Background
The Xotic SL Drive is a compact overdrive and distortion pedal inspired by the sound and response of legendary British Super Lead and Super Bass amplifiers.
Known for their woody character, organic saturation, and dynamic response, these classic amplifier designs helped define some of the most recognizable guitar tones in rock history. Players including Jimmy Page and Paul Kossoff are closely associated with this style of British amp tone.
Xotic designed the SL Drive to capture that character in an exceptionally compact pedal. Rather than simply producing a fixed distortion sound, the SL Drive is designed to respond much like an amplifier, reacting naturally to picking dynamics and cleaning up as the guitar's volume control is rolled back.
Internal DIP switches provide additional control over the pedal's EQ and gain structure, allowing it to move between the brighter, more aggressive character of a Super Lead and the warmer, fuller response of a Super Bass.
Controls
Drive — Controls the amount of overdrive and saturation. Lower settings can provide mild breakup and amp-like grit, while higher settings produce a more saturated, higher-gain British overdrive sound.
Tone — Adjusts the overall tonal balance of the overdrive. Use lower settings for a warmer, smoother sound or increase the control for additional high-frequency presence and bite.
Volume — Controls the overall output level of the pedal. This can be used to match the bypassed volume, add a level boost, or push the input of an amplifier or another pedal further into overdrive.
On/Off Footswitch — Engages or bypasses the SL Drive using true-bypass switching.
Status LED — Illuminates when the pedal is active.
Internal DIP Switches
Four internal DIP switches provide additional control over the SL Drive's frequency response and output level. These switches allow the basic character of the pedal to be tailored to different guitars, amplifiers, and playing styles.
DIP Switch 1 — High/Mid Frequency Control #1
Changes the high- and mid-frequency voicing and works together with DIP Switch 2
to establish the pedal's basic EQ character.
DIP Switch 2 — High/Mid Frequency Control #2
Provides an additional high/mid voicing option. Different combinations of
switches 1 and 2 help create the Super Lead, Super Lead+, and Super Bass responses.
DIP Switch 3 — High/Mid Cut
Reduces the upper-mid and high-frequency response for a smoother and less aggressive
voicing.
DIP Switch 4 — +6 dB Boost
Provides an additional approximately +6 dB of output boost.
The boost is engaged when DIP Switch 4 is in the Off position.
Factory Voicings
Xotic provides several suggested DIP-switch configurations that significantly alter the basic response of the SL Drive.
Super Lead — Factory Default
DIP 1: On | DIP 2: Off | DIP 3: Off | DIP 4: On
The standard SL Drive voicing. This setting provides the brighter, more aggressive response and additional gain associated with the classic Super Lead sound.
Super Lead High/Mid Cut
DIP 1: On | DIP 2: Off | DIP 3: On | DIP 4: On
Retains the basic Super Lead character while reducing some of the high- and mid-frequency content for a smoother overall response.
Super Lead+ / More Highs
DIP 1: On | DIP 2: On | DIP 3: Off | DIP 4: Off
A more aggressive variation with additional high-frequency presence along with the internal +6 dB boost.
Super Bass
DIP 1: Off | DIP 2: Off | DIP 3: Off | DIP 4: On
Provides a warmer, fuller response with additional low-frequency emphasis and less high-frequency content than the Super Lead setting.
Super Lead vs. Super Bass
The Super Lead voicing is the brighter and more aggressive of the two primary settings, with greater high-frequency presence and a higher-gain character. It works particularly well when a cutting, articulate British overdrive sound is desired.
The Super Bass voicing shifts the response toward a warmer and fuller sound, with more emphasis on the lower frequencies and a softer high end. This can be useful with brighter amplifiers, single-coil pickups, or whenever a thicker overdrive sound is preferred.
Because the SL Drive remains responsive to the guitar's output level, either voicing can cover a wide range of gain simply by adjusting picking dynamics and the guitar's volume control.
Power & Headroom
The SL Drive can operate from 9V to 18V DC. Standard 9V operation provides the pedal's normal response, while running at a higher voltage provides increased headroom and a more open, dynamic feel.
Higher-voltage operation can also provide additional top-end clarity and reduce the amount of compression in the pedal's response.
The pedal uses a standard 2.1 mm × 5.5 mm center-negative DC connection. A regulated power supply is recommended.
The SL Drive can also operate from a single 9V battery. When an external power supply is connected, the battery is automatically disconnected from the circuit.
When operating from a battery, unplug the input cable when the pedal will not be used for an extended period to help preserve battery life. Battery access requires removal of the four screws from the bottom plate.
Features
Classic British Amp-Inspired Voicing — Designed around the tonal character of vintage Super Lead and Super Bass amplifiers, with organic saturation and a responsive, amp-like feel.
Dynamic Response — Responds naturally to changes in picking intensity and cleans up effectively when the guitar's volume control is reduced.
Super Lead & Super Bass Modes — Internal switching allows the pedal to move between brighter, higher-gain Super Lead characteristics and the warmer, fuller Super Bass response.
Four Internal DIP Switches — Provide additional high/mid EQ options, a high/mid cut, and an internal +6 dB boost.
True Bypass — Removes the effect circuit from the signal path when the pedal is disengaged.
Compact Format — Provides a wide range of British-style overdrive and distortion sounds in Xotic's compact mini-pedal enclosure.
9–18V Operation — Supports higher-voltage operation for increased headroom, dynamics, and clarity.
Specifications
Effect Type: Overdrive / Distortion
Controls: Drive, Tone, Volume
Internal Controls: 4 DIP switches
Internal Boost: +6 dB
Nominal Input Level: -20 dBu
Bypass: True bypass
Input Impedance: 1 MΩ
Output Impedance: 1 kΩ
Power Consumption: 5 mA at 9V DC
Power: 9–18V DC, center-negative
DC Connector: 2.1 mm × 5.5 mm
Battery: One 9V battery (006P)
Dimensions: 3.5" × 1.5" × 1.5" (89 × 38 × 38 mm)
Weight: 0.57 lb. (260 g)
