Strawberry Red Overdrive DLX is a six-knob overdrive pedal that takes the company's classic Strawberry Red Overdrive (SROD) circuit and adds a full amp-style tone stack. Where the original SROD kept its controls minimal, the DLX carries a four-band EQ of BASS, MIDDLE, TREBLE and PRESENCE, described by One Control as a classic four-knob tone circuit "stack" like many classic UK amplifiers12.
The circuit was developed by Björn Juhl, the Swedish designer behind the BJFE series of pedals, together with One Control1. Delicious Audio describes the pedal's aim as recreating the sound of high-end amplifiers, with their pleasing compression and EQ character, while preserving the nuances of the player's dynamics1.
What it does to your sound
The DLX is built around the idea of an amplifier in a box. RockBoard's PedalPedia says it was designed to interface with a wide variety of amplifiers and speakers, and the RockBoard PedalPedia entry classifies it as an overdrive, booster and equalizer in one unit2. Delicious Audio's write-up says the pedal recreates the sound of high-end amplifiers, their pleasing compression and EQ character, enhancing the performance's dynamics without depriving it of its nuances1.
The range is wide. With DRIVE at minimum, the DLX works as a clean or treble booster style pedal; from there it moves through low bluesy tones to hard, powerful overdrive, and at the far-right side of the dial into heavier distortions1.
"With the DRIVE set to minimum, the SRODDLX can be used as a clean or treble booster style pedal."
The controls
The six knobs divide into two gain controls and a four-band tone stack modeled on classic UK amplifiers12.
| Control | What it does |
|---|---|
| DRIVE | Adjusts the overdrive gain; gain increases clockwise1 |
| VOLUME | Adjusts the output volume1 |
| BASS | Part of the four-band tone stack12 |
| MIDDLE | Operates at ±10 dB around 400 Hz1 |
| TREBLE | Part of the four-band tone stack12 |
| PRESENCE | Adjusts the level of 4-7 kHz1 |
The PRESENCE control is the same kind of high-frequency shaping found on amplifier top panels, here acting on the 4-7 kHz band1. The MID control's ±10 dB range around 400 Hz gives a wide sweep of the midrange, which matters for cutting through or sitting behind a mix1.
Power and battery use
The DLX runs on a standard center negative 9V or 18V DC adapter, supporting the full 9V to 18V range1. It can also be driven by a 9V battery1.
When the DLX is running on a battery, the input jack doubles as the power switch: plugging in a cable turns the pedal on. The LED turns off when the battery needs to be replaced1.
History and versions
The Strawberry Red Overdrive line goes back to Björn Juhl's original SROD circuit, which One Control calls one of the best-selling BJF Series FX pedals, past and continuing3. The DLX is the newest edition of that classic circuit, and Delicious Audio notes that while it is not a clone of an existing circuit, it retains the classic original circuit developed by Björn Juhl and One Control1.
The family has appeared in several forms:
- Strawberry Red Overdrive 4K: a four-knob version in a mini enclosure, which One Control describes as its founder's favorite overdrive pedal, with a drive voltage of 9V to 18V. It is listed as sold out, and a special limited art "Japonism" edition also exists4.
- Strawberry Red Overdrive RC: a modified version of the classic SROD tweaked again by Björn Juhl, operating between 9V and 18V for higher headroom and a more focused tone. It is also listed as sold out5.
- Strawberry Red Overdrive DLX: the six-knob version covered on this page, available with standard and limited edition "Japonism" artwork1.
The DLX Japonism Edition is the limited artwork version of the six-knob model, sold alongside the standard finish12. RockBoard's PedalPedia entry describes the DLX six-knob model as giving more control over tones with finely tuned precision, and notes the pedal has been popular with One Control users for its high-quality tones and superb dynamic response2.
How it compares with the original SROD
MusicRadar's review of the original Strawberry Red Overdrive found it delivered "the sort of overdriven tones you'd get from a cooking valve amp, predominantly with a US boutique flavour," and noted that it cleans up nicely with the guitar's volume control, making it a versatile tone machine6. The DLX keeps that same circuit family but adds the four-band tone stack, so a player who found the original's fixed EQ limiting gets Bass, Middle, Treble and Presence shaping on top of the same drive character12.
Videos
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Questions
Can the Strawberry Red Overdrive DLX run on a 9V battery?
Yes. The DLX accepts a standard center negative 9V or 18V DC adapter, and it can also be driven by a 9V battery. When running on a battery, plugging into the input jack doubles as the power switch, and the LED turns off when the battery needs replacing.
Can I use the Strawberry Red DLX as a clean boost?
Yes. With the DRIVE control set to minimum, the DLX works as a clean or treble booster style pedal. Turning DRIVE clockwise moves it from low bluesy tones through hard, powerful overdrive and into heavier distortions at the far end of the dial.
What is the difference between the Strawberry Red Overdrive DLX and the original SROD?
The DLX is the newest edition of the classic Strawberry Red Overdrive (SROD) and keeps the original circuit developed by Björn Juhl and One Control. Its upgrade is a six-knob layout, adding a four-band tone stack of Bass, Middle, Treble and Presence to the original's drive and volume controls.
Is the Strawberry Red Overdrive DLX a clone of another pedal?
No. Delicious Audio's write-up states it is not a clone of an existing circuit, and One Control says of the Strawberry Red line that it does not imitate the sound of existing pedals. The DLX retains the original circuit developed by Björn Juhl and One Control.
What is the Japonism Edition of the Strawberry Red DLX?
The Japonism Edition is a limited artwork version of the DLX, sold alongside the standard finish. Both carry the same six-knob circuit. One Control has also offered a limited Japonism edition of the four-knob Strawberry Red Overdrive 4K.
Sources (6)
- One Control Strawberry Red Overdrive DLX, Delicious Audio, 2022-01-17
- STRAWBERRY RED OVERDRIVE DLX Japonism Edition by One Control, RockBoard PedalPedia, 2026
- LINGONBERRY OVER DRIVE (OC-LBODn), One Control USA
- STRAWBERRY RED OVERDRIVE 4K (OC-SROD4Kn), One Control USA
- STRAWBERRY RED OVERDRIVE RC (OC-SRODRCn), One Control USA
- One Control Strawberry Red Overdrive review, MusicRadar, 2015-09-18
