The Radial North-Star Overdrive and Power Booster is a compact pedal that combines an overdrive with a separate clean power booster. Radial describes it as a Class A circuit with up to 24 dB of clean gain on tap, and says it can also get dirty, going from "subtle chunk to singing distortion"1.
What it does
The North-Star is a Class A circuit with up to 24 dB of clean gain on tap, which Radial described as marking a departure from the rest of the ToneBone range1. Radial also says the pedal has the ability to get dirty, going from "subtle chunk to singing distortion"1. Gearnews, covering the announcement, framed the pedal's purpose this way:
"This unit is aimed at modern Country players, for whom this clean gain will come in very handy."1
For a player, the two stages can be used separately or together: the overdrive covers the dirt side, while the booster adds clean level for solos or pushing an amp harder. It sits in the same family as other Radial drive pedals of the period, such as the Radial Texas-Pro, another overdrive and boost pedal with an effects loop2.
Controls and features
- Clean gain: up to 24 dB from the Class A circuit1
- Overdrive: Radial describes a range from subtle chunk to singing distortion1
- Effects loop: engages when the clean boost is kicked in, so connected pedals come into play only with the boost1
- True bypass: the circuit will not interfere with your guitar's tone when not engaged1
Where it came from
Radial positioned the North-Star as a departure from the rest of its range: the company describes it as a Class A circuit with up to 24 dB of clean gain, and says the pedal can go from "subtle chunk to singing distortion"1. As the name suggests, it pairs an overdrive with a separate clean power booster1.
Videos
Radial Engineering
Wall of Sound
Ben Coombs
Questions
Is the Radial North-Star true bypass?
Yes. The North-Star's circuit is true-bypass, so when the pedal is not engaged it does not interfere with your guitar's tone, according to the press coverage that accompanied its release.
How much clean gain does the North-Star give?
The North-Star is a Class A circuit with up to 24 dB of clean gain on tap. Radial also says it can get dirty, going from subtle chunk to singing distortion, so it works as both a clean booster and an overdrive.
What does the effects loop on the North-Star do?
The North-Star has an effects loop that engages when the clean boost is kicked in, letting you bring other pedals into the signal only when the boost stage is active.
How much does the Radial North-Star cost?
The North-Star carried an RRP of $169.99 when it was announced in March 2017.
Is the North-Star a tube pedal?
No. The North-Star is a solid-state Class A circuit pedal. It arrived in 2017 alongside other valve-free ToneBone models such as the Hot British V9 and Texas Pro, a departure from Radial's earlier tube-based Tonebone pedals.
Sources (2)
- Radial North-Star Overdrive and Power Booster: Drive with a twang!, gearnews.com, 2017-03-14
- Radial Announces the North-Star Overdrive and Power Booster, Guitar Interactive Magazine
