Belcat OVD-302 Overdrive

This is an overdrive pedal that uses analog technology (cheap technology at that). This thing is not capable of being edited with MIDI or Computer controllers, and is not rackable. It can be powered with a 9V adapter.

UTILIZATION

It is a pretty simple pedal to figure out. It only has three knobs, input, tone, and output. Input can be described in more general terms as drive, while output is basically level. There is a single bypass switch. The manual is almost unnecessary, but it's well-written and easy to follow. This thing is pretty cheaply made, so be careful with it, I've read some horror stories online. Mine hasn't broken yet, but I'm nervous that it will if I mistreat it at all.

SOUND QUALITY

This pedal sounds great on its own, if you just need a really slight boost in the graininess of your clean tone. Otherwise, it's better used in conjunction with other overdrives and distortions, as a boost for those pedals. It's pretty weak so don't expect to rock out on this guy alone. However, it is a nice, smooth overdrive, and would work well if you are playing leads that are basically clean and just need a bit of a volume and clarity boost to ring out above the rhythm section. I find that using it with a Fuzz Factory or a Big Muff is a great way to basically allow for it to kick those pedals up a notch or two, which is impressive, since those things really kick up quite a storm on their own.

OVERALL OPINION

This pedal is useful, and can definitely benefit a good amount of players if used properly. I would never suggest that it be used as a single overdrive pedal. I would also advise that while it is cheap, it's likely to break easily, so it's probably not the greatest pedal to use if you're looking for a permanent addition. For short-term use, it's pretty much perfect.

It is an analog overdrive pedal based on the famous Ibanez TS series. Only three knobs (tone, level, drive). Although the pedal's price is cheap, the metal case seems rather sturdy (much heavier than a Boss for approximately the same size). The switch is a bit messy though, not only does it cause a strange "bleeep!" when you activate it but also it switches on automatically whenever you plug the pedal.

UTILIZATION

Don't remember if there even was a manual, but it definitely isn't needed -- hey, we're talking about a stompbox with THREE MERE KNOBS! If you can read, you can use it, period. And if you can't read... well, then what are you doing here anyway?

SOUND QUALITY

A good sounding pedal that can go from a nice boost to creamy overdrive with the drive knob all ways up and the volume kept down to a fatter sound with the volume control turned higher. Will do the job for any Hendrixian to Pearl Jamesque sound you could ever want, including everything in between -- but don't expect to play metal with it. It is also very efficient in boosting an Electro Harmonix Big Muff while providing the mids the B.M. originally lacks...

OVERALL OPINION

I've been using this pedal for one year now. I tried a vintage Marshall Guv'nor (the original, black one) and Ibanez something (a digital-programmable yet analog-sounding pedal from the 80s) and found both of them less convincing than this low-priced, Chinese-made stompbox which didn't even cost half the price of any of the other two.

For someone like me who only has a limited interest in overdrive sounds, it is definitely not worth spending 2 or 3 times the price of this one for an Ibanez or Maxon while this one definitely CAN do the job; and, for the rest of you, this pedal is most likely far from perfect but it is definitely worth trying -- especially for its low price (a bit under the 40€ mark).

An analog Tubescreamer, bearing the trsclbre JRC4558 circuit and the usual three pots.
I am not sure it is true bypass.

USE

It's super simple and Tubescreamer of assum role perfectly. I sounds which I expected.

SOUND QUALITY

Total efficiency. I use it as between a stratovolcano and channel typ Fender Laney VC50 one to walk in the directory of SRV. has done and very well.
I also use it with all my guitars (Fen, Gib, Iba) to thicken crunch sounds the same channel, according to its sought-.

NOTICE GLOBAL

I use it for it's markets, great value qualitprix. If you really critique: perhaps the jars lack a bit of resistance (without playing electric words).

All adj t said. I will only add that I had bought in the knowledge that it is lectroniquement the cheapest of all the clones of the Ibanez TS808. As I have a strat and Laney VC50, the first channel is Fender ++ inspiration and I adore SRV, my happiness could not be combl that which was done. And as my BOSS ME50 is breaking down, I redcouvre my gear. We did not realize it or we get used to it: multi effects puff the timbre of instruments because it does not have true bypass and interface remain active as long as the signal passes through them. With the OVD-302 between the guitar and some rverbe, I find a sound in three dimensions. I decided to buy the chorus and phasing Belcat without resorting to multi effects. Regarding the delay, wah wah, noise gate and compressor, I will consider other brands.

USE

Enough said.

SOUND QUALITY

Enough said.

NOTICE GLOBAL

Enough said.