Protein Dual Overdrive £319

The Protein is based around modified versions of two wellrespected drive pedal circuits: the ‘Blue’ side is based on a 1990’s Marshall Bluesbreaker but has a tweaked tone control and extra output, while the ‘Green’ side takes its cue from that Nashville session favourite the Nobels ODR-1. That pedal typically sounds best at lower Gain knob positions, and this version is tweaked with less gain to give those usable settings over a wider sweep of the Gain knob. It also features a midrange tweak for more body but less woofiness. It certainly gives you all the low-gain, early breakup sounds you could wish for, and provides a very natural push to an amp. The Blue side offers tasty amp-like drive that compresses nicely.

Either side sounds great into an amp, but both working together increases the tonal options, especially in building fat, gainier lead sounds. By default, the Green side feeds into the Blue, but you can use a loop switcher with each in a different loop.

VERDICT Two distinct sounds that can be used separately but complement each other when combined – a fine utility pedal indeed