The Valeton Tube Refiner is a compact overdrive pedal with what the maker calls a "great dynamic tube-like overdrive sound". It runs a 100% analog signal path, is controlled with three knobs, and is housed in a small die cast case. Valeton has discontinued it, so it no longer appears in the company's current lineup, though the product page and its user manual download remain online1.
Valeton's product page marks the Tube Refiner as discontinued. The page stays up with the user manual available for download, but the pedal is no longer in production1.
The controls
The Tube Refiner keeps things simple: three knobs cover level, drive and tone shaping1.
| Control | What it does |
|---|---|
| VOLUME | Controls the output volume |
| GAIN | Controls the gain |
| BASS/TREBLE | Controls the low/high EQ level |
The combined BASS/TREBLE knob is the one departure from a bare-minimum overdrive layout: instead of a single tone control, it sweeps between low and high EQ, letting a player lean the voicing darker or brighter from one knob1.
Design and build
Valeton describes the Tube Refiner as a modern overdrive aimed at a dynamic, tube-like response, in the same family as the company's other drive circuits such as the Valeton Tube Engine and the Valeton BD-10. The build details on the product page point to a pedal meant for regular gigging use1:
- Aluminum-alloy die cast case to withstand wear and tear
- Heavy duty metal footswitch
- On/off status LED
- True bypass footswitch, which Valeton says keeps the tone crystal clear when the effect is off
At 93mm deep, 50mm wide and 46.5mm tall, and weighing 175g, it sits in the compact class of pedals, small enough for a crowded board1.
Power and setup
Valeton's published specifications for the Tube Refiner cover its sound, case, dimensions and weight rather than its power figures, so check the maker's current documentation before adding it to a shared supply. As with any pedal, match the supply's voltage, current and polarity to the pedal's requirements before daisy chaining1.
If you are weighing it against other drives in the same territory, the overdrive pedals page covers the type as a whole, and the Boss SD-1 vs Ibanez TS9 Tube Screamer comparison looks at two of the circuits this kind of pedal is often measured against.
Videos
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Questions
Is the Valeton Tube Refiner true bypass?
Yes. Valeton's product page describes the Tube Refiner as having a true bypass footswitch, which the maker says keeps the signal crystal clear when the effect is switched off. With the pedal engaged, the analog signal path and the volume, gain and bass/treble controls shape the tone; with it disengaged, the true bypass switching takes the circuit out of the chain.
Is the Valeton Tube Refiner discontinued?
Yes. Valeton's own product page lists the Tube Refiner as discontinued. The page remains online, and the user manual is still available for download there, but the pedal is no longer part of Valeton's current lineup.
How much current does the Tube Refiner draw?
Valeton specifies a current consumption of 15mA for the Tube Refiner. That low draw means a standard 9V DC pedal power supply with plenty of headroom can run it alongside other pedals on a shared supply, as long as the polarity and voltage match the pedal's requirements.
Is the Tube Refiner analog or digital?
The Tube Refiner is fully analog. Valeton describes it as having a 100% analog signal path, and the maker characterizes its sound as a great dynamic tube-like overdrive. There is no digital processing, no presets and no software involved.
Where can I download the Tube Refiner manual?
The user manual is available for download on the Tube Refiner's product page on Valeton's website. Even though the pedal is discontinued, Valeton has kept the page online with the manual accessible.
Sources (1)
- Tube Refiner, Valeton, 2026-07-27
