The Designated Driver is a fuzz/overdrive pedal from Retroactive Pedals, and it was the maker's first offering when Pedal of the Day reviewed it in September 20171. Half of the circuit was designed around an octave fuzz, feeding into an overdrive circuit, and the pedal carries an input transformer that shapes its character1. Pedal of the Day described it as designed to be of the "Marshall" sound when strumming chords and going for lead riffs1.
Controls: Volume and Thickness
The pedal is pretty intuitive, with two main controls, Volume and Thickness1.
| Control | What it does |
|---|---|
| Volume | One of the two main controls, sets output level1 |
| Thickness | Shapes bass response and the amount of octave fuzz from the transformer1 |
The Thickness control is where most of the tonal shaping happens:
- At 100%, there is more bass response and less octave fuzz from the transformer1
- At 50%, the input transformer gives a "buzzy" and loud sounding fuzz1
- Rolled down, it limits the drive function and, in conjunction with the volume and tone controls on the guitar, can bring out subtle overdrive tones1
Toggle switches and Doom mode
The Designated Driver carries its voicing options on toggle switches rather than knobs1.
| Setting | Switch | What it does |
|---|---|---|
| Fuzz | First toggle | Routes a resistor and capacitor to ground from the clipping diodes for slight breakup1 |
| Switch 2 | First toggle | Taps from the clipping diodes to something else for a different sound1 |
| Drive | Second toggle | The circuit from the clipping diodes without any resistors or caps to ground, a slightly cleaner sound than the fuzz setting1 |
| Doom | Second toggle | An electrolytic capacitor to ground from the clipping diodes, giving unruly breakup meant for strumming heavy riffs, metal and rock1 |
Doom mode is the heaviest of these settings: Pedal of the Day describes it as unruly breakup aimed at metal, rock and heavy riffing1.
What reviewers said
Pedal of the Day's verdict was positive on usability: "Loaded with options, the Designated Driver is easy to use and fun to dial in."1 The same review closed with, "If this is what Retroactive Pedals came up with to begin their effects pedal lineup, we're super-stoked to see what they"1, crediting the maker's first release. The reviewer also noted the pedal's army green enclosure1.
The Designated Driver sits between fuzz and overdrive territory. Players comparing it with dedicated circuits may also want to read the site's pages on Fuzz Pedals and Overdrive Pedals.
Videos
Pedal of the Day
Questions
What does the Thickness knob do on the Designated Driver?
Thickness is one of the pedal's two main controls, alongside Volume. It shapes the bass response and the amount of octave fuzz coming from the input transformer. At 100% there is more bass response and less octave fuzz, while at 50% the transformer gives a buzzy and loud sounding fuzz. Rolling it down limits the drive function and can bring out subtle overdrive tones with the guitar's volume and tone controls.
Does the Designated Driver have an input transformer?
Yes. Pedal of the Day's review describes an input transformer in the circuit that gives a buzzy and loud sounding fuzz when the Thickness control is at 50%. Half of the circuit was designed around an octave fuzz, feeding into an overdrive circuit, and the transformer is part of what produces the octave fuzz character.
What is Doom mode on the Designated Driver?
Doom mode is a setting that puts an electrolytic capacitor to ground from the clipping diodes. According to Pedal of the Day, it gives unruly breakup meant for strumming heavy riffs, metal and rock. It is one of several toggle switch settings alongside the Fuzz and Drive options.
Is the Designated Driver a fuzz or an overdrive?
It is both. Pedal of the Day describes it as a fuzz/overdrive effect, and the circuit reflects that: half of it was designed around an octave fuzz feeding into an overdrive circuit. The toggle switches shift between fuzzier and cleaner voicings, so it can lean either way depending on the setting.
Can you get overdrive tones from the Designated Driver by rolling back the guitar volume?
Yes. Pedal of the Day notes that rolling the Thickness control down limits the drive function, and in conjunction with the volume and tone controls on the guitar, it can bring out subtle overdrive tones. That makes the pedal usable well below its full fuzz settings.
Sources (2)
- Retroactive Pedals Designated Driver Fuzz, Pedal of the Day, 2017-09-27
- Retroactive Pedals Designated Driver Fuzz Overdrive, Pedal of the Day, 2017-09-18