Origin Effects M-EQ DRIVER

Presenting the Origin Effects M-EQ Driver pedal.

The M-EQ DRIVER is a mid booster & drive pedal, based on a vintage Pultec® studio EQ. This unique pedal offers a range of mid-focused tones, from a subtle mid boost to thick, resonant overdrive and features the Adaptive Circuitry recently introduced on Origin's Halcyon Green Overdrive. The M-EQ Driver is a pedal with a character all of its own and offers a new flavour of mid boost and drive.

Still sought after today, the passive Pultec® EQs of the 1950s can be heard on thousands of hit records thanks to their highly musical, versatile EQ curves and the ability to overdrive their push-pull output stage. Rather than an exact replica, Origin Effects have chosen to reimagine this classic piece of studio gear as a guitar-oriented, compact pedal, with a harmonically rich, transformer-equipped circuit recreating the sonic footprint of the original.

A choice of three mid-range frequencies ensures that you can boost just the right part of your guitar signal and, when pushed harder, can elicit a range of saturation from a classic “mid-hump” overdrive to fierce “cocked wah” distortion. Thanks to the Adaptive Circuitry, the high-end roll-off of the Cut control is reduced as the pedal cleans up. This allows for a smooth transition from warm overdrive to bright clean tones in response to playing dynamics or guitar volume knob changes.

Built in the UK to the highest standards, the M-EQ DRIVER continues the Origin Effects tradition of vintage, studio-inspired tones in modern guitar pedals.

M-EQ Driver Key Features at a glance:

• Based on the legendary Pultec® studio EQs of the 1950s
• Choice of mid boost frequencies
• Adaptive CUT control responds to volume changes and playing dynamics
• Transformer-equipped circuitry
• Valve-like push-pull output stage
• Ultra-high input impedance
• High-quality buffered bypass
• Premium components throughout
• Designed and built in England

The original Pultec® studio EQs are renowned for having some of the most natural and musical EQ curves in existence, so we recreated the behaviour of this timeless, passive EQ and optimised it for electric guitar. To make sure you’re emphasising just the right part of your signal, the M-EQ DRIVER lets you choose between 0.8, 1.0 and 1.3 KCS mid boost frequencies (yes, we even kept the old “Kilocycles Per Second” label – Kilohertz in the present day). 

Not only does this versatile mid boost guarantee compatibility with all kinds of guitars but, when pushed harder, can elicit a range of saturation from a classic “mid-hump” overdrive to ferocious, resonant distortion tones. Equipped with a transformer, this carefully developed circuit adds harmonic richness, while faithfully recreating the sonic footprint of an original vintage Pultec®. 

Using the MID knob in conjunction with the DRIVE control lets you balance mid boost with overdrive, giving your clean or overdriven tones as much or as little mid-emphasis as you need. 

To add something new to this classic design, the team at Origin have equipped the M-EQ DRIVER with their Adaptive Circuitry, applied to the CUT control. Based on the High Frequency Attenuation band of a Pultec®, the CUT control progressively removes treble as it is increased. With the ADAPT switch engaged, this high-end roll-off is reduced as the pedal cleans up, allowing for a smooth transition from warm overdrive to bright clean tones by adjusting your guitar’s volume knob or playing dynamics.