[Carefully Selected] 9 Recommended TS Overdrives! The Best Distortion Effects for the Ultimate Mid Boost [Sound Demos and Reviews]

"TS-type overdrive" is the classic sound that brings out the sweet midrange of tube amps, and has supported guitarists for over 40 years.

However, today's pedal market is full of unique and multi-functional models that go beyond just clones.

So this time 9 models from classic to the latest high-end We have carefully selected these models and summarized their character, knob design, and usability.

After reading this book, you will have clearer questions like, "I want to reproduce the tone of that song," or "Which board would suit my needs?"

What is TS-type overdrive? The appeal of mid boost and symmetrical clipping

A favorite among guitaristsTS type overdriveis a general term for pedals that inherit the overdrive circuit typical of the Ibanez Tube Screamer that appeared in the late 1970s. Its biggest feature is its unique mid-range boost.Mid BoostEffect of op amp + silicon diodeSymmetric ClippingThis is the smooth distortion that comes from the circuit.

In terms of sound creation, the low frequencies are moderately cut to create a tone that is less likely to be buried in a band ensemble, while the pleasant mid-range is emphasized to give presence and tenacity to lead playing. In addition, the compression feeling created by symmetrical clipping earns sustain while avoiding excessive quirks, and the transition from clean to crunch is smooth.

The original Tube Screamer (TS-808 and TS9) became famous overnight because it was used by many professionals, including blues master Stevie Ray Vaughan (SRV).Boutique pedalsManufacturers have released a number of models that are based on TS circuits but have improvements and added functions.

The classic warm midrange and pleasant distortion remain the same, butWide Frequency Range,High headroom, some with additional EQ or gain modes, and have evolved to suit the modern music scene.

9 Recommended TS Overdrive Effects

Ibanez / TS9

The TS1980, which first appeared in the early 9s, is a classic among overdrive pedals. Its smooth, natural distortion with a boosted midrange gives it a presence that stands out in rock and blues solos.

Its sound, which gives the midrange a sticky, glossy tone while still taking advantage of the guitar's natural tone, has been used in many famous performances. Its simple operability and sturdy housing make it easy to use, and it is also effective when used to boost the distortion of an amplifier. It has also received very high market acclaim, and is supported by professionals and beginners alike as a "must-have unit."

JHS Pedals / The Bonsai

JHS Pedals The Bonsai is an amazing overdrive that packs the sounds of nine TS pedals into a small, bonsai-like body. Just turn the mode switch knob to instantly access each of the legendary tones, from the late 9s BOSS OD-1970, to the famous Ibanez TS-1/TS808, the rare TS9, and even the Polish Exar and Keeley modified versions, to the JHS original enhanced TS.

The sound character of each mode is faithfully expressed even in subtle differences, and it is so well-crafted that you can feel that "when you switch between them, it's definitely that pedal." For example, the 808 and TS9 have slightly different mid-range bandwidths and distortion textures, and the Keeley mode has a rougher texture and a refined sheen, and every detail has been carefully crafted. Enjoy the roughness of asymmetric clipping in the [OD-1] mode, and the smooth and sticky late 10s sound in the [TS80] mode... it's refreshing to be able to tour the history of vintage TS sounds with just one unit.

JHS's unique Strong Mod (the "JHS" position on the mode switch knob) is a modern distortion with an expanded range compared to conventional TS pedals, and is very practical as a standalone overdrive. In fact, some users have said that the JHS and Keeley modes alone are worth it, and you will find uses for all nine types. It is difficult to collect many vintage pedals, but with The Bonsai, you can call up that sound with the flip of a switch. Josh Scott of JHS says, "This isn't just one pedal, it's worth nine." As he says, it's a magical pedal that fulfills more than its price.

Xotic / BB Preamp

Xotic's BB Preamp is a versatile TS-type overdrive worthy of the name "best booster." The distortion character is mellow and rounded with a focus on the midrange. It wraps up the hard sound peculiar to the single coils of Stratocasters and Telecasters to a moderate degree, and the sound blends in comfortably and smoothly in the band.

Even with a modest gain setting, there is sound pressure, and even when strumming chords, each string has good grain, so it can be used for a wide range of purposes, from backing to lead vocals. The 2-band EQ is also a big factor, so for example, if the bass sounds too loud on a humbucker-equipped guitar, you can cut the Bass, and if the treble sounds too harsh on a Strat, you can instantly adjust it.

Depending on the settings, you can freely control anything from a sweet lead tone with a mid-boost to a flat booster-like sound. From blues solos that make the most of the cabinet's resonance to cutting modern pop songs, this is a reliable unit that you can say "with this, you'll be fine." Because of its straightforward distortion that's not too strong,A tone that blends naturally into the whole bandI can understand why people say that.Famous machineIt's an overdrive worthy of the name.

VEMURAM / TSV808

The TSV808 is a collaboration model developed with the aim of creating the ultimate TS808. The rich midrange components of the original TS808 are combined with the open and transparent sound of the Vemuram Jan Ray to create a high-quality drive sound like no other before. The trim pot on the back allows you to freely adjust the low-frequency output and distortion saturation. With the knob at 12 o'clock, it works the same as the conventional TS808, and at higher settings, you can explore new territory.

Furthermore, it has a DIP switch inside to change the clipping method, allowing you to finely adjust the settings to suit your needs, such as symmetrical clipping for a natural sound that is faithful to the original, and asymmetrical clipping for a more subdued character with less distortion. Although expensive, the brass housing and high-quality parts give it an overwhelming rich sound quality and dynamics, and it will stand out in the mix whether you're playing in a band or recording.

MAXON / OD-9 Pro+

The OD-9 Pro+ is a modern extension of Maxon's OD9 TS pedal. Its biggest feature is the Boost mode, which gives you an aggressive overdrive sound with a stronger midrange when switched to Boost, in contrast to the Normal (normal OD9 sound).

This powerful mid boost further boosts the distortion of high-gain amps, adding a sense of stickiness and saturation to take your solo a step further. In addition, the gain range is designed to be wide, and at the lowest gain, it is possible to achieve a boost sound close to clean with reduced distortion components, allowing for more subtle distortion adjustments than ever before. Equipped with a DC-DC converter that switches between 9V/18V operation, it is reputed to provide a greater dynamic range and stability at 18V, and a rich, thick mid-range sound at 9V.

The OD-9 Pro+ has increased flexibility without compromising the appeal of the Tube Screamer, and is highly regarded for its presence that doesn't get lost in a band sound and its ease of use.

Cornerstone Music Gear / Antique

Antique v3 is a 2-channel overdrive that has been modernized to create a vintage TS tone with multiple functions. In addition to the main distortion, it has a gain/volume boost section (Hot mode) before and after the pedal, so you can use it like a 2-channel pedal with the flip of a switch.

In normal mode, you get a persistent mid boost straight from the TS808, and when you switch to Hot mode, it adds even more thickness and volume, making it the perfect lead tone for solos. You can also choose from two levels of compression, from the mild classic TS to open, dynamic distortion. In fact, it has a wider range than a normal TS and a richer mid-low range, but it is also said to have a refined, crisp sound.

As a result, it can freely cover a range of tones from clean crunch to dense drive, and is easy to use and won't get lost in a band ensemble. It's intuitive to use and has a high degree of freedom in settings, so it's a pedal that will truly invite you into the world of tone creativity.

YouTube

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Keeley Electronics / Noble Screamer

Keeley's Noble Screamer is a pedal with the concept of combining the "delicious parts" of different famous overdrives to create an unprecedented hybrid sound. Inside are two types of tone circuits, ODR-1 type (wide band, natural tone) and TS type (tone focused on the mid-range), and two types of distortion circuits, hard clipping and soft clipping, which can be selected by a toggle switch.

For example, if you set both to TS, you get the same sound as a traditional Tube Screamer, if you set both to OD, you get a clear crunch like the Nobels ODR-1, and if you set only the tone to TS + clipping OD, you get a new distortion with a soft mid-range boost and some roughness. It may seem complicated, but the controls are intuitive with only three knobs and two switches, and the details include silent switching and buffer/true bypass switching, making it easy to use in practice.

Combining the tenacity of the TS808 and the breadth of the ODR-1 in one unit, and its flexibility to transform into either "classic or modern" depending on the genre, it has been highly praised since its release as "a pedal modeling that's like a pedal, but completely analog."

King Tone Guitar / The Duellist

The Duellist is a 2-in-1 overdrive for blues guitarists, with a TS808-style mid-boost OD on the right "String-Singer" and a BluesBreaker-style crunch OD on the left "Heavy-Hand". Each channel has independent controls, and a 3-mode sound quality switch, Fat/Stock/Glass, allows you to adjust the thickness of the low range and the clarity of the high range.

The right channel is open and has a crunchy top end, while the left channel has a thick, fat midrange compression, providing superb tones on its own. When used in combination with the other channels, they complement each other like a "duel," creating countless overdrive tones.

For example, you can use it freely, such as always-on crunch on the left and boosting it with the right during solos, and the various DIP switches allow you to set the clipping symmetrically/asymmetrically and even in "SRV mode." It is praised as the "ultimate overdrive" for its sound quality that does not get lost in a band ensemble, yet has a natural tube amp-like sound quality, and despite its high price, it is enthusiastically supported by professional players around the world.

Leqtique / Maestro Antique Revised (MAR)

Maestro Antique Revised (commonly known as MAR) is a boutique overdrive pedal made in Japan that was designed with the concept of "further refining the goodness of the TS-10 in a more modern way." While focusing on the sweet mids that are characteristic of the TS series, it retains a moderate amount of the low frequencies that tend to be cut off in previous models, emphasizing the thickness of chords and the core of leads.

The smooth distortion of the NOS Japanese-made diodes responds well to the touch of the hand, and even with a clean setting, the rich overtones are appealing. The gain range is kept low to medium, giving a sense of "pushing" while not compromising the sense of separation, so it can also be used as an always-on preamp/booster. In addition, the company's unique VPtP board virtually reproduces the thickness of point-to-point wiring, suppressing signal loss and noise while ensuring mass production. Although it is difficult to obtain due to limited production, it has gained strong support from TS fans both in Japan and abroad for its balanced tone, which is described as "just the right distortion," and its one-of-a-kind appearance.

Summary | Guide to finding the ideal distortion in the “TS” series

position	Key Model	Sound & Function Features	For players like this
Classic Royal Road	Ibanez TS9 / Maxon OD-9 Pro+	Traditional mid-range boost that brings the guitar forward. OD-9 Pro+ has boost mode and 18V boost for on-site versatility	For those who want to avoid failure during live performances and home recordings, with a focus on the classic TS sound
Premium & Boutique	Vemuram TSV808 / Cornerstone Antique / Leqtique Maestro	The brass body and NOS parts produce a rich overtone and a tone that doesn't lose its lows. Antique can also be used as a 2ch.	Those who want to achieve the “thick and lustrous” clean to crunch sound of SRV or John Mayer.
Multifunctional Hybrid	Xotic BB Preamp / JHS The Bonsai / Keeley Noble Screamer	Active EQ, 9 mode switching, 4-in-1 system, and more - a versatile drive in one unit	Cover/session musicians who want to change the tone for each song, and those who want to keep the board to a minimum
Dual & Stack Specialized	King Tone The Duellist	Infinite expansion with 2ch of TS + Bluesbreaker in order and fine EQ/clipping adjustment	Blues/Rock guitarists who want to keep the crunch on all the time and add a bit of definition to their solos

While TS-type overdrive pedals share a common DNA of "sweet mids + moderate compression," each brand has added their own unique touch to create a surprisingly wide range of options. Looking at the nine models featured here, their uses and characters can be broadly divided into four types.

Each model has evolved based on the merits of the TS series, and is sure to be a machine that you can use for a long time even as your environment or playing style changes.