The Vox Ice 9 Overdrive is a Joe Satriani signature overdrive pedal, the fourth in a series of effect pedals created in collaboration between the guitarist and Vox1. It offers two distinct overdrive modes, versatile tone shaping, and a second footswitch that adds 14dB of volume boost for solos2. Pedal of the Day describes it as "a very warm OD with a wide range of capabilities that varies from light and clean to near distortion pedal sounds"3.
The controls
The Ice 9 carries Gain, Tone, Bass and Volume knobs1. MusicRadar's Simon Bradley notes the chicken-head knobs from Vox's earlier Satriani designs remain, and here they include independent Tone and Bass controls2. The Tone control shapes the sound as it exits the drive stage, while the Bass control adds extra bottom to the sound before it enters the drive stage; turning the Bass down gives a crisp, extra bite2.
| Control | What it does |
|---|---|
| Gain | Sets the amount of overdrive1 |
| Tone | Shapes the sound as it exits the drive stage2 |
| Bass | Adds bottom before the drive stage; rolled off, it gives crisp extra bite2 |
| Volume | Sets output level1 |
| Mode switch | Micro-switch selecting Vintage or Modern2 |
| More footswitch | Adds 14dB of volume boost2 |
Vintage and Modern modes
A micro-switch on the top panel selects between Vintage and Modern modes for a greater degree of tone tailoring2. The Vintage mode is said to use a specially designed op amp integrated circuit2. With a clean amp, Vintage mode rewards you with a hike in level and drive, with a notable punch in the mid-range that has a hint of the Ibanez Tube Screamer about it2. Modern mode has a harder edge that brings picking dynamics back to the table, with less apparent compression, and it utilizes a germanium diode for a tighter, more focussed treble2.
Pedal of the Day sums up the range: "a very warm OD with a wide range of capabilities that varies from light and clean to near distortion pedal sounds"3.
The More footswitch: 14dB of boost
The top panel carries a pair of quality footswitches, and the second accesses the More function, which adds 14dB of volume boost2. Pedal of the Day's Craig H puts it in playing terms: "This pedal also has a 'More' footswitch to bump the gain for heavier rhythm or to boost you for a solo"3. Premier Guitar's demo video likewise highlights "the ever-popular 'More' switch" as part of what makes the pedal versatile1.
Design, price and what reviewers said
Premier Guitar's reviewer describes the hardware: "Packaged in a rugged, pearl-white enclosure with royal-blue pointer knobs, the Ice 9 looks clean and classy." Street price at the time of that review was $1294. Pedal of the Day's reviewer paid $130 when he bought his in 20143.
MusicRadar's verdict lists the strengths plainly: "High build quality. More function. Wide tonal range. Doesn't lack subtlety." On the downside, Bradley found very little to avoid, adding that even the price is good2.
"High build quality. More function. Wide tonal range. Doesn't lack subtlety."
Where it sits in the Vox Satriani range
The Ice 9 uses the exact same footprint as the Satchurator distortion, Satriani's signature high-gain pedal, so the two pair up neatly on a board2. The difference is gain structure: the Ice 9 is an overdrive that runs from light and clean to near distortion sounds3, while the Satchurator is a distortion. For other Vox overdrives, see the Vox Straight 6 Overdrive, the Vox Big Ben Overdrive or the wider overdrive pedal field, including the Tube Screamer comparison if the Vintage mode's mid-range character is what draws you here.
Videos
ProGuitarShopDemos
Premier Guitar
intheblues
Questions
Why is the Vox Ice 9 called Ice 9?
MusicRadar's Simon Bradley notes the pedal is named after track two on Satriani's Surfing With The Alien album, the song "Ice 9". It is part of a series of effect pedals created in collaboration between Vox and Satriani, and the name carries the album reference onto the pedal itself.
Does Joe Satriani use the Ice 9 Overdrive?
The Ice 9 is a Joe Satriani signature pedal: Premier Guitar's demo video introduces it as "the Joe Satriani Signature Ice 9 Overdrive" and describes it as the fourth in a series of effect pedals created in collaboration between the guitarist and Vox. It carries his name as a signature design rather than being a generic Vox overdrive.
Is the Ice 9 like a Tube Screamer?
There is a family resemblance in Vintage mode. MusicRadar found that with a clean amp, Vintage mode gives a hike in level and drive with a notable punch in the mid-range that has a hint of the Ibanez Tube Screamer about it. Modern mode goes elsewhere, with a harder edge and less apparent compression.
What is the difference between the Ice 9 and the Satchurator?
The Satchurator is Satriani's signature distortion pedal, while the Ice 9 is an overdrive. MusicRadar notes the Ice 9 uses the exact same footprint as the Satchurator distortion, so the two sit side by side physically, but they cover different amounts of gain: the Ice 9 ranges from light and clean to near distortion pedal sounds.
Can the Ice 9 work as a clean boost?
It can get close. Pedal of the Day describes it as a very warm overdrive with a wide range of capabilities that varies from light and clean to near distortion pedal sounds, and the More footswitch adds 14dB of volume boost. With the gain low, MusicRadar found Vintage mode with a clean amp gives a hike in level and drive.
Sources (4)
- VOX - Joe Satriani Ice 9 Overdrive Demo - Premier Guitar, Premier Guitar, 2010-03-30
- Vox Ice 9 Overdrive review, MusicRadar, 2010-10-15
- VOX Ice 9 Overdrive, Pedal of the Day, 2014-05-07
- Vox Amplification Ice 9 Overdrive Pedal Review, Premier Guitar, 2010-10-20
