The Saturnworks Dark Matter is a tube boost and overdrive pedal: a clean boost, a warm overdrive, and a growling distortion, all powered by a 12AU7 vacuum tube. What sets it apart from a straightforward boost pedal is a second, solid-state preamp circuit on its own footswitch, which pushes the tube into more overdrive and distortion. The two circuits can also be used separately, giving two flavors of clean boost from one box1.
The design starts from the Valvecaster tube overdrive circuit. Saturnworks describes the result as "a pedal with higher gain and warmer tube grit than the original Valvecaster"1.
The controls and footswitches
The full-sized Dark Matter carries two footswitches: one for the tube circuit and one for the solid-state booster/tube driver preamp circuit. That second switch is what lets you bring the extra gain stage in and out on its own, or use either circuit alone as a boost1.
On top, the pedal has three controls:
| Control | What it does |
|---|---|
| Master volume | Sets the overall output level |
| Tone | Shapes the treble response |
| Gain | Sets how hard the tube circuit is driven |
All three sit on the pedal alongside the two footswitches1.
Power and connections
The Dark Matter runs on standard 9V DC center-negative power, but it draws around 150mA, which Saturnworks notes is higher than most of its pedals. That figure matters for pedalboard power planning: a low-current output or a daisy chain that handles ordinary pedals may not carry it1.
At around 150mA, the Dark Matter needs a power supply output that can supply that current. Saturnworks describes the requirement as higher than most of its pedals1.
Connections are Neutrik 1/4" TS jacks on the standard versions, and the DC jack is a top-quality Lumberg unit1.
Versions: Dark Matter, Peppermint and Jr.
Saturnworks offers the Dark Matter in three versions1:
| Version | What differs |
|---|---|
| Dark Matter | The standard full-sized pedal, with two footswitches and Neutrik jacks1 |
| Dark Matter Peppermint | Powder-coated red enclosure with a minty peppermint graphic, upgraded Japanese soft click latching switches, red aluminum control knobs, and Switchcraft USA 1/4" TS jacks1 |
| Dark Matter Jr. | Same overall components as the full-sized Dark Matter in a space-saving footprint; the second footswitch is dropped and the booster/tube driver circuit appears as a preamp boost knob instead1 |
The Jr. keeps the second circuit even without the switch. Saturnworks puts it plainly: "It still has the circuit, just as a preamp boost knob, rather than on a separate bypass switch"1. Players who want the two-circuit switching in a smaller enclosure give up the independent footswitch for it.
Built to order in Washington, USA
Each Dark Matter is handcrafted and bench-tested in Washington, USA. Because the pedals are custom built to order, Saturnworks quotes around 3 to 4 weeks to ship1. The pedal carries a 1-year limited warranty against defects, and sits in a sturdy die-cast aluminum enclosure1.
The Dark Matter sits in Saturnworks' tube and boost lineup alongside the Saturnworks Clean Boost, the Saturnworks Peppermint Boost, and the Saturnworks Booster Looper. For where it lands tonally, it also touches on overdrive pedals and distortion pedals, since the second preamp circuit pushes the 12AU7 into both territories1.
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Questions
What tube does the Saturnworks Dark Matter use?
The Dark Matter is powered by a 12AU7 vacuum tube. Saturnworks describes the pedal as delivering clean boost, a warm overdrive, and a growling distortion from that tube circuit, with an extra internal preamp circuit that pushes the tube into more overdrive and distortion when engaged.
How is the Dark Matter different from the Valvecaster?
The Dark Matter is based on the Valvecaster tube overdrive design, but Saturnworks says the result is a pedal with higher gain and warmer tube grit than the original Valvecaster. It also adds a second internal preamp circuit on its own footswitch, which pushes the tube harder for overdrive and distortion.
Where is the Saturnworks Dark Matter made?
Saturnworks builds the Dark Matter by hand and bench-tests each unit in Washington, USA. The pedals are custom built to order rather than stocked, which is why they take around 3 to 4 weeks to ship.
How long does a Saturnworks Dark Matter take to ship?
Dark Matter tube pedals are custom built to order and take around 3 to 4 weeks to ship, according to Saturnworks.
What warranty does the Dark Matter have?
Saturnworks covers the Dark Matter with a 1-year limited warranty against defects. The pedal is housed in a sturdy die-cast aluminum enclosure.
Sources (1)
- Dark Matter Tube Boost + Overdrive Pedal, Saturnworks Pedals, 2026-08-08
