The Shnobel Tone Daily Driver is an overdrive pedal from Shnobel Tone, the company founded in 2015 by Roman Belonozhko1. Shnobel Tone describes it as featuring an original and unique drive circuit that gives "a rich sound full of harmonics and an amp like response"2. It was the first guitar pedal from pedal YouTuber Shnobel, launched after five years of development and created in collaboration with Quimper Electronic Systems3.
The gain ranges from a clean, mild setting to a medium-gain overdrive sound, with the most drive harmonics at maximum gain2. Delicious Audio called it "one of the most versatile overdrives on the market"3.
Controls and the three-way high cut switch
The Daily Driver keeps its control set compact. Volume and Gain set the overall output level and the amount of distortion, while a two-knob EQ section gives a Boost/Cut knob each for low and high frequencies4.
| Control | What it does |
|---|---|
| Volume | Sets overall level output4 |
| Gain | Controls distortion levels4 |
| Low EQ | Boost or cut of the low frequencies4 |
| High EQ | Boost or cut of the high frequencies4 |
| High cut toggle | Three-position switch with three high-frequency cutoff settings23 |
The three-position high cut toggle in the center of the pedal is the feature Shnobel Tone points to for matching the pedal to your rig. The maker says it "lets you dial in the perfect overdrive sounds no matter what amp you are plugging into"2. Delicious Audio described the same switch as offering "three different high-frequency cutoff settings to tailor it to different pickups and amps"3, which is the practical use: brighter amps and pickups can take a lower cutoff position, while darker setups can stay open.
Power and connections
The Daily Driver runs on 9V DC with a center negative plug, drawing 70mA, with a maximum power draw of 75mA2. That draw is modest by modern standards, but it is worth checking against a small isolated supply if you run several pedals. The pedal uses a true bypass foot switch, so the circuit drops out of the signal path entirely when disengaged2.
The maker's specs list input impedance at 576K Ohms in one place and at 1M Ohm in another2. Output impedance is 100 Ohms2.
The pedal comes with a 30 day money back return policy. You must reach out within the 30 days after receiving the pedal and cover the return shipping cost2. International customers are responsible for paying customs duties and import taxes2.
Versions: Overdrive, Boost and Stereo
The Daily Driver line has grown from the original overdrive into several formats567.
| Version | What it is | List price | Current draw |
|---|---|---|---|
| Daily Driver Overdrive | The original overdrive pedal2 | $279.00 USD2 | 70mA2 |
| Daily Driver Boost | Boost and Daily Driver circuits in one enclosure6 | $319.00 USD6 | 80mA6 |
| Stereo Daily Driver | Two independent Daily Driver circuits, true stereo I/O7 | $449.00 USD7 | 250mA7 |
Daily Driver Boost
The Daily Driver Boost combines Shnobel Tone's Boost and Daily Driver pedals into one enclosure6. The two circuits can be used independently or together, and an order toggle switch lets you change which circuit comes first in the chain6. Guitar Pedal X described it as the Daily Driver with "a smart Clean Boost and Order Switch" added8.
Pedal of the Day reviewed the Boost version in 2024, noting that the first incarnation of the pedal appeared back in 20205. Their take on the two sides:
"The Boost is clean and clear, with plenty of output, while the updates to the Overdrive circuit make it sound even better."
Stereo Daily Driver
The Stereo Daily Driver is a true stereo pedal with left and right inputs and outputs, containing two independent Daily Driver circuits in one enclosure7. It carries the same low and high EQ controls and the three-position high cut toggle as the mono version7. At 250mA it draws considerably more current than the original7.
Where it came from
Shnobel Tone was founded in 2015 by Roman Belonozhko1. The Daily Driver Overdrive was the maker's first guitar pedal, launched after five years of development and created in collaboration with Quimper Electronic Systems3. Delicious Audio reported it as "an entirely original circuit created with the goal of being able to recreate all the greatest overdrives"3.
Pedal of the Day reviewed the original overdrive in April 2020, calling it Shnobel Tone's first non-mod pedal and summing up what separates it from the crowded overdrive field54:
"So, what makes the Shnobel Tone Daily Driver stand out from all of these choices? THE SOUND."
What reviewers said
Reviewers have consistently pointed at versatility. Guitar Pedal X's Stefan Karlsson wrote in 202683:
"I've long since detailed how versatile the Daily Driver is - and how you can turn that to so many different sounds."
Pedal of the Day's 2020 review highlighted the two-knob EQ section and the gain range, and noted "there's a lot going on inside this black beauty"4. Their 2024 review of the Boost version found the gain running "from clean and mild to a medium gain overdrive sound, with the most drive harmonics at maximum gain"5.
Videos
Shawn Tubbs
Kenyon Reed
Brett Kingman
Questions
Is the Shnobel Tone Daily Driver true bypass?
Yes. The Daily Driver uses a true bypass foot switch, so with the pedal off your signal passes through without the circuit in the path. The Daily Driver Boost uses the same true bypass foot switch.
What is the difference between the Daily Driver Overdrive and the Daily Driver Boost?
The Daily Driver Boost combines Shnobel Tone's Boost and Daily Driver pedals in one enclosure. The two circuits can be used independently or together, and an order toggle switch lets you change which circuit comes first. The Boost side is a one-knob clean boost.
Is the Daily Driver based on another overdrive circuit?
No. Shnobel Tone describes it as an original and unique drive circuit, and Delicious Audio reported it as an entirely original circuit created in collaboration with Quimper Electronic Systems. It is not a clone of an existing overdrive.
Who designed the Shnobel Tone Daily Driver?
The Daily Driver was created by Shnobel Tone, the company founded in 2015 by Roman Belonozhko, in collaboration with Quimper Electronic Systems. It was the first guitar pedal from pedal YouTuber Shnobel, launched after five years of development.
How much does the Shnobel Tone Daily Driver cost?
The Daily Driver Overdrive lists at $279.00 USD. The Daily Driver Boost lists at $319.00 USD, and the Stereo Daily Driver at $449.00 USD. International customers are responsible for paying customs duties and import taxes.
Is there a stereo version of the Daily Driver?
Yes. The Stereo Daily Driver is a true stereo pedal with left and right inputs and outputs, containing two independent Daily Driver circuits in one enclosure. It draws 250mA at 9V.
Sources (8)
- Shnobel Tone Ratatouille Distortion, Pedal of the Day, 2024-05-26
- Daily Driver, Shnobel Tone
- Shnobel Tone Daily Driver Overdrive, Delicious Audio, 2023-01-26
- Shnobel Tone Daily Driver™ Overdrive, Pedal of the Day (www.pedal-of-the-day.com), 2020-04-28
- Shnobel Tone Daily Driver Boost Overdrive, Pedal of the Day (pedal-of-the-day.com), 2024-06-29
- DAILY DRIVER BOOST, Shnobel Tone
- Stereo Daily Driver, Shnobel Tone
- Guitar Pedal X, Guitar Pedal X, 2026-01-23
