Airis savage drive or proto drive

[mchn13]

Anyone have experience with these? Started a new project and looking for a boost to push my marshalls into a little more metal territory.

 

[braintheory]

I have both along with 3 other Airis pedals (but the other 3 are discontinued). The Savage is my overall favorite OD pedal ever! It's super tight, articulate, and adds the right amount of saturation and grit, but is still transparent compared to other OD's without suffocating the amp with too much compression or midhonk like your typical tubescreamer pedal. The Protodrive is equally good for tightness and articulation, but is a much more subtle effect (even though the Savage is already more transparent than a lot of OD pedals), but not as good for leads and single notes, since it doesn't add much juice or saturation or growl for powerchords, but it has also lots of cool mid-shaping abilities but again it's subtle for that too. Both are keepers for me, but the Savage is more versatile and may be a better one to start with. What amp are you using though? If you're using a very compressed amp like Engl, Diezels, or Peavey's you may prefer the Protodrive since it'll be more open and subtle, but both are great

 

[mchn13]

I have both along with 3 other Airis pedals (but the other 3 are discontinued). The Savage is my overall favorite OD pedal ever! It's super tight, articulate, and adds the right amount of saturation and grit, but is still transparent compared to other OD's without suffocating the amp with too much compression or midhonk like your typical tubescreamer pedal. The Protodrive is equally good for tightness and articulation, but is a much more subtle effect (even though the Savage is already more transparent than a lot of OD pedals), but not as good for leads and single notes, since it doesn't add much juice or saturation or growl for powerchords, but it has also lots of cool mid-shaping abilities but again it's subtle for that too. Both are keepers for me, but the Savage is more versatile and may be a better one to start with. What amp are you using though? If you're using a very compressed amp like Engl, Diezels, or Peavey's you may prefer the Protodrive since it'll be more open and subtle, but both are great

'86 jcm800's run in stereo. I love the tone I get, but the new project I want a smoother more saturated sound than I get with my maxon. Just a little more modern sounding.

 

[braintheory]

I have both along with 3 other Airis pedals (but the other 3 are discontinued). The Savage is my overall favorite OD pedal ever! It's super tight, articulate, and adds the right amount of saturation and grit, but is still transparent compared to other OD's without suffocating the amp with too much compression or midhonk like your typical tubescreamer pedal. The Protodrive is equally good for tightness and articulation, but is a much more subtle effect (even though the Savage is already more transparent than a lot of OD pedals), but not as good for leads and single notes, since it doesn't add much juice or saturation or growl for powerchords, but it has also lots of cool mid-shaping abilities but again it's subtle for that too. Both are keepers for me, but the Savage is more versatile and may be a better one to start with. What amp are you using though? If you're using a very compressed amp like Engl, Diezels, or Peavey's you may prefer the Protodrive since it'll be more open and subtle, but both are great

'86 jcm800's run in stereo. I love the tone I get, but the new project I want a smoother more saturated sound than I get with my maxon. Just a little more modern sounding.

Sounds like the Savage would be the one to get then. I'd also recommend the Airis Solar Flare, but that's discontinued. You may also really like the KHDK Ghoul Screamer. Also a great pedal and more tubescreamer like (definitely the best tubescreamer type pedal I've tried)

 

[maddnotez]

Try the Savage, then try the original Koko boost.

 

[crwnedblasphemy]

I have the savage drive as well. Rick/owner is great to talk with and is a nice dude. I love the savage drive for my axes tuned below C, but sometimes prefer my Horus overdrive for higher timings as it has this more vintage sound. Savage is awesome, way better than the protone misha pedal I had. That thing was hisstown.

 

[mchn13]

I have the savage drive as well. Rick/owner is great to talk with and is a nice dude. I love the savage drive for my axes tuned below C, but sometimes prefer my Horus overdrive for higher timings as it has this more vintage sound. Savage is awesome, way better than the protone misha pedal I had. That thing was hisstown.

I'm using it for drop c tuning. I can get enough gain out of my maxon to pull it off, but still has that mid honk flavor(which is usually great), but I'm really trying for a new sound with this project, and my Marshall takes boosts like a champ. I've heard the save is quieter as well.
Thanks

 

[maddnotez]

I have the savage drive as well. Rick/owner is great to talk with and is a nice dude. I love the savage drive for my axes tuned below C, but sometimes prefer my Horus overdrive for higher timings as it has this more vintage sound. Savage is awesome, way better than the protone misha pedal I had. That thing was hisstown.

I'm using it for drop c tuning. I can get enough gain out of my maxon to pull it off, but still has that mid honk flavor(which is usually great), but I'm really trying for a new sound with this project, and my Marshall takes boosts like a champ. I've heard the save is quieter as well.
Thanks

You know something else to consider. Eminence Legend V12's.

Coming from a strictly Vintage 30 guy, at first the Legends seemed too middy but now after having them broken in and having some time with them.....The V30's are just too scooped.

I haven't plugged in my V30 can since. It sounds great, sits better in the mix and they're pretty cheap speakers.

To me they sound a lot like V30's but not scooped.

 

[mchn13]

Try the Savage, then try the original Koko boost.

What is it about the koko that you suggest? I've never spent any time with one. I do like the two switch/different levels of boost thing. Only thing holding me back on the savage drive is it only uses a power supply and can't use a battery. I've been using a eh soul food boost for this so far as it has a more even eq than my tubescreamer/boss overdrives,etc.

 

[maddnotez]

Try the Savage, then try the original Koko boost.

What is it about the koko that you suggest? I've never spent any time with one. I do like the two switch/different levels of boost thing. Only thing holding me back on the savage drive is it only uses a power supply and can't use a battery. I've been using a eh soul food boost for this so far as it has a more even eq than my tubescreamer/boss overdrives,etc.

Well I'd have to double check but I think the Koko is power supply only as well, I could be wrong?

But you can use at 18v and idk man it's just perfect for me.

Grainier sounding, more metal and is just nice.

The clean boost side I actually never use. Unfortunately it is not stackable, if it was that pedal would be perfect.

I used to only use the Maxon because it was the best but IMO the Suhr decimated it AND it does not seem like a "mid hump" type of pedal. Plenty of bass still.

I typically use one setting BUT it has a 3 way toggle for I think the clipping type but what is really cool is that you can decide which mid frequency you want to boost. It is like a range sweep knob I guess. I Boost the kind of low mids at like 35% on the knob.

I absolutely love it but had to wait a very long time for a good deal since it's so expensive.

With that said, disclaimer: There is a member here who has the same amp as I, the Rev 2 Uberschall and he did not like the pedal.

TL;DR I Guess you just have to try them all to see what suits you best. To me it's more metal to sum it up. Also I tt a guy who had both the Savage and the Koko and he sold the Savage. If you get the Koko test at both 9v and 18v.

 

[crwnedblasphemy]

I would love to play an original koko myself. Been on my list to try

 

[maddnotez]

I would love to play an original koko myself. Been on my list to try

Well since it is my secret ingredient I cannot turn it into a loaner but if for some reason you are near St. Louis or Chicago I could certainly let you check it out.

 

[dooredge]

I bought a Doomsday Delay and The Savage after seeing this thread. The demos of the pedals I watched sounded killer. Hope I get the same results.

 

[maddnotez]

I bought a Doomsday Delay and The Savage after seeing this thread. The demos of the pedals I watched sounded killer. Hope I get the same results.

I'm sure you would be happy with both. When I talk about the Suhr I am definitely not knocking Airis. In fact, I was considering that myself but I could not afford both, I heard more about the Koko and I tt a guy that I trusted who did have both.

No doubt the Airis will get you a good and different sound for modern metal vs the 808's and there is no denying the fact that they are built well and have some of the coolest graphics you will find.

 

[braintheory]

I used to own a Koko Boost (pretty sure it was original. I bought it in 2011) and I did not like it as much as my other pedals. It won't tighten up your sound or add articulation or aggression like the Savage, but I guess it can sound fatter depending on how you set it and like others said it won't sacfricie low end but it also didn't tighten it much either, so I didn't find it very useful for my needs. Like others said the Savage also won't sound nasally like the Maxon. The KHDK Ghoul Screamer still has a lot of that Maxon voicing but MUCH better

 

[crwnedblasphemy]

It's good to see so many good overdrives out there, each to match our own needs.

 

[Racerxrated]

Well dammit now I have Savage Gas. Thanks.

 

[mchn13]

Well dammit now I have Savage Gas. Thanks.

Lol. I know right? Guess I'm gonna give one of these a go.

 

[maddnotez]

Could always order the Precision Drive.

 

[dooredge]

Finally got my pedals from Airis. Canada Post sucks! LOL! Took a full 10 days to get the pedals. I was checking the tracking like a junky.

At any rate, extremely pleased with both the Doomsday Delay and The Savage. It was late when I got to plug them in so I didn't get to push any volume, but from what I can tell, these two will be keepers.

Good call Mr. Braintheory!