The TC Electronic El Mocambo Overdrive is an analog overdrive pedal in the Tube Screamer tradition: a midrange-forward boost designed to push an amp or lift a guitar over a mix. It was announced in November 2017 as part of a batch of eight new analog pedals from TC Electronic, at a list price of $49.99 in the US and €49.99 in Europe, and was described as available soon at the time of the announcement12.
What it does: a Tube Screamer-style mid boost
The El Mocambo follows the Tube Screamer formula, a circuit family known for a boost in the mids that helps a guitar sit over a band. Anasounds' technical analysis of the type puts it plainly: "This is exactly what we want from a Tube Screamer, a nice boost in the mids to get the guitar over the mix !"5
TC Electronic's own description, carried in its press release, is that the "El Mocambo Overdrive serves up the smooth, singing sustain of a pushed tube amp"1. MusicRadar reported the pedal's promise of "a distinct midrange boost, for overdriving existing amps or cutting through a mix"2.
Where it sits among the alternatives: gearnews.com described the El Mocambo as "a mild TS Style 'mid hump' overdrive with symmetrical clipping, which should give it an amp like character"3. MusicRadar called it "the TS-aping El Mocambo Overdrive"4. Players comparing it with other Tube Screamer-style pedals can see how the classic originals differ in the Boss SD-1 vs Ibanez TS9 Tube Screamer comparison, or look at other TC Electronic overdrives such as the TC Electronic MojoMojo, the TC Electronic Cinders, the TC Electronic Tube Pilot and the TC Electronic Zeus Drive. For the wider category, see the site's guide to Overdrive Pedals.
Build and connections
The El Mocambo was announced alongside seven other analog pedals, and the press release describes the shared hardware: "With strong steel enclosures and top mounted input/ouput jacks, these sturdy stompboxes provide analog warmth"1. Top-mounted jacks are a practical choice for a pedalboard, since they keep the pedal's footprint narrow. The same release confirms "true bypass circuitry so your tone stays totally unaffected when the effects are off"1.
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Questions
How much does the TC Electronic El Mocambo Overdrive cost?
At its announcement in November 2017, MusicRadar reported the El Mocambo Overdrive would be available soon for $49.99 in the United States and €49.99 in Europe. It was positioned as part of TC Electronic's range of ultra-affordable pedals, so it sat at the budget end of the overdrive market from the start.
Is the El Mocambo Overdrive true bypass?
Yes. TC Electronic's press release for the eight new analog pedals, which included the El Mocambo, describes true bypass circuitry so your tone stays totally unaffected when the effects are off. That means the pedal's circuit is removed from the signal path when it is switched out.
Is the El Mocambo analog?
Yes. The El Mocambo Overdrive was announced as one of eight new analog pedals from TC Electronic in November 2017. The same press release describes the range as sturdy stompboxes that provide analog warmth, with steel enclosures and top-mounted jacks.
What circuit is the El Mocambo based on?
The El Mocambo is a Tube Screamer-style overdrive. MusicRadar called it the TS-aping El Mocambo Overdrive, and gearnews.com described it as a mild TS style mid hump overdrive with symmetrical clipping, which should give it an amp like character.
Sources (5)
- TC Electronic Announces 8 Analog Pedals, MusicPlayers.com, 2017-11-02
- TC Electronic's ultra-affordable El Mocambo pedal promises “unbelievable tube-like overdrive”, MusicRadar, 2017-11-02
- TC Electronics Analog Armada: A fleet of budget guitar effect pedals, gearnews.com, 2017-11-03
- TC Electronic announces Analog Armada of 8 new ultra-affordable pedals, MusicRadar, 2017-11-02
- OD/Disto/Fuzz : The key differences between these 3 effect pedals, anasounds.com, 2019-04-04
