The XAct Tone Solutions Atomic Overdrive is an overdrive pedal built around a discrete, multi-stage FET preamp with cascading gain stages. The maker describes it as capable of "a nearly unruly amount of gain," placing it at the hotter end of the overdrive range, closer in character to some distortion pedals than a light touch-drive1.
Sound and circuit
The Atomic's circuit uses cascading gain stages, meaning each FET stage feeds the next, so the gain piles up progressively rather than arriving all at once. XAct Tone Solutions describes the result this way1:
"The cascading gain stages produce a dense, musical distortion and, when pushed, develop the same type of whomp and sagging feel as a particular brand of cranked, variac-ed EL34 classic."1
That is a reference to a cranked, variac-ed EL34 amp, whose pushed feel the maker describes in terms of whomp and sag. In practice, the Atomic is presented as a pedal that develops a dense, musical distortion when its cascading gain stages are pushed. Players who want a similar multi-voice drive with more tonal options can compare it with the XAct Tone Solutions Precision Multi-Drive1.
Power, bypass and build
The Atomic Overdrive runs on 9 VDC through a 5.5 x 2.1mm center-negative plug, the standard pedalboard supply format1. The pedal is true bypass, so it stays out of the signal path when switched off1.
It measures 3.7" x 4.7" x 2" and weighs 1.0 lbs, a compact enclosure that mounts on a board without crowding1.
Background
The Atomic Overdrive is sold directly through the XAct Tone Solutions website2. The company gives its dimensions as 3.7" x 4.7" x 2" and its weight as 1.0 lbs2.
Videos
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Questions
Is the XAct Tone Solutions Atomic Overdrive true bypass?
Yes. XAct Tone Solutions lists the Atomic Overdrive as true bypass, so when the pedal is off, your guitar's signal passes through without the circuit loading it. That matters on a pedalboard where several pedals in a row can dull the top end if each one buffers or loads the signal.
Where is the Atomic Overdrive made?
The Atomic Overdrive is made in the USA, according to XAct Tone Solutions' product page. The company has built pedals in the United States since Greg Walton founded it in Houston in 2001, originally as a pedal modification business.
How big is the XAct Atomic Overdrive?
The Atomic Overdrive measures 3.7 x 4.7 x 2 inches and weighs 1.0 lbs, so it takes up a modest footprint on a pedalboard and fits standard pedalboard mounting hardware.
Sources (2)
- Atomic Overdrive, xacttone.com
- Builder Profile: XAct Tone Solutions, premierguitar.com, 2013-08-22
