VST3AU

Kinky Hamster Drive

€9.90

Kinky Hamster Drive is an open, amp-like overdrive for players who want pick attack, guitar volume, and chord detail to survive the dirt. Inspired by the OCD drive sound, it moves from nearly clean push into thick, Marshall-flavored saturation without turning into a blurry fuzz. It has the fast attack, wide frequency range, and touch-sensitive response that made this style of pedal a modern drive classic: open enough for big chords, focused enough for leads, and loud enough to push the next amp stage hard. The circuit model starts with a high-impedance JFET input buffer, drives a TL082-style op-amp gain stage, and clips through asymmetric MOSFET and Schottky behavior against a bias reference. That asymmetry gives the drive its singing second-harmonic lift, crunchy edge, and dynamic amp-like feel. Use LP mode for a fuller low end and fat rhythm body, or switch to HP mode when the mix needs tighter bass, faster attack, and more focused cut.

OCD is a trademark of its respective owner. Kinky Hamster Drive is an independently developed product and is not affiliated with, endorsed by, sponsored by, or licensed by any related trademark owner. All other trademarks are the property of their respective owners.

“Open drive with

asymmetric bite and

amp-like push”

Inside the Open Drive

Asymmetric Harmonic Lift

MOSFET-style clipping against Schottky-style asymmetry creates the drive's singing second-harmonic structure. It feels lively under the pick while keeping chords open and readable.

HP and LP Voicing

The voicing switch changes the low-end stance. HP keeps the bass tighter and faster for dense mixes; LP gives the pedal a fuller, bigger bottom end for rhythm parts and single-coil weight.

Schematic parameters

What do the knobs actually do?

Drive

VR1

Controls gain into the clipping stage. At low settings it stays close to clean boost territory; as it rises, the circuit moves through crunch into thick, saturated overdrive.

Tone

VR2

Sets the high-frequency roll-off, moving from warmer and smoother to brighter, more cutting drive tones.

Volume

VR3

Controls final output level, with enough headroom to sit at unity or push the next amp model hard.

HP/LP Switch

SW1

Selects the low-end voicing. HP tightens and trims the bass for focus; LP restores a fuller bottom for bigger rhythm parts.