The Visual Sound VS-XO Premium Dual Overdrive is a dual overdrive pedal: two individual overdrive circuits in one enclosure that players can use separately or together. Each section has its own on/off footswitch, and each also has its own set of inputs and outputs, so the two sides can be set up and routed independently.1
Two overdrive circuits in one pedal
Each half of the VS-XO is a complete overdrive with its own footswitch, so the two sides can be engaged independently. Each section also has its own set of inputs and outputs, which allows you to use and externally engage each section separately, or to reorder the two circuits in your signal chain relative to other pedals.1
For a simpler setup, plugging into the outermost input and output jack places Overdrive 1 in front of Overdrive 2, with both signals mixed internally.1
The two sections are not identical. Guitar World's review describes the right section as having an EQ curve with boosted midrange, while the left section has a flat midrange EQ.1
Controls
The two sides carry different control sets:
| Section | Controls |
|---|---|
| Overdrive 1 (right) | Drive, tone, volume and clean mix, plus three-position clipping and bass switches1 |
| Overdrive 2 (left) | Drive, tone and volume, along with a rotary bass control1 |
The clean mix control on Overdrive 1 blends clean signal in with the driven signal, one of the tools that lets the pedal span a wide range of gain settings1.
What reviewers said
Guitar World's 2014 review was positive about the pedal's range. On the sounds it covers, the reviewer wrote1:
On where to start when shaping a tone, the same review found:
"The Overdrive 1 section is more versatile, and it's the best place to dial in your ideal overall tone."
Where it sits in Visual Sound's range
Visual Sound built its name on dual pedals and overdrives, and the VS-XO arrived as the company's premium take on the format. Related pedals in the maker's line include the Visual Sound Route 66, the Route 808 and the Open Road Overdrive. For more on the effect type, see Overdrive Pedals1.
Videos
Sweetwater
Guitar World
Truetone
Questions
Can you use both overdrives in the VS-XO at the same time?
Yes. The VS-XO holds two individual overdrive circuits that players can use separately or together. Players who prefer a simple setup can plug into the outermost input and output jack, in which case Overdrive 1 is placed in front of Overdrive 2 with both signals mixed internally inside the pedal.
Can you run the two sections of the VS-XO separately?
Yes. In addition to having its own on/off footswitch, each section has its own set of inputs and outputs, which allows you to use and externally engage each section separately, or reorder the two circuits in your signal chain with other pedals.
What does the clean mix control do on the VS-XO?
The clean mix control appears on the Overdrive 1 section, alongside drive, tone and volume. It blends clean signal with the overdriven signal, which is part of how the pedal reaches tones from clean boost and subtle crunch to amp-like grind and fat, compressed distortion.
How much does the Visual Sound VS-XO cost?
Guitar World's April 2014 review listed the VS-XO at a street price of $179.
Sources (1)
- Review: Visual Sound VS-XO Premium Dual Overdrive Pedal, Guitar World, 2014-04-28
