The latest addition to the popular Strymon family of pedals is the Riverside Multistage Drive. Riverside is the result of intense research into and analysis of many analog and tube overdrive and distortion circuits and devices. Riverside uses cascading gain stages to create harmonically rich drive tones — originating from an analog JFET first stage — that feel and sound natural, no matter the gain level. From “clean” overdrive to intense, massive distortion, Riverside delivers awesome tonality and player touch-friendly response.
Riverside offers a ton of tone-shaping power, with gain and drive controls, post-drive three-band EQ, high- and low-gain settings, a post-analog mid-push option, three-position presence switch, and up to 6dB of boost, accessible via an optional footswitch. Riverside uses continuously variable circuit tuning to follow changes in gain with multiple parameter tweaks to optimize the “sweet spot” anywhere on the gain spectrum. An onboard “Favorite” switch allows you to save and select one preset, so you can have two completely different tones under your feet at all times. Onboard noise reduction keeps things quiet, even at extreme gain settings. You can even morph between settings using an expression pedal. Or, use an expression for volume control!
Specifications
- Custom cascading multistage distortion topology provides a wide range of tube-inspired drive tones
- Digitally controlled analog class A JFET input gain stage maximizes headroom while adding up to 20dB of pure analog gain
- Precision crafted DSP gain stages provide detailed complexity and responsiveness
- Low gain channel for smooth classic overdrive
- High gain channel for modern saturated distortion
- 3-band EQ with independent Bass, Middle and Treble controls
- Selectable post-analog gain mid-band EQ push
- Presence switch to tailor the sound for use with all amplifiers from dark to bright
- Optional variable-threshold noise reduction helps tame noisy guitar pickups
Ins, Outs, and Switches
- High impedance mono input
- Mono output
- Favorite footswitch to save a favorite setting
- Expression pedal input allows the connection an expression pedal for simultaneous morphing control over multiple parameters (Expression mode), or logarithmic taper for smooth volume control (Volume mode)
- Boost pedal input allows connection of an external footswitch for up to +6dB of analog boost, or to toggle the Favorite preset on other Strymon pedals (Favorite Out mode)
Audio Quality
- Ultra low noise, high performance 24-bit 96kHz A/D and D/A converters provide uncompromising audio quality
- Premium analog front end and output section
- Super high performance SHARC DSP in a compact form factor
- 32-bit floating point processing
Other
- True Bypass (electromechanical relay switching)
- Strong and lightweight anodized gold aluminum chassis
- 9V DC power supply included
- Power requirements: maximum 9 volts DC center-negative, with a minimum of 250mA of current